A rotary saw, spiral cut saw, RotoZip or cut out tool is a type of mechanically powered

saw A saw is a tool consisting of a tough blade, Wire saw, wire, or Chainsaw, chain with a hard toothed edge used to cut through material. Various terms are used to describe toothed and abrasive saws. Saws began as serrated materials, and when man ...

used for making accurate cuts without the need for a pilot hole in wallboard,

plywood Plywood is a composite material manufactured from thin layers, or "plies", of wood veneer that have been stacked and glued together. It is an engineered wood from the family of manufactured boards, which include plywood, medium-density fibreboa ...

, or another thin, solid material. The Rotozip Tool Corp was a company started by Bob Kopras, an American

drywall Drywall (also called plasterboard, dry lining, wallboard, sheet rock, gib board, gypsum board, buster board, turtles board, slap board, custard board, gypsum panel and gyprock) is a panel made of calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum), with or with ...

installer who pioneered this type of saw. Rotozip was later acquired by Bosch Tool Corp. in 2003. This type of tool was originally developed for making cut-outs in drywall but it was later discovered that myriad other materials could easily be cut using the tool. The design is similar to a small

wood router The router is a power tool with a flat base and a rotating blade extending past the base. The spindle (tool), spindle may be driven by an electric motor or by a pneumatic motor. It routs (hollows out) an area in hard material, such as wood or pl ...

but usually features only one handle for single-handed operation. Bits look similar to a

twist drill A drill bit is a cutting tool used in a drill to remove material to create holes, almost always of circular cross-section. Drill bits come in many sizes and shapes and can create different kinds of holes in many different materials. In orde ...

end mill An end mill is a type of milling cutter, a cutting tool used in industrial milling applications. They can have several end configurations: round (ball), tapered, or straight are a few popular types. They are most commonly used in "milling machi ...

; some cut on the upward twist, and some cut downwards. The cutting edge on the flutes actually slices (either upwards or downwards) through the material which means that they can cut in any direction.

Types of Rotary Saws

Rotary saws come in various types and configurations, each designed for specific tasks and materials. Some common types include: * **Standard Rotary Saws**: Typically used for drywall and light materials. * **Heavy-Duty Rotary Saws**: Designed for tougher materials such as tiles, metals, and plastics. * **Corded and Cordless Versions**: Corded rotary saws offer continuous power, while cordless versions provide portability and convenience.

Applications

Rotary saws are versatile tools used in various applications, including: * **Construction and Renovation**: For cutting drywall, plywood, and other construction materials. * **Electrical and Plumbing**: To create openings for electrical outlets, switches, and plumbing fixtures. * **Hobby and Craft**: Used in model making, woodworking, and other craft projects. * **Automotive**: Employed in auto body repair and modification tasks.

Operation and Safety

Using a rotary saw requires specific operational steps and safety measures to prevent accidents and ensure efficient cutting: * **Setup**: Secure the material to be cut and select the appropriate bit for the material. * **Cutting Technique**: Hold the tool firmly, switch it on, and guide it along the desired cutting path. * **Safety Gear**: Always wear safety goggles, gloves, and a dust mask to protect against debris and dust. * **Maintenance**: Regularly check and replace worn-out bits, and clean the tool to maintain its performance.

Medical and Emergency Use

A rotary reciprocating saw is a type of

that spins a cutting implement around a rotary axis, instead of thrusting it along a linear axis. The first use of such devices was in

medicine Medicine is the science and Praxis (process), practice of caring for patients, managing the Medical diagnosis, diagnosis, prognosis, Preventive medicine, prevention, therapy, treatment, Palliative care, palliation of their injury or disease, ...

, where cutting through

bone A bone is a rigid organ that constitutes part of the skeleton in most vertebrate animals. Bones protect the various other organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells, store minerals, provide structure and support for the body, ...

warranted the need for a saw with minimal stroke length, and a cutting action that could be implemented through depth cut rather than a follow-through cut. The

timber Lumber is wood that has been processed into uniform and useful sizes (dimensional lumber), including beams and planks or boards. Lumber is mainly used for construction framing, as well as finishing (floors, wall panels, window frames). ...

industry now also uses this type of action to cut in the same manner. A particular manufacturer has a hand-held version for making difficult cuts, which would not be possible with other implements.

Firefighter A firefighter (or fire fighter or fireman) is a first responder trained in specific emergency response such as firefighting, primarily to control and extinguish fires and respond to emergencies such as hazardous material incidents, medical in ...

s also use rotary saws to cut holes through walls to access certain areas quickly to fight fires and rescue civilians.

References

Saws {{Firefighting ca:Serra radial es:Sierra de brazo radial

Types of Rotary Saws

Applications

Operation and Safety

Medical and Emergency Use

See also

References