Budget Die Grinder suggestions

[daithi]

I'm looking to buy a die grinder (or two). I'm an apprentice Heavy Duty Mechanic. We generally don't see a lot of die grinder use, I'd say most the guys in our shop reach for one once a month at most. In summer we use them a bit more when we're doing more equipment rebuilds, but generally that's just using a flap wheel to tidy out a bore while replacing bushings.

If i was only going to buy one die grinder it would be a 90 degree/angle - I came across a bushing I couldn't do with a straight grinder the other day, ended up just doing it by hand with some emery cloth. I have a bunch more of those bushings to do though so a power tool would be nice! I can borrow a straight one if I need it but nobody has a 90 right now (there's a broken SnapOn waiting for the truck to show up and replace it.... He's been waiting 4 months now )

I'm looking at some Astro kits/models right now, I'm open to any/all brands though.
The 1221 kit comes with the Straight and RA Blue Composite Body Grinders as well as the 2182 Carbide Burr Set (which I've read good things about).
The 222 kit is the Straight and RA ONYX but no bits.
Both of those kits are about $140 CAD right now on Amazon, while the Burr Set alone is $83.

Individually the RA ONYX Grinders are around $100 (205QL or 204).

That's kind of the budget I'm looking at for this purchase - $100-180 CAD. There are more gaps in my toolbox that need filling soon.

Unfortunately great deals on tools in Canada seem to be a bit more scarce. A border run to Harbor Freight or anything like that isn't really on the horizon either.

Hoping someone here can weigh in!

 

[oldwino]

I’ve been real happy with Astro Onyx. Have both the straight and 90 degree and use the heck out of them

 

[Professional Tool User]

Air die grinders are one of those tools that you can cheap out on. I have the 2 pc Mac mini die grinder set that shows up on the Mac flyer from time to time. I remember paying no more than $150. They aren't the most powerful, but they get the job done. I'd say generally any of the made in Taiwan die grinders should be fine. Even Princess auto sometimes rebrands the same air tools as Astro Pneumatic, Air Cat, and your other name brand made in Taiwan options. HF's premium tools generally aren't cheap enough when compared to name brands, let alone justify a cross border shopping trip.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have a straight Cambell Hausfield that has worked fine for years. I tried out a HF 90° unit and it lasted about a year.

I found a 2 pc IR set on Sears at the time to replace the 90° and get another straight while I was at it.

For random use, a CH would probably be fine and Astro would probably be better.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I’ve heard good things about Astro. Whatever you get get composite body.


Ingersoll Rand is always a solid choice. 302B is RA, 308B is straight. You’ll eventually want straight and extended.

the Astro burrs are…ok. buy better for heavy use. individual industrial brand ones work well.

 

[pelletman]

Nothing is worse than a cheap die grinder that bogs all the time. There must be more posts on this here, I would read. Astro is probably decent.

 

[Steve_P]

There are definitely huge differences in power between die grinders. A $10 HF is not going to keep up with a professional duty one that costs several hundred dollars. Saying that, there are a lot of good medium cost grinders like Air Cat, etc, in the $50-150 range. They rate them by HP so you can get an idea.

 

[cvairwerks]

Watch evilbay for used Dotco's. They come in several rpm limits, are almost always rebuildable if something wears out and are designed for constant use. The ones I had at work were bought new in the 60's and were still in use in 2003, when I moved off the production floor.

 

[GeoBruin]

Air die grinders are one of those tools that you can cheap out on. I have the 2 pc Mac mini die grinder set that shows up on the Mac flyer from time to time. I remember paying no more than $150. They aren't the most powerful, but they get the job done. I'd say generally any of the made in Taiwan die grinders should be fine. Even Princess auto sometimes rebrands the same air tools as Astro Pneumatic, Air Cat, and your other name brand made in Taiwan options. HF's premium tools generally aren't cheap enough when compared to name brands, let alone justify a cross border shopping trip.

I have the HF Chief RA die grinder and I believe it to be a rebrand of Air Air Cat/Chicago Pneumatic etc. as you mentioned.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Nothing is worse than a cheap die grinder that bogs all the time. There must be more posts on this here, I would read. Astro is probably decent.

I bought a cheap HF 90° unit to see if I would like it. I didn't want to spend $100 on something and not like or use it. It was worth the few "test drive" bucks that it cost me.

My 90° die grinder is used for roloc disc use. I think the only time the 2" holder has come out of it was to put the 3" holder in it.

 

[daithi]

Thanks for the comments,

I think I'm going to pick up the Astro Onyx 222 Kit - it comes with the higher powered 202 Straight grinder and the 204 RA. According to the rep in the Astro thread the straight grinder should have a bit more HP than a similarly priced IR.

Long term if I find I use them a lot or one breaks I'll look into a Dotco on fleabay but there's nothing ready to ship today in that price bracket.

 

[speed bump]

Ive got a couple of aircat 90° die grinders. For the $70ish a piece they are they swing 2 inch sanding discs just fine and are nice and quiet. If you can find it a bigger motor Dotco is **** though.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I just buy $45 astro aluminum body options instead of swapping attachments. In general, I don't like composite bodies as they get filthy and I don't like cleaning tools. I just wiped off my SP air unit today, and it was blackened with shop grime. Aluminum doesn't **** that gunk up, wipes clean easily. That said, an adjustable exhaust comfort grip is awesome in a 50* shop in the winter.

As others said, tool trucks will often offer a deal on two good quality die grinders for 150ish.

 

[brownbagg]

i like the IR brand. HF had them cheap and they have lasted me over ten years, but they are cheap enough if they break just get another one, got to keep them oiled

 

[jonathco]

I bought an angle + a straight Chicago Pneumatic 20 years ago, while in the auto body program at Mott Community College. Back then, the school could order with a steep discount. I've used and abused them both and they've held up fine.