Aircat VS Ingersoll-Rand

[dwright406]

Hey folks.
Yesterday my 1/4" angle air grinder bit the dust.
It was a cheap import and it's a miracle it lasted as long as it did.

I'm shopping for a replacement and could use a little help deciding which to get.

I'm looking at either of these 2:

The IR 3102:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E21D3C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Or the Aircat 6255:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AYS01C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have heard good things about Aircat, and they are supposed to run very quiet, which is a big plus for me.

I'm just curious on what the consensus is here regarding these 2.

 

[evildky]

I don't own either of those tools but I do a have a couple of aircat tools and I do have aseveral IR's including my die grinders just not that model

I've never had a single problem form any of my IR tools, my current die grinder is probably12 or so years old

my aircat tools have also been trouble free but are much younger, the oldest beign my 3/8 impact which is 5 or 6 and I love, I use it all the time, it doesn't have the power of my larger IR but it's lighter and quieter and smaller and it gets used a LOT, it is a lot quieter and if it doed tomorrow I'd replace ti with anotehr aircat

 

[shampoop]

Personally I'd get something like this.

http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-sx5203.aspx

It's as quiet as the aircat, and I actually really like safety triggers for die grinders because they're constantly getting used in tight spaces where you can accidentally hit the trigger like when doing water pumps or thermostats.

 

[diesel research]

I have considered them, BUT am now considering a gearless angle grinder. Instead of a 90* gearbox (and the noise and vibration that comes along with it) the motor is actually up at the top and direct driven, instead of in the handle.

That doesn't answer your question, but explains where I am at in a similar quest. Unfortunately, they tend to come either as private labeled or from less known east asian companies, so I can't vouch for reliability/performance yet.

 

[dwright406]

Thanks for the input..
I like the Sunex as well, now I'm leaning towards that one.

 

[shampoop]

I have considered them, BUT am now considering a gearless angle grinder. Instead of a 90* gearbox (and the noise and vibration that comes along with it) the motor is actually up at the top and direct driven, instead of in the handle.

That doesn't answer your question, but explains where I am at in a similar quest. Unfortunately, they tend to come either as private labeled or from less known east asian companies, so I can't vouch for reliability/performance yet.

That's really cool! I never knew that style existed. I'd love to try one back to back with a traditional style one. You ever used one before?

 

[dwright406]

This looks to be a nice gearless kit by K-Tool:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006FGILY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[diesel research]

That's really cool! I never knew that style existed. I'd love to try one back to back with a traditional style one. You ever used one before?

I forgot! There is an old one in the shop (about 10yrs old)! I will try it tonight. Forgot, my coworker has a cornwell one (the one pictured is also cornweell but newer composite grips)

Thanks for the reminder. I forgot he had one and last week blew out the whip hose.

I have a bluepoint composite one. Not the biggest fan. It's smaller than the IR or cornwell, but has some noticeable buzz/vibration, seems like it could use some more power, and coworkers fell apart a few times. I didn't buy this one, so if it dies I won't cry. It's the reason I am in the market for a new one. I believe vibration is what loosened the retaining nut on coworkers bluepoint.

astro pneumatic has a slightly different one. MSI might make the cornwell one, not sure? Then there is a carquest one, it might be msi too?

 

[wrenchr]

Most are quiet until you start cutting.

 

[diesel research]

Most are quiet until you start cutting.

I cut with a cut-off tool, not a die grinder. So my die grinder stays quiet while cutting.

 

[dwright406]

To clarify I am buying this as my dedicated roloc grinder.
I do a lot of restoration work and am currently cleaning the floor pans on a '72 Z28, I was using my old one cleaning out the creases when it quit on me.

 

[diesel research]

I mainly do sheet metal (aluminum panel) prep or gasket removal work with mine, although a carbide burr wouldn't be out of the question once in a while. Have used a mini wire wheel once or twice, but damn that's abusive on the user and tool both. Shake the **** out of you and you will be picking strands out for the next week.

 

[dwm]

You could look at Dynabrade gearless if you want U.S.-made. Pricey, unfortunately.

I like the planetary-geared Dynabrades (even pricier). I don't own one yet, but I have one on my wish list. I just wish they didn't gobble more air than my compressor can deliver for long.

 

[Benji]

Get the IR.

 

[dwright406]

Get the IR.

I ran down to the local Tractor Supply and they have this one in stock for $69.99:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VYZ1HW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

and what is the difference between the previous IR and this one:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E21D3C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Is it worth the extra $?

 

[JoeR]

I have the IR and havent had any problems from it, about 2 years old. That blue one posted above looks exactly like the cornwell one i also have, I prefer to use the IR over the cornwell

 

[Muffduster]

I'm extremely interested in the AirCat 6255 as well, so I'm subscribing.

 

[dwm]

I ran down to the local Tractor Supply and they have this one in stock for $69.99:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VYZ1HW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

and what is the difference between the previous IR and this one:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E21D3C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Is it worth the extra $?

I've had a 3101 for years and I've been hard on it. I don't lubricate it as often as I should, and I tend to run it for hours at a time on jobs better suited to a larger machine. It's not the smoothest I've used, but it's been a reliable workhorse. I don't see significant differences between the 3101 and 3102 from the exploded parts lists. I'd guess that most of the parts are interchangeable. Some of them have the same part numbers.

 

[dwright406]

After much deliberation I went ahead and snagged the Aircat 6255.
I will have it Wednesday.

I've heard a lot of good things about Aircat and have been wanting to give something of theirs a try for myself.

 

[Muffduster]

After much deliberation I went ahead and snagged the Aircat 6255.
I will have it Wednesday.

I've heard a lot of good things about Aircat and have been wanting to give something of theirs a try for myself.

Where's you order it from? Please also write a full review once you've used it some.

 

[dwright406]

I ordered it through Amazon.
I have a Prime membership so the deals are a little sweeter.

I will put it through it's paces and report back.
Thanks again.

 

[jf781]

Any updates on the 6255. Looking at gettin one over the 3102 just looking for a lil input first

 

[Farmer Joe]

IR all the way

 

[dwright406]

The 6255 is an awesome little grinder.

I have been using it several hours a day since I got it and I like it very much over my old grinder.

I can't get over how quiet it is. You hear the actual grinding or sanding over the little noise the tool puts out. My old grinder was deafening. I used to wear ear plugs if I was going to be using it long.

It's got plenty of power and hasn't given me a single issue yet.

 

[mattrogers]

I actually ordered the IR 3102 (and its inline mate, the 3108). It was such a horrible handle action, and pressing the trigger was quite startling and jerky. I returned them and got a used Silver Eagle SE355 and a used Snap-On PT200A instead.

I don't have any info on the Aircat or the Sunex, unfortunately.