ROTOZIP as Spindle.

[esmiller]

My laminate trimmer just went up in smoke (LITERALLY), and i am searching for a better replacement, so I have some questions regarding the ROROZIP.

Has anybody used the ROTOZIP as a spindle? is it quiet or loud?

Which model do you use? (Single or variable speed)

any problem with the bits coming loose, since it uses the 3 jaw chuck, instead of a collet/Wrench combo?

Does it heat up, or stay at a good temperature?

What kind of materials are you limited to with this as a cutting unit?

Anybody know where they are reasonably priced?


I am using the Router plans offered by JGRO, with 5/16-18 threaded rod and 150 oz/in motors.

Any help or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Eddie

[dwwright]

I'm currently using the jgro plan with the rotozip, 1/4-20 threaded rod, and 80 oz/in. motors. I'm mostly cutting hard and soft woods, MDF, and aluminum. I've found that cutting more than 1/4 deep is the maximum, but may be the bits that I'm using. I've got the single speed model, but hooked up on a solid state relay to kick the spindle on/off on each cut. I usually travel about 1/8" above the work, which give plenty of time to get up to speed. I had to convert the backlash blocks from stationary to a slide mount due to the amount of warp in the threaded rod. I found that the stationary mount caused too much binding and caused the steppers to skip steps.

Just my two cents....

Darren

[toyo]

Hello Eddie

I've been using a single speed rotozip as the spindle on my setup. I've never had any problem with bits coming loose or the rotozip heating up. As for the noise it is quite noisy. The torque is pretty good cutting wood and plastics. I don't think you would want to cut aluminium with it, it turns to fast at 30000 rpm for that. I'm presently looking to change mine for something else, i'm not sure what yet. Hope this help a little and good luck.
Toyo

[esmiller]

Thank you both (TOYO & DWWRIGHT) for your feedback..

I am really leaning toward the variable speed maodel, since it should reduce the burnt wood i got with my laminate router running at the same speed as the fixed speed Rotozip.

The ROTOZIP really looks like a good compromise, just want to be sure before a $100 investment (Minimum)

Eddie

[WP1]

I'm using a RotoZip RZ1 on my machine. I'm still finishing it up so I havent done real extensive cutting with it yet.

Summary so far:

It's quite loud.

It works ok on a router speed control from Harbor Freight to slow it down if I want.

The three jaw chuck makes bit changes quite easy. The instructions indicate that the wrench might be nescessary on some 1/4" shank bits. I've been using 1/4" bits and hand tightening without issues.

The RZ1 is about $60 at Home Depot or Lowe's.

I've done 1/4" deep cuts with an 1/8" carbide bit in MDF at a fairly high feed rate without issues.

It doesn't seem to get hot, the fan moves a lot of air through it. It's run 1hr+ without issues.

Pete C.

[spalm]

Eddie, we seem to be following each other around this site.

The laminate trimmer you smoked, was it a Porter Cable 7310? That is what I am using for my first cuts. Mounts nice, but no variable speed. I am also set up for an old Sears Dremel thing without variable speed for smaller work.

The rotozip seems a nice fit between these two. I like the three jaw chuck and variable speed. Seems hard to mount, though.

I have been leaning to get larger router. The Porter Cable 7815 is what I am lusting for. My questions are: Is this to large for a JGRO type machine? Does someone sell a 1/4" to 1/8" collet to be able to do those BMPs that my wife wants? Can I mount end mill bits and turn down the speed to do aluminum?

Found a Deal at Grizzly for 50 piece carbide assortment 1/8" bits for $13:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/item...mnumber=G7950&

So many questions.....
Steve

[esmiller]

Hmm.. JUST found a link on this subject earlier tonight.. let me find it again ,,,,

OK.. here it is:

http://doitbest.com/shop/product.asp...613&sku=374652

Lets you use 1/8" bits in a 1/4" chuck.

BTW.. the laminate trimmer I burnt up was a plastic piece of garbage from Harbor Frienght that only cost me $19.99 I think.. maybe $29.99.. not sure anymore. I tried using a fan speed control to vary the speed of it, and it burnt up instead.. should have p[aid the price for a router speed control i guess..

Does someone sell a 1/4" to 1/8" collet to be able to do those BMPs that my wife wants?

[buscht]

http://www.porter-cable.net/porcab4214to.html
Another 1/4" to 1/8" adaptor

[buscht]

I'm using a rotozip. Don't have the model info here, but it's variable speed and very noisy. With small bits, I run it about 3/4 speed at all times.

It has the 3 jaw chuck, I use it to get the bits snug and then tighten them up with the wrench they provided. No bit slippage once I implemented this procedure.

It has a built in light which is kind of nice.

I removed the handle and I clamp it at the base. There's a clamp on base that comes with it and I just measure that and made something similar that bolts to my Z axis.

I have run this thing for hours (4 or 5) at a time with no problem. I did have a problem with the switch though. Luckily, I kept the receipt and exchanged the unit with no problems at the store.

[anoel]

I use the ZR1 with a Router Speed Control. It's noisy but at slower speeds it's not too bad. Less noisy than the Dremel Advantage that I was using, but no more noisy than a regular router or Laminate trimmer, it's smooth and not rattley sounding. I'm both 1/4" and 1/8" inch collets and the runout is superb on both, the DI needle barely wiggles when testing against an endmill shank. I've been cutting hardwoods, MDF, Plastics, Phenolics with no problems at all. It's got plenty of torque. And honestly I don't see an average Laminate Trimmer doing a better job. I picked up a Freud Laminate trimmer first and took it back because I could not locate a 1/8" collet for it. And the RotoZip performs right on par as the Freud Laminate trimmer. All in all I'd rate it as a first choice for a spindle without going to a full size router. I wish that I could have used my PC690 but my machine is not big enough.

[yukonho]

My rotozip fan exploded. I found it loud and wobbly anyway. I am much happier with my Porter Cable 7310 laminate trimmer. Much stronger, much quieter. I never, ever used anything but max speed on any router, and dont think variable speed is useful at all.
colin

[joecnc2006]

I use the pro rotozip, speeds 15,000 - 30,000 it is much quieter than my sears router, i have no problem with it, And you should use a variable speed if you are cutting different materials as required, even different type of woods need variable spindel speeds, hence the (Variable Spindel).