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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/20/2003 : 20:07:53

Hi folks,

I have always been kinda like Tim Allen in that I like to have good tools. The more power the better. Unlike tim Allen's character, I do know how to use them.
I also think that most tools advertised on infomercials, like most things on infomercials, must be junk. I always thought that way about Roto Zip tools. Until now. I recently got a rotozip, on sale of course, and am sold on it.
It came in real handy on three projects on my 89wk which I am renovating. I had to cut out some of the liner in order to install a new bow eye. I wanted to beef up the bow with several layers of glass before I installed a larger eye, with a different hole centering. The roto zip made cutting out the liner easier.
I also had to cut out some liner in order to install more bolts for my new Motor Mount. Zipped it out.
I also wanted to install the new beefier gudgeons made my Catalina Direct. The old screws were stripped out, and I had to get at the upper gudgeon backing plate. I cut out a hole with the roto zip and installed a large Beckson screw on access panel. I don't know what other tool I could have used in that there was only about 3/4" between the cockpit liner and the transom. A jib saw would have been out of the question. Maybe a router would have worked.
I'm sold on the Roto Zip. You can get generics now, even at sears for about 50 or 60 bucks.
Another tool I have used quite extensively on my current work is my new Makita battery operated 90 degree offset drill. Works great for getting into tight spaces. I even used the roto zip bit in it to cut out some liner in a tight space where the roto tool wouldn't fit.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2003 : 20:37:23

Good advice on the Roto-Zip Frank. The former Catalina production person - now full time independent field service professional that has worked on boats at our marina has one and uses it often.

Zipity do da, zipity day . . . <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle> !

Edited by - OJ on 04/20/2003 20:39:09

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2003 : 21:03:10

Good info! I've been debating between buying a Roto Zip and a Dremmel--any opinions out there?

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2003 : 21:23:35

I have both tools. For cutting out liner, the rotozip is the way to go. The only thing I have ever used my dremel for is to cut off bolts, and even then it was sub standard. Either way, go for a sale at Sears. The sears dremel is made my dremel. I don't know who makes their rotozip. Get them on sale of course.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2003 : 23:19:31

"He who dies with the most toys wins......" Even thought I'm not sure whether tools are necessities or toys, I'm taking no chances and collect them. So, I too have them both. Zipper for drywall, cutting out sink holes...most useful.
On the boat it's the Dremmel though. One tool, drills, cuts, grinds sharpens etc. etc. And....get this, you can put the cutting bits from the Zipper in the Dremmel, so I carry a few of those around.
In the end though, one of the major beauties of trailer sailing is parking it in front of the shop and having it all to work with....

Oscar
<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/LKforumshot.jpg" border=0>
Lady Kay 250 WB #618
In the driveway in Behtlehem, PA ready to go anytime.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2003 : 23:55:27

I have a Dremel with the usual assortment of bits(cutters, grinders, sanders, drills,...etc) along with the 36" flex cable for getting into tight places. It is one versatile tool.

Question: Exactly what does the RotoZip do over that of the Dremel?

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

Edited by - on

Dennis Pierce
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
59 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2003 : 08:06:19

I use my Dremel tool a bunch. However, buying the grinders, cut off wheels, etc. at swap meets is a waste of money. The Dremel brand (or Sears)accessories cost more that the 10 for a buck items, but worth it in the long run......After two swap meet cut off wheels disintegrated at a zillion RPM's, I threw away the swap meet crap and buy Dremel brand accessories.

Dennis Pierce
Gypsy Witch #1719

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2003 : 08:48:49

IMHO the Zip has power and speed. I put the Dremel in the toy/hobbyist category.

Of course, I am an ex-contractor.

That's my opinion, I may be wrong.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

Edited by - on

RoofRoof
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
186 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2003 : 10:30:00

I have a dremel tool with the attachment and bits that make it work just like the rotozip. I've used it many times to cut fiberglass on my boat. Works wonderfully. Then, if you have the dremel version, you can use it for more than one application.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2003 : 11:24:55

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>"the Zip has power and speed."<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

After doing some comparisons between the Zip and Dremel, I'll give the Zip the edge in power, but the Dremel is tops in speed(35,000rpm over 30,000rpm) and versatility.

While perusing the Rotozip site, I noticed the Zip only comes in a 4 speed(15, 20, 25, 30,000rpm), 2 speed(24 and 30,000rpm), 1 speed(30,000rpm) models, whereas my Dremel is variable from 4,500 to 30,000. This is important when cutting plastics(so the material is cut rather than melted) or sanding wood. When I redone my teak last year, I used the Dremel on the lower settings with a flapper wheel to do the curved end-grain parts, and it made short work out of it.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2003 : 22:13:10

Very valid point....the Zipper in fiberglass would be a wee bit fast.....(smoke....smell...stains....)

Oscar
<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/LKforumshot.jpg" border=0>
Lady Kay 250 WB #618
In the driveway in Behtlehem, PA ready to go anytime.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2003 : 22:39:22

Good info... Any experiences with the cordless Dremel?

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2003 : 23:42:42

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Any experiences with the cordless Dremel?<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

The cheap cordless I bought was terrible. So bad in fact it is now at the bottom of the lake.

I bought it with the intension of using it on the job and if needed on the boat. I now have the electric one like Don mentioned from Sears.

My opinion buy the electric one and take the extra couple of minutes to run a cord.

Bryan Beamer
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df05b3127cce93a99ec449080000001010" border=0>
Daylight Again
C250wk #495

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2003 : 09:07:49

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Good info... Any experiences with the cordless Dremel?

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

I had a rechargeable (cordless) Dremel a few years ago. It only ran for 20 minutes on a charge, then took several hours to charge again. The battery only lasted a few months before it died and would no longer hold a charge. A pretty worthless tool. The 120V Dremel is okay. And for certain jobs, like grinding very small parts in hard to reach places, a Dremel will work when nothing else will.

Larry Charlot
Catalina 25 #1205 "Quiet Time"
Sacramento, CA

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2003 : 22:53:28

Timely post... I'm going to be cutting out several 'large' openings for Beckman deck ports... (access to motor mount nuts, etc.)

I have owned a corded Dremel for years.

I don't regard it as having enough whoopie for bigger jobs. Like some of the other posters, I regard it as a hobby tool, or for use in situations where nothing else will really fit.

The 'industrial strength' Dremel with the fixed motor and cable drive is a different animal though.

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

Edited by - on

tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 04/23/2003 : 01:21:33

I have to second Frank's opinion on the Roto-zip. I too was skeptical but had to cut out some ( a lot )moldy drywall and it was worth it just for that one job alone. I bought the full deal with the grinder cut off wheels etc. I have used them all. I has much more power than my Dremel did and is much more useful to me. Most of the tools I have used I don't run at top speed so the four speeds I have work fine for me.

Todd Hansen
Fior Gra'
San Luis Obispo, CA

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/23/2003 : 08:38:39

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Good info! I've been debating between buying a Roto Zip and a Dremmel--any opinions out there?

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Now days, IMHO, with the attachments for both rotary tools, either one will get you where you want to go. My grip with the Roto Zip is its size sometimes makes it difficult to work with in tight areas, however I have come to realize there are numerous models.

I've used all three and prefer the Dremel. (The third being the black and decker rotary tool, similar to the Dremel)

I would recommend going to the Home Depot or Lowes where they have some on display (usually on Saturday mornings) where people are working with them.

D. Wolff - "The Flying Wasp" #401 sr/sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://www.flags.com/dreamimages/Flags/measurer.jpg" border=0>

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