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Hey all, I wanted some advice. I'm thinking of getting a power tool for small hobby projects and occasional home repair type stuff. Basically, I want something that can make cuts in wood, drywall, and stone tile. Also, to be able to make small circular or irregular cuts in said materials. A bit of routing would be a plus. I was going to get a Rotozip, but I wonder if a Dremel might be better? Or should I just abandon hope in being able to get a single tool for all this? Money is a factor, especially since I don't figure on using the tool all that much. Danke

I've only used a Rotozip or Dremel for cutting wood and drywall. I personally prefer the Rotozip for drywall. Of course, there are different types of both, but the Rotozip might have more routing bits for it. Not sure about any tile bits though. If you're wanting to do shavings for precise cutting on tile, a small Dremel would work very well.

Personally, I think either could do the jobs you're asking for, but I doubt either of them would do all the jobs exactly like you want. I figure they'll excel in one or two, but not all.

Hope that helps.

drifter said:

Hey all, I wanted some advice. I'm thinking of getting a power tool for small hobby projects and occasional home repair type stuff. Basically, I want something that can make cuts in wood, drywall, and stone tile. Also, to be able to make small circular or irregular cuts in said materials. A bit of routing would be a plus. I was going to get a Rotozip, but I wonder if a Dremel might be better? Or should I just abandon hope in being able to get a single tool for all this? Money is a factor, especially since I don't figure on using the tool all that much. Danke

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As someone who worked at Home Depot, the Rotozip is exactly what you want. It can do everything you want to do, although I'm pretty sure for stone tile, you'll need a separately sold attachment to wet it. I'm not sure though, it may just use diamond blades.

Jigsaw.

Adammon said:

Jigsaw.

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For tiles and small crafts? No way!

A dremel would fit his needs in those departments easy. I think either way he's going to shell out the same amount of money for a rotozip + accessories or a dremel tool + accessories + wet tile saw


actually scratch that a good wet tile saw will run at a good 700 to 1000 USD. You can always rent them too. Go for the Dremel.

From someone who sold woodworking tools, bits, and all kinds of saws...go for the Rotozip.

How about the routing requirement? I've never used a Dremel for routing since I've got a router. Are their router bits any good?

Harbor freight - you can get a rotary tool, a jigsaw, a drill, and a circular saw for the cost of a big box store rotozip.

Bonhomme Richard said:

How about the routing requirement? I've never used a Dremel for routing since I've got a router. Are their router bits any good?

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I would just use the regular router if you have one instead of the Dremel tool.

Chazwozel;317957][quote=Adammon said:

Jigsaw.

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For tiles and small crafts? No way!

A dremel would fit his needs in those departments easy. I think either way he's going to shell out the same amount of money for a rotozip + accessories or a dremel tool + accessories + wet tile saw


actually scratch that a good wet tile saw will run at a good 700 to 1000 USD. You can always rent them too. Go for the Dremel.[/QUOTE]

For tiles and small crafts? That's like the ideal tool! throw a carbide-grit ceramic blade on there, you're pretty much flying high. And even a retard can use a jigsaw.

For a beginner (like I'm assuming here), there's no reason to spend over $100 on a tool that doesn't actually have a defined use yet. And there's nothing you can't do with a jigsaw!

drifter said:

Hey all, I wanted some advice. I'm thinking of getting a power tool for small hobby projects and occasional home repair type stuff. Basically, I want something that can make cuts in wood, drywall, and stone tile. Also, to be able to make small circular or irregular cuts in said materials. A bit of routing would be a plus. I was going to get a Rotozip, but I wonder if a Dremel might be better? Or should I just abandon hope in being able to get a single tool for all this? Money is a factor, especially since I don't figure on using the tool all that much. Danke

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Then get a corded jigsaw. You don't want the hassle of losing all the various attachments of the hobby tools.

I actually already have a jigsaw, and I hate using it. But, perhaps that's just because it's a cheap, shitty jigsaw. Right now I'm thinking maybe it would be better to invest in a quality jigsaw, and then pick up a cheap rotary tool (10 bucks?!) from Harbor Freight for when I want to futz around. Anyway, thanks to everybody for the input!

Tile is hard as fuck (yet easy to break), so I don't know how well a rotozip is going to do on it. The best power tool I've found for tile is an angle grinder with a diamond-tipped blade. A gentle touch with that works wonders on tile (I've tiled my two bathrooms' floors and showers).