To Rotozip or not to Rotozip, that is the question?

Just Carving · #1 12-14-2006, 03:28 PM

The thought occurred to me that I have a Roto-zip tool sitting on the shelf gathering sawdust. I used it on and off for different home improvements. Now, I use it more for grinding/shaping tools. I'm thinking of getting the Flexshaft attachment. The only thing is I'm not crazy about the length. It is only 27" long (it says 2.25" length--but I'm guessing the length is 2.25 feet long, i.e. 27") and will only accept 1/16" to 1/8" diameter bits. So, that means the tool will be on the bench--bringing the noise closer to me for longer periods of time. Anybody use the Flexshaft, or maybe knows of a different unit that works with the Rotozip? Anybody have any other thoughts on the Rotozip?

For $30 or so, it wouldn't hurt for me to have that option nearby if I need it. But I could also spend the $30 on another handtool and stick to my stubborn stance agin dem power tools.

Kenny_S · #2 12-14-2006, 04:45 PM

I don't know Bob, I got a rotozip for a present, used it three or four times, didn't care for it and gave it to my son-in-law.
You are correct, it is noisey for sure. If they offer a flex shaft that fits the rotozip, Go fo it. I believe the RPMs are there.

Just Carving · #3 12-14-2006, 07:47 PM

Thanks Kenny. You're right about the rpm--30,000.

I e-mailed Rotozip and they said the length of the flexshaft from attachment head to the tip of the hand
piece is 42" (inches). The flexshaft
attachment includes the hand piece, inner core, 1/8" collet, collet nut,
and 20 accessory pieces. So, I'll wait a bit more to see what other else is said.

The 42" shaft does make more sense than 2.25".

wade clark · #4 12-14-2006, 09:22 PM

Rotozips are serious wood eaters. Just keep back an eighth of an inch from the finished carving and finish it out by hand or with something a little more "sensitive". remove most of the wood any way you can!
Wade

Ron Davidson · #5 12-14-2006, 10:25 PM

I have a friend that used a flex shaft on his rotozip. Bad

anyway it was for him. He let it kick back on him and it caught his clothes and kept eating away at his left arm. The shaft like in my power carver will break if it gets bound up flexshaft didn't. His cost him 22 stitches. Not worth it in my book.
Ron

decoycarve · #6 12-14-2006, 10:43 PM

I agee with Wade about them being wood eaters. I run them on my roughout machine. I use the 1/4" collets in them with router bits and carbide burrs. I have done hundreds of santas on the machine this year and have only lost 2 of them. I buy them off ebay cheap take them apart change the brushes and always have a spare ready to go. Except last weekend. Had one that I bought off ebay for $10 but it was DOA when I put it on the machine. I really torture the motors but they have held up pretty well.
I also have to agree with Ron as a flex shaft machine I think they would be dangerous.
Goody

Thomp · #7 12-14-2006, 11:16 PM

Can a roto zip be effectually controlled with a foot petal.
i been told any tool with brushes can be used with a foot petal, but when i put it on a scroll saw the scroll saw lurched to full power then slowed to where i had the petal mashed to.
it seamed to bog down as well and would again lurch to catch up at high speed..

the scroll saw a dremel was a variable saw and i had to set the variable to full tilt for the motor to start.
it seamed like a good way to wreck a $300.oo saw so i quit using it.

but if a rotozip could be used with a dead man or variable foot switch it would make it a lot safer with the flex shaft...

Just Carving · #8 12-15-2006, 08:40 AM

I sent another e-mail and a link to this forum thread to a RotoZip Customer Service Specialist asking if there is a deadman switch on the Flexshaft. On the Lowes webpage for the Flexshaft, it kind of looks like it in the enlarged photo. Link:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...114158-353-FS2

I agree the tool's speed can be dangerous. That's one of a number reasons I have reservations on using any power tools with carving. But like everything else in life, if you take your time, pay attention, and be careful, with a little bit of luck, it'll all come out okay--just like using super sharp hand tools!

Wade, that's what I had intended to do with regards to carving wood. Just remove most of what I don't need, and leave enough to finish up on detail--a lot of detail. I am hoping a rotary tool would accomplish the roughing out so I can spend more time on detail. I'm not looking to accomplish more projects in a shorter period of time, just to reduce the roughing out time. I usually get a brainstorm, and start carving away only to either get tired or run out of time. Then it ends up joining the rest of my unfinshed projects sitting on my bench until I get back to it. I'm working on cleaning up some of the ones I thought were worthy of spending more time on.

Ron, that's a shame about your friend. Stitches are a good reason to be careful with any tool--especially tools that are sharp and move fast. That's something I'm not good at--moving fast and being sharp.

LOL

Goody, I noticed in photos you posted previously that you were using the Rotozip tools on your duplicator. Must be good tools to handle that amount of work. Good idea to rebuild before they burn up!

Thomp, when you talk about a foot switch, are you referring to one that will control the speed? I think that would be tough to undertake since the tool is a single speed. I imagine something could be used to control the power going into the tool, but then are you risking damaging the motor?

My interest in the Flexshaft is two fold: first, to give me more flexibility in shaping and sharpening my tools; second, to give me a tool to remove alot of wood quickly so I can spend more time on detail and less on roughing out--mostly on larger pieces say 3 1/2"x3 1/2"x10" height.

Maybe we'll hear from the RotoZip Customer Service Specialist here. If not, I'll post any info. I receive.

Thanks for your input. As always, the help here is great!

Ron Davidson · #9 12-15-2006, 08:54 AM

Bob don't get me wrong Rotozip makes a fine tool. I used to use them all the time back in the days when I could see. I just wanted you be aware of the power of these. I have also heard that if you hook footpedal control to some power tools it will burn them up. Might want to check with rotozip on that also. Hope we helped.
Ron

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #10 12-15-2006, 09:08 AM

I have a foot control I used for my scrollsaw, it was either on or off....don't see why it wouldn't work with a rotozip...if you get tangled in it, at least all you have to do is take your foot off, probably already be off anyway as you would be jumpin' up and down lol