Rotozips, Jigsaws, What are ya using?

[Donkey_Kong]

What are people using these days to get a nice cut building these cabs?? They will undoubtedly take some jigsaw style cutting. Was wondering if the jigsaw was being replaced these days by them rotozip type thingers? Don't really know anything about rotary cutting. Anbody doing it with success? If so what exactly are you using? Model etc...

[brack]

I have both a rotozip and a jigsaw and I would strongly recommend the jigsaw.  It is much easier (especially for beginners) to follow a line - straight or curved.  The only place that I have found the rotozip to stand out is with drywall and similar easy to cut material. 

[Nannuu]

I use the jigsaw too.  I've found I never use my Rotozip unless I need to grind something or cut metal (I have the grinder attachment).  You can clean up a jigsaw cut with sandpaper pretty easy.  Or if you want a much nicer cut you can rough with a jigsaw and finish with a router (using a jig or template).

[prOk]

Rotozips are one of those 'as seen on tv' tools that everyone thought was cool.. but once you actually have one you realize they really don't do any one thing particularly well except for cutting drywall and even that's tough to control..  Those are one tool i'd skip buying.   A good orbital jigsaw does the rotozips job just fine.

[Donkey_Kong]

Thanks all! I've also heard since starting this thread that the Bosch Barrel handle is the Jig Saw to have. They just rave about it on the woodworking forums. She goes for all of $180 though...

Bosch Jig Saw on Amazon

Might be worth the investment...Glad I won't be wasting my time with that Rotozip. Like I said on the other forum it was my wife's idea to look into the rotozip and usually her ideas rock. I think she was on the right track but she is just remembering how much of a piece of junk our current Jig Saw is!!

[WaRpEd]

I have to go with a jig-saw over a Roto-zip.
The jig-saw is much easier to control and I've been woodworking for over 20 years. The Roto-zip OK but not when your work will show like on Cabinet edges.

[miles2912]

Rotozips are one of those 'as seen on tv' tools that everyone thought was cool.. but once you actually have one you realize they really don't do any one thing particularly well except for cutting drywall and even that's tough to control..  Those are one tool i'd skip buying.   A good orbital jigsaw does the rotozips job just fine.

Amen and Amen. 

[Xiaou2]

 I dont get this...

 For me, its Tablesaw  all the way.   Or if you cant afford.. use a circular saw.

 A jigsaw?!   I cant imagine making accurate things with one of those.  The
blade tends to bend.. then you get a slanted edge.   Its horrific.

 At least with a spiral bit,  it has a much straighter cut depthwise.

 I used to use a Jigsaw for cutting large holes in things, or curves..  but
then I switched to using a
 Router +  1/4" Spiral cutting Bit (huge rotozip bit).

 The larger Spiral bit is even less prone to bending or breakage.
It cuts thru material like butter.  Even plexi.. without crackage.

   Much less strain than the vibrational torture of a Jigsaw.

[prOk]

I think everyone here would agree that a router is the way to go, but that wasn't the question     Personally, i'd never consider cutting my cabinet out with a Jigsaw or rototzip, but not everyone has routers and such so they make due (granted, if I was thinking of putting this thing in my home, i'd get a router so it doesn't look like a gradeschool science project  )

[Donkey_Kong]

I used to use a Jigsaw for cutting large holes in things, or curves..  but
then I switched to using a
 Router +  1/4" Spiral cutting Bit (huge rotozip bit).

 The larger Spiral bit is even less prone to bending or breakage.
It cuts thru material like butter.  Even plexi.. without crackage.

   Much less strain than the vibrational torture of a Jigsaw.

Ah...haa, according to Xiaou2, my wifes thoery on roto cutting vs jigsaw cutting isn't so bad after all. Should have figured...seems like she is never wrong. Now to find that 1/4" bit and try it out. We do own a router so this won't be an issue. It is the Ryobi model but seems to be a great machine...Anyone else own the Ryobi router? How do you like it?

[Donkey_Kong]

I dont get this...

 For me, its Tablesaw  all the way.   Or if you cant afford.. use a circular saw.

This is true but going into this hobby I assumed I would be cutting at least some circular cuts at some point. Alot of cabs have circular or rounded cuts on the sides. Here is the funny thing, my cab has none!! HAHA. Nothing but straight cuts, skill saw for almost everything!!

So basically I stirred up this mild contraversy over nothing...SORRY!!

[nostrebor]

I love my tablesaw, circular saw, and especially my router! I never lifted a jigsaw on the last two arcade cabinet projects. I do use them to cut curves for templates for the router, but I always allow for sanding the curves flat with an OSS or block.

If you are going to use a jigsaw, do two things. Buy the best jigsaw your budget will allow, and let your saw do the work. Simply taking your time, letting the blade cut rather than shoving the blade into the work, will greatly improve the cut a jigsaw makes. Using good quality blades goes a long way as well.