Rockwell’s new BladeRunner is a portable benchtop saw that can be used on a wide variety of materials. But is it the ultimate cutting machine? Here’s a look at its features and specs:
The BladeRunner is powered by a 5.5A motor, features a 17″ x 15-3/4″ table, and has a no-load speed of 800-2800 strokes per minute with a stroke length of 7/8″. It weighs in at nearly 18 lbs, and certain models include a wall mount for easy storage. You also get a vacuum dust collection port, a miter gauge/rip fence, and 5 jigsaw blades.
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That’s right, the BladeRunner is compatible with standard T-shank jigsaw blades, making it easy to find the proper blade for the job.
Cutting capacity is as follows: 1-1/2″ in wood, 1-1/4″ in PVC pipe, 3/8″ in aluminum, 1/8″ in steel, and 3/8″ in ceramic materials. The saw is capable of scroll cuts, rip cuts, circular cuts and curves, as well as straight and miter cuts.
I wouldn’t call this the “ultimate cutting machine”, but it looks like a fantastic design that has been well implemented. Early users reviews are pretty positive, but one or two point out that the tool might be underpowered. Most jigsaws are rated at 4.5-7.0 amps, so the BladeRunner’s 5.5A motor *should* be sufficient for most needs.
The BladeRunner is priced at about $180.
Rockwell BladeRunner via Amazon
Also Available via Woodcraft
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rob
The Infomercial for the Blade Runner sucked me in and I watched it for about 20 mins a few weeks ago. I really like the idea of the saw, the mounting bracket for your garage was really cool. I guess what made me think twice was the power and how many projects would you use it for. It’s something I have been watching on Amazon but the price right now is just too much for me to justify giving it a shot.
Stuart
I suppose time will tell whether or not it’s a DIY do-it-all or infomercial gimmick. Rockwell has come out with quite a few great tools in the past – the SoniCrafter and JawHorse for example. Maybe this one will follow suit, but from what I read, I too have doubts about its power.
Brad L'lee
I don’t get it. Why would anyone pay $200 for an upside down sabre saw? Total homeowner DIY junk -nothing a trade pro would use for anything IMO
sullivan504
[I realize that this post is over a year old, but this info may be useful to someone who stumbles upon it like I did…]
I purchased one of these for a student workshop environment (design studio, specifically) about a year ago and it’s proven valuable. The biggest selling point is safety– I allow young and/or inexperienced users to work with this after minimal training and don’t have to worry about [serious] injury compared to conventional power tools. Kids that I would NEVER allow near a table saw can operate the BladeRunner with minimal supervision. You don’t worry much about the blade, but also the workpiece– unlike a tool with a rotational cutting bit or blade, this saw can’t pick up the material and fling it across the room.
The accuracy for rip or crosscuts isn’t up to tablesaw standards, but it’s a reasonable trade-off for safety and convenience. Because this is basically an upside-down jigsaw and there is far less blocking the operator’s view of the blade, jigsaw-optimal cuts are far more accurate than what you’d expect from an intermediate user with a traditional jigsaw. I don’t expect a machinist to use one of these, and it’s no replacement for an overarm pin router, but it’s great for some users.
After safety, the best thing about this saw is debris, or rather the lack thereof. Students can be working on the BladeRunner and I don’t need to run a dust collection system… dust and wood chips are about as prevalent as they would be with a handheld jigsaw. Compare that to a table saw or router and you can see the benefit. It has a vacuum port but that hasn’t been needed for light use.
Rockwell has a pair of accessories for this– a picture frame guide and a circle cutter. The former (picture frame guide) offers little that the included miter gauge/fence doesn’t already provide. The latter (circle cutter) is pretty handy and made with the same consumer-friendly features as the Blade Runner itself… a circle cutting jig is no challenge for an experienced DIYer to make, but it’s a reasonable add-on for somebody who is already using the saw that doesn’t want to start building their own jigs and fixtures just to finish a project. Again, it’s worth it if you’re already the target market, but it’s not the “everyman’s do-everything tool” that Rockwell would have you believe in their infomercial.
Brad is correct that no trade pro would ever use this, but I don’t think this is the target market. Even avid DIY users (arguably any ToolGuyd reader) should probably pass this up unless you want to have one of everything. If I lived in a Manhattan studio apartment and HAD to have a mini craft shop at home, this might be a compromise I could live with. Another target market is the “timid wife” (if that stereotype really exists) who wants to do light DIY crafts but is intimidated by more robust power tools.
Charlotte Allen
Husband lost the safety control. yellow piece. Would like to see if I can get a replacement.
kay
I lost the miter gauge/ rip fence can I get a replacement and how much