Rotozip and Dremel are household names in DYI circles and form an irreplaceable part of many toolboxes. What’s the difference between these tools, and when should you use which?
Key Takeaways
Dremel and Rotozip are both power tools with high-speed motors, and their functionality has considerable overlap.
The Dremel multi-tool is a rotary tool whereas the Rotozip is a spiral saw.
Rotozip, with its powerful motor, is meant for use as a cut-off tool, sander, and grinder.
Dremel, in contrast, is more versatile, having tool bits for a large variety of operations. While its motor isn’t as powerful as the Rotozip, it offers a higher rotational speed, ideal for speeding up sanding and polishing applications.
Difference Between Rotozip and Dremel
First, let’s take a quick look at both the power tools.
What is a Dremel Tool?
Dremel multitool is a high-speed rotary tool manufactured by the Dremel company. While the company has other products the brand name is popular for their rotary tool.
- Related Read: Rotary Tool vs. Dremel
What is a Rotozip?
Rotozip is a spiral saw that works on a similar principle of a rotary tool. Interestingly both Dremel and Rotozip are brand names that became synonymous to their flagship products.
While their functionality overlaps considerably, Dremel and Rotozip rotary tools differ. Here are the most notable ones.
Difference in Cutting
The cutting style differs between Rotozip and Dremel. The Dremel rotary tool uses a straight cutting bit, facilitating fine, precise cuts. In contrast, Rotozip rotary tools typically use a spiral-shaped cutting bit. This spiral bit can do plunge cuts and removes material efficiently, speeding up the cutting task, although this is sometimes at the cost of precision.
Since the Rotozip is mainly used for spiral cutting, it is often called the spiral saw or RotoSaw.
In addition to sanding, grinding, and functioning as a cut-off tool, Dremel’s rotary tool is also suitable for cutting metal, polishing rocks, and carving wood, among other functions. However, it is not suitable for plunge cuts.
Applications
Rotozip and Dremel applications overlap, but there is a critical difference in the range of applications. Dremel’s rotary tool is incredibly versatile, with bits suited to sanding, cutting, grinding, engraving, polishing, and routing, among others. It’s also suited to almost any material imaginable, including the usual wood, steel, Plexiglas, and plastic. It also includes leather, glass, hard metals, and soft metals.
Rotozip rotary tools are designed for tough jobs, but have a limited range of applications. These include routing, cutting, and shaping and can be carried out on wood, metal, and drywall. This tool isn’t meant for polishing and wire brushing and is not convenient for such tasks.
Spindle Speed
Dremel’s rotational speed is considerably higher than Rotozip’s. Dremel’s maximum spindle speed goes up to 350 000 rpm, compared to Rotozip’s range of 15 000 rpm to 30 000 rpm.
The higher rotational speed is well-suited to operations like polishing, fine carving, and etching, all typical applications for Dremel.
Motor Power
Dremel’s motor isn’t as powerful as Rotozip’s. When comparing similar models, the Dremel’s motor power weighs in at 1.8 Amp, while Rotozip offers a whopping 5.5 – 6 Amp. That’s quite a difference! This power difference makes Rotozip rotary tools better suited to more “gritty” applications, like cutting through hard materials like steel quickly and easily.
Ergonomics
The Dremel rotary tool has a short, compact body, well-suited to comfortable operation for extended periods. In contrast, the Rotozip’s body is longer and narrower. These dimensions make it ideal for precise maneuvering in tight spaces, offering greater control.
Accessories
Dremel’s range of accessories is vast and it’s ever-expanding. This tool has an accessory for just about any task you can imagine. In contrast, the Rotozip has a limited range of accessories available, and they’re all geared towards shaping and cutting material.
When to Use Dremel Rotary Tool vs. Rotozip?
The Rotozip and Dremel are highly versatile rotary tools, each with a specific niche in the DIY space. Here’s a guide to when to use which.
Use a Dremel Rotary tool for:
Dremel is best suited to a wide range of applications. If you’re a jack of all trades and need a multi-tasking tool that can handle a wide range of tasks, including cutting, grinding, sanding, and fine detail work like engraving, carving, and polishing, then this is the rotary tool for you.
For precise, detailed work, like carving and engraving, Dremel works better than Rotozip.
Dremel is the ultimate handheld, powered multi-tool for general tasks around the home and workshop. It is also easy to handle and lightweight, making it ideal for those not used to handling tools and those with lengthy tasks to complete and who will spend hours holding the tool.
Use a Rotozip tool for:
The Rotozip is the ultimate handheld tool for routing, cutting, and shaping materials like drywall, wood, and metal. If you’re cutting drywall regularly, the Rotozip is the tool for you.
Rotozip is excellent for making plunge cuts in the middle of materials, as when installing electricity in drywall. It also removes large amounts of material quickly, speeding up the task.
Since the Rotozip is far more powerful than the Dremel, it’s excellent for more heavy-duty jobs, like cutting through hardwood or metal quickly.
Summary
While the Dremel and Rotozip are convenient, compact power tools, they each have their niche.
The Dremel is the ultimate versatile, hobby, and DIY power tool with its wide range of accessories and ability to do incredibly detailed work. In comparison, the Rotozip is more specialized, meant expressly for cutting and shaping material.
The Dremel rotary tool can be used in various applications, including cutting, sanding & polishing, carving, routing, drilling, engraving and etching. At the same time, the Rotozip really is only meant for cutting, shaping, and routing.
The Rotozip is more powerful than the Dremel and can perform hard-core tasks quickly and efficiently. In contrast, the Dremel may take its time on some tasks, but it will be done with precision.
While these applications overlap, the one you choose depends on the purpose you need it for.
Dan Miller is a professional toolmaker with extensive experience in the metalworking and tooling industry.
An avid DIY enthusiast and passionate hobbyist woodworker, Dan shares his expert knowledge here.