DeWalt 20V MAX XR Sheet Sander and Oscillating Multi-Tool Combo Kit

A two-tool kit that hits the right notes for mobile woodworking

I picked up this DeWalt combo for punch-list work and on-site tweaks to built-ins and trim, where cords are more trouble than they’re worth. After a few weeks of cabinet door prep, stair-nose flush cuts, and general cleanups around the shop and jobsite, I came away impressed by how cohesive the kit feels. You’re getting a brushless 5-inch random orbit sander and a brushless oscillating multi-tool, a 5.0Ah 20V battery, and an 8A fast charger. It’s a straightforward package, but the details make it useful well beyond “backup” status.

The sander: smooth finish, smart ergonomics

The 5-inch random orbit sander is the quiet star here. It’s compact, with a low profile that keeps your hand close to the workpiece. The textured rubber grip is excellent—sticky without feeling gummy—and the balance with the 5.0Ah pack is more stable than I expected. On vertical work, a compact pack makes it feel even nimbler, but with the included 5.0Ah battery it still stays planted and behaves.

Performance-wise, the 8,000–12,000 OPM range covers stock removal and finish work. I prepped maple drawer fronts with 80–120 grit at mid speed and moved to 180–220 at the low end; the scratch pattern was consistent, and I didn’t have to fight swirls. The motor ramps up cleanly, and there’s enough control that you can feather in from an edge without scarring.

Vibration is well managed. Compared to older brushed sanders, this one is easier on the hands over a longer session. The dust-sealed switch feels durable and has a positive click, not a vague membrane toggle.

A couple of practical notes:
- The 8-hole hook-and-loop pad grips paper snugly and releases without peeling foam.
- With a vacuum attached via an adapter and paper aligned to the holes, dust stays in check. Even without a vac, the pad’s extraction pattern helps keep the surface clear enough to monitor your progress.

The multi-tool: familiar power, better control

The oscillating multi-tool has two things going for it: a truly useful control scheme and a quick-change accessory system that works as advertised. The 3-speed selector acts as a ceiling, and the variable-speed trigger handles the nuance. That combination is excellent for delicate plunge starts in trim and for dialing back aggression in softwoods and laminates.

In practice, I set speed 1 for grout removal and sanding corners, speed 2 for plunge cuts on casing and notching back door jambs, and speed 3 for bolder cuts in hardwood or when using a scraper. The trigger gives you finesse—the kind of control that helps you avoid an accidental jump that bites into finished material.

Blade changes are tool-free and secure. The included universal adapter is a nice touch; I ran a mixed bag of blades from different brands with no fit issues. The clamp applies even pressure, and I didn’t experience slippage under load.

Cutting performance is on par with corded units in the same class. It’s not a demolition tool, but when you match the blade to the material and let the blade do the work, it’s quick and clean. Noise is typical for an oscillating tool—hearing protection is a must.

Runtime, charging, and the one-battery reality

Bundling a single 5.0Ah battery keeps the kit light and the price sensible, but it does shape how you use it. In a typical day of mixed use, I alternated tools and parked the battery on the 8A charger between tasks. The fast charger does what it says: top-offs are genuinely fast, and a near-empty 5.0Ah pack was back in the game in what felt like a coffee break rather than a lunch break.

Actual runtime depends heavily on load. The sander, used at moderate speed on hardwood, gave me a substantial session before I needed a swap; the multi-tool, as usual, draws more under heavy cutting but benefits from speed limiting and a light trigger hand. If you expect to sand continuously or cut heavily for extended stretches, add a second battery. A compact 2.0Ah pack trims weight on the sander for overhead or vertical work; the 5.0Ah is the better match for the multi-tool.

Build quality and reliability

Both tools feel solid. The brushless motors start smoothly, and there’s none of the brushy harshness you sometimes get on cheaper cordless tools. The housings fit up cleanly, grips are well molded, and switches don’t wobble. I didn’t encounter any thermal cutouts in normal use. If you stall the sander hard or lean too aggressively, the electronics will shut it down to protect the motor—that’s expected behavior, and cycling the switch brings it back.

The charger’s fan is audible but not obnoxious, and the unit sits flat without rattling packs. The kit is UL safety listed, and DeWalt backs it with a 3-year limited warranty, one year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee—reassuring coverage for tools you’ll likely put through varied work.

Usability details that matter

• Paper changes on the sander are fast and accurate thanks to the 8-hole pattern; proper alignment improves dust extraction and cut quality.
• The sander’s low profile makes it easier to keep level on edges and rails. It feels especially good for panel prep and face-frame sanding.
• On the multi-tool, the trigger-plus-selector approach is simply better than a dial alone. You get fine control without surprise over-speed moments.
• The quick-change accessory clamp actually saves time. Swapping blades mid-cut—say, from a wood-to-nails blade to a fine-tooth flush blade—becomes routine rather than a chore.

What I’d improve

• Include a second battery. The 8A charger helps, but a kit with two tools should ship with two batteries so you can rotate without planning.
• Add a small storage solution. Even a soft bag keeps blades, sanding discs, and the adapter where they belong.
• Provide the vacuum adapter in-box with the sander. Most users will want external dust collection for best results.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they would elevate the kit from “smart” to “complete.”

Who this kit suits

• Trim carpenters and installers who need controlled, precise cuts and quick surface finishing without tripping over cords.
• Cabinetmakers and furniture folks doing on-site fits, hinge recess cleanups, and finish sanding post-install.
• DIYers upgrading from loud, hand-numbing brushed sanders and older oscillating tools—the difference in control and comfort is real.

If you’re a production finisher who sands for hours at a stretch, pair the kit with a second 5.0Ah battery and a dedicated dust setup. If you’re a remodeler doing heavy plunge cuts all day, you’ll appreciate the control scheme—just mind your blade selection.

The bottom line

As a compact cordless pairing, this DeWalt combo does exactly what I need on a job: deliver clean finishes, controlled cuts, and fast turnaround between tasks. The sander is stable, consistent, and easy on the hands. The multi-tool combines genuinely helpful speed control with a no-drama accessory system. The single 5.0Ah battery and 8A fast charger are workable, but a second battery makes the kit sing.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit for anyone who values portable, well-mannered tools that don’t compromise on control. The brushless motors, smart ergonomics, and fast charger add up to a kit that earns its place in the van. Add a spare battery and a handful of quality accessories, and you’ve got a dependable everyday setup for woodworking and finish carpentry.