Anybody know of a way? I bought a $10 Makita grinder at the flea market, and want to put a 6" wire wheel on it thats rated for 4500 rpm. The grinder turns about 9000 rpm so its kinda spooky lol. Not to mention it has a switch instead of a paddle lever so it would be rough if it got away from me. The grinder is rough and it takes a second for it to spool up to speed, so I am not afraid to experiment on it. I just wouldnt know where to start since Im about as far away from electrician as you can get.
slowing down power tools
- Thread starter bamatj
- Start date
scott37300
Well-known member
I don't know if a router speed control would work for this or not. Google router speed control and see what comes up. I learned the hard way about wire wheels and to much speed, the wires will fly off and get stuck in your cloths, don't do it.
mooman
Well-known member
Is the device called a Rheostat?
scott37300
Well-known member
I believe that a rheostat is the basic principal but I'm not that good with electronics. Here is a link to one http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JHQ3G8/?tag=atomicindus08-20.
I do know that it only works with certain types of motore but I would think that a router and grinder would be in the same boat. I have also read that using a standard dimmer switch can work but have read about it being dangerous for some reason, not the right thing for motors.
I'm not an electrician, just trying to relay what I have read on other forums.
I do know that it only works with certain types of motore but I would think that a router and grinder would be in the same boat. I have also read that using a standard dimmer switch can work but have read about it being dangerous for some reason, not the right thing for motors.
I'm not an electrician, just trying to relay what I have read on other forums.
Use that grinder for an abrasive cutoff wheel or a grinding wheel. Or get a wire wheel rated for the speed. Lots of them are out there.
Harbor Freight sells a router speed control (a rheostat) for $15, that would probably work for lowering the speed of the motor -- still, I absolutely wouldn't do it. Sooner or later, someone's going to plug it in without the speed control, or turn the dial up -- not knowing they're exceeding the wire brush's rpm rating. (And you kill the value of a $10 grinder by needing a $15 accessory.)
Harbor Freight sells a router speed control (a rheostat) for $15, that would probably work for lowering the speed of the motor -- still, I absolutely wouldn't do it. Sooner or later, someone's going to plug it in without the speed control, or turn the dial up -- not knowing they're exceeding the wire brush's rpm rating. (And you kill the value of a $10 grinder by needing a $15 accessory.)
mrholeshot
MEMBER EMERITUS
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2010
- Messages
- 8,043
I use a Dewalt twisted wire on my 4 inch grinder and it rated to 20,000 rpm. I have the same one 6" for my big grinder and it's rated for 12,000. Just buy a better wire wheel
mrholeshot
MEMBER EMERITUS
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2010
- Messages
- 8,043
About the time you get some of that wire slung into the family jewels (yes it happens) you will rethink the cheap wheel, lol
I use to have to dig wire out on a daily basis when I worked one job. Never in the jewels though, they just bounced right off them. I was always nervous about a wire sparking off them though. I was afraid I would blaze up.
mrholeshot
MEMBER EMERITUS
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2010
- Messages
- 8,043
I was sitting on a roller seat doing some welding with an arc welder. I had to sit because the truck wouldn't go up high enough in the bay. long story short. A big chuck slag hit me in the crotch and burned through my pants, underwear and onto the promiced land. I rolled out and tried to shake it off but it was stuck to the skin. In the shop I was working we were required to report ANY injury. You should have heard the conversation with the manager. He thought I was BSing him (I was a prankster) so I showed him. The doctor found it really funny. We got a welding apron and I got a few days off with pay. So not worth it.
Think we went through this a while back......those electronic rheostats (speed controls) only work on universal (AC/DC) type motors like routers, drills, (Skil) saws, angle grinders, chop saws, etc. The ones that have brushes, that feed the commutator on the armature. You can look in the business end and see the brushes in there. No brushes..........no workie, motor goes up in smoke, eventually.
hydramatic
Well-known member
we have a solid state reostat on a buffer at work..been working for a year...the electric motor rebuilder down the street told us about it...it must be solid state..
crewchief888
Well-known member
all the big box stores sell 4" wire wheels.
under $15 ?
may want to check the size of your arbor on the grinder, most are 5/8" some makitas are metric, you'll need an arbor adapter.
i'd advise getting a knotted type cup wheels, they seem to last longer IMHO
