A reason to own a rotozip

[zendriver]

I've purchased them at estate auctions and resold, but picked one up super cheap and kept for my own stash.

I've used it once to cut out drywall for a fridge valve box but seems like it just made a huge dusty mess. I probably could have done the job as fast and cleaner with my multi-tool.

Any other uses warrant keeping it around?

 

[Milton Shaw]

Multi tools came out about 10 years later than the RotoZip tools became available. Now I agree with you the multitool will do more without having the problem of breaking the drill/cutting bit off. Still some uses for RotoZip but I wouldn't buy one now. I am just guessing at the age difference but multi tools are now available from all major makes and the first one I got was Fein and almost $600 with the complete kit. Now you can get them for under $50.

 

[Wiz02]

I am about to pull the trigger on a Milwaukee M18 multi tool myself, as it seems to be much more versatile than the Roto zip

 

[Renegade1LI]

Never liked the rotozip, always made a mess. I still have one but really not much use, I keep a few multitools in different boxes, way more versatile. I do have an m12 and air powered die grinder for rotary work.

 

[shawhite]

I've purchased them at estate auctions and resold, but picked one up super cheap and kept for my own stash.

I've used it once to cut out drywall for a fridge valve box but seems like it just made a huge dusty mess. I probably could have done the job as fast and cleaner with my multi-tool.

Any other uses warrant keeping it around?

rotozips are used for new work multi tool is ok on existing work. In the hands of a pro a rotozip will cut out all the boxes in a room while you are still measuring out the first one

 

[Big Bad Dad]

I have a 25 year old. barely used RotoZip. Bought it when I was in construction business. Used it a couple times, and basically ruined a few plastic electrical boxes. Also made a mess on a couple of drywall holes, and broke a bit. Anybody here like to make me an offer on it? Still in the box with all paperwork.... LOL

 

[nadogail]

I have a 25 year old. barely used RotoZip. Bought it when I was in construction business. Used it a couple times, and basically ruined a few plastic electrical boxes. Also made a mess on a couple of drywall holes, and broke a bit. Anybody here like to make me an offer on it? Still in the box with all paperwork.... LOL

I will give it a good home if you will send it Postage Paid to me. You may PM me for the address.

 

[zendriver]

rotozips are used for new work multi tool is ok on existing work. In the hands of a pro a rotozip will cut out all the boxes in a room while you are still measuring out the first one

Thought this was the ticket in the 21st century.

 

[shawhite]

Thought this was the ticket in the 21st century.

Works great on standard boxes on old work but I have yet to see a drywall crew with a multitool rather than a rotozip

 

[superspec]

I remember them new and the infomercials. My step dad bought me one when I was probably 20. I used it once or maybe twice trying to cut MDF. It’s been in the bottom drawer of my toolbox since probably 2001

 

[charbar]

Back at a previous job I used one every day mainly cutting holes in 1/4" lauan. It was the bees knees for what we did with it. There was a little bit of a learning curve to it but once you got it down it was quick as hell to use and free hand cutting was a piece of cake. There's no way a multi tool would be quicker or easier for what we did with it.

 

[shawhite]

 

[bwringer]

We moved our offices a while back to a groovy old house built in 1906. Most of the walls were horsehair plaster & lath.

The ONLY thing that would cut that stuff so we could install network boxes was a Rotozip with a carbide bit. I think we went through four carbide bits in about 15 boxes; not bad, really. Regular bits hardly even dented the plaster; really REALLY nasty stuff.

So I suppose they do have at least one use.

 

[alinc100]

If you ever install led puck lights in ceiling tile,you'll be thrilled with a roto-zip and a circle cutting attachment. On our jobsites the drywall guys use cordless rotzips daily and make it look neat,clean and easy.

 

[dnschmidt]

I think the key points have already been made. For new work where you have to clean up eventually anyway routers are the nuts. For old work the multitool is far superior and a lot cleaner. Horses for courses kind of a thing.

 

[brownbagg]

i had one, lasted about three hours before it burned up. all the drywall dust burned the motor up

 

[tyyost]

Like oscillating multi tools they have a learning curve. The difference is an OMT is a bit more forgiving than a 1/8 bit whipping around at 20,000 rpm. I have both and seldom use the rotozip, but I also haven’t done much drywall in the past few years thankfully. Mine lives in my drywall tools box with my drywall hammer, taping knives, and mud pans. Once you get a rhythm with a rotozip you can plow out door and window opening, outlet boxes with simple basic layout, hit center - find edge - hop side and cut out with sheet screwed to wall, and circles without fear of breaking the paper or rough edges you get with a jab saw.

I find my OMT to be a problem solver, a much more refined tool than the problem solver of my youth, a sawzall. Soft materials cut like butter, it scrapes, sands, and saws in tight places with precision. Like a poster above said, dirty work a rotozip will be messy, but quick. If it’s one outlet or needs to be clean an OMT is the one to have.

 

[dr_clyde]

I was always impressed watching my dad cut drywall with his rotozip. I could never get the hang of it, but then again I don’t do much drywall work.

I own a rotozip somewhere. Haven’t seen it in years.

 

[strutaeng]

I have a 25 year old. barely used RotoZip. Bought it when I was in construction business. Used it a couple times, and basically ruined a few plastic electrical boxes. Also made a mess on a couple of drywall holes, and broke a bit.

Ha! Same here, but mine is like 6 years old.

I did hire some drywall guys and they were using them. They create a huge dust storm and leave that fuzzy edge, but oh well.

I did a metal handrail job and bought some burr carbide bits for grinding/smoothing welds for my die grinder. Now, that's a cool tool, minus the metal filings. Between that and a handful of grinders, I don't have a need for the rotozip.

 

[Al Borland]

Try the RotoZip on countertops, edges on formica. Hell, you can cut holes in glass windows with the right bits,

 

[Paul_The_Builder]

I agree - I used to have a Makita rotozip, and used it a few times, but virtually any place where I used it, an oscillating multi tool works better and cleaner.
Rotozips are really just powerful dremels/rotary tools with a shoe. If you have a dremel and a die grinder, I don't see any scenario where you would really need a rotozip.

 

[Madjik Man]

I had one that came in my first cordless set: the oringal Ryobi in the rolling chest.

Used it once to start cutting drywall. It was messy and unwieldy. After about 30 seconds I put it down and just grabbed my drywall saw.

Never used it again.

 

[signcrafter]

We used to use them all the time until the oscillating tools became common when Fein's patent ran out and every manufacturer came out with one. I have a couple rotozip that havent seen light in a long time. I also have an m18 version I use on new drywall jobs. Like mentioned on new drywall they are amazing at cutting out lights and boxes in a skilled hand.

There was a time a year or two ago that I had to use a rotozip for something that my m18 oscillating tool couldn't do. I dont remember what it was now but there was something it came in handy for.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I'd say the Rotozip is a good choice for curved or contoured cuts, like decorative molding, or something like that.

 

[4x4Pete]

When I finished my basement I bought one and used it for all of the electrical boxes. Didn't use it again until I port matched an aluminum manifold. Worked great for that. Cut the aluminum easily and was way less dusty than an die grinder stone.

 

[steel 35]

Uncle Buzz, bought a brand new one, when they first came out, showed it to me!
less than a week later I needed to trim my flooring so a new door would fit.
I borrowed it, got the job done, Bought a new one, Then told him later