Customer Reviews

Black & Decker RTX-1 2 Amp 8,000 to 30,000 RPM Variable Speed Rotary Tool with 55 Accessories

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I bought the Dremel first,it was ok, but it needed more torque. I returned it and got the RTX....WOW I was amazed, this tool blows away the dremel with almost twice as much power and twice as much torque! Dont waste your money on dremel, get the RTX.

Don't waste your money on Rotozip (read others reviews on it) or the expensive Dremel kits. This has all the power you could ever need in an easy to handle package that works great right out of the box! I recommend getting the wand attachment with it, as this will aid with all "fine" detail work.

I've owned a dremel for over 5 years. We just moved, and I could not find it, apparently hidden deep within our catacombs of packed boxes. It was just the excuse I needed to upgrade. Alas, I saw the RTX tool, an apparently updated Dremel. The RTX attachments and chuck appear to be similar to a Dremel, but the RTX has enough power to be a "real tool". I'm very satisfied with this purchase. I will be giving this gift to many on my Christmas list this year. Other Dremel improvements (over my old Dremel anyway) * Better case, much larger, with a separate tool holder. The dremel sometimes required a crow bar to get the tool into the case and close it. * Better speed control * flip up chuck lock to simplify chucking/unchucking attachments BTW, I use the tool mostly for trim work as a way to finish up coped joints. On quarter round, it does the entire job.

This tool rocks, it's all you ever need, it's got power galore and blows away those other more popular ones. The b & d accessories like the router attachement and stuff are hard to find though.

I originally bought this tool because I'd always wanted a Dremel, and this was on sale and much cheaper. I didn't expect I'd use it much - I just had a particular project in mind, and the price was right.

Since buying it, however, I've found hundreds of reasons to plug it in! This tool has always performed exceptionally, and I've never been dissapointed. I learned fast,however, that I rarely need to turn the speed up past low. (It has low, medium and high). The first time I used it was to sand an edge off of this little piece of wood. Naturally, I selected high... more power must be better, right? :) Well, I barely touched the sanding tip to the wood before I had a 1/2 groove bored out of it! Switching to low proved to make the job easy and safe. I've bought a few attachments, and have used this to cut holes in computer cases, sand down wooden edges, cut home-made circuit boards, bore holes in drywall, etc. I even used it to carve a pumpkin at haloween... messy, but it worked :) All in all an excellent tool.

I received an RTX-1 as a present. I was impressed by the powerful motor and cool looks. I finally had a reason to use it and found the tool vibrated almost as much as my palm sander and the cutting tool I had chucked up was not running true.

Owners manual says if there is excessive vibration to rechuck tool 1/4 turn from start position until vibration goes away. The vibration did not go away no matter how or where cutter was positioned.

In fact the RTX-1 vibrated with nothing chucked up and a perfectly good 1/8" drill bit ran so out of round it was a total blur.

I was able to exchange the RTX-1 for a 395 Dremel. It runs smoothly and cutters and drill bits run true. Granted it is not as powerful as the RTX-1 but what does the extra power matter if you can't control it?

I realize that nothing is perfect. For $60 I don't expect RTX to be an Industrial tool. I did however expected it to work longer than 15 minutes! After the second use, the chuck lock failed and I had to use a small screw driver to unlock the chuck. After the 5th use, the speed controller failed. It started to hiccup while working. The sixth time I went to use the tool, it seized and smoke came out of it! Total life of this unit was about 15 minutes. I bought it more than 60 days ago so the retailer will not exchange it. I have written to Black and Decker through their web site several times. I have not heard anything from them. I realize, I may have a lemon. Not having any information from the manufacturer is the worst part. I am buying a second one now. This time I am going with Dremel. Lemon or no lemon, I am very dissatisfied with the customer service at Black and Decker.

I purchased this tool when I could no longer rent a die grinder at my local NationsRent. I needed to cut three T-bar fence posts (frequently used for electric fences and supporting young trees). I was sceptical about the available power for such a hefty job, but it ripped right through them. I did go through two heavy-duty cutting discs per post (about ...), but it got the job done where a bumper jack could not.

I'd wanted a Dremel for a long time but couldn't resist when I saw a basic (the RTX-3) kit on sale for half as much, with nearly 2x the power!

PROS: A) 2 amps vs. Dremel's 1.2 gives you far better cutting power (I hardly ever need any setting but Low speed!) B) The flip-lever spindle lock is FAR easier to use than a collet-locking button - you never need a tool to change parts, and it locks out the power switch (so you can't accidentally hit the collet lock with the power on - very annoying and possibly breaking the tool). C) It's just plain better-looking than the Dremel. ;-)

CONS: B&D needs to get their act together on accessories and dealers who stock them - and/or let us know whether/which Dremel or Craftsman accessories fit the RTX! I could really use a drill press, router, or flexible extension accessory, and can't seem to find them anywhere in stores (the website isn't too helpful, here, either)

Overall, though, much more power for a much better price - Dremel's needed the competition for a long time, and B&D delivered. (I'll give 'em 5 stars when they get the accessory & distribution thing improved.)

I purchased the RTX when it was really on sale and I love it but...I can't find the router accessory for it such as the Dremel, rotozip, et al have. The one that is advertised on the Black & Decker site is not available. It looks to be big and cumbersome, unlike the small attachment the other brands have. B&D ought to look at that make and make available such an attachment that is small, easy to use, and allows you to make cuts. I love this tool and wouldn't trade it for any other model, but this attachment would really help.