A Die Grinder That Doesn't ****?

[countryroad82]

I have been in sort of a dilemma lately. My old trusty no name die grinders I bought years ago have all pretty well give up the ghost, with little power or the bearings are shot. I thought I would 'upgrade' a little and bought a Kobalt from Lowes a week ago, my one that is still going is more powerful than this piece of junk, it barely cuts anything, so it's going back. So last weekend I was at HF and bought 2 different ones hoping to find a decent replacement, yep absolute garbage. So what are you guys using. I mainly use one with a 4" cutoff wheel (yes 4" I remove the guards don't stone me, I wear eye protection or a face shield, depending on which is handy) to cut patch panels.
My method of cutting patches is I lay the patch on top of the old, screw it in place and cut both panels at the same time. My old die grinder, when working right, will cut through both panels with ease. I have done it like this for years and is what works for me, the new ones when you get through the patch panel will pretty well stop if you get too close to the metal over top (the old ones never would, they would just keep going). So anyway I don't care to spend the cash it is something that I use quite often but I don't want to throw my cash away. Oh and sorry for the long post just thought I would clarify everything beforehand.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I've got an IR 307B, my SO guy bought a bunch of them cheap and I think I gave him $30 for it. I use it with 3" cutoff wheels and it does well enough.

With a 4" wheel, you might want to step up to a true cutoff tool, though?

 

[NUTTSGT]

This is the set I picked about a couple of years ago. Even though they are IR, I found out once I got them, they are COO china.



http://www.sears.com/ingersoll-rand-die-grinder-kit/p-00919559000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

 

[sberry]

What models did you get? These are my bargain picks, the 4 inch right angle is brutal, never so much as a loose screw on one. Used daily, at least 20 yrs old and has outlasted some cost 4x. Same for the red straight, these both are staples sold under several brands, TSC Farmhand has the same models. Both sold at a couple price points in better boxes.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Question for the OP, have you ever tried using an angle grinder with a cut-off wheel ? Electric instead of the air ?

 

[sberry]

I usually use angle, its a rare day I use straight. You c an see the 3 bunched together, the one has cut wheel on it. We use electric for 4 1/2 grinding, rarely for cut but grinding is so air intensive and costly to operate.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I usually use angle, its a rare day I use straight. You c an see the 3 bunched together, the one has cut wheel on it. We use electric for 4 1/2 grinding, rarely for cut but grinding is so air intensive and costly to operate.

Sorry, I meant that for the OP.

 

[bcradio]

What models did you get? These are my bargain picks, the 4 inch right angle is brutal, never so much as a loose screw on one. Used daily, at least 20 yrs old and has outlasted some cost 4x. Same for the red straight, these both are staples sold under several brands, TSC Farmhand has the same models. Both sold at a couple price points in better boxes.

Could you post the model number of the top one?

much appreciated if you can

 

[sberry]

I will look but you can find it in HF or Northern, its the same unit. The real cheap CH 9.99 are not in the same class as that red thing at 30$. The cheap ones are worth what is paid for them but do not have ther power and in most places would give a lifetime of service.

What I like about them is that if somerthing did go wrong down the line its not gut wrenching to have to toss it or have to search for some part worth more than the unit is worth.

I did wear out a 7 inch sander prior to this one and did have a bearing head south after a long service, I was going to toss it but looked, had a common one in stock, about 5 minutes later was sanding, worked 10 years again so far.

 

[countryroad82]

Question for the OP, have you ever tried using an angle grinder with a cut-off wheel ? Electric instead of the air ?

For me, I just don't like the way an angle grinder feels in my hand, I'm left handed so there are a lot of things that just don't seem right to me . I do have one and it has just never felt right to me if that makes sense, it is the way I position myself, although it does have its place at times. Electric grinders have never been much help because they are TOO powerful, most of the time I wind up with an exploded cutoff wheel because my arm will tire at times and get the wheel at an angle then BOOM!

 

[dappledachsund]

matco 1/2 hp die grinders are great if you go from a standard die grinder to the 1/2hp you will be impressed by how much less it gets hung up. they really are great grinders had mine for 2 years used it daily never oiled still runs great. they can be had fairly cheap new on ebay. matco 1/2hp gets my vote. and if you want real power. step up to the 1hp matco grinders

 

[NUTTSGT]

For me, I just don't like the way an angle grinder feels in my hand, I'm left handed so there are a lot of things that just don't seem right to me . I do have one and it has just never felt right to me if that makes sense, it is the way I position myself, although it does have its place at times. Electric grinders have never been much help because they are TOO powerful, most of the time I wind up with an exploded cutoff wheel because my arm will tire at times and get the wheel at an angle then BOOM!

It makes perfect sense, you're left-handed, so you do everything bass-ackwards.

 

[Kracin]

ok, being honest here OP.

but why are you using a 4" wheel on die grinders? it's going to cause them to run slow and cut less, the larger that wheel is, the easier it is for it to cause the grinder to stop turning.

if you want to go 4" or higher, you need to use a larger than hand held air grinder, or an electric grinder meant for thicker 4" discs.



i suggest you try and buy some thin (3/64) 3 inch cutoff wheels and see how much of a difference it makes on a die grinder, vs using a larger, heavier, harder to spin disc on them.

 

[DirtRoad]

I have 3 of the HF right angle die grinders, they work flawlessly, very powerful.
One of them was used daily in a fab shop, works like new.

I dunno about using 4" cutting disks, that would be hard on any die grinder.

 

[Kracin]

I have 3 of the HF right angle die grinders, they work flawlessly, very powerful.
One of them was used daily in a fab shop, works like new.

