New topic--new tool reviews

Okay, since everyone else is doing it I am going to too. And if my English professors read that sentence I am toast.

Now, Gene's Tool Reviews:

Todays tool: the Bosch RotoZip Z20-4200,
It's a nifty tool that is more than just a drywall router. The kit comes with all kinds of attachments that make me wonder if it's good at grinding (has a grinding/cutting wheel attachment), 'jig-saw like' work with the optional base and a cool looking and as yet unused vacuum attachment. That should be great for doing the drywall in a month or so (hopefully!). We bought it at Lowes and it was $149. Zoinks! It has a tool-less bit change that is like a cross between a keyless drill chuck and changing a blade on a circular saw (a blade lock that takes a little of finagleing). The LED in the collet is a cool idea and shed a decent amount of light. This is the second tool we have (the other is the Hitachi jigsaw) that has an LED light. Linnea said today how nice it is to have light at the cut. The specs are all at their website.

I tried it out first by trying to cut some toilet flange support rings out of OSB. It was horrible at it with the standard blade. I went and got my cordless drill and the jigsaw. That took ten minutes to make three of them--using the RotoZip would have taken until about now--ten hours later. To be fair I was using the wrong bit in it--there is a specific bit for OSB and plywood, but still I think the larger tools were the right way to go. Now, I may try this tool to cut the electrical receptacle holes in the Hardiplank siding since we forgot to do that until after we got to the second floor! It can plunge into a cut and that is a nifty way to redo a finished piece of siding. The RotoZip may be the right tool for the job. We shall see and watch this space for updates.

Gene