I got one of these for some drywall work, and general house stuff, not woodworking especially. I was curious, however, about using it as a small trim router. Manual didn’t say anything about putting router bits in the chuck, it just said not to put anything with >1/4″ shank, or anything wider than the opening in the base plate (1/2″ opening”) Anybody do any experimenting with this idea?
Tom
Replies
I have a small roundover bit for mine. I believe it has a 1/8" shank. It creates a very small roundover.....less than a standard 1/4" roundover for a router.
I have only used a borrowed one once for a few hours, working in 1/2" ply and drywall, but just from that use, I would be wary of how much the runout would affect cuts with a bit that has more rotational inertia than the standard burr/saw (more rotating mass and further from the axis). Sounds like a setup with high potential for a "hey, watch this!" run to the ER.... :)
/jvs
I can't say it has any more runout than a trim router. It seems incredibly similar to ones I've used. The manual was pretty particular about not mentioning the use of router bits specifically. It made it sound like they were alright without specifically recommending their use. Seemed like a liability CYA. I wouldn't chuck up anything bigger than 3/8", but if someone knows whats up, I will forget about it and not try it. I just can't think of any reason why they wouldn't work...
Tom
Aye--if you have a good one, it might work just fine; my automatic inclination is caution with corded tools. They are certainly designed for lateral shaft loads, and I could have been using one with sloppier-than-normal bearings.
/jvs
I was actually quite surprised at the quality of this tool. It seems very well thought out and well put together. I was expecting something like those roto-matic crappy $9.99 tools at Walgreens.
Tom
I use one all the time with laminate flush trim bits and 1/4 " round overs..if it is handier to grab than my laminate trimmer.
Also use a laminate trimmer on sheetrock so..I callem interchangeable..
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
Don't expect the Roto Zip to do any accurate work using it's base to ride along a template or straightedge.(Nowhere near concentrifical. But, with small short narrow ball bearing tipped cutters, it should be adaquate,
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