HF Multifunction Tool

[BigguyZ]

The Rockwell one is considerably better made. The HF one worked really well too though. The one thinkg I like about Rockwell, is mine came with an adapter nut, so I've been able to use HF, Dremel, Bosch, PC, Tool Shop, and Performax blades in my tool.

As far as cheap blades go, Menards has accessory sets that regularly go on sale for $20-$20 (after rebate) with a bunch of blades, including carbide and diamond.

[pelligrini]

Is the Rockwell any quieter then the HF ones?

Even with hearing protection on my HF tool is really loud.

[vaking]

I use HF single speed tool with HF, Bosch, Dremel and Crfatsman blades. Craftsman blades seems cheaper than even HF. Many blades Craftsman sells as a pair of 2, while HF sells a single blade.
I bought the tool for a specific job thinking for $20 it would pay for itself in one project. The tool had since seen a lot of use, a lot more than I originally expected.

[BigguyZ]

Is the Rockwell any quieter then the HF ones?

Even with hearing protection on my HF tool is really loud.

Yes. It's not whisper quiet, but I found the difference considerable.

[Stytooner]

I concur.
It does seem a bit quieter. It doesn't get as warm either.

[LCHIEN]

FWIW Lowes has sales labels on the shelves for the single speed RK5100K with 21 accessory pieces for $99. But they only had the RK5112K (VS version of RK5100) on the shelf but it scanned at $99, too.

But a quick look on the net found the RK5112K MF tool with 21 accessory pieces at the
Rockwell store on eBay which are factory recons but are selling for $57.99 with free shipping (and probably) no tax.

Assuming a recon Rockwell with VS for $58 is much better than the single speed HF for $17 then there's a reasonable alternative. I guess it depends on your prefereces.

[eezlock]

Hf multi tool

I have one these tools that I have used several times (mostly sanding and light duty cutting jobs) for over a year. One day, all of a sudden it stops running in the middle of the job, I bumped it against the workbench and it came back on and started running again. I had problems with it doing the same thing on a regular use basis after that, run and quit, run and quit.I thought it must be a loose electrical connection on the inside either a switch or motor brush problem.

I was in one of our local thrift stores a few months later and found another one just like this for $10.00 and it ran perfectly, so I bought it as a replacement for the first that died on me during a major wall repair due to water leakage. I took the dead one to HF told them of the problem they asked " do you have the sales receipt? ....answer, NO! after a couple of years what is the use, they asked "did you buy extended warranty" my answer, I don't think that I did for a $29.00 tool...come on here! They said they could not help me....to them I said fine, I left their other junky items on the counter and walked out! I took the old dead tool apart and found it had broken wire connections where they connect to the motor, repaired them and now it is running again! Moral to story...crappy Chinese workers can't make quality products when only paid $.015 per day for labor.

[cabinetman]

I took the dead one to HF told them of the problem they asked " do you have the sales receipt? ....answer, NO! after a couple of years what is the use, they asked "did you buy extended warranty" my answer, I don't think that I did for a $29.00 tool...come on here! They said they could not help me....

Maybe its just my local store, but I've brought back a few items and got an exchange without a receipt.

.

[BigguyZ]

I forgot to look to see when the sale ended, but Menards has a sale on the Performax or whatever cutting blade set. It has 3 japanese/ aggressive wood blades, and at least 2 of the std blades, as well as 2 each of several other width cutting blades, including the half circle. Over all, a good deal for only $20 (normally $40) Without a rebate.