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When I replaced a French door, the rough opening in my concrete and stucco home was just a tad too tight for the new door. I wanted this newer model, rather than have my old one repaired, so that I could use the newer accessories that would seem to make the Rotozip even more useful. The diamond blade, sold separately, is also very handy. For example, you can cut a straight line in drywall, or anything else, if you simply run the tool against a straightedge while you're cutting. My Sears radial arm saw claimed to be a drill, sander, router, and a planer as well as a saw.
If I had used a hammer and chisel I would have had a big mess to repair. I probably will purchase the Flex Shaft accessory as the shaft for my Dremel didn't last very long. Also have used it to cut concrete lawn pavers to size. I have a tile wet saw, but the new X-wheel tile accessory in this kit will come in handy when I do my next tile job, supplementing, but not eliminating, the tile saw.
I look at the Rotozip as a quick and sometimes the only way to remove material where you don't need absolute precision. Can make cutouts in concrete block walls for electrical boxes. I see from some of the other reviews that some were frustrated trying to use the the Rotozip. Used the basic spiral saw bit extensively when I remodeled my kitchen. I ordered this kit to replace my original Rotozip that just failed.
I may get the vaccum attachment because the Rotozip does generate a lot of dust. Having the Multimaster, routers,and other power tools, I would still say that the Rotozip is an indispensable tool and reasonably priced especially since you get the accessories. Great for cutting wire closet shelving to length, cutting bolts, rebar, and copper water pipes when there's not enough room to use a tubing cutter. Now, if I'm concerned about dust, I just have my wife stand by me with the shop vac hose in hand. I'm anxious to try the included jig saw handle which can replace the included depth guide bracket.
I had used it for a number of years so I wasn't unhappy that it failed, just unhappy that it failed in the middle of my current project. Rather than just go over differences between my original Rotozip and this newer model, I thought I'd share some of my home uses. I also own the Fein Multimaster, costing twice as much as this Rotozip kit. When I first used this tool years ago, I did burn and break a few spiral bits, 2) I have found that any tool that says it's "multipurpose" actually does some things really well, other things adequately, and still other things not very well at all. I would suggest that the Rotozip is just like any other power tool in these two aspects: 1) Some amount of time must be invested to learn what the tool can and cannot do, and one should practice before "going for score". I have done things with the Multimaster that I don't think I could have done any other way.
There are ways to improve precision. One should not plan to use the Rotozip to make high quality furniture, although, with practice and careful use, it might be able to do that. The Rotozip is a basic need for any homeowner's toolbox.
It would provide more stability than the guide bracket if you have room for it. I use the right angle adapter and metal cutoff wheel quite a bit. I quickly learned that it was a very good saw and that was all.
I probably won't buy the wood cutting X-wheel blade because I already have a Bosch flush cutting saw. Had to trim the new cabinets a little and of course make cutouts for pipes. The diamond blade quickly did the trimming without damage.
I was working in tight quarters and could not have done a professional job without this tool. The tool worked as avertised and was a pleasure to use. Received product quickly and on time. Tool was easy to assemble after reading directions.
Hardly ever use it anymore. Sorry I bought it. Very hard to control; nearly impossible to make freehand cuts on a line. Lots of hype from the manufacturer; their marketing department is certainly doing their job. Should have bought a multimaster. Bits wear out quickly and are costly. Best attachment is the cable extender.
Blade wore out quickly, despite regularly cleaning it (it seares). Yikes. Used it to undercut baseboard. Required 3 twenty five dolla blades for whole house. Then again, 17 year old baseboard is pretty hard. Tech support said must run it at 30K RPM though blade says 15K max. Power was fine.
While the customer service people were great and responsive about sending out the parts, it was very annoying to pay this much and not be able to get the job done. this is a decent (not exceptional) power drywall saw but that's really all it's good for. Definitely don't make the mistake I did by buying an expensive kit. Totally worthless. I use it with the circle cutter to put can lights in ceilings and once you get the radius set right it's very fast. I was also disappointed that the kit didn't include the wood cutting blade but I went back (Lowe's this time) and bought one.
You can spend much less and get exactly the same job done. I made the mistake of paying $150 for the extensive kit at Home Depot. I usually go for the high end tools but don't recommend it in this case. The tool with normal spiral bit works well for cutting drywall.
They should be ashamed of themselves for even selling this blade. So now I have $170 into this tool - yikes. I tried to cut a round hole in a piece of exterior T-1-11, and it was clear that the Rotozip is just not the right tool for cutting wood.The tool in my kit has a keyless check but unfortunately it doesn't grip the bits tightly and they tend to come loose.
Interestingly, there are other adjustments that you need to use often (most notably, the depth adjustment) that require a screwdriver - dumb.Your existing Dremel or one of the cheapo clones (that I've seen for as cheap as $15) will do the same job on drywall. I needed to trim some softwood door casing for a tile installation. This could be dangerous but in any case it's very annoying. Right off the bat, the kit was missing accessories.
Don't trust the settings on the circle cutter and always make a test cut in a scrap of drywall first. I can't remember what I paid for that wood blade but it was over $20. This blade is an extremely expensive grit-wheel gizmo. After filling the room with smoke and not cutting much of anything, I pulled out my old $10 Irwin flush cut saw and was done in a few minutes.
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