Rockwell Review #1
Rating: 5 (excellent)
Nickname: none2
Date: 2008-06-26
Summary: Very well built and nicely balanced...
First of all this saw is Made in China but that hasn't taken away from the quality in the least...All parts fit together closely and the overall saw is of superb quality...
This not a light and small saw...The saw with battery weighs 7 lbs 14 ozs. as verified by my digital postal scale...So if you are looking for a small lightweight trim type saw then you might want to look elsewhere...But for me its perfect...It's balanced very well and the weight allows it to glide through the wood more smoothly...
The base is huge being a full 5"x11" whereas my other 5 1/2" saws are only 5"x9"...And that includes my Pro Skil model HD5510...But again this Rockwell saw outweighs them both by a pound...Also the picture gives the impression the base might be black plastic but it's 5/32 stamped STEEL with a chromium coating...The gearbox housing and blade guards are all aluminum, not plastic along with the motor having ball bearing construction...Even what plastic there is consists of very thick polymer...All of these extra qualities obviously add to the weight which is a fair trade off in my book...
I also like the 3300 rpm motor which is the same speed as the more expensive DeWalt and Milwaukee units...Plus this package has 2 batteries AND full lifetime replacements if they ever fail...The battery guarantee was what really swayed the deal...
Other than ripping a 2x6 Douglas Fir I haven't had a chance to test any hard woods but it did that 2x6 with ease...Time will tell if the motor and gearbox are as tough as the exterior but since there is zero lateral play at the blade shaft I think it will hold up well...
I did go to a retail store and checked out a DeWalt but I liked the balance and trigger mechanism on the Rockwell much better...It just seemed more natural...This saw can be easisly used with one or two hands and the rubberized handle top comes in handy when the hands get a little sweaty...So far I can't find anything I don't like about it...Even the case is well designed and solidly built...:)
Rockwell Review #2
Rating: 1 (very poor)
Nickname: anonymous
Date: 2009-11-16
Summary: Never got to use it
I have no idea how this saw works. I ordered it and the jig saw. When I went to register it I couldn't find a serial number to get the job done. I called and e-mailed Amazon, they kept telling me it was right on the tool, not. Then they advised me to get a hold of Rockwell. I e-mailed and called them several times. They tried to tell me once there wasn't a serial number on them. Asked how do you register it then for the warranty, then I was told it didn't have a warranty (had 2 year plus life time replacement on the battery's). Then I had to call back to Amazon since thats where I got it. This was done and finally they said they were going to sent me the paper work to return both items and send me new ones. This they did. Would you believe when I opened the replacement order it was the same story no serial numbers. So when I got this I called Amazon and they told me they were going to send me the paper work so I could send them back. At one time I had over $700.00 dollars worth of tools setting in my home and couldn't prove they belonged to me. Amazon advised me they were going to put a stop on Rockwell tools until they got it cleared up. At this time you still can't order the saw or the jig saw. Makes you really wonder what Rockwell was doing.