how do you feel about rotozip

[semenza]

Hi allthumbs,

Welcome to the FOG!  [smile]

Thanks for the input.

From this thread it seems like Rotozips strength is in drywall cut outs  in an empty room.

I have used one to elongate screw holes in wood. In one case after the build where the depth would have been an issue using other tools.

Seth

 

[Steve R]

The 1/8 pilot guide bits are specifically made for this and it saves a ton of time and increases the accuracy of any job (I don't care how good your are with a tape, drywall t-square & jab saw, you won't get as close and as quick as with the guide bit). Once you get the hang of it, you won't prematurely burn or break bits like you may at first. I can make it through a 150-200 sheet job with 2-3 bits. I bring it to any job where I am hanging more than 5 sheets.

Welcome allthumbs,

Can you provide a product number or web link on that 1/8  pilot guide bits?

I hang rock but not 150+ sheets. i do mainly remodeling that has some but not a lot of rock. I find the multi - master my go to.  I will use cardboard or brown paper and template it out then cut with about a 1/16" gap.  I'm with you I don't want to mud any more than I have to as it just costs time.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[EWTHeckman]

I used the second bits on this page (ZP8, ZP16, or ZP50) to cut out around the outlets for the room I'm working on. They did exactly what I needed. Though next time, I'm adding dust extraction.

 

[Steve R]

[eek] I just checked my systainer with my Rotozip and I have an unopened box of Guidepoint™ Bit GP8 Zip®Bit for controlled drywall cut-outs.
1/8" High Speed Steel 8 pack. But in it is TC1 tile bit... that the dealer  [scratch chin] recommended for .....most likely the tile job and we never change to the GP8 for sheet rock... [doh] now for the dust.....

Cool good to learn something.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Rob Z]

Steve, somewhere here on the FOG I posted pictures of the dust collection thingy that attaches to the RotoZip. If you're interested I can look for them or post them again.

When used with  a good vac such as the Midi or a CT, dust collection is nearly 100% in drywall and very high (not 100%, but close) in plaster.  My electrician uses his RZ with one of those toy DeWalt shop vacs, and the DC is much worse.

The $40 diamond bit for tile, stone and porcelain does a good job for what it's designed to do.

 

[Steve R]

Steve, somewhere here on the FOG I posted pictures of the dust collection thingy that attaches to the RotoZip. If you're interested I can look for them or post them again.

When used with  a good vac such as the Midi or a CT, dust collection is nearly 100% in drywall and very high (not 100%, but close) in plaster.  My electrician uses his RZ with one of those toy DeWalt shop vacs, and the DC is much worse.

The $40 diamond bit for tile, stone and porcelain does a good job for what it's designed to do.

Rob,

If you don't mind looking or posting them again that would be nice. Thanks!

or a link to a sales site?

Cheers,
Steve

 

[EWTHeckman]

The dust collection for older Rotozips can be seen here. (The one mine came with looks different.) It doesn't fit the current models, and though the website mentions a dust kit and shows a hose, isn't very helpful on that front.

Correction: The web site mentions that the RZ1500 has an integrated dust port. It does not mention such a port for the RZ2000. However, the manual shows a dust port integrated into the various bases. A quick check of the RZ1500 manual shows the same.

 

[Rob Z]

Yes, the link posted by Ed shows the attachment we use...it's the  RZVAC1 .  I have a pile or Rotozips and attachments, including the original one I bought back in the 90's (yikes).  It still works, but the collet stripped and I haven't tried to fix it.

Steve, I'll look for some action photos! 

 

[Rob Z]

Steve, here are three photos I found.  

I don't have any of cutting drywall, but it wouldn't be that interesting anyway because there is  no dust and it would make for a boring picture.  

Like many things, successful use of the RZ depends on proper technique and bit selection.  

