Zippity Doo-Dad, Zippity YAY!

I previously mentioned that I finally unboxed my RotoZip on Saturday and put it to the test. Or, to be more precise, I unboxed my Bosch RotoZip RZ10-2100 Pro Cutoff 5.5 Amp 15,000 to 30,000 RPM Variable Speed Spiral Saw with a ZipMate attachment.

I couldn't remember how much I paid for it, but I had at least opened the package when I bought it last November at Ace.com. There, tucked inside, was my receipt: $79.99. I made out like a bandit!

Cheapest I can find it for now: $99 at Lowes.com. (You can get a reconditioned kit for $69.99 at one or two places. There's also a newer model, the 2300, out there to be had for about $100, but I can't speak for it.)

I'll admit, I was skeptical watching the ad for this thing on TV last year. But, watching it cut through bricks, courtesy of the special little attachment arm that allows you to use round blades for cutting mortar and steel, was impressive. Even then, it seemed like just the thing for this porch/sidewalk project. When I found it cheaper online than TV, I jumped. And I'm glad I did.

Granted, I've only used it a few times so far. But each time, this little gadget worked like a charm. I'm sure I won't be able to cut too many more bricks with the masonry wheel that came with it, but that's OK. I think another pair of them is only $5 or $6. I was still skeptical taking it out and putting it together. (Which I should have done the night before. Very easy to do AFTER you read through the instructions and get a lay of the land by figuring out what is what. Or, at least if you're me, you need to do that first!) It's pretty light weight -- just over 3 pounds and the Zipmate adds another pound -- and not hard to handle at all. I was worried that the bricks might jump a little during cutting, but they're heavy enough that they don't. I also thought it might take an hour to cut through the bricks, but a single cut took maybe 5 minutes max.

I'm wondering if while I have it out, I can either use the mortar wheel, or the steel one, or maybe I can just use one of the bits, to cut the posts off of the spindle rails that I removed from around the porch. (These are going to be replaced, but Carole wants to salvage the posts. I don't want to know why. It will involve work.) That will be the subject of my next Internet search: blades for the RotoZippy's special attachment. Another good thing, it comes with its own soft-side carrying bag, big enough to house it, the cutter attachment, the little wrench and bits, extra cutting wheels, and probably a few other accessories you might have a mind to buy. Convenient, huh?

Conclusions: 1) I got a good deal on this. 2) I can see using it for a variety of other jobs, though it will probably pay for itself just on the porch project. Internet research will likely add to the number of things I can potentially use it to do. 3) This product does what it advertises it will. Shocking, I know, but true. I highly recommend it.