My local hardware store has a Dewalt cut-out tool on sale starting tomorrow and I wouldn’t mind buying one for an up coming drywall job I have to do. I got to thinking about these cut out tools and a question came to mind. Are all these cut out tools pretty much the same? What I mean is, are they all the same quality. Basically, cut out tools are pretty much a simple type of tool.
Has Finehomebuilding ever done a cut out tool review? I know Dewalt has a cordless (18V) cut out tool so would it really be more worthwhile to buy a cordless cut out tool?
I’d like to hear from any of you folks as to whether you own or used a cut out tool. What brand(s) do all of you have and how have you found them to be? Is any one brand any better than the others?
Thanks kindly
Paul
Replies
I don't know if they are all the same or not. I did have a Dewalt that was a POS. It had a plastic nub in the chuck that kept breaking off. Maybe the redisgned it since then, this was about 3 or so years ago.
I have a DeWalt DW660 corded cut-out tool that I have had for several years and have never had any trouble with it. I have also used the Porter-Cable and RotoZip tools and the quality all appears to be about the same to me. Last fall I was browsing through Lowes and came across a DeWalt DC550KA cordless cut-out tool on their clearance table. I got the tool, case, 18v battery, and charger for $82. It was too good to pass up. The cordless tool comes in very handy for smaller jobs.
I have the dewalt corded tool. I like the toolless bit change. I have never had a problem with the tool, but I just do not like using cut out tools for drywall due to the dust.
I can only speak for the corded DeWalt. I got mine shortly after it came out. I wouldn't recommend it for a couple of reasons.
The bump switch on it has a mind of it's own. Doesn't like to stay in the on position all the time. That gets real annoying very fast. Maybe mine was just a faulty switch but I would plug it in check it out before you leave the store with it. If memory serves someone else had the same problem here.
Also the depth of cut seems kind of cheaply made.
Other than that it spins really fast does the job it's supposed to do. :)
If mine crapped out I'd get a Rotozip.
"If mine crapped out I'd get a Rotozip."
My Rotozip crapped out -- I got the DeWalt. The Rotozip (an older model) was poorly designed so that if you cut DW overhead, the junk just filled up the tool housing, eventually making it impossible to engage the shaft lock to change bits. The DeWalt is OK, but only takes 1/8" bits. No problem with the bump switch. The newer Rotozips look to be designed better, so I'll consider going back when the DeWalt craps out.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
My experience with the Roto mirrors your own.
New design or not, I'd have a hard time going back to them.
These pretzels, are making me thirsty.
I think you got a bum tool.
Love the bump off switch (which I neglected to mention in my first post).
And if you don't like the depth adjust on the Dewalt, you'll hate the Rotozip!
These pretzels, are making me thirsty.
I think you're right on the money about it being a bum tool. It was that way right out of the box. The switch never really had what I would call strong engagement in the on position. I don't hang drywall on any regular basis so I can live with it.
The bump feature I really like once the tool actually stays on.
I'm thinking when I used for teh first time it was a sign from above to remind me that given a choice of hanging drywall or going clothes shopping with my wife I'd choose the shopping. Well, maybe not but I'd have to think about it. ; )But it is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. - Herman Melville
LOL!
I hear ya. Not a huge fan of drywall myself.
Although, it is a nice mindless break from the more intense projects from time to time.
These pretzels, are making me thirsty.
we try to avoid drywall as if it were the plague.
that being said, recently a renovation involved
disappearing several rooms of paneling and replacing
that and a kitchen, bath and gawdknowswhatallelse
with 80 pcs of 4x8 and 12 drywall.
i have a corded and uncorded rotozip. the corded variant
never left its box.
We do a fair amount of renovating and got tired of using jab saws. Corded Rotozip in the bucket with a supply of 5 bits was on here for $89. What a difference in time. Can't speak on the Dewalt, never used one.
RotoZip corded and cordless...
no worries...
don't recall ever even seeing a DW on a job...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I have the Dewalt. Used it extensively for drywall, and no complaints. I guy I work with sometimes has the Roto-zip, and it works just fine also.
I wish I had a reason;
my flaws are open season
Porter Cable makes a 1/4" shank x 3/16" guidepoint door and window cutout bit that works fine for drywall. If you already have a trim router and don't want to buy another tool for occasional drywall cutout, just use your trim router. Lance
Freinds dont let friends by Yellow
View Image "We fight not to enslave ,but to set free"
Thomas Paine
I don't use my cut-out tool very often ... maybe every other week, for one hole at a time. I use a Harbor Freight $20 corded tool. While the tool works fine, were I to replace it, I would look for one with a shorter overall length, and consider how you grip / handle it. The HF is adequate for my purposes, but I think the 'ergonomics' can be improved upon. On the plus side, the HF does not blow dust all over the place ... unlike the much weaker Dremel I had been using.
I have a Porter Cable corded model purchased in 1999 after using RotoZip. PC chosen due to design of the tool's "foot" - square rather than round and seemed more rigid in the store as compared to RotoZip - field use confirmed that it was.
Takes 1/4" or 1/8" bits (1/8" needs an adapter which was supplied with the tool).
Can't comment at all about the DeWalt model(s?). Have not paid any attention to the design of RotoZip since 1999 - have not needed to since the PC is working perfectly and I am usually of the mindset "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
I have a PC too, and I like it. The only problem I have with it is that the second time I turned it on, something had gotten into the inside and sheared off every fin on the cooling fan. I'm not sure what because I had never cut anything with it, but I kept getting hit with little black peices of plastic from the cooling fan. Now, If I'm running it for a long period of time, It gets pretty warm, but it's about 6 years old now and works just fine.
I've got the Dewalt with the circle cutting jig.
Dynamite tool! (And I aint a Dewalt fanatic)
I had a Rotozip, which I believe "invented" the tool. DW dust clogged the crap outta the depth adjustment screw....made it impossible to use. When the tool itself died....far earlier than I would have imagined a tool I rarely use to die....I grabbed the Dewalt that was on sale and came with the jig.
A cordless version would definetly be worth the investment if you already use the Dewalt battery system.
Dunno about you, but when hanging drywall, I tape the cord from my screwgun into the extension cord (nothing more aggrevating than becoming unplugged atop a scaffold).....so, one less cord to break out and get tangled in would be ideal.
These pretzels, are making me thirsty.