It's been a good money maker for the business because our trade subs (sparky, plumber, HVAC) don't want to deal with the cutting, so I do all the layout and one of the guys uses the RZ and the CT/Midi and  maintain a super clean site.  We've even done the cutting in the same room with valuable musical instruments, electronics, antiques, etc.  Customers are thrilled, and once they see how clean things can be, they sometimes order up more work that previously they had been putting off because of fear of the dust and mess.

The Floor Bit at this link is $40 at Lowes and Home Despair, and it care is taken not to overheat it, the bit will last for quite a few cuts even in hard porcelain. I'm talking about making holes for plumbing fixtures, shaping curves, etc.  This is not a substitute for a tile saw and snap cutter.

http://www.rotozip.com/en-us/Pages/CategoryDetail.aspx?pid=9_8

The photo which shows Eddy cutting a line in the plaster is an extreme case of the use of the RZ, but decent dust control was still maintained. It was good enough that we didn't have to wear a mask, but I do remember that the larger sand grains didn't completely get hoovered up and some were pelting my face while I took the picture.  That plaster was on the order of 1 1/4" thick, and it was a really hard cement plaster.

The other two photos show when we used the RZ with the $40 bit to clean up in the corners after we made cuts with grinders and the tile saw.

With the proper bit, the RZ works OK in plywood. Sometimes I have to cut a circle or something similar in the subfloor and I've forgotten to load the jigsaw or the Fein. The RZ is OK for this kind of work, but certainly not on a production basis.

 

[Steve R]

I will have to check to see if I can get a dust collar to fit mine. That would help a lot!!

Cheers,
Steve

 

[tbellemare]

I was wondering when you would jump in on this one, Rob...

Tom

 

[FulThrotl]

It definitely has its place--mostly on the construction site; not in the shop.

Like some others have intimated, it is pretty much an indispensable tool to use if you hang drywall (with recess lights and outlets to cut outs as part of the job description) on a production level. The 1/8 pilot guide bits are specifically made for this and it saves a ton of time and increases the accuracy of any job (I don't care how good your are with a tape, drywall t-square & jab saw, you won't get as close and as quick as with the guide bit). Once you get the hang of it, you won't prematurely burn or break bits like you may at first. I can make it through a 150-200 sheet job with 2-3 bits. I bring it to any job where I am hanging more than 5 sheets.

i have one. i use it about once a year......

the main use for this tool is hanging sheetrock, and there it's indispensable.
nobody hangs board anymore without using one.

you make an x where the junction box is, stab the cutter thru, pull to the plaster
ring or edge of the plastic box, hop over to the outside, and trace around the box,
with the drywall held in place.

i think they suck. they are noisy, make a huge amount of dust, and give the opportunity
to chew up the wires inside the box if they aren't tucked way back in the box.

but they are fast. the only good thing you can say about them.

 

[fdengel]

Dremmel Trio.

 

[BarBuilder]

I've got a rotozip as well. Used it for drywall cutouts in a room addition - worked great but as stated before, messy with dust. I also have the attachment that allows you to use the circular saw blades. That came in handy for cutting baseboard in place so I didn't have to remove it in order to lay some hardwood flooring.

 

[richard.selwyn]

Alan,
I've seen a Bosch equivalent on offer in the UK with dust collection and a base unit for tile cutting. I've been tempted.
I bought a Rotozip in the US when doing a remodel there - it was rather cheap and cheerful and I left it behind along with all the craftsman brand power tools.
Don't know if the Bosch is better (it may even be the same)
Regards,
Richard

 

[Alan m]

iv seen the roto zip tile dock an the bosch one. they look exactly tthe same althow the bosch is a lot dearer. iv seen them for 30-40  and the bosch for 100. i presume bosch owns rotozip or some such situation.
i was tempted but cant justify having a tool that i know i wont use . i would rather get some thing that i would use. so i got a dremel.
i might get the tile dock thow. that looks handy. i was thinking of making one thow. just a 2foot square bit of worktop with holes in it and a square frame under it.