Rotozip Circle Cutter

[Mark Coward]

I bought a rotozip and circle cutter. I thought the circle cutter was made of metal, but it's silver plastic and seems flimsy as hell. I was able to cut a circle but it was pretty sloppy. Is there a better unit available, and any tricks to using it?

[gdougherty]

I bought a rotozip and circle cutter. I thought the circle cutter was made of metal, but it's silver plastic and seems flimsy as hell. I was able to cut a circle but it was pretty sloppy. Is there a better unit available, and any tricks to using it?

They're called routers or jigsaws. I returned my Rotozip aboout a week after I bought it and a bunch of accessories. The circle cutter was actually what sealed the deal for me. For about $100 less than the rotozip with attachments, various bits, etc. I bought the top-of the line Dewalt jigsaw. Bosch makes one that's rated the best for accuracy. They don't eat blades like a rotozip eats bits. I'm never worried about the saw going screwy and injuring me because it's super stable. Got a jasper jig for the router and never looked back.

I'd been all excited about the rotozip with the pictures of people using it for all kinds of projects. After some experience with it, the rotozip is a beefed up Dremel. A toy when it comes to cutting compared to real power tools.

[AntonZ]

Is there a better unit available, and any tricks to using it?

They're called routers or jigsaws.

+1
I may have posted this before, not sure, but I made this simple jig for my cheap router. Total costs (router included) some €35. Sure, things could be improved but it goes just about deep enough to cut through a 1/2" baffle, perfect circles every time. I own a jig saw but have always thought they were crap for precision work. Apparently that's just because my jigsaw is crap







Cutting a hole for an 8" woofer. 15" would be no problem either.

[Tim A]

Router and a Jasper Jig. It makes perfect circles, and is stupid simple.

I have a roto zip with a circle cutter. It stays in it's case. On the other hand, I have 4 routers and they all get use. One has the Jasper Jig permanently mounted.

Part Numbr 365-250 at PE. Once you try it you'll never do it any other way.

[mlkras]

Usually when I build BFM cabinets I build many at one time to speed things up. Rather than spring for the Jasper jig (fathers day is coming!) I have been clamping a two inch section of 4 inch drain pipe in the center of the intended cutout and by running my router around the outside can make perfect circles.

However, once the first hole is cut I use the cutout as a template for all the succeeding cutouts using a top bearing straight cutter with the bearing riding on the edge of the template.

I do the same procedure for all the cutouts that I make and at this point I have a shop full of reusuable templates that help make fast and easy work of cabinet building.

[Mark Coward]

Thanks guys, I don't know why I thought the rotozip was recommended.......it was a spur of the moment purchase. I have a router, should have bought the Jasper jig

[gdougherty]

Thanks guys, I don't know why I thought the rotozip was recommended.......it was a spur of the moment purchase. I have a router, should have bought the Jasper jig

Mine was too. Lowes took mine back opened and everything. Hopefully you can do the same.

[Mark Coward]

Thanks guys, I don't know why I thought the rotozip was recommended.......it was a spur of the moment purchase. I have a router, should have bought the Jasper jig

Mine was too. Lowes took mine back opened and everything. Hopefully you can do the same.

hmm, I might try that, it's been close to a month though...I did get it at Lowes.

[WB]

I bought a rotozip and circle cutter. ... Is there a better unit available, and any tricks to using it?

I used a rotozip with 1/8" bits and made my own circle cutter attachment to cut all the arcs for a DR280 and it was a pain in the arse. Bits break easy, hard to get a perfect line unless traveling extremely slow. Haven't used it since. A powerful router is the way to go, preferably with 1/2" shank router bits.

[WB]

Cutting a hole for an 8" woofer. 15" would be no problem either.

I liked your idea so much I copied it.