I dunno about using 4" cutting disks, that would be hard on any die grinder.

this.

i have 2 10 dollar HF grinders, one angle, one straight. and they work just as good as my IR straight grinders. the only difference is that the hf ones aren't muffled nearly as well as the IR. but they work all the same.

 

[Haukur]

I have a Hatco 1/4" air grinder, it's no good for even the 2" cutoff wheels, unless I take it real easy. My Makita 1/4" electric grinder is a beast though, I don't have the balls to put a cut off wheel on it though, I have plenty of angle grinders.

 

[#1SomeGuy]

Or if he's cutting panels why not use a body saw?

That said, just picked up IR 1/3hp edge series die grinder...seems pretty solid so far for a cheapy.

 

[jteck75]

Do an ebay search on St. Louis Pneumatic die grinders,they are US made,and tough as heck. They don't have the name recognition like Snap On or Ingersoll,so a used one can be picked up on ebay for a song. I bought another one just the other day for 5.00 + shipping. Parts can be gotten easily on power tool ohio among others.

 

[RCStocker]

I have tried the HF air tools and I tossed them in the trash. I think they are all junk. If anyone likes them more power to you.
If you are stalling out your grinder your are putting to much force on the wheel. Let the disk do the cutting. They will last a long time if you keep the pressure off. You can't force the cut. I have been using die grinders sense the 50's wen I worked as a tool and die maker. There are many good brands. There many good foreign brands as well that are very good. You get what you pay for up to a point then you get suckered in by the name and get less for your money every time.

 

[alex71]

I'm a big fan of air grinders, both straight and 90 deg die grinders, as well as 4" and larger angle grinders. Much less operator fatigue with pneumatics than an equivalent electric, and way easier to cram into tight spots.

If you want one that will go through anything (provided you have the air source to back it up) look for a model designed for production by Dotco, Sioux (not sioux-force), Atlas-Copco, IR (again, not the consumer/prosumer models), CP, TC Services... They are horribly expensive to buy through the channel but good deals can be had on ebay all the time.

You will need a compressor with 18CFM at a minimum. If you want to use a 4.5 or 7" cutoff wheel you better have 40CFM.

 

[Kracin]

I have tried the HF air tools and I tossed them in the trash. I think they are all junk. If anyone likes them more power to you.
If you are stalling out your grinder your are putting to much force on the wheel. Let the disk do the cutting. They will last a long time if you keep the pressure off. You can't force the cut. I have been using die grinders sense the 50's wen I worked as a tool and die maker. There are many good brands. There many good foreign brands as well that are very good. You get what you pay for up to a point then you get suckered in by the name and get less for your money every time.

i see people talking about wearing down air tools all the time. and i love to buy them before they throw it in the trash thinking its "toast"... then i replace the vanes, clean up the cylinder and rotor assembly, and then have a perfect air tool for cheap.

there is a difference in the power and durability of air tool design when it comes to the porting, the size of the porting, the vane and rotor design, etc. but its not very hard for a company to copy a big name design and do the same on their own.

i'd love for someone to do some testing on different die grinders to see what is what.

 

[ATC]

matco 1/2 hp die grinders are great if you go from a standard die grinder to the 1/2hp you will be impressed by how much less it gets hung up. they really are great grinders had mine for 2 years used it daily never oiled still runs great. they can be had fairly cheap new on ebay. matco 1/2hp gets my vote. and if you want real power. step up to the 1hp matco grinders

This! I love mine. I recently use it to cut 1/4" thick spring hangers off my truck where my angle grinder wouldn't fit...

 

[jeffk14]

What models did you get? These are my bargain picks, the 4 inch right angle is brutal, never so much as a loose screw on one. Used daily, at least 20 yrs old and has outlasted some cost 4x. Same for the red straight, these both are staples sold under several brands, TSC Farmhand has the same models. Both sold at a couple price points in better boxes.

That red straight one in the bottom of the pic looks like a Florida Pneumatic model that I bought off of a MAC truck 30 years ago. That thing has been tough as nails. Not overly strong, but within its design limits, it's been bulletproof.

 

[Alta_Racer]

I have 20+ air die-grinders, different shapes, lengths, diameters, etc. I seldom change a cutter,flapper, etc. When the going gets tough, I grab the Makita electric, that thing will carve into cast with a carbide as hard as I care to push.

 

[greasemonkey44]

theres in ingersoll i like as a grinder; i have a cutoff for cutting off
and the straight grinders have burrs in them
i did buy a sunex with 1 hp and an extra die grinder for 78$
its really beefy, it would zing through a body panel

 

[countryroad82]

ok, being honest here OP.

but why are you using a 4" wheel on die grinders? it's going to cause them to run slow and cut less, the larger that wheel is, the easier it is for it to cause the grinder to stop turning.

if you want to go 4" or higher, you need to use a larger than hand held air grinder, or an electric grinder meant for thicker 4" discs.i suggest you try and buy some thin (3/64) 3 inch cutoff wheels and see how much of a difference it makes on a die grinder, vs using a larger, heavier, harder to spin disc on them.

I use 4" wheels because they are available to me for a better price. I have a guy that sells them to me at cost that I buy for a song by the sleeve of 100. So it's one of those deals I can't hardly pass them up for the cash outlay it saves me money and my customers money, I don't think I should have to start buying a smaller wheel whenever I do wear the 4" down to 3" and below the grinder still has little power.

Or if he's cutting panels why not use a body saw?

That said, just picked up IR 1/3hp edge series die grinder...seems pretty solid so far for a cheapy.

I have an almost pure hatred for a body saw, especially the way I cut patch panels. While it is handy in some instances I rarely use one.

Thanks for all the replies guys, I'll give a couple more a shot and see what I can come up with.