I'm looking for a new air powered die grinder to add to the pack. My compressor puts out 14 CFM at 90 psi and has an 80 gal tank to I need a die grinder that will not demand more air than I have. My budget is somewhat flexible, I know the prices vary a lot, I just don't want to go with cheap junk with minimal power if spending more will get me a solid tool. What are your recommendations?
Looking for new air die grinder
- Thread starter sanddan
- Start date
rlitman
Well-known member
You should have plenty of air to run any die grinder out there with that compressor.
Astro makes some really nice stuff.
Astro makes some really nice stuff.
Stooge
Well-known member
i recently bought an IR 3107G to replace an IR 307B that failed, a few months ago. I like the 3107, nice and powerful, low vibration, but its fairly bulky compared to the older 307. I'll probably scoop up another 307 to accompany it, as the 3107 is more powerful, but ive noticed the size getting in the way a few times. they were both pretty cheap, so there's no reason not to have both other than that I haven't ordered it yet. Here's a thread I started back in April on looking for a new one with some suggestions https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=388334
2018-09-25_01-56-40 by Dan Haas, on Flickr
2018-09-25_01-56-40 by Dan Haas, on FlickrThanks Stooge, I'll check out the link.
rlitman, I found a very nice IR die grinder but it listed the air requirements as 25 CFM! That and the price tag of $147 on Amazon was enough to steer me away. I agree that most of them will run on my compressor but not all.
rlitman, I found a very nice IR die grinder but it listed the air requirements as 25 CFM! That and the price tag of $147 on Amazon was enough to steer me away. I agree that most of them will run on my compressor but not all.
rlitman
Well-known member
Your 80 gallon tank holds a little more than 60 cubic feet of air at 90 PSI. If it is a typical two stage, the peak tank pressure is almost twice that. At 25 CFM consumption, with a 14 CFM pump, you're then outpacing the pump at 11 CFM.
So, say you start with the tank at 175 PSI. You can grind for about 40 seconds until the pump kicks in, and then another 3:40 until the tank pressure drops from 150 to 90 PSI, at which point you'll start to see a drop in performance.
Which means that you've got over four minutes of solid run time on that grinder. Do you think you'll need to have the lever depressed for four solid minutes? If you're in the business of porting carbs, then maybe, but then again, a 25 CFM die grinder is going to be a POWERFUL beast.
tl;dr, a tool that outpaces your pump may still be ok, if you aren't too trigger happy.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
If you're looking for the very best, this is it.
I have one and it's a torque monster.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/SIOUX-1954...riorityMailPaddedFlatRateEnvelope!93611!US!-1
I have one and it's a torque monster.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/SIOUX-1954...riorityMailPaddedFlatRateEnvelope!93611!US!-1
I want another 90. I have one of the IR 3101G grinders and one older Taiwan model that is smaller and the best performing of the two. I use them with either scotch bite pads or sandpaper and when prepping a bunch of tubing for a project I've been known to run them for a lot longer than 4 min. so air usage can make a difference. The older Taiwan grinder is an air hog but it's the best performing I have. I also have 2 Aircats that are my least favorite to use. No power and a hard to use switch are the main issues I have with them. I'll look up the Sioux and Dotco next, thanks for the input.
I bought my IRs in a set a few years back. It included a straight and a 90. I'd have to look and see what model numbers they are.
Only the $150 IR made me pause.
I found a Dynabrade air file (belt sander) at a local pawn shop for $110. New price is listed at $450-500 so if I could find a Dotco in a similar way maybe it's a possibility but until then not so much.
plinker
Well-known member
I like the 3/4hp Matco's I have, but for a long time I used some 1/2hp Jonnesway grinders I got from ebay. Good quality, pretty inexpensive.
The cheap ones do tend to use more air in my experience.
The cheap ones do tend to use more air in my experience.
For my requirements this set fits the bill. Astro. I don't know who manufactures them but they fill my requirements.
http://www.astrotools.com/air-tools...r-8pc-double-cut-carbide-rotary-burr-set.html
http://www.astrotools.com/air-tools...r-8pc-double-cut-carbide-rotary-burr-set.html
Daves69
Well-known member
https://www.wttool.com/index/page/product/product_id/4277/product_name/Florida+Pneumatic+14%22+Straight+Handle+Air+Drill&update_continue_shopping=true
wholesale tool has the Florida Pneumatic 1/4" high speed air drill for $51 Made in USA. Mac Tools used to sell this as a die grinder. 20,000 rpm lots of torque one of the best air tools I have purchased.
wholesale tool has the Florida Pneumatic 1/4" high speed air drill for $51 Made in USA. Mac Tools used to sell this as a die grinder. 20,000 rpm lots of torque one of the best air tools I have purchased.
My Florida Pneumatic is the best die grinder I have. Got it new off the Mac truck over 30 years ago.
Don’t discount electric die grinders. I like my Makita.
Attachments
RV8guy
Well-known member
Dotco Series 10 is the answer to all die grinder questions.
Actually I worked at a shop that used these, the Chuck fitting I liked better than the collet style predominantly used
Professional Tool User
Well-known member
To me it depends on how much power you want. The mini die grinders that I have (Made in Taiwan Mac/Astro pneumatic rebrand), are not the most powerful ones out there but are great for getting into tight spots.
rlitman
Well-known member
Sanding and surface prep certainly get continuous use. But with pads, I suggest you use a right angle die grinder. They kick less.
anndel
Well-known member
Sioux Tools is owned by Snap-on.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Yes but that model was made on Sioux's drawing board before the buy out.
I have four Astro’s the full size and the mini ones, love them all.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=379058
Last edited:
Have you found anything yet ?
I have no idea of how good or bad but I did see this Jet combo pack on NAPA Pro tool flyer.
JAT-420 Mini Die Grinder Combo. JET 505420.
https://realdeals.napaecatalog.com/ page 3. $80
I bought a few of these in both str and 90 a couple years back on a deal. I absolutely luv them and have zero complaints. I also have one Astro that performs just as well. I wouldn't hesitate to go with either one.
Another right angle is what I'm looking to add. I tend to use them more often than the straight ones. I currently have 2 of each styles.
Slightly off topic but I just received a 2" and 3" roloc sanding pads made by 3M. More costly than the chicom ones at HF or sold on Amazon but amazing quality and they run true with no wobble. $20 ea but I just got tired of buying the $5 ones and having them wobble so bad I hated to use them.