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Random Quote: The gun in my mouth was real and the taste blew my mind.....
Do you like your Rotozip? I bought one (the 5.5 amp version)and used it to cut out a hole in the backing on an armoire (probably1/8" fiberboard with a 1" strip of wood glued across a portion ofit). I was underwhelmed. The Rotozip didn't cut very well(I used the all-purpose bit/blade that came with it). It wasn'teasy to control. The bit discolored. It didn't seem to worka whole lot better than a Dremel.I would have been better off using my jig saw.
I was wondering if it is worth having the Rotoziparound. I have a Dremel and some routers (including a laminatetrimmer). Do you use a Rotozip much and for what jobs (other thancutting drywall, which it is designed to do).
I have a dewalt drywall router which is the same thing basically, minus the attachments. It is great for drywall obviously, and with a carbide bit cuts notches, holes etc. in wall tile faster than anything else. Thats about it as far as I am concerned, there are better tools for other jobs.
I don't know.. I just bought one in Sears last week (RZ but branded for Sears). Haven't used it yet. I've already got the routers, jig-saw, Dremmel. Thought the RZ might be better for some projects, but now, I don't know it I should keep it.
__________________ Capt Will, 2002 G/W 282 Sailfish, F225's
USCG Master, 50 Ton; Towing endorsement
Indian River, De
Because I don't do enough drywall I still don't own one.
I rented a Rotozip a while back, I too went through bits like loosing change from a hole in my pocket. There was no doubt I expected more out of the tool when all I was doing was cutting electrical outlets in 1/2" thick pine baseboard. I also tried it on ceramic tile......ate a bunch of bits there as well.
I've had one for years and as stated it is great for some stuff and not so hot for others. I found it invaluable when rigging The Bailey Boat with the radios, gauges, glove boxes etc. I also have an air powered reciprocating hacksaw that is the cat's meow on fiberglass...... Just pick your project and use whatever works best........
Our plumber had gotten one of the "deluxe" kits for Christmas. He talked for several days about how nice it was going to be for cutting the dryer vent hole in the tile floor in the laundry room..... "NOT"
Then he bought some even more expensive bits, same thing with them.
I felt sorry for the guy. He had gotten it specifically to cut through tile flooring. It probably is good for drywall. Don't blow your Christmas from wifey on tools for your professional trade.
I used it to flush mount some of the electronics in my helm, worked good...a bit hard to control as said, and deff burned some bits to that cool purple color!
I have one that I bought several years ago. It quit working and when Dremmel bought RotoZip thay replaced the one I had under recall. I do not have confidence in the tool as it is hard to control. I prefer hole saw and jig saw for electronics install.
I have a grinder that attaches to the Rotozip that I use once in a while. Other then that it collects dust in bottom of tool box.
I would not buy one again. I suppose if there was room to use a jig (and make one) for projects I would use it and feel confident in results.
As said earlier, great for cutting out boxes and recessed lights when cutting drywall/blueboard. If you can drill something at a corner and cut with the jigsaw, do this. In my opinion wood should be cut with a saw. I do alot of tile/marble work and havent bothered trying it there. Without water I bet its hard to cut marble and not smoke blades.
Well, after reading some of the posts, I ALMOST took the RotoZip (Craftsman badge) back to Sears. In fact, I just plain forgot. Turns out that was a good thing. I needed to make a couple 1" dia holes for some new electronics wiring, in 2 very tight spots on the side of the helm on the Blackfin, near where the half-tower support legs attach.
Couldn't use a drill or hole-saw; too tight. Have a router, but that was worse. Couldn't drill from under the helm; no room there either. Then I remembered I still had the Sears Roto-Zip with the flexible extension and bit-chuck that came with it. Bingo. Made very short work of cutting the holes, and in spite of some very thick fiberglass (nearly 1/2"), did both holes without burning up the bit! I was amazed, so thought I'd report back here for anyone else who might wonder if this thing is worth having around. It was for me!
__________________ Capt Will, 2002 G/W 282 Sailfish, F225's
USCG Master, 50 Ton; Towing endorsement
Indian River, De
Gee, I already took mine back based on my one experience and the general dissatisfaction expressed in this thread. No regrets, though. I will be another (the basic model) if I get in a situation where nothing else will work.
The best, most versitile tool I have is the Fein Multimaster. Expensive, and not a rotozip, but its hard to get stumped trying to do something with this tool. Nevermind the perfect 0-clearance cuts it makes in fiberglass, or the excellent detail sanding, the power scraper alone is worth the price. Saved me HOURS getting old 5200 out of the bilge - amazing. I got it for restoring hardwood stairs, but have found myself reaching for it often.
Gotta second the vote for the Fein. An amazing tool! They sure are proud of it and the acce$$ories though!!!
Also guys don't forget that there are downcut blades available for your jig saw. they come in very handy at times.
thom
Like Your Roto-Zip 
There was no doubt I expected more out of the tool when all I was doing was cutting electrical outlets in 1/2" thick pine baseboard. 
I also tried it on ceramic tile......ate a bunch of bits there as well. 
mine seem to cut through tile pretty good....maybe it was just the adapter I was using. I haven't used it on the boat ar any drywall yet. 
