RotoZip vs Dremmel

[Todah Tear]

Help!

Does anyone know whether a RotoZip is just another brand of the Dremmel type of drill with various attachments? ...or does the RotoZip offer more power and more trimming or routing capabilities?

Thanks,

Todah

[Geron]

I have a Rotozip and a Demmel.

For the life of me I cannot figure out why I bought the Rotozip. Beyond cutting holes in sheetrock I'm at a loss to find applications. Maybe I need a Rotozip 101 class!!

OTH the Dremmel is a rather versatile tool I find myself digging out from under stuff on more frequent occasions than the Rotozip.
JMHO.

g

[MOKI SEAKER]

I don't have the roto zip, but I do have the Sears Knock off. I can chuck 1/4" router bits in it and it is lighter than my 1/2" router.. Jim G

[Chuck Craven]

Help!

Does anyone know whether a RotoZip is just another brand of the Dremmel type of drill with various attachments? ...or does the RotoZip offer more power and more trimming or routing capabilities?

Thanks,

Todah

The same company makes Rotozip and Dremmel. The Rotozip has a more powerful motor and it’s bigger, as for attachments maybe less than the Dremmel. If you are in to making powered fixtures the Rotozip is easer to mount to a fixture.


Chuck

[Dale M.]

Rotozip is a Dremel on steroids........ Both have their places, Dremel for small light work, Rotozip for heavy knuckel busting work.... Kind of think of it as a light duty router.

Dale

[Alphacarina]

I don't have the roto zip, but I do have the Sears Knock off. I can chuck 1/4" router bits in it and it is lighter than my 1/2" router.. Jim G

I bought a 2 speed RotoZip from Lowes for about $100

Within a week it was a one speed RotoZip so I took it back to Lowes and exchanged it for a new one

That one lasted about 20 minutes before it too became a one speed and when I went back to Lowes, they didn't have any more - It seems dozens of folks had returned broken RotoZips and they were (thankfully) out, so I got my money back

I bought a Sears knockoff for $29 (actually got it on sale for $22.50) and it does everything the 'real' Rotozip did . . . . except it doesn't break down

If you really wanted a 'real' RotoZip for some unfathomable reason, there must be a million 'rebuilt' ones floating around out there loking for homes

Don

[tonyj]

I have a Rotozip and a Demmel.

For the life of me I cannot figure out why I bought the Rotozip. Beyond cutting holes in sheetrock I'm at a loss to find applications. Maybe I need a Rotozip 101 class!!

OTH the Dremmel is a rather versatile tool I find myself digging out from under stuff on more frequent occasions than the Rotozip.
JMHO.

g

I know why I bought the Rotozip, and I was disappointed with the results. I have to agree with Geron.

Both have lots of attachments and lots of bits and cutters, but both do rather marginal jobs at anything other than lvery light duty work. The dremel is great for carving and intricate work, the Rotozip is an excellent sheetrock took, and if you buy the attachment or the deluxe version, it is a good cutoff tool as well.

If you are looking for something with routing capabilities, choose a trim router. they are a lot less intimidating that a full size router, but have few limits on their capabilities unless you are doing big production work. I did almost all my router work on my build with my Porter Cable trim router.

[Joanne]

Hey girl!

I have a Dremel and like it a lot. It was a gift and when I first received it I just wasn't quite sure what I was going to do with it. But time after time I find myself using it and really liking how it works.

Like most tools I own, it works great for some things and just isn't right for others. This past weekend I needed to cut some birch paneling for my rear hatch. I clamped a straight edge to the wood, chucked up the down spiral bit and tried to make a clean cut on the paneling. I found that the bit diameter is not large enough to keep it from starting to wobble and make an uneven cut. I slowed down the speed hoping that the centrifugal force would be lessed and therefore get a straighter cut. It helped some, but the bit still flexed as it passed through different densities of wood. I learned that the Dremel is not a full fledged router! So I went out, bought a table saw and made some great cuts.

Anyway, the Dremel is a lightweight tool that isn't up to some of the tasks that you may want to tackle. But when you match it to the right task, it works great!

Joanne

Help!

Does anyone know whether a RotoZip is just another brand of the Dremmel type of drill with various attachments? ...or does the RotoZip offer more power and more trimming or routing capabilities?

