What besides Rotozip?

[Thomas Marr]

I'm putting up OSB in my shop. I'd like to cover the windows and then trim away the excess flush with the window jam. I know Rotozip makes a bit for this purpose. I don't own a Rotozip. This is an opportunity for me to buy a new tool, so what are my other tool options (e.g., trim router?). Also, will Rotozip bits fits in a standard trim router?

[Frank Snyder]

I'd get a Bosch Colt palm router and a plunge pilot flush cut bit (see http://www.amanatool.com/bits-fv/45506.html for an example). The Bosch Colt is an extremely versatile little router (1/4" collet) that can handle a wide variety of tasks for about $100.

[jason lambert]

Yes a trim router will work the Bosch colt is the most popular. I however have both and I grab my rotozip more it is just ligher and easer to handle also I have the big one that has led lights on the frount that is a nice feature. In fact I use my rotozip to do door hinges and stuff also with a 1/4 router bit in it. They are basically the same tool the rotozip being more streamed line and made to handel sheet rock dust better.

[Terry Sparks]

If you read this thread, titled "bad tool purchases", you will read more than just a few who have included the Rotozip in their response. And from the sound of it, the tool isn't very good to say the least.

http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=61338&highlight=rotozip

[Loren Hedahl]

I have the DeWalt equivalent. I think they go for about $65, give or take a little. I think the RotoZip is more of a homeowner's grade tool of the same type. But I've never actually used a RotoZip.

I also have a Bosch Colt. I wouldn't really want to use it for something like cutting sheet rock, but I'm sure it would rise to the occasion. But maybe not for long!

[glenn bradley]

I love my Colt. The VS is quite handy if you use it for a lot of different things.

[eric auer]

If you read this thread, titled "bad tool purchases", you will read more than just a few who have included the Rotozip in their response. And from the sound of it, the tool isn't very good to say the least.

http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=61338&highlight=rotozip

I absolutely hated my Rotozip that my wife gave me, untill I cut drywall with it.
That was almost an religious experience, man does it do a good job.

Never tried any routerbits on it, it does not seem to be designed for that.

[Tom Godley]

I have the Sears version and while I will admit that I do not use it all that much it is a great tool for some projects. Cutting out around boxes/windows/can lights for drywall being the main item.

For that alone it is worth the price.

I bought the Sears unit on sale -- and I would buy it again.

If they are so unwanted maybe you can get one on e-bay

[jason lambert]

One last thing the cheap rotozip I aggree is not great the better one I have put through it's paces had it for about 4 years now. Maybe I am just lucky. The bosh also has negitive feedback. I also have a dewalt cordless rotozip other than being a little big and one speed the cordless feature is great. It is a handy tool.

I hate to say this but several freinds have the ridge hand router and love it. For the price can't be beat.

I just got the festool trim router looks nice but haven't used it yet. It is way to expensive thought for what it is, but as I said I have't used it so that is yet to be determined.

[Rick Gifford]

As far as a discussion on the rotozip goes it was designed for drywall. Invented by a drywaller.

There are bits for different things, and I have found the rotozip excells at drywalling, and is a pain in the butt for anything else. There are better tools out there. I wish I knew how many bits I have snapped through OSB etc. Doesnt matter how slow I go. It does work find with thin paneling though...

My tool of choice for what you are doing is the sawsall.

[Steve Jenkins]

i just used a regular router with a flushtrim bit. (Bearing on the bottom) I drilled a starter hole first. With a fullsized router you can go around the opening about as fast as you can move.

[Steve Clardy]

i just used a regular router with a flushtrim bit. (Bearing on the bottom) I drilled a starter hole first. With a fullsized router you can go around the opening about as fast as you can move.



Second that ;)

[jason lambert]

Rick one thing I found is rotozip makes is bits that are about twice the thickness of the normal bit about 1/4" thick they hold up much better. Usally bits break because they get dull it is a tool that requires pacients in anything else than drywall.

I'm sounding like a rotozip fan here I am not trust me. But beyone drywall and panneling and cutting that piece of molding that is already on the wall it is a limited too I will aggree. Get the small router and lut in one of the oversize rotozip blades it is probably more usefull. The thing about the rotozip blade instead of the router bit is it will clear away what it cuts because of the sprial design they make one with a smooth tip that acts like a berring, works great, and is much cheaper than a router bit.

[Chris Kennedy]

A slightly different beast -- a Dremel tool. My father-in-law has one and I swear that anything he has needed to fix/remedy while rebuilding a house, he has managed to do it with the Dremel.

Cheers,

Chris

[Joe Scharle]

Before Colts came out, I built a hinge mortise jig for my Rotozip. Just glued an acrylic base to the existing base.

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/194/thumbs/Hinge_Mortise_Jig_4_.jpg (http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/194/Hinge_Mortise_Jig_4_.jpg)

[Ted Baca]

Another vote for the Colt , I have also the Porter Cable version of the Rotozip but with the Colt it doesn't see much use. I probably should sell it and buy more bits

[Bart Leetch]

If you read this thread, titled "bad tool purchases", you will read more than just a few who have included the Rotozip in their response. And from the sound of it, the tool isn't very good to say the least.

http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=61338&highlight=rotozip

I know this isn't an answer to the question but here goes.

Rotozip is a handy tool with a carborundum disk to be used for cutting bolts & other small metal cutting.

So is the Ryobi 18V laminate trimmer with a 1/4" shaft & carborundum disk. I used one the other day to trim off the shanks for new locking camper door handles that were to long. This made it possible to do the job without dragging out a electric cord. The Rotozip has variable speed which my laminate trimmer does not, I would recommend a variable speed trim router. for trimming laminate make a bigger base for more control it will do both trimming & routing like your attempting to do. As well as doing small metal working jobs.

[eric auer]

Well besides a Rotozip, Im guessing a handsaw would do real well, I sure as hell would not expose my WoodWorking router to gypsum dust, I'm not rich so I need it to last me as long as possible.

The Rzip seems better protected from dust than any router I've seen.

[Randal Stevenson]

I have a Rotozip, that I got at a garage sale for $10 (with a broken bit lock). I called to try to get parts and found out it was one of the recalled models. They had me pull the accessories off and sent me a new one, and I shipped the old one back in the same box. I loaned it to a friend doing some drywall in a whole house remodel and it has paid for itself.

But it has different size collets, and I have wondered if I could use one and some bits in a Dremel to the same effect.

[Thomas Marr]

Thanks guys. I picked up a Colt at the BORG. Need to get this shop done.

[Steve Jenkins]

Well besides a Rotozip, Im guessing a handsaw would do real well, I sure as hell would not expose my WoodWorking router to gypsum dust, I'm not rich so I need it to last me as long as possible.

The Rzip seems better protected from dust than any router I've seen.

he said he was cutting osb not sheetrock. somehow the thread got off into the rotozip world and off his original question.

[Bart Leetch]

Your right Steve some of us can use both our heads & our hands.:eek::):D