What's proper use of Roto-Zip?
#1
12-08-14, 08:12 AM
What's proper use of Roto-Zip?
Haven't had a chance to use one yet.
It seemed sensible to me that you plunge the piloted bit into the space inside an electrical box and pull the tool over to the inside edge to cut out the waste.
I recently read that this is wrong. You pull it over to the edge just to find the edge, then re-plunge through the sheetrock just OUTside the box & follow the shape. This would leave you with 1/8" gap all around.
Is this correct?
Does that gap ever end up visible?
How do you keep from cutting into the receptacle mounting ears on boxes that have them on the outside?
Does the tool work just as well with plastic boxes as metal?
It seemed sensible to me that you plunge the piloted bit into the space inside an electrical box and pull the tool over to the inside edge to cut out the waste.
I recently read that this is wrong. You pull it over to the edge just to find the edge, then re-plunge through the sheetrock just OUTside the box & follow the shape. This would leave you with 1/8" gap all around.
Is this correct?
Does that gap ever end up visible?
How do you keep from cutting into the receptacle mounting ears on boxes that have them on the outside?
Does the tool work just as well with plastic boxes as metal?
#2
12-08-14, 08:32 AM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
It needs to cut on the outside of the box or the box will not be able to sit flush with the rock.
You need to buy some piloted bits. There is no cutting edge on the tip off it so it can act as a guide and not cut the box.
Depth needs to be adjusted so it just goes through sheetrock.
Need to cut it in a clockwise direction facing the box.
Box should have been set so it ends up flush with the sheetrock or just slightly below.
The cover will cover up any tiny gap.
You need to buy some piloted bits. There is no cutting edge on the tip off it so it can act as a guide and not cut the box.
Depth needs to be adjusted so it just goes through sheetrock.
Need to cut it in a clockwise direction facing the box.
Box should have been set so it ends up flush with the sheetrock or just slightly below.
The cover will cover up any tiny gap.
#3
12-08-14, 08:42 AM
Group Moderator
#4
12-08-14, 09:16 AM
.... and you need to be careful while the bit is on the inside of the box so you don't cut/nick the wires!
electricians [even if he's the same person] tend to get upset when the wires get cut
electricians [even if he's the same person] tend to get upset when the wires get cut
#6
12-08-14, 11:37 AM
Everyone said outside. But you start inside to locate the edge of the box.
Guy, you asked "How do you keep from cutting into the receptacle mounting ears on boxes that have them on the outside?" IMO, there shouldn't be any receptacles installed and certainly no power. It is difficult enough to mount the drywall against the studs with the boxes sticking out 1/2" and dealing with a receptacle already there would increase the difficulty.
Also, when mounting the drywall before you zip out the opening, don't pull it too tight as the drywall will blow out near the end of the cut.
But Joe, you said "Need to cut it in a clockwise direction facing the box." I always go CCW to keep the bit pulling towards the box. Is my thinking upside down? I just fired mine up to verify the bit rotates CW. Been awhile since I used it for that application.
Bud
Guy, you asked "How do you keep from cutting into the receptacle mounting ears on boxes that have them on the outside?" IMO, there shouldn't be any receptacles installed and certainly no power. It is difficult enough to mount the drywall against the studs with the boxes sticking out 1/2" and dealing with a receptacle already there would increase the difficulty.
Also, when mounting the drywall before you zip out the opening, don't pull it too tight as the drywall will blow out near the end of the cut.
But Joe, you said "Need to cut it in a clockwise direction facing the box." I always go CCW to keep the bit pulling towards the box. Is my thinking upside down? I just fired mine up to verify the bit rotates CW. Been awhile since I used it for that application.
Bud
#7
12-08-14, 11:47 AM
Group Moderator
You plunge the Roto Zip into the center of the box. You use a guide bit that has no cutter on the end.... it's just round. This round part should just penetrate the sheetrock and will actually ride directly on the box. You move the bit towards the outside of the box. Once you find the actual box you move the guide point of the bit to the outside of the electrical box.
#8
12-08-14, 03:35 PM
Member
Funny, I don't seem to have a problem taking measurements and pre-cutting my box holes when hanging rock. While I have a rotozip, I rarely use it for this purpose. Mainly because, it makes a tremendous amount of dust cutting drywall, however "quick" it may be. Also, the CW-CCW question is an issue as if you go the wrong way, the saw will "do its own thing" and make a mess of your hole.
#9
12-09-14, 09:40 AM
Bud--I didn't mean cutting the hole with a receptacle mounted. I was referring to the screw tabs sticking up on gang boxes like this:
I'm guessing the idea is to follow those projections around with the bit but it looks like a PITA to me and requires precise bit depth. Whenever I have the option I think I'll choose plastic boxes but I've always preferred the rigidity of the metal ones.
I'm guessing the idea is to follow those projections around with the bit but it looks like a PITA to me and requires precise bit depth. Whenever I have the option I think I'll choose plastic boxes but I've always preferred the rigidity of the metal ones.
#10
12-09-14, 11:36 AM
LOL, you are correct, I was thinking of the plaster ears on the receptacle. You just follow around those mounting ears. For the installers who get good at using a rotozip it probably saves some time. But I'm more like czizzi and just measure and precut the holes. BUT, there are times and places when the zip tool is helpful.
BTW, with plastic boxes I have melted right through the side of one few.
Another complication that comes with electrical boxes is using air sealed ones and maintaining that seal after the drywall is installed. Modern homes are requiring the air leakage to be so low that all leaks must be eliminated to meed new codes. Not sure what codes you fall under.
I would recommend grabbing some scrap drywall and mounting a few boxes to some open studs and doing some practice. A lot easier to throw away scrap material where the zip tool had a mind of its own.
Bud
BTW, with plastic boxes I have melted right through the side of one few.
Another complication that comes with electrical boxes is using air sealed ones and maintaining that seal after the drywall is installed. Modern homes are requiring the air leakage to be so low that all leaks must be eliminated to meed new codes. Not sure what codes you fall under.
I would recommend grabbing some scrap drywall and mounting a few boxes to some open studs and doing some practice. A lot easier to throw away scrap material where the zip tool had a mind of its own.
Bud
#11
12-09-14, 01:58 PM
Member
BTW, with plastic boxes I have melted right through the side of one few.