Thanks,

Todah

[Podunkfla]

I have a Rotozip and a Demmel.

For the life of me I cannot figure out why I bought the Rotozip. Beyond cutting holes in sheetrock I'm at a loss to find applications. Maybe I need a Rotozip 101 class!!

OTH the Dremmel is a rather versatile tool I find myself digging out from under stuff on more frequent occasions than the Rotozip.
JMHO.

g

I'll also agree with Geron... I never use it except for knocking out sheetrock holes, it's original purpose. They are hard to control and make fairly crude cuts. Simple fact is, all they are is a small router with a crude, hard to adjust base. You can get a better little trim router with a decent plastic base from HF for about $20., a far better deal, in my view. A small saber saw will make better cuts and is easier to guide... for $29. or so too.

On the other hand... I have been using Dremels for 40 years... still a great little tool with lots of accessories. I like them a lot. I mostly use it with an abrasive cut off wheel. I have a router base for it and a drill press stand I seldom use. I even like the little nicad rechargable ones... handy in tight spots.

[Juneaudave]

HiJack....this post reminded me of the PickleInn and Chip using the Rotozip for his doors!!! Where the heck is he....fishing again???

[HMK]

I bouhg the zotozip off the Tv about 8 years ago, I put it out in the shop and didn't use it for a few months. I took it out one day and plugged it it and turned it on. The plastic switch came apart and fell out of the housing. I am not sure why it happened and have not tried to use it since. I never got to use it, so I don't know if they are any good or not. I'm not blaming the company as it was my fault for not checking it out when I first got it.

Now my old Dremil, that thing has been a handy tool! I use it for everything.

[Geron]

I bouhg the zotozip off the Tv about 8 years ago, I put it out in the shop and didn't use it for a few months. I took it out one day and plugged it it and turned it on. The plastic switch came apart and fell out of the housing. I am not sure why it happened and have not tried to use it since. I never got to use it, so I don't know if they are any good or not. I'm not blaming the company as it was my fault for not checking it out when I first got it.

Now my old Dremil, that thing has been a handy tool! I use it for everything.

The first Zip's were a mess (piece of crap). Very unreliable. Since taken over or "bought out" by (Was it Bosch - it was somebody) They have willingly exchanged all the old Zip's. A call to the factory might get you a completely new one for Zip. (Sorry, just could'nt help it) Don't know why you'd want one but they look impressive sitting on the shelf -- Yeah, put it out in view. It's pretty. My second one has been through two house builds and is wiring a basement now, knocking holes in sheetrock.

STILL, I'm often tempted to go back to a good keyhole saw. The Zip's will "Wander" at the slightest lapse of attention (that happens often with old people). Then you need a 3/4" oversize cover.

g

[Todah Tear]

Thanks for all the feed back. I was in trying to decide whether to buy one. I want to get something that is good for making clean cuts.

I have a Dremmel, and as was said, if the application is correct, it works perfectly.

Based on your responses, I'd have the better of the two already, the Dremmel. I'll look at the small routers the next time that I am in Lowes or Home Depot.

Thanks,

Todah

[Geron]

Thanks for all the feed back. I was in trying to decide whether to buy one. I want to get something that is good for making clean cuts.

I have a Dremmel, and as was said, if the application is correct, it works perfectly.

Based on your responses, I'd have the better of the two already, the Dremmel. I'll look at the small routers the next time that I am in Lowes or Home Depot.

Thanks,

Todah

I have a cheap (19.99) trim router from HS that's been through two tears. I figured if it made it through one tear it was worth 19.99. It's cheap but it works well and is easily adjustable and locks up square and tight. It's really handy. I think Ryobi makes one as well found at HD for a few more $. I'm sure Lowes has their chinese knockoff as well.

g

[mfkaplan]

I bought one last year. Saw It on TV. It sounded like a tool that would make things easier like cutting holes for windows and vents. Instead, It made a mess. Cuts were very rough. I thought that I didn't have the power to control it, but after reading these posts, I think that maybe it wasn't just me. Other tools do the job just as well, slower but more neat. I gave it to my son who used it for drywall. PS, Dremmel has spiral cut bits.

Mary
Mom's Nest