[Chills]

I am planning on getting a roto-zip type saw.

I have several rotary tools already.. use for carving mostly...

Anyone have any advice and or input on the various roto-saws and especially the cutting bits...


Anyone see any that are reversible etc?

All feedback appreciated
Thanks
Chills

[Potemkin]

Unbelievable speed. SO much so it took me a while not to be scared of it. Loud as heck and it is a whine.

Different types of bits, wood, plaster/sheetrock, light metals. You can do sideways plunge cuts with them in wood and sheetrock.

The 90degree adapter allows you to put cutting wheels on it. It also works well espacially for ceramic and bricks.

With the adapter, you can also add the sanding/grinding attachment. Mostly for rough work, way to fast to use as the final sanding ot grinding.

[FrmlyZ]

What Pot said. I only use mine for cutting holes in sheet rock, blue board or wall panels. It does a good job of that. Does it reverse? I will have to dig it out and look [not a function I would use]. I have other tools for wood and metal.

Best Wishes,,,,,,

Z

[Chills]

Thanx guys

I am thinking on using one from some scroll work...rather than using a scroll saw or scrolling jigsaw etc.... but wonder about how clean a cut I can get.

Was wondering about the life of a cutting bit... used on ply wood or treated exterior mdf..

I know that Foreham (sp?) makes a reversible moto-tool..1/4 shaft... but it is only useful for non-direction bits... but for power carving... a reverse is great to have...

I have a terroco..carving duplicator... with two cutting heads... one right and one left..http://www.terrco.com/north2.jpg Mine is like this one by only two heads...the one in pic has four....2 left 2 right.
And have spent along time looking for reverse bits... but have yet to find any better than from Terroco itself.

BTW-- any suggestions on the brand new..... I have dremels moto tools.. both 1/8 and 1/4 inch shafts... any ideas.

Thanks.

[Potemkin]

Thanx guys

I am thinking on using one from some scroll work...rather than using a scroll saw or scrolling jigsaw etc.... but wonder about how clean a cut I can get.

Well, with practice you could get a fairly clean and smooth cut say around a curve. Some cleanup is required.

If I was doing corner gingerbread I would stick with a professional scroll saw. If you are using a jigsaw, then you would probably get the same quality cut out of a RotoZip.

If you are cutting circles, they have an attachment to do that.

I doubt the RotoZip is reversable. The bits all go one way and I haven't seen any going the other way.

I still use my old skool Dremel and haven't had a chance to use the new ones.

[Chills]

Thanks Pote...

Sounds like stickin to scroll saw maybe be best....for smaller stuff..under 32inches..I call small...anything above that..welll....

If I have to spend a whole whack o time sanding etc... might as well stick with the scroll saw with reversing teeth....they cut nice an clean..

I think I will get me one... and try it out for some bigger cut outs.. ....
Hell I love playing with toys anyway....

If I dont like it my grandsons can fight over it... :P
:beer:

[FrmlyZ]

Chills:

They have carbide bits for them and I would expect them to last forever in your application. I don't know how clean of a cut they would give in wood. They are made for this concrete/fiber glass board that has come onto the market in the last ten years. The stuff you put over foam on a concrete floor when you want to lay down wood or other stuff.

Best Wishes,,,,,

Z

[Chills]

Thanx Firm

I just went out and looked around my small ville ... no one has the rotosaw here.... they sold out at xmas I guess..

I bought an adapter for the dremel moto-tool (1/8th) -- with a couple of cutting bits...

If I like it I will go to city and buy me a real roto-saw..

I needed that adapter anyway...the bits were a bonus..


Saw a new cuttin blade... called whizzoro or sumpin like that.... looks interesting ...has an adapter to use on drills angle grinder circular saw etc.

I have a super blade...I use on the angle grinder. It has a chain saw wrapped around a disk........NOW THAT IS ONE SCARY GIZMO. :eek:
But its great for removing wood fast in carving etc. :P

Next trip down town I am gonna get me one
of them whizzoro thingermajigs.... :yes:

[Hamilton Felix]

I bought the Dremel version of the RotoZip, because it was there and a bit less expensive. I've used it a lot to cut FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) a sort of thin fiberglass sheeting used in institutional bathrooms (and some of my rental bathrooms ;) ). I've also used it a bit for sheetrock cutting, doing box openings and such.

These things turn FAST, and can really make bits hot. You know it's time to change a bit when the sound and smell change, and you realize you're burning through the FRP instead of cutting. Actually, FRP is thin, so you alter your depth a few times, until you've dulled all of the bit.

They do not cut metal.

I have NOT hear good things about the accessories, angle drives and such. Just think "small, cheap, geared accessories, being driven at very high speeds."

Yes, you can learn to maneuver it pretty well after a while. It makes a lot wider kerf than a scrollsaw.

You might think of it as a cross between a Moto Tool and a router.

The Foredom is more like an improved quality Dremel Moto Tool. It's a somewhat larger motor, separate from the working head, using a flexible shaft. I still view the Dremel tool and the Foredom as hobby tools. The RotoZip is not up to being a router, but it's a useful tool in the kit of most contractors these days.

Don't throw away your scrollsaw and saber saw. Have fun with the RotoZip.

[Chills]

Thanx Hamilton..

I aint throwing any of me tools out...hehehe... :P

My moto-tools are all dremel.... I have probably a thousand plus hours on at least my first 1/8"(10yrs plus and still going) and my main 1/4" (5yrs + and still working)...

Only prob I have is the core for the flex shafts..on both sizes...and the speed control on the small ones.... would like to be able to by pass that dham thing on the small ones...

On the large flex shaft... the core .. is often CHEAP.... and coil separates or comes loose in the head... I have found by simply reinserting coil into the head... and crimping it with a vice to keep in locked in ...I get another 35-50 hours out of it...

I use them all the time... I only do power carving... so they are working lots and lots...
Got a lot of return out of investing in them gizmos. :P :beer:

[Chills]

Well I tried one of the bits in my dremel... works slick... and great for detailing on the carvings... why thehell didnt I try these sooner... :rolleyes: