Re: Cast Saw Alternative
Brett Saunders
Description
Collection
Title:
Re: Cast Saw Alternative
Creator:
Brett Saunders
Date:
2/17/2010
Text:
Thank you to everyone who replied. Each reply is listed below but in
summary, many people are using similar devices, the corded ones are
available for $35-$50, cordless are $125-$150.
What I really wondered about was if anyone had concerns using this type of
device on a patient as these tools are not specifically designed for a
medical application and if anyone had feelings about liability issues
related to that. It appears no one had strong feeling about this issue.
Brett Saunders, CPO
We use the Dremel Multimax at our facility and they are now preferred over a
cast saw by our techs. We switched a few months ago, and while they take a
little while to get used to, they seem to provide a bit more accessibility
when cutting orthoses off casts. This is obviously just within our
facility, but bc the entire kit only costs about $100, they seem to be well
worth the money. There are also a vast array of replacement blades with
multiple functions that are relatively cheap and provide other various
options. Hope this helped!
Go to harborfreight.com and search for item #67256
I use the fein multimaster..same as the bosch from what I can tell. I
believe Fein's patent has run out because everyone is making them now.
Harbor Freight has the same basic tool for around $30. As for it's function,
it works well for removing casts (quiet and plenty strong enough). We have
used in our labs but it cuts much slower and tends to melt plastic more than
it cuts it. The blade on the Fein does not oscillate (rotate) as far as our
stryker saws do. As a result it melts the plastic a good bit, also it is
slower at cutting. But they do work just fine, they are cheaper and quieter
than traditional cast saws.
I am not familiar with the Bosch tool, but I have and use other brands of
tools with blade action similar to the traditional Stryker saw.
The only disadvantage I've found is the other tools are not designed for
precise controlled cuts. With the stryker you hold the tool with the blade
close to your hand and control the motion and depth of cut with your thumb.
The tools I've tried are not so ergonomically friendly, being designed to
hold tool like a wand or large knife.
Utopia would be a tool designed like the Stryker but having all the positive
characteristics of the generic saws:
* Significantly Cheaper
* Lighter
* Quieter
* Cordless
* Ability to use other then saw blade, ie sandpaper, tycor, carbide
* Useful life that is appropriate to initial cost. Example, I buy
cordless drills at Harbor Freight (China made) for ~$20. Do I
care if batteries last three years or if motor burns out in one?
No. I consider it a disposable item. As long as it does the job,
I'm willing to trade lack of ownership pride and tool quality for
a significantly lower initial cost.
We have even tried a less expensive type, from Harbor Freight. They have
both an adjustable speed and non-adjustable. Cost is about $30 and $45 for
them with coupons in Popular Mechanics. I know they are not the top of the
line, but for what they do you can by a case of them compared to a Stryker.
See what you think.
I use PDI's cutting tool for thermoplastics and it works good but does not
give a smooth clean cut.
I have been using the inexpensive Sears Craftsman oscilating device to cut
out AFO and I have been amazed at how well it works. Considering it is very
light with a rechargeable battery I have never had it fail when cutting out
two AFOs in a row. You do have to make sure that you charge the battery
every day. I purchased the optional bumper to bumper warranty for another
25 dollars and that warranty was for four full years. I have been
pleasantly surprised and would recommend it for your temp home use..
summary, many people are using similar devices, the corded ones are
available for $35-$50, cordless are $125-$150.
What I really wondered about was if anyone had concerns using this type of
device on a patient as these tools are not specifically designed for a
medical application and if anyone had feelings about liability issues
related to that. It appears no one had strong feeling about this issue.
Brett Saunders, CPO
We use the Dremel Multimax at our facility and they are now preferred over a
cast saw by our techs. We switched a few months ago, and while they take a
little while to get used to, they seem to provide a bit more accessibility
when cutting orthoses off casts. This is obviously just within our
facility, but bc the entire kit only costs about $100, they seem to be well
worth the money. There are also a vast array of replacement blades with
multiple functions that are relatively cheap and provide other various
options. Hope this helped!
Go to harborfreight.com and search for item #67256
I use the fein multimaster..same as the bosch from what I can tell. I
believe Fein's patent has run out because everyone is making them now.
Harbor Freight has the same basic tool for around $30. As for it's function,
it works well for removing casts (quiet and plenty strong enough). We have
used in our labs but it cuts much slower and tends to melt plastic more than
it cuts it. The blade on the Fein does not oscillate (rotate) as far as our
stryker saws do. As a result it melts the plastic a good bit, also it is
slower at cutting. But they do work just fine, they are cheaper and quieter
than traditional cast saws.
I am not familiar with the Bosch tool, but I have and use other brands of
tools with blade action similar to the traditional Stryker saw.
The only disadvantage I've found is the other tools are not designed for
precise controlled cuts. With the stryker you hold the tool with the blade
close to your hand and control the motion and depth of cut with your thumb.
The tools I've tried are not so ergonomically friendly, being designed to
hold tool like a wand or large knife.
Utopia would be a tool designed like the Stryker but having all the positive
characteristics of the generic saws:
* Significantly Cheaper
* Lighter
* Quieter
* Cordless
* Ability to use other then saw blade, ie sandpaper, tycor, carbide
* Useful life that is appropriate to initial cost. Example, I buy
cordless drills at Harbor Freight (China made) for ~$20. Do I
care if batteries last three years or if motor burns out in one?
No. I consider it a disposable item. As long as it does the job,
I'm willing to trade lack of ownership pride and tool quality for
a significantly lower initial cost.
We have even tried a less expensive type, from Harbor Freight. They have
both an adjustable speed and non-adjustable. Cost is about $30 and $45 for
them with coupons in Popular Mechanics. I know they are not the top of the
line, but for what they do you can by a case of them compared to a Stryker.
See what you think.
I use PDI's cutting tool for thermoplastics and it works good but does not
give a smooth clean cut.
I have been using the inexpensive Sears Craftsman oscilating device to cut
out AFO and I have been amazed at how well it works. Considering it is very
light with a rechargeable battery I have never had it fail when cutting out
two AFOs in a row. You do have to make sure that you charge the battery
every day. I purchased the optional bumper to bumper warranty for another
25 dollars and that warranty was for four full years. I have been
pleasantly surprised and would recommend it for your temp home use..
Citation
Brett Saunders, “Re: Cast Saw Alternative,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 24, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/231135.
