BS: Anyone want a 'zip' saw?

Subject: BS: Anyone want a 'zip' saw?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 May 05 - 11:52 AM

Having bought a 'zipsaw' made by Rotozip on a whim some years back (coz it was cheap:-) ) I have decided that it does not do any of the things I thought it might.

It comes in a pice big plasic box and is complete with an attachment to turn it into a mini angle grinder type thingy. May be good for modelers but seems pretty powerful - albeit not powerful enough for some of the jobs I tried it on - like cutting holes in thick worktops.

It's mains driven at 240v so not much good to anyone on the west of the Atlantic. Before I bin it does anyone want it? If you don't know what it is you don't need it:-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone want a 'zip' saw?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 May 05 - 11:54 AM

Sorry - Lost the plot there. Intended to say may be good for instrument making rather that modeling...

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone want a 'zip' saw?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 09 May 05 - 12:19 PM

Dtg -

I have one that's probably pretty similar, except for being 110V. One thing I found was that there are numerous kinds of "bits" available, and it makes a lot of difference if you get the right one for the job you're doing. I've had no real difficulty cutting patterns out of 1" thick particle board (counter top stuff) with mine - after I finally figured out which cutter to put in it. It's slower, of course, than a "real" router, and a lot slower than a decent saw; but it's handier for small cuts or tight corners.

If you're talking about "normal" cabinet tops, you might want to take a look at what better bits are available before getting rid of the RotoZip. The tool usually comes with a few "general purpose" bits, but others shouldn't be hard to find.

If the heavy worktops you're talking about are over about an inch thick, then you do need a different tool. A "sabre-saw" would be good up to about 1.5 inch - maybe, but for really heavy stuff you want what's commonly called a "Sawzall" that has a heavy blade in-line with the motor axis. The heavier blade makes small radii difficult, but you use a "hole saw" in your drill to make the corners before you start sawing.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone want a 'zip' saw?
From: Peace
Date: 09 May 05 - 12:39 PM

What's it going for. Have a friend who might want one. He's into stuff like that: home dentistry, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone want a 'zip' saw?
From: jimmyt
Date: 09 May 05 - 09:35 PM

How did you guess, Brucie????

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone want a 'zip' saw?
From: Peace
Date: 09 May 05 - 10:58 PM

Hi, Jimmy. Thanks for the laugh.

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone want a 'zip' saw?
From: open mike
Date: 10 May 05 - 12:22 AM

you should try www.freecycle.org.
if there is not a local group
where you are, you should start
one!! Perfect solution for stuff
you don't need or can't use any more..

there is always someone who will
help you find a home for stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone want a 'zip' saw?
From: Peace
Date: 10 May 05 - 12:27 AM

"Sawzall"

We carry one in the Rescue vehicle for quick cuts to the posts in MVCs. Works like a darn. For more demanding work we use the cutters (a hydraulic tool kinda like the so-called Jaws of Life, which we call spreaders). The Sawzall is sometimes convenient when space is short and time is too.

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone want a 'zip' saw?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 10 May 05 - 03:08 AM

brucie -

I used to have a sawzall, and really used it a lot; but my son seems to have borrowed it for an "emergency" about 11 months ago and I haven't seen it since. I guess that means he agrees it's a really good tool.

Come to think of it, my daughter borrowed my lawnmower "for the weekend" about four years ago, and I haven't seen it since either. I must buy good lawnmowers too....

John

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone want a 'zip' saw?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 10 May 05 - 03:54 AM

What do you mean by a Zip Saw ? - How big is it etc. Whereabouts in the country are you Dave ?

Probably most important for me at the moment - can you use one single handed ?

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone want a 'zip' saw?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 May 05 - 04:19 AM

A zip saw is like a large mains powered 'dremmel'. It saws by having a sharp sided bit in a small chuck which whizzes round at very high speeds. it is about 8" long and yes you can use it single handed although you would need to keep a pretty tight grip to stop it going it's own way:-)

I am in Manchester, Dave, but if you want it I am happy to post it or drop it off somewhere on my travels around the country. Are you in the South East? I may be traveling down to Southend in a couple of weeks if that's any good.


Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone want a 'zip' saw?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 10 May 05 - 05:48 AM

There's a fair picture of one of the little beasties at RotoZip. The "normal configuration" is the picture on the right.

The "tech name" for it is a "spiral bit saw," as noted on that site. It looks like sort of a compact drill, but the bit is sharpened so that the spiral flutes on the sides are the intended cutting edges. Some, but not all, bits also have a normally sharpened "drill point" so that you can just push it through to make a hole from which to start the cut, but quite a few of the bits aren't really intended for "drilling in," and you need to start from the edge of the workpiece with them.

There are a number of "add on accessories" like the tile saw shown on the left at the above page. I've tried it, and it works - sort of. An air hammer is a lot more effective for removing old tile, but the RotoZip might be good for fitting in new stuff, especially if you're using fairly thin tile.

Although it's touted as a free-hand tool, anyone with any experience with free-hand cuts with a router will know that the tool has a mind of its own with respect to which way it wants to go - and changes its mind often. I almost always clamp up an edge to run the tool body against if I want a straight cut, and use the radius tool that came with mine for cutting something resembling an arc.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone want a 'zip' saw?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 10 May 05 - 08:28 AM

I'm used to using a router. It would probaby be ideal for cutting some holes in the laminate in my caravan - there's not enough room for my jigsaw.

I live in Mottingham, near Eltham, SE London - see map here.

Let me know when you're coming down - we live the other side of the river from Southend, but we should be able to sort something out. It's a pity you're not down this weekend - Micca & Kat's Handfasting do is only a short distance from the A13.

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone want a 'zip' saw?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 May 05 - 09:08 AM

Will do, Dave. I'll PM you before I go. Leave me space in the 'van at the odd festival or two eh? ;-)

Sorry anyone else - Dave has won the bid:-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Anyone want a 'zip' saw?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 11 May 05 - 03:15 AM

Hear from you later Dave. If you need somewhere to sleep over on your journey down south, the caravan (in our drive) is usually available. If you're looking for a berth at festivals though, you'll have to come to an arrangement with Essex Girl - there's only one (king-size) double berth and as I can't drive yet after my stroke, she's doing the towing these days !