Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

[12Footer]

I have been seeing this commercial on the tube for this neat looking little power tool.It looks sort of like a Dremmel drill with it's router attachment,and uses a drill bit-like bit to cut. My question is, has anyone used this tool for cutting out rotten decking? It looks like it would be DaBombe at this task...But we all know how comercials make things appear to actually werk.<br />I'm looking at the redecking job from Hell on my nephew's boat..Yes, it is still in my driveway. But I gotta give this guy all the help I can,as he is a postal werker...So we know how busy this guy is.<br />I forgot to mention, this decking is 3/4" marine grade plywood with a single layer glass w/mattng.

 

[Terry H]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

Might come in handy, but a sawzall with proper blade would be a better choice...

 

[suzukidave]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

My advice is don';t bother. I think Dewalt makes the tool you are talking about -- the motor can't be more than 3 amps -- I'm don't believ it has enough juice to consistently cut 3/4 marine ply and it would quickly destory the cutting bit. My 15 amp 3 hp Freud heavy duty router would have trouble cutting thick plywood with a carbide cutting bit and the glue in the plywood would wreck the bit. I wouldn't even try to cut 3/4" soft pine in a single pass with the router.<br /><br />I recommend using a circular saw with the depth set just to the plywood thickness then just chisel/lever/grind out anything around the edges.

 

[Clay]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

If your talking about a Rotozip I have one and they work great. It'll cut through anything with the right bit. I've used it on plywood, fiberglass, thin aluminum, ceramic tile, drywall, and even hit some nails. with no problems. I think I paid about 60 bucks for the basic kit. Its one tool I'm glad I bought

 

[suzukidave]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

Cootie, I'm sure it cuts lots of thinner stuff but are you saying you can make sustained cuts in 3/4" marine plywood (presumably with some glass on it) with this thing?

 

[Clay]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

I cut a hole for a stereo in glass and plywood and it worked great. Its not going to rip through it like a saw would. But it makes a nice clean cut with no chipping. You have to take your time. This thing spins at 30,000 no load rpms. so you have to keep a firm grip on it. every kind of bit is advailable. It won't replace a skil saw or sawzall. I don't want to sound like Ronco-man but I really like this tool

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

I used one many times. A few words of caution; go slow to get a smooth cut, if you go too fast the cut will be rough, or you will break the bit.A good job takes time and planning.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

Hey there 12 Footer, My boss got me one of those rotozips with all the special bits and stuff to carry on my service truck. For lite jobs like ceiling tile, drywall quarter inch plywood, and even ceramic tile it is a great tool. But I tried mine on my holding tank a while back. (Do your remember that?) I took my time, used their suggested bit, and after 3 bits and only inches(which can get costly) I got out my Porter Cable Laminate trimmer which is just a mini router and finished the job. I had to take three passes to cut through the fiberglass and plywood. I just wanted to make sure I didn't go through the hull. I used a standard 1/4 inch carbide router bit. I'm glad my boss bought it for me, because I'm glad I didn't waste my personal money on it. I gave the RotoZip to my son, and he burnt it up on a doghouse that he was making. I'm a firm believer in us the right tool for the job. Multi functional tools to me is a waste. I must depend on my tools since it is the way I make a living. Cheap tools to me cost me and my customer money, so I always use quality proven equipment. ROTOZIP is a fine tool for light stuff under 3/8, but over that it is too much for the bit to handle. Have a Happy New Year, we just gained one more minuet of daylight today!

 

[evin300]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

Chainsaw

 

[12Footer]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

Wow, thanks for all the great replies and sugestions <br /><br />Mayfloat, the job is pretty much the same as what you dealt with,in a boat by the same manufacturer.Yes, I remember that. What a job it must've been! This Bliner Cobra bass rig is bow-to-stern rot.The hull is sound,with no delamination...But the decking,OY!!!<br />I remember EVIN300's earlier sugjestion of the chainsaw in an earlier post,but don't own one of those,iether.Maybee I could rent one. I too ,am up against the hull in many aereas,and the skillsaw,sawzall,sabre saw iether just wont get close enough ,or I risk breaching the hull around the edges.<br />Suzukkidave, given the cost of the "Rotozip", I think I'll get a cheapo electric chain saw as Evin300 sugjested,and just use a very light touch.<br />But the tool still sounds like it has it's unique uses, (as the cordless Dremmel). So I might consider getting one if such a use arises. This is how I aquire ALL my tools. But up to this point,I've never had to get so close to the hull,and in such tight corners.<br /><br />Gawd, I hate decking and fiberglassin!

 

[evin300]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

Hey 12, in my experience, it still takes muscle to use a chainsaw for this application. The neat thing is, once you get the feel for it, and you realize you wont cut through the hull like butter, its a blast! (compared to other methods) Good Luck! The cheapo electric seems like a good idea, I used gas on my one and only experience. Let me know how it works out for you.<br /><br />PS If memory serves me, I cut through the fiberglass bridging as it spans from the plywood to the hull around the outer edges, but she will cut through the wood-glass nicely too.

 

[DJ]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

Chainsaw? Fiberglass? Does sound like fun, but you'll be itching for a month. Cover up. You don't want that stuff in your lungs!!!

 

[JB]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

Ahoy, 12Footer. I don't have anything new to offer. I like those li'l electric chain saws for pruning and fence building. Seems like a good application on your rot job. With a little practice you can almost whittle with 'em.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[evin300]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

Another neat thing about the chainsaw. If you have seen the "chips" that a chainsaw produces when cutting wood, well when cutting fiberglass you wont get chips per say, but you dont get the fine "itchy" dust that a rotary tool, skillsaw, or grinder produces. Still its always a good idea to dress for the occasion!<br /><br />Just to add a word of caution, keep your arms tensed up, especially since you will be using the end of the bar alot. If you relax and get to comfortable, the kick-back potential of the saw greatly increases, I know someone with a HUGE scar on thier face from a unexpected kick-back at close quarters.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

For that itchy scratchy stuff you get when working fiberglass, I have found that an old pair of nylons works well on pulling the glass out of your skin. The mircoscopic particals have rough edges that will attach to the nylon, sort of like velcro. To be nice don't let the lady wear them afterwards, but if you want to get back at her for some reason? Well I'll leave it at that. Thought I would toss in that tip....

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

Ditto Thought101:<br /><br />I think a sawzall would be the best choice. Make a clean controlled cut with minimal dust. Cuts through tougher stuff as well. 3/4" ply and a little fbglass won't even fizz on even a cheap sawzall.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[cole1340]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

Ditto's on the Sawzall!<br />I don't know what I would do without one.

 

[evin300]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

A sawsall would work well also, and would be a very useful tool as an investment. I have used one in the constuction trades for 20 years now, as I have also used the chainsaw in construction (a under-used and under-rated tool) For those of you that feel that a chainsaw is just too insane, I would definatley recomend the sawsall as my second choice, (a distant second though).

 

[dustydiesel]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

Will the chain oil from the chain saw cause any problems when it comes time to reglass and paint? The clean up time may off set the faster cut

 

[evin300]

Re: Rotary or Drill saws for deck cutting?

Oil was not a problem for me.