Black & Decker 8V rotary tool with accessory kit (35-piece)

First impressions and what’s included

I put this Black & Decker 8V rotary tool to work across a handful of light-duty shop and household tasks—cutting a plastic outlet cover, trimming a screw, easing sharp edges on plywood, cleaning up a 3D print, and polishing a tarnished hinge. The kit arrives with 35 accessories, four collets (1/32, 1/16, 3/32, and 1/8 inch), a charger, and a clear storage case for the accessories. The tool itself is cordless and compact, about 9.5 inches long and only 1.3 pounds. Out of the box it’s straightforward: pick the right collet for your bit, tighten the nut, and you’re up and running.

A note on the case: it’s for the accessories, not the tool, but it’s nicely organized and makes it easy to see what you have at a glance. The included accessory assortment is the usual mix—cut-off wheels, sanding drums, polishing bits, and a few grinding stones—enough to get started, but you’ll likely expand your set based on your projects.

Ergonomics and controls

The tool is well-balanced in hand. The slightly tapered handle and modest weight make it easy to control with a pencil grip for detail work or a fist grip for cutting. There are five preset speeds from 5,000 to 25,000 RPM. I usually prefer a stepless dial on rotary tools, but here the presets are sensibly spaced. I ended up using the two middle settings most of the time: mid-low for plastic and finishing work, mid-high for sanding and light grinding. The speed changes are predictable and repeatable, which is useful when returning to a material that liked a particular RPM.

Vibration is low for this class of tool, and the motor spin-up is smooth. Noise is about what you’d expect: fairly mild at the lower speeds, louder and a bit whiny at the top setting, but never obnoxious.

Power and performance

As an 8V cordless unit (nominal 7.2V, 12 Wh battery), this is positioned squarely for light-duty jobs. It’s not trying to be a corded 1.8-amp rotary grinder, and that’s fine. Within its lane, it’s reliable:

• Cutting: With the included cut-off wheels, it handled plastic electrical plates and drywall like a charm. On steel screws up to about 3/16 inch, it made it through cleanly if I took my time and let the wheel do the work. For thicker fasteners or extended cutting in metal, you’ll feel the tool slow if you lean on it. That’s your cue to back off and keep the pressure light.

• Sanding and shaping: The sanding drums at mid-high speed were the sweet spot for breaking edges on plywood and cleaning up 3D-printed PLA and PETG. No melting or clogging when I kept the speed moderate and used light passes. For hardwood detail work, it’s fast enough to be effective without burning.

• Grinding: The small grinding stones work for deburring and tidying up a ragged cut, but you’ll want patience and the higher presets for anything beyond that. This isn’t a brute-force grinder, and it rewards a lighter touch.

• Polishing: Low to mid speeds with a felt wheel and compound cleaned up tarnished hardware nicely. The 5,000–10,000 RPM range is genuinely useful; many tools jump too quickly from “too slow” to “too hot.” Here, the lowest preset keeps heat in check.

One pleasant surprise was bit runout: with the included collets, my bits ran true enough for precise work. That’s partly down to properly seating the bit and tightening the collet, but the spindle and collet fit on my unit felt solid.

Battery life and charging

Battery life depends heavily on speed and load, but as a rough guide I got a few short projects done on a single charge: a couple dozen small sanding and chamfering tasks, some plastic trimming, and a handful of quick cuts. Continuous run time at medium speed lands in the “multiple short sessions” category rather than an extended, uninterrupted grind. That suits how most people use a rotary tool—bursts of work, then swap bits or reposition the material.

The low-battery indicator flashes before the tool calls it quits. It’s a simple heads-up rather than a multi-stage fuel gauge, so plan to top up if you see it blinking ahead of a longer session. The included charger is plug-and-go. I’d love a percentage readout or a two-LED battery gauge, but the indicator does its job.

Collets, accessories, and compatibility

Support for 1/32, 1/16, 3/32, and 1/8-inch collets covers the majority of common rotary bits, including the standard 1/8-inch shank found on many third-party accessories. Swapping collets is quick enough, though it’s not as fast as a keyless chuck. The trade-off is grip: a proper collet holds the bit true and resists slippage better than some chucks on small tools.

The 35-piece accessory set gets you started in all four core tasks—cutting, grinding, sanding, and polishing. The consumables are decent, but like any starter kit they’re not endless. Depending on your material mix, you’ll probably add more cut-off wheels, sanding drums in varied grits, and a couple of specialty bits (a carbide burr for aggressive shaping, a reinforced cut-off wheel for metal). The good news is compatibility is broad; your existing 1/8-inch bits should fit right in.

Precision and control

Where this tool shines is precision at manageable speeds. The 5,000 RPM preset is genuinely useful for plastics, soft metals, and polishing, keeping heat down and preventing melted edges. The middle presets keep you from overshooting with an aggressive wheel. I found detail work—engraving a small indicator line on a jig, opening a tight mortise corner, or cleaning a countersink—easy to control with minimal chatter.

If you’re cutting for long stretches or hogging material, the motor will remind you it’s 8V. For me, that limitation also encourages better technique: lighter pressure, let the abrasive do the cutting, and make multiple passes.

Ergonomic odds and ends

• The grip diameter felt right for both gloved and bare hands.
• The on-tool controls are simple; it’s easy to confirm your speed setting and adjust without stopping.
• At 1.3 pounds, fatigue wasn’t an issue, even during detail work that required finer control.

I would have welcomed a rubber nose or removable shield for added grip in tight spaces, but that’s a wishlist item rather than a knock.

What could be better

• Top speed caps at 25,000 RPM. That’s enough for most jobs, but if you regularly run small burrs at 30,000–35,000 RPM, you may miss the extra headroom.
• Power is tuned for light-duty. Expect to stall if you lean heavily into hardened steel or thick bolts.
• The battery indicator is binary (low or not). A multi-stage gauge would make planning easier.
• The included accessories are basic. You’ll want to supplement for specialized materials or frequent metalwork.
• No storage for the tool itself—only the accessory case is included.

None of these are deal-breakers for the target use, but they’re worth knowing.

Tips for best results

• Match speed to material: lower for plastic and polishing, mid-high for wood sanding, high for light cutting and grinding.
• Use light pressure. If it bogs, lift off, up the speed a step, or change to a more suitable bit.
• Keep cutting wheels square to the cut and let them cool between passes to avoid glazing.
• Seat bits fully into the collet and tighten firmly to minimize runout.
• Wear eye protection; even small cut-off wheels can shed grit.

Who it’s for

This 8V rotary tool is ideal for homeowners, hobbyists, and makers who value convenience and control over maximum power. It’s a great fit for craft work, light metal touch-ups, small cutouts, and finishing tasks where a cord is cumbersome and a large tool is overkill. If your day involves nonstop metal cutting or grinding, you’ll be better served by a corded or higher-voltage model.

Recommendation

I recommend the Black & Decker 8V rotary tool for light-duty, everyday rotary tasks. It’s comfortable, easy to control, and the five preset speeds make it simple to choose settings that won’t overcook your material. The four collet sizes and broad accessory compatibility mean you’re not locked into a proprietary ecosystem, and the cordless convenience is hard to beat for quick jobs around the shop and house. Its limitations—modest torque, a basic accessory pack, and a simple low-battery indicator—are expected at this size and price point. If your work centers on precision and portability rather than raw power, this tool hits the mark. If you need extended high-power grinding or lots of deep metal cuts, consider stepping up to a corded or higher-voltage rotary tool instead.