air die grinder recommendation?

[PoorOwner]

I have a CH die grinder, if I get a I/R or aircat, is it going to work better and / or use less air? I need to attach a carbide bit and port out turbo cast iron housing.

Do you guys know where to get the carbide bit also? I bought one from ace hardware, kind of pricey there, gummed it up with some aluminum.

 

[RickP330]

You know I just bought a Horror Freight one and now know why good ones cost so much. This one runs when the trigger is not pressed and has zilch power. I am tempted to just take the one off the Snap-on truck and be done with it. Of course I need a straight and angle one
Ironically, I just saw carbide burrs in Horror freight. How bad can they be? Use it once and chuck it?
I think if you use some cutting fluid like kero it might keep it from gumming up.
RickP

 

[SteveU]

I just ordered a 90* aircat diegrinder which should be here sometime after the holiday so will be able to compare it to the cheap one I have now.

 

[-lecroix-]

I think if you use some cutting fluid like kero it might keep it from gumming up.
RickP

If you are using a carbide or HSS burr on aluminum you can use automatic ****** fluid ... works like a champ. Learned this from an old friend who was a magician at hand porting aluminum cylinder heads.

 

[PoorOwner]

Does an angle grinder do everything a straight one does also?
Because it can put to straight position? Why would you need both?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Does an angle grinder do everything a straight one does also?
Because it can put to straight position? Why would you need both?

Straight grinders (air) are generally larger and more powerful than angle grinders (air) and run at slightly different speeds.

My Dotco angle grinder produces 0.3 hp while my Dotco straight grinder produces 0.9 hp.

Charles

 

[ColdDuckTime]

...any thoughts on those Bosch electric die grinders? Insufficiently powerful? Too heavy? I can see where it would be nice to not have the compressor going and dragging an air line around.

 

[Cebby]

I've been really pleased with the IR3102. It is small and maneuverable and seems to be pretty efficient with the air.

Here's a review and some pics: http://toolandfab.com/forum/showthread.php?t=175

 

[chad s]

I've been really pleased with the IR3102. It is small and maneuverable and seems to be pretty efficient with the air.

Here's a review and some pics: http://toolandfab.com/forum/showthread.php?t=175

I have an IR3102 also. It does have good power, small and light, but it is made in China. Mine died the first or second day of use. I took it apart, re-assembled it, and it has been fine ever since. For the price, it should be a USA made tool. Sioux and Viking both make angle grinders in the USA for less money, but I havent tried them yet. I still want a second angle die grinder, so I can have one with a 2" and one with 3" pads and not have to change them. I dont think I will go with the 3102 again. It works well, but I would like to find something thats built a little more robust. I may look into Dotco or Snap On.

 

[Deltarat]

I buy my carbide bits at the welding supply store. They are expensive, but they last forever.

 

[PoorOwner]

Hi, i was looking at the 3102, $40 difference from the straight one
I can't tell from the pictures, but does the right angle turn into straight at all?

 

[chad s]

Hi, i was looking at the 3102, $40 difference from the straight one
I can't tell from the pictures, but does the right angle turn into straight at all?

No. The 90 degree one has a head on it, and the collet is gear driven off of what is essentialy a straight die grinder (hence the usual loss of HP in a 90 degree die grinder). I do use both, but for different things. I use the angle one for roloc discs. Wouldnt want a stright one for that. But for carbide burrs, and whire wheels, straight is my preference.

FWIW, the Husky straight die grinder at Home depot is made in the USA, and has a lot of power (more than the 90 degree IR 3102), and is around $40. Id pick up the 3102, and the husky straight (the Husky 90 degree is NOT USA made) for now.

 

[chad s]

Also, what size air compressor do you have? How many CFM at 90psi? These die grinders take a lot of air to drive. A LOT.

 

[PoorOwner]

You mean this husky is good?

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100030126

What do you think of this angled one to save a few bucks? I know Astro pneumatic is made in China for sure.

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/AP-1240.html

I have to port out a turbo housing so I could use a powerful straight one, is a composite body really better?? besides less vibration ... I usually like to wear welding gloves because flying sharpnels does not feel good, so vibration is reduced through the gloves anyway.

My compressor is supposed to put out about 15 scfm @ 90 PSI.. should get by OK. With my old oilless compressor I have to wait minutes to use seconds.. and water is shooting out of the tool (no water trap)

 

[chad s]

You mean this husky is good?

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100030126

What do you think of this angled one to save a few bucks? I know Astro pneumatic is made in China for sure.

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/AP-1240.html

I have to port out a turbo housing so I could use a powerful straight one, is a composite body really better?? besides less vibration ... I usually like to wear welding gloves because flying sharpnels does not feel good, so vibration is reduced through the gloves anyway.

