If you have never heard of an oscillating tool, then you need to get out from under that rock. There are only about 3 million articles online about them and yes you guessed it, we are adding one more to make 3 million and one articles. In reality they are a very cool tool. One of the reasons there are so many articles and reviews about these tools is because you can do so much with them. Today we are going to do an overview of the Rockwell SoniCrafter Lithium-ion oscillating tool model RK2514K2.
Specifications of the Rockwell SoniCrafter
- 12V Lithium-ion
- Built in LED light
- Metal Gear Housing
- Soft Grip Handle
- Oscillation Speeds – 5000-20000 OPM
- Oscillation Angle 3.2 degrees
Features
An oscillating tool is great for a wide range of applications such as cutting in tight spots, sanding in tight spots, cutting out wood or drywall, repairing trim or molding and a lot more, the list goes on. Besides the wide range of applications this tool can perform, it is very appealing because it can suit more than one type of person. This is not only great for the DIY or hobbyist, but also the professional.
Another nice feature is the LED light on the front of the tool flashes when the battery is getting low. This is a nice little feature to have on a tool, it lets the user know if they need to charge the battery and can go sit and have another cup of coffee before they get started. There is nothing worse than starting a project and getting two minutes into it and realizing the batteries are dead.
The SoniCrafter comes with a wide range of accessories to let any user get started on the most common types of projects. We have used other oscillating kits and it is annoying when the manufacturer is cheap on the accessories they offer in the kit. It’s a joke when you want to use the tool and have to spend another $30 in accessories. Rockwell did a great job by providing a lot of accessories to get started.
Operation
When picking up the Rockwell, we noticed it had good balance and good feel in our hands, partly because of the 12V Lithium-ion battery being light and partly due to the soft rubberized grip. The SoniCrafter uses an on/off switch to power up and power off the tool. A user can adjust the speed by using a turn dial towards the back side of the tool. This dial will adjust the speed anywhere from 5,000-20,000 OPM. The Rockwell has a nice wide OPM range which makes this tool great for a lot of different applications. We ended up playing with the oscillation tool for a couple of weeks and the two things we noticed most was the control and vibration.
The tool is very easy to control. When looking at the tool you would not think so because oscillating tools tend to be long. The solid design of the tool along with the weight distribution made it a snap for one handed use. We were able to get very precise even along a surface where one side was painted and another needed to be scraped. The vibration of the tool is kept at a minimum which surprised us. We have used other oscillating tools and were very use to having the vibration feeling in our hand after long periods of use when we would turn the tool off. The Rockwell, while it did have vibration, seemed to be less than the other brands we have used.
Performance
As we noted above, we played with this tool for a couple of weeks and got a lot of use out of the tool. We did everything from sanding some wood in tight spots, to cutting metal and PVC. We were able to perform everything with ease. The sand paper held up pretty well even when we were sanding some red elm. When we started cutting through metal, it did cut well, but we noticed the battery drained a little quicker compared to the sanding application, which is expected. The blades stood up well when cutting the metal pipes. All in all the tool ran through just about everything we did without bogging down. Not saying you can not bog the tool down, but under normal operating conditions and using the tool it is designed for, you will not get it to bog down.
The overall battery life is comparable to other oscillating tools. The 12V is a give and take. You get the great balance and the tool being light, but you give up a little longer battery life. With the 30 minute charger and two batteries, we don’t see any issues or any real downtime when your working with the Rockwell.
Conclusion
The Rockwell SoniCrafter Lithium-ion oscillating tool model RK2514K2 is a great buy. The kit comes with a lot of accessories which is a huge plus. The overall balance and feel of the tool is great. The wide range of OPM is great for a variety of applications. Overall this is a great tool to have for the DIY, hobbyist and professional. With a name like Rockwell, how can you go wrong.
We always like to hear back from our readers on their experience with these tools – good or bad. Do you have experience with these tools? How has the long term use been? What applications have you used the tool for? Is this a DIY or professional grade tool? Let us and other readers know.
How to Sharpen Oscillating Blades
Want to extend the life of your oscillating blades? Read our article Sharp Pog – Oscillating Blade Sharpener Review or buy it on Amazon.
I have been looking at purchasing an oscillating tool for the last month. Read reviews and details of the Dremel, Milwaukee, Fein, and Rockwell Sonicrafter RK2514K2.
I just bought the Sonicrafter and had a chance to use it…Absolutely love it. It’s well made, sharp looking, easy to handle, & come with great accessories.
I purchased it from Coastal-Tools…..$169 no tax, free shipping. It arrived in 2 days!
Thanks for your review of the Sonicrafter….helped me make up my mind.
Adnan Bdour
I have this tool and it worked great when I first got it, but it has been sitting in the bag for a bit and the batteries won’t hold a charge. One not at all and when I put the one that works back in the charger because it is dead the charger acts confused. 🙁
Exactly the same thing happened to me with 2 batteries. Didn’t believe that 2 batteries would go funk at the same time so I directly wired the sonicrafter and it works. Its both batteries.
Both of my batteries have died apparently. The charger turns green in about thirty seconds after a battery is dropped in, but the tool dies in about ten seconds of use. The charger does not indicate a faulty battery by flashing. Two new battery packs will cost about $80!
had trouble with my batteries too. they’re dead and then you go to charge them it lights green. as if they are charged