Oscillating multi-tools (OMTs) is a handy tool that every aspiring and professional craftsman should have in their toolbox. An OMT can be used to saw, sand, scrape, polish, and can be used for several other applications, hence earning it the much-deserved “multi” title. One of the most magical things about this unit is that its attachments’ pancake-like flatness allows the tool to reach spaces that other tools can’t.
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In this article, we’re going to take a quick look at the different specs of the Bosch GOP53-36C2 and the DEWALT DWE315K Oscillating Tool, as well as the components that come with their respective kits. Together, these OMTs seem to be dominating the market, evidenced by their massive collection of positive reviews by users and industry experts. However, if you only need one OMT, which of these two would better suit youWithout further ado, let’s see which of these models reigns supreme.
Speed
Bosch GOP53-36C2
One of the most important things to pay attention to when searching your hardware store for a reliable OMT is its oscillating speed rating. Generally, the quicker the oscillations, the cleaner the cut. The Bosch GOP55-36C2 oscillating tool has a maximum OPM-rate of 20,000, which is about the industry standard for a residential-use OMT like this. What’s more, is that is that it comes with a variable speed dial so there’s a reduced risk of operating at too high a speed since you can set the dial to limit the OPM count.
DEWALT DWE315K
Meanwhile, the DEWALT DWE315K Oscillating Tool can go up to an amazing 22,000 OPM. This is great since you can use it to scrape rust and concrete spills off of multiple surfaces efficiently. However, the variable speed control lies in the touch-sensitive trigger, so the harder you push, the quicker the blade will oscillate. This is a great feature for advanced users, but amateurs might have difficulties in getting the unit to run at their desired speed.
Conclusion: The 2,000 OPM difference between the BOSCH and the DEWALT isn’t too significant, though we like that the DEWALT delivers a 10%-increased in maximum speed. However, we like the variable speed dial of the Bosch GOP55-36C2 which eliminates the guesswork in setting up an appropriate speed.
LED Light
Bosch GOP53-36C2
Having a front-facing LED light is handy when working in dark spaces or hard-to-reach spots. Even during the daytime, an LED light helps by offering a supplementary beam of light that illuminates your work surface. Unfortunately, the Bosch GOP55-36C2 doesn’t come with a built-in light so you either need to work in a well-lit environment or carry around an external source of light.
DEWALT DWE315K
Unlike the Bosch, the DEWALT DWE315K features a built-in LED light that shines a bright light onto your work surface. For grinding, scraping, and cutting applications, the LED light comes in handy.
Conclusion: The DEWALT wins this by default. However, a lack of a built-in source of light isn’t a deal-breaker and shouldn’t be your main consideration when purchasing an OMT. But if you’re in dire need of an OMT with its source of light, then the DEWALT DWE315K is the tool for you.
Included Attachments
Bosch GOP53-36C2
When considering buying a kit, having a wide variety of attachments and blades can be a great way to determine whether a kit is worth buying. The Bosch GOP55-36C2 oscillating tool includes sealant knives (varying sizes), plunge blades (varying sizes), a hook knife, a grout blade, a sanding pad, and several sanding sheets. All together, this kit comes with 14 different blade attachments and 25 sanding sheets.
DEWALT DWE315K
If you look online, you’ll see that the DWE315K comes with an amazing 29-piece accessory kit. Unfortunately, 25 of the 29 accessories are sheets of sanding paper. The others are wood with nails blade, a blade for fast-cutting pieces of wood, a semi-circle plunge blade, and a sanding pad. Being DEWALT-produced, there’s no reason to doubt their quality.
Conclusion: In our opinion, more is better, and this is why we like the Bosch OMT kit. We’re not saying that the accessories included in the DEWALT kit are bad, but they don’t offer the same versatility that the Bosch does. Of course, if you choose the DEWALT DWE315K Oscillating Tool, you can purchase additional attachments to improve the tool’s versatility.
Weight
Bosch GOP53-36C2
Like with any handheld power tool, the weight of the unit is directly correlated to how fatigued or cramped your arm will be after extended periods of use. Typically, entry-level OMTs shouldn’t weigh more than 10 pounds, so there’s very little risk of fatigue when operating the unit overhead. The Bosch GOP55-36C2 oscillating tool weighs in at only 3-1/2 pounds, making it one of the lightest OMTs available right now.
DEWALT DWE315K
On the other hand, the DEWALT DWE315K weighs in at a massive 7-1/4 pounds. This doesn’t mean that you’re going to pull a muscle lifting the unit above your head, nor are you going to experience long-term muscle damage when using this device. However, at more than 7 pounds, it’s just a little bit heavier than we’d like in an OMT.
Conclusion: It’s clear that the Bosch is the winner here. Some users might prefer the added weight of the DEWALT, and it can be considered a tradeoff for the additional 2,000 OPM you get with this unit, but in the end, for single-handed operations, we feel that the Bosch is just much easier to maneuver than the DEWALT.
Bosch GOP55-36C2 vs DEWALT DWE315K: Bottom Line
In almost all of the points of comparison in this article, the Bosch GOP55-36C2 comes out victorious. We realize that it doesn’t come with built-in LED lights, but we find that to be an insignificant hindrance to its overall performance. We also feel that at 20,000 OPM, you’ll be able to adequately complete a wide range of tasks with this tool.
- Starlock 3-D tool-accessory interface – delivers best-in-class blade grip providing more torque transfer
- Multi-tool versatility – accomplish flush-cutting, plunge-cutting, sanding, grinding, and many other tasks
- Dynamic accessory range – utilizes all starlock, StarlockPlus and StarlockMax Accessories
Last update on 2023-05-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The included attachments with the Bosch’s kit are also a nice touch, though you can go out and purchase additional blades and sand paper when the need arises. The final point of consideration is the unit’s weight – at 3-1/2 pounds, there’s hardly any trouble working the unit in high and low spaces. In our humble opinion, the Bosch GOP53-36C2 deserves to be crowned king of OMT (at least when pitting this and the DEWALT DWE315K Oscillating Tool head-to-head).
- POWERFUL 3 AMP MOTOR provides strong performance for cutting and sanding; Oscillations/min: 0-22,000 OPM
- QUICK-CHANGE ACCESSORY SYSTEM allows blades and attachments to be changed quickly without wrenches
- DUAL-GRIP VARIABLE SPEED TRIGGER gives users ultimate speed and application control
Last update on 2023-05-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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