My compressor is supposed to put out about 15 scfm @ 90 PSI.. should get by OK. With my old oilless compressor I have to wait minutes to use seconds.. and water is shooting out of the tool (no water trap)

That Husky looks just like mine, but I would definately go to the store, and make sure it says made in USA on it before you buy it, make sure its the same thing. Notice its 1/2 HP, pretty beefy. I remember mine being a few more bucks, $30 is a great deal. If its the same thing, Im going to get a seccond.

I would NOT get that astro pneumatic. If you do that, I dont think your much better off than one from HF.

The IR's composite body doesnt really reduce vibration to me. These things are fairly small, run very true, and dont vibrate anyway.

I dont think you want a angled one for porting, but I guess its personal preference. Like I said, I like the angled for roloc sanding and prep discs. I use the straight for carbide burrs.

I think your going to still have some power issues with a 15 cfm compressor.

 

[SteveU]

I just recieved the 90* aircat today, put a HVLP fitting on it & tried it out a bit. First thing I noticed was it was much quieter than my other die grinder which I expected, ( I REALLY like quiet tools). Second thing is that it uses MUCH less air to run. The compressor will actually pump up from 110 where it kicks in at to 125 psi but will stay there not going higher or lower. The other cheaper tool kit die grinder will pull it down to 100 psi with the compressor running & will not come up from there until you stop the grinder. Power is good, ground some rough edges off my electric grinder stand with it & was not able to stall it even when pushing fairly hard with a grinding stone in it. I like mine so far & wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others.

 

[PoorOwner]

I looked at the husky on display today, it is really thick.. so I can believe the 1/2 HP.

Do you think that is hard to handle because it is so fat? I think it's really good deal though. $29.99!

For the angle grinder, alternative to IR 3102 I am thinking of getting this one. Made in USA, comes with some flaps to get me started prep surfaces.

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/VIK-V362K.html

 

[chad s]

I looked at the husky on display today, it is really thick.. so I can believe the 1/2 HP.

Do you think that is hard to handle because it is so fat? I think it's really good deal though. $29.99!

For the angle grinder, alternative to IR 3102 I am thinking of getting this one. Made in USA, comes with some flaps to get me started prep surfaces.

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/VIK-V362K.html

Did you check to see if the Husky said made in USA on it? I dont mind the size of it, I like the power.

Enco currently has a Viking kit with a straight die grinder, a 90 degree one, and a small air drill for around $125, on special until like 9/30. I cant find it on their site, its in a flier I have at work. I'd call and ask them about it, and get that. The Viking stuff is good, I have their 8" dual action sander, its very nice.

 

[Detroit Diesel Man]

In My MAC tools flyer for Sept they have an angle and a straight die grinder..buy one get the other free...74.99..not a bad deal. I assume you could get the same deal off their website.


DDM

 

[Detroit Diesel Man]

Link to the Flyer and page on the Mac Tool site..


https://www.mactools.com/portal/site/mactools/menuitem.c5a0dc20e1a10b7c778aad100170c3a0


DDM

 

[PoorOwner]

I have a chance to use the Husky straight die grinder, it seems to have alot of power. Yes it is $30 and the box says assembled in USA. The handle is fat but not a matter at all in actual porting operation, composite body is nice to have. With a short attachment the tool feels tight and runs true. It draws ALOT of air, I need to stop after a while for the compressor to catch up. Rough guess is that it needs over 20+ CFM supply for sure. After plenty of abuse and metal shavings ended up all over the tool I am glad this is $30 not a $100 tool.

Angled version of aircat is on the way too.

 

[chad s]

It draws ALOT of air, I need to stop after a while for the compressor to catch up. Rough guess is that it needs over 20+ CFM supply for sure.

Angled version of aircat is on the way too.

All die grinders use a lot of air. I dont think my IR 1302 is any better than the husky.

 

[engnerdan]

This is the one I have

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200305409_200305409

And I will tell you the 3CFM is only free spinning, my true 5HP compressor runs continuously when grinding continuously. But the dual bearing keep it very concentric and running smooth (something very important with burrs) and the plastic over molded handle keeps your hands from getting cold.

-Dan

 

[PoorOwner]

I am not sure my husky have any difference between and free spinning vs loaded, on paper it list 4 CFM average. (ha).
Mine seems to unload air just as fast when free spinning. Also I can slow the throttle a bit but it only save a little bit of air.
Overall works fine with a break for myself and the compressor as needed.. my motor draws 23 amps or 5000 watts so that should be over 5 HP, rated about 15 CFM @ 90 PSI but I would say it is barely adequate for die grinders.