Gj

"Grindstone"

23/12/2003 10:07 PM

Novice Seeking Advice

I'm interesting in purchasing a spiral saw......... a Rotozip or Dremel
Advantage. My use will include cutting wallboard and cut off saw. These are
appealing to me because both are available with a plunge router attachment
and flex shaft .I don't believe the dremel has a cut off saw like the "zip"
for Rotozip. I'm not a "heavy" user, but additional functions of router,
circle cutting , etc. would be "nice to have".

Any advice re advantages of one vs the other?
Appreciate any input you're willing to provide.

Happy Holidays


This topic has 8 replies

ll

"leonard"

in reply to "Grindstone" on 23/12/2003 10:07 PM

24/12/2003 6:04 AM

they are now made by the same company. I just finished a lot of drywall work
and it broke (Rotozip)neat the end. It was the collet release that broke.
Dremel Inc replaced the whole thing without any problems very quick.


len.
"Grindstone" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm interesting in purchasing a spiral saw......... a Rotozip or Dremel
> Advantage. My use will include cutting wallboard and cut off saw. These
are
> appealing to me because both are available with a plunge router attachment
> and flex shaft .I don't believe the dremel has a cut off saw like the
"zip"
> for Rotozip. I'm not a "heavy" user, but additional functions of router,
> circle cutting , etc. would be "nice to have".
>
> Any advice re advantages of one vs the other?
> Appreciate any input you're willing to provide.
>
> Happy Holidays
>
>

BS

"Bob S."

in reply to "Grindstone" on 23/12/2003 10:07 PM

24/12/2003 4:24 AM

John,

Dremel came out with the Advantage model and it has a 4.5a motor which is
the same as my PC 310 router as I recall. I have the Advantage and most of
the attachments now. The reason I went with it over the RotoZip was a
little recall they had because of a design flaw in the handle - it would
come off while using it...

Money wise, they're about the same now since the Advantage is packaged as a
kit with the cable and the plunge router adapter. It also comes with both a
1/8" and 1/4" collet which I used quite a bit when I made the French door
set for my niece.

Go with the one that has all the options you will need. They both are about
equal in quality from what I can see and have read.

Bob S.

Jn

"John"

in reply to "Grindstone" on 23/12/2003 10:07 PM

24/12/2003 3:39 AM

Dewalt and rotozip bits also fit the dremel tool. Where to buy? Where
else, Home Depot.(No affiliation) Not the greatest price but the tool crib
seems to carry a few different kinds.

John


"Grindstone" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm interesting in purchasing a spiral saw......... a Rotozip or Dremel
> Advantage. My use will include cutting wallboard and cut off saw. These
are
> appealing to me because both are available with a plunge router attachment
> and flex shaft .I don't believe the dremel has a cut off saw like the
"zip"
> for Rotozip. I'm not a "heavy" user, but additional functions of router,
> circle cutting , etc. would be "nice to have".
>
> Any advice re advantages of one vs the other?
> Appreciate any input you're willing to provide.
>
> Happy Holidays
>
>

MR

Mark

in reply to "Grindstone" on 23/12/2003 10:07 PM

30/12/2003 5:20 PM



Phisherman wrote:
>
>
> Drywall dust clogs most filters to vacs very quickly, although there
> are covers you can buy. I have installed a lot of drywall and still
> rely on a $4 drywall saw. It cuts fast and easy, has not worn out
> after 14 years, and generates very little dust.



I have an old Rainbow vacuum cleaner. The Rainbow is one helluva vacuum
that catches just about everything that goes through it's water bath
filter. It can be left running in a clean area and the water will turn
gray. I use this vacuum about everywhere.

It was a PITA to sand drywall with the right hand and chase the sanding
pad with the left but it almost eliminated dust in the house. There is a
bit of foaming and it doesn't have the greatest capacity but its better
than the alternative.

I also use the Rainbow with the miter saw, it fits well enough in the
dust bag port. It sucks up dust so well dust isn't a concern.

All I have to do now is work out a method of attaching it to the other
portable WW tools.

