Product Review

In recent years, rotary cutout tools have soared in popularity, due mainly to a series of television infomercials promoting one brand. Though it doesn't receive the TV airplay of its main competitor, this DeWalt model uses a durable 5 amp motor--the most powerful motor yet in a cutout tool--making it a great tool for professional drywallers, electricians, and carpenters. To help battle dust infiltration, the tool features a sealed motor and switch, a must for any serious drywall tool. It also sports a quick-and-easy, tool-free bit-changing system and comes with both 1/8 and 1/4 inch collets. We really like the bump-off switch for quick tool shutdown and the simple and effective tool-free depth adjustments. Like other rotary cutout tools, this one uses spiral cutting bits, which work equally well plunging into a cut as they do laterally. In our test we found the DeWalt to be smooth running with low vibration. We had no problem plunging and cutting through 1-1/2 inches of solid birch, whizzing through drywall, and tearing through tile. In fact, this tool has more power than you'd expect from something of its size, and if you aren't paying attention, it can get away from you--an easier to live with problem than lack of power. Some extraordinary claims have been made about rotary cutout tools, and while DeWalt's cutout tool is as versatile as any we've tried, and a bit more powerful than most, it's most effective at what it was designed for--quick cutouts in drywall, tile, and plywood. --Brian Trinen