Affordable, durable air-powered die grinder - recommendations?

[thingfixer]

Hi everyone,

I'm in the 2nd year of my apprenticeship as a truck mechanic, though I also do a lot of work on semi-trailers. At work I use a die grinder several times a week at least, mostly with a wire wheel and various grinding attachments, in applications that create a lot of airborne dirt and rust.

My first die grinder came from a discounted set of Mastercraft-branded air tools I bought years ago; to say it didn't stand up to frequent use would be a gross understatement. Similarly, a colleague whose die grinder I've been borrowing since had a cheap off-brand one that also lasted only a couple months; after that died he bought a Power Fist (Princess Auto store brand) die grinder that didn't last much longer.

That being the case, I'm looking for something higher-quality that should last a few years at least. My employer provides a yearly tool allowance of $500 CDN (c. $375 USD) and I'd like to stay within that range. Any recommendations based on experience? Specs I should look at? Thanks in advance!

Edit: I'm looking for a full-size die grinder that can fit into some narrow spaces.

 

[oldmachinenut]

Astro Onyx, I have 5 of them. They are more powerful, quieter and smoother running than the tool-truck ones they replaced. They are also a great value.

 

[pelletman]

Anything ARO, I think I like my blue points too. Cheap ones aren't gonna last, don't cut as fast and generally ****

 

[isb cornbinder]

Astro Onyx

I have ASTRO air tools. I do not show them any mercy and the last. Some of my Astro are well over two decades old.
I also have DYNABRADE air tools. Dynabrade pricing starts at $500 and goes up to well over a grand. My Dynabrade shows no sign of wear because I am afraid to get the Dynabrade dirty. I will get over it, or not. Dynabrade are made in USA. They feel really good in my hands, but, then, so does ........... maybe I should not go there. :}>

 

[thingfixer]

Astro Onyx, I have 5 of them. They are more powerful, quieter and smoother running than the tool-truck ones they replaced. They are also a great value.

Thanks for the quick reply! I just looked it up on Amazon, the price is definitely attractive. How is the vibration with the Onyx? My el cheapo special die grinder was genuinely painful to use for more than a minute or so at a time.

Anything ARO, I think I like my blue points too. Cheap ones aren't gonna last, don't cut as fast and generally ****

They do **** in exactly those ways, can confirm. Aro is pricy but the recommendation is still taken, with thanks. I can ask the parts manager at work to see if he can get me a good price on one.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Ingersoll-Rand is what I have had decent luck with as a home DIYer.

 

[j3rf]

Ingersoll Rand, Astro Onyx, Aircat, Chicago Pneumatic.

 

[cvairwerks]

Didn't say what size you wanted, but Dotco's will outlast you and your grandkids if you take care of them. The ones I had at work, were bought when I was still in diapers, in the early '60's. I ran across some of them a few years back, still in use.

 

[thingfixer]

I have ASTRO air tools. I do not show them any mercy and the last. Some of my Astro are well over two decades old.
I also have DYNABRADE air tools. Dynabrade pricing starts at $500 and goes up to well over a grand. My Dynabrade shows no sign of wear because I am afraid to get the Dynabrade dirty. I will get over it, or not. Dynabrade are made in USA. They feel really good in my hands, but, then, so does ........... maybe I should not go there. :}>

Made in USA is a good selling point for me - most of my air tools are used American-made boys that are going very strong under heavy use - but the price is, alas, a bit too high, unless I can find one used. And I know,  the hand of my lovely, lawfully wedded wife feels great in my hand too! That's what you meant to say, right?

 

[thingfixer]

Didn't say what size you wanted, but Dotco's will outlast you and your grandkids if you take care of them. The ones I had at work, were bought when I was still in diapers, in the early '60's. I ran across some of them a few years back, still in use.

Ah, important detail, yes - it needs to fit into some spaces too tight for my hand, so it needs to be at least 10-12 inches long (the die grinder, that is, of course).

For context, at work I often replace seized steering axle kingpins. The process requires the cylindrical cavity in the knuckle, where the kingpin fits, to be cleaned with a wire wheel and (usually) reamed a bit, so a die grinder with some length is needed.

Thanks for the recommendation, again they're a bit pricy, but I'll see if I can find a deal on one.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Made in USA is a good selling point for me - most of my air tools are used American-made boys that are going very strong under heavy use - but the price is, alas, a bit too high, unless I can find one used. And I know,  the hand of my lovely, lawfully wedded wife feels great in my hand too! That's what you meant to say, right?

Right on the feely-touchy.
I should mention, I was surfing around Amazon. I took a look at the air tools, I was not looking for anything but a bargain. I got the angle grinder Dynabrade for about $265. A similar looking Dynabrade angle air tool is a polisher. It was $129. I did the right thing. I added both to my cart then I did my due diligence after.
Here is the practical thing. A much less expensive air tool can last a long time with minimal service. When it quits, drop it in the scrap bin. Do not forget to take the Milton "M" fitting Do the simple math. How many less expensive air tools can a person buy for the price of one of the very expensive models.

 

[senlow]

Didn't say what size you wanted, but Dotco's will outlast you and your grandkids if you take care of them. The ones I had at work, were bought when I was still in diapers, in the early '60's. I ran across some of them a few years back, still in use.

+1 for Dotco. My old Dotco is so worn on the outside that it's almost unrecognizable. It still runs perfectly. I haven't checked prices for some time, so I'm not sure if this will fit your budget

 

[Steve_P]

I have ASTRO air tools. I do not show them any mercy and the last. Some of my Astro are well over two decades old.
I also have DYNABRADE air tools. Dynabrade pricing starts at $500 and goes up to well over a grand. My Dynabrade shows no sign of wear because I am afraid to get the Dynabrade dirty. I will get over it, or not. Dynabrade are made in USA. They feel really good in my hands, but, then, so does ........... maybe I should not go there. :}>

Dynabrade does sell some imported products, and has for several years. Like Williams, they are clear about COO on their website.

I have a USA Dynabrade straight die grinder, and a Snap On; I remember that both were expensive 10 years ago, but don't remember the price. I got good deals on both, new, on Ebay. Before these, I had many cheap HF models which lasted ok for the $9.95 price but were lacking in power. If I was buying today, I'd look at Astro and Aircat.