Black & Decker 8V MAX Cordless Rotary Tool with 35-piece accessory set

What it is and where it fits

I’ve been using the Black+Decker 8V rotary tool as my grab‑and‑go option for small cutting, sanding, polishing, engraving, and light grinding. It sits right between pen‑style hobby tools and the bigger 12V/corded rotary machines: more punch and runtime than the tiny 4V models, far more portable and less bulky than pro‑grade 12V setups. For quick fixes, DIY craft projects, and light metal work around the shop, it strikes a practical balance of power, control, and convenience.

Design and ergonomics

The body is compact (about 9.5 inches long) with a soft rubber grip that’s easy to hang onto in awkward positions. At 1.3 pounds, it’s light enough to use one‑handed without fighting wrist fatigue, and it feels better balanced than many nose‑heavy rotary tools. The power and speed controls are straightforward, and the top‑mounted LED work light actually illuminates the bit area instead of casting a shadow behind it—handy when you’re tracing an engraving line or trimming in a tight cabinet.

A five‑LED status bar doubles as a speed indicator and battery gauge. It’s easy to read at a glance and more informative than the single “low battery” light you typically get at this price. The spindle lock has a positive click, and the collet nut threads smoothly. Overall fit and finish are what I expect from this brand: not fancy, but solid and confidence‑inspiring.

Power and speed control

This tool offers five preset speeds within a 6,500–28,000 RPM range. The steps are spaced sensibly: slow enough for plastics and polishing, fast enough for cutting and aggressive grinding. I generally used:

• Speed 2–3 for plastics and engraving on glass or ceramics
• Speed 3–4 for wood sanding and shaping
• Speed 5 for metal cutting, deburring, and stone grinding with light pressure

The motor ramps to speed smoothly and holds RPM well under light to moderate load. As with any small cordless rotary tool, you can stall it by leaning on a cutoff wheel in thick steel. Keep the pressure light and let the RPM do the work—when used that way, it’s capable and predictable.

Battery and charging

The 8V MAX lithium‑ion pack is built in and rated at 12 Wh. In practice, I saw roughly 35–45 minutes of mixed, intermittent use on wood, plastic, and light metal before I reached the last battery bar. Heavy cutting and grinding at max speed drains it faster; think in the 15–25 minute range if you’re pushing it hard with reinforced cut‑off wheels.

Charging is via micro USB. The good news: you can top it up from a wall wart, a power bank, or a truck port—very convenient in the field. Using a decent 2A USB charger, my empty‑to‑full charge took around 1.5–2 hours. The bad news: it’s 2025, and micro USB feels dated compared to USB‑C. The port works, but I’d prefer the durability and ubiquity of USB‑C, especially for a tool that’s likely to live in a bag.

Note: bundle contents vary by retailer. You get a USB cable; a charger brick may or may not be included. It’s an internal battery system, so you can’t hot‑swap packs—plan for charging breaks between longer sessions.

Accessory kit and compatibility

The included 35‑piece set covers the basics: sanding drums and sleeves, a mandrel or two, general‑purpose cut‑off wheels, felt polishing pads, a couple of grinding stones, and common collets. It’s a fine starter pack for light tasks and learning the tool, but if you plan to do a lot with metals, I’d budget for higher‑quality accessories—reinforced cutting discs, carbide burrs, diamond wheels, and better polishing compounds make a noticeable difference.

Compatibility is a strong point. The tool accepts 1/32, 1/16, 3/32, and 1/8‑inch collets, which means standard Dremel‑style bits fit without drama. Most users will live in the 1/8‑inch world, but the smaller collets are nice to have for delicate engraving and detailed burrs.

The clear storage case organizes the accessories and makes it obvious when a specific wheel or drum is running low. It’s simple and effective; I can toss it in a drawer and still find what I need quickly.

How it performed in real tasks

• Cutting and trimming metal: With a fiberglass‑reinforced cut‑off wheel at the highest speed, the tool handled trimming M4–M6 screws and deburring aluminum extrusion ends without complaint. For thicker steel hardware, light passes worked better than trying to muscle through in one go. Expect sparks and keep a soft touch—it’s effective, just not a brute.

• Wood shaping and cleanup: Using sanding drums at speeds 3–4, I eased edges on pine, cleaned up router burn marks, and shaped a small oak patch to fit. Control is excellent; the tool’s weight and grip made it easy to feather into contours. Like any rotary sander, it will leave scallops if you linger—keep it moving.

• Plastics: Trimming PVC and ABS at speeds 2–3 minimized melting and reflow. I found a light touch and frequent clearing of debris kept the cut clean.

• Engraving and detail work: With a diamond burr, engraving on glass and ceramic tiles was smoother than I expected from an 8V tool. The LED work light matters here; it helps me follow pencil lines without having to reposition a task light.

• Polishing and cleanup: Felt wheels with compound brightened tarnished brass hinges and brought a nice sheen back to a pocket‑knife bolster. It’s not a bench buffer, but for small bits of hardware, it’s convenient and controlled.

Noise is the typical high‑pitched rotary whine, not excessive but worth ear protection during longer cuts. Vibration is well‑managed at mid speeds; at max speed with larger accessories, you’ll feel it, but it never got unpleasant.

What I liked

• Handy power in a compact, 1.3 lb package
• Sensible five‑step speed range that covers plastics to light metal
• LED work light and a clear, informative speed/battery indicator
• Comfortable grip with good balance for one‑handed control
• Broad collet compatibility (1/32–1/8 in.) for common accessories
• Micro USB charging from a power bank or vehicle is genuinely useful on the go
• Two‑year limited warranty

What could be better

• Micro USB instead of USB‑C
• Built‑in battery means you can’t swap packs during long work sessions
• Included accessories are “starter” quality; plan to upgrade cutoff wheels and burrs
• Five preset speeds are practical, but a stepless dial offers finer control for sensitive materials

Who it’s for

• DIYers and homeowners who want a cordless rotary tool for occasional repairs, craft work, and light fabrication
• Hobbyists who value portability and quick setup over all‑day runtime
• Woodworkers who need a small, precise tool for touch‑ups and detail sanding
• Tinkerers who want a glovebox/van‑friendly rotary tool they can charge from a power bank

If you’re regularly grinding steel, cutting bolts by the dozen, or running mounted stones for extended periods, you’ll outgrow this class of tool. A higher‑voltage cordless (or a corded model) will save time and frustration.

Practical tips

• Let the speed work—use light pressure, especially on metal, to avoid stalling and extend runtime.
• For plastics, drop to speed 2–3 to reduce melting and cleanup.
• Upgrade to reinforced cut‑off wheels and quality carbide/diamond bits for serious metal or tile work.
• Keep a spare USB cable in the case; top up the battery whenever you’re between tasks.

Recommendation

I recommend the Black+Decker 8V rotary tool for anyone who wants a capable, compact, and genuinely convenient cordless rotary option for light to medium tasks. It’s comfortable to use, the five‑step speed range is well chosen, and the LED light plus clear status indicator make everyday jobs easier. The micro USB charging and built‑in battery aren’t perfect for marathon sessions, and the included accessories are basic, but the tool’s balance of performance, portability, and price makes it an easy pick for DIYers and hobbyists who value convenience without giving up useful power.