--

Mark

N.E. Ohio


Never argue with a fool, a bystander can't tell you apart. (S. Clemens,
A.K.A. Mark Twain)

When in doubt hit the throttle. It may not help but it sure ends the
suspense. (Gaz, r.moto)

bR

[email protected] (Robert Bonomi)

in reply to "Grindstone" on 23/12/2003 10:07 PM

29/12/2003 9:05 AM

In article <[email protected]>,
Bill Warner <[email protected]> wrote:
>On Tue, 23 Dec 2003 22:07:17 -0500, "Grindstone"
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>I'm interesting in purchasing a spiral saw......... a Rotozip or Dremel
>>Advantage. My use will include cutting wallboard and cut off saw. These are
>>appealing to me because both are available with a plunge router attachment
>>and flex shaft .I don't believe the dremel has a cut off saw like the "zip"
>>for Rotozip. I'm not a "heavy" user, but additional functions of router,
>>circle cutting , etc. would be "nice to have".
>>
>
>I use a Rotozip occasionally for drywall, but I have a couple problems
>with it. 1) It spews gypsum dust like crazy! Very messy. and 2)
>very difficult to move in a straight line (free-hand, anyway).
>Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

Regarding #1, there -is- a solution. There is a 'dust collector' attachment
for the RotoZip -- best source of supply I've found is SEARS. they stock
it for their house-branded version of the RotoZip. Takes standard 1-1/4"
'vacuum cleaner" type hose (I have the "Hang Up" Shop Vac, that comes with
an 18' 1-1/4" hose). Makes an *incredible* difference! For all practical
purposes, the gizmo is now 'dust free' -- I'm known to cut in the _ceiling_
w/o either a face shield, or even a dust mask.

As for $#2, "practice makes perfect". <grin> And if it's a long cut, a guide
rail helps *a*lot*.

It is *definitely* a "Clint Eastwood / Dirty Harry" class of tool --


"A man's gotta know it's limitations"



*chortle*


BW

Bill Warner

in reply to "Grindstone" on 23/12/2003 10:07 PM

28/12/2003 9:09 PM

On Tue, 23 Dec 2003 22:07:17 -0500, "Grindstone"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I'm interesting in purchasing a spiral saw......... a Rotozip or Dremel
>Advantage. My use will include cutting wallboard and cut off saw. These are
>appealing to me because both are available with a plunge router attachment
>and flex shaft .I don't believe the dremel has a cut off saw like the "zip"
>for Rotozip. I'm not a "heavy" user, but additional functions of router,
>circle cutting , etc. would be "nice to have".
>

I use a Rotozip occasionally for drywall, but I have a couple problems
with it. 1) It spews gypsum dust like crazy! Very messy. and 2)
very difficult to move in a straight line (free-hand, anyway).
Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

-- Bill W.

Pn

Phisherman

in reply to "Grindstone" on 23/12/2003 10:07 PM

29/12/2003 1:39 PM

On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 21:09:45 -0800, Bill Warner
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Tue, 23 Dec 2003 22:07:17 -0500, "Grindstone"
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>I'm interesting in purchasing a spiral saw......... a Rotozip or Dremel
>>Advantage. My use will include cutting wallboard and cut off saw. These are
>>appealing to me because both are available with a plunge router attachment
>>and flex shaft .I don't believe the dremel has a cut off saw like the "zip"
>>for Rotozip. I'm not a "heavy" user, but additional functions of router,
>>circle cutting , etc. would be "nice to have".
>>
>
>I use a Rotozip occasionally for drywall, but I have a couple problems
>with it. 1) It spews gypsum dust like crazy! Very messy. and 2)
>very difficult to move in a straight line (free-hand, anyway).
>Maybe I'm doing something wrong?
>
>-- Bill W.

Drywall dust clogs most filters to vacs very quickly, although there
are covers you can buy. I have installed a lot of drywall and still
rely on a $4 drywall saw. It cuts fast and easy, has not worn out
after 14 years, and generates very little dust.

jm

"john moorhead"

in reply to "Grindstone" on 23/12/2003 10:07 PM

24/12/2003 3:15 AM

I have the dremel, and have seen the rotozip.... I think it has MORE
POWER.... My dremel came with a cut off saw, so....

I think that the rotozip would be more to your needs, the dremel is strictly
craft and for detail work.... The rotozip is a half-step up in terms of
robustness, if that's a word.... Anything more than light use would call
for a more appropriately sized tool, IMHO...

I do know that the dremel is limited to 1/8" bits, which you *aint* gonna
find anywhere, 'cept dremel, and at a price I might add... If the rotozip
has a 1/4 collet, you could at least use small shank router bits.

I have used my dremel tool as a router and been *pretty happy* with it in
that capacity. It really shines for small works....


HTH,

John Moorhead
Lakeport, CA


"Grindstone" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm interesting in purchasing a spiral saw......... a Rotozip or Dremel
> Advantage. My use will include cutting wallboard and cut off saw. These
are
> appealing to me because both are available with a plunge router attachment
> and flex shaft .I don't believe the dremel has a cut off saw like the
"zip"
> for Rotozip. I'm not a "heavy" user, but additional functions of router,
> circle cutting , etc. would be "nice to have".
>
> Any advice re advantages of one vs the other?
> Appreciate any input you're willing to provide.
>
> Happy Holidays
>
>


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