Come join the fun! Help me pick an angle grinder.

[JorWood]

Hey guys I'm looking for a new 1/4" angle die grinder. I have a small business reconditioning curb rashed wheels for car dealerships and I use my angle grinder all day long. I've been through about 3 Harbor Freight angle grinders in the last 4-5 months. I would keep replacing them but my god are they loud. And I was recently informed that a higher quality example would use less air which would be a huge bonus as I am only working with a 15 gallon tank right now. Anyways today my last HF angle grinder stripped out (this happens just about everytime I tap into the high pressure airlines available to me at some dealerships) and I was hours away from the nearest HF store. I ended up buying a Craftsman model at a local Sears store. And I have to say it is NIGHT and DAY different. However after reading reviews online I do not have high hopes of it lasting. I'm hoping some folks with knowledge and experience could point me in the right direction. My goal is to find the best value for efficiency and durability.

Thanks for your insight!

After this we'll discuss my next 2" D/A sander...

Jordan

 

[Know Wosad]

http://www.nittokohki.com/tools/products/powertools/rightanglegrinders/index.html

 

[Wamsutta]

I use my angle grinder all day long.

Dotco. They're expensive but since you use it all day long, maybe the expense is justified. No one knows but you.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Astro seemed excited about their onyx line.

 

[gdocktor3]

Aircat or Ingersoll Rand. Also, are you oiling these tools before using them? If not, get this and add oil to air inlet and grease to internals. Especially on those cheaper models. https://jet.com/product/detail/364c...15&gclid=CKDt6ti2hM8CFdJLNwod_qYLEw&gclsrc=ds

While I've never used Astro anything, they seem to get good reviews and you can buy an angle & straight grinder off Amazon for $85 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0083RPUQG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[davethorik]

Astro seemed excited about their onyx line.

Idk abut the onyx but regular astro air tools have treated me well. Dynabrade is another $ option, but they are rock solid. I have a Dynabrade d/a and it kicks ***.

 

[MattPersman]

I'm considering trying the ONYX set myself. I have been few a couple different grinders in the past years right now I have a Sunex HD but it likes to loosen a bit at the body when I use it hard. Still kicking and pretty quiet "relatively" speaking.

I am making holes in truck frames with them with a double cut carbide bit

The expensive ones are a hard pill to swallow price wise.


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[george4]

I am interested in hearing some of your techniques for repairing wheels.

 

[drewvdw]

I have Snap-on's PT410 and PT450 and I love them. The 410 is a 90* die grinder with a standard 1/4 collet and the 450 is an actual air grinder with a standard 4.5" wheel. They both share the same 1hp air motor. Each one runs about $340 new, but you may find a good used one.

 

[lazer50]

This is something i can help you with if you want experienced advice.if you are going to use an angle grinder all day and want to last you from now on buy a dotco i used to build roots blowers and we bought dotco tools they are expensive.we used them all day for years since the co i worked for cut back i changed jobs in early 2000 s at home i have a nice weld shop with all my good tools there so at work i bought snap on angle grinders blue point mac used them here and there had them 're built or replaced tried ingersoll rand etc etc. None of the angle grinders made are intended for continuous use except dotcom there may be another industrial brand but as far as my experience which is my dotco tools are from the 80 s none have failed or been repaired.if you are going to use an angle grinder long periods of time every day heavy grinding light grinding whatever all day use. The truck brands,whatever any of the other advertise won't last.now the nit to in the earlier post i know nothing about.but im 50 and have used and tried many angle grinders.if your spending 100 150 anywhere around there plan on repairs failure or replacing now that is if your requirements are what you said. Any decent one will hold up for a while with occasional use.

 

[lazer50]

Going with my previous post i googled dotco angle grinder for what i think what you want. Just pulled one up @ Zoro requires 9 c f m @90 lbs pressure from compressor 20000 rpm 575 dollars made in use checked nit to angle grinders also they dont make one that small.

 

[areyouanywhere]

How about a nice Ingersoll Rand industrial model like a G1A200RG4 or a Dynabrade industrial?

 

[md21722]

Harbor Freight air tools are very loud. Almost anything more expensive will be quieter. For all day use, one is really crossing from professional to production level. But in that case I'd except Harbor Freight die grinders to last hours, days or weeks, not months. So I'm not sure how hard you're really pushing them. Something from Astro may work out. There is a guy on here "Astro Pneumatic Tools" is his username. You may try hitting him up and see if he will let you demo their die grinders. They may be good enough for your use. As I understand it the Astro is also pretty stingy with air so your compressor won't run all day. Many brands sell varying levels of power, 0.33-0.4, 0.5-0.6HP, 0.9HP-1.0HP, ... but remember to size the tool to according to use. If you try the biggest one remember its just going to be bigger, heavier, use more air, and more than you need for detail work with a smaller burr. The big ones are for 3/4" burrs, and that sort of thing. If Astro doesn't make you happy I'd check into the production grade tools brands others mentioned.

 

[JorWood]

Thanks for all the great replies guys! I guess going for that $71
Ingersoll Rand model at Tractor supply isn't gonna cut it lol

 

[md21722]

Nope! And if working in an environment where they aren't regulating the pressure down, I'd suggest you get a regulator and put some couplers on it so you can regulate it down. Can you send a picture of the bit you are turning with these die grinders?

 

[TheSasquatch]

Get a dotco, I own dotco's that were my grandfathers, passed down to my father, then me. They have been used near daily for the last 40 years. Get a 12,000rpm for running roloks and a 20,000 for cut off wheels. Will last you the rest of your life. As long as you oil them.

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[JorWood]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YL4CA6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Does anybody have any experience with these? Seem to get good reviews...

And MD what do you mean by "the bit" I am turning? Just spinning 36 grit, 120 grit and fine grit 2" discs in conjunction with my mini random orbital sander which I mainly use a 120 grit 2" pad with.

 

[md21722]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YL4CA6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Does anybody have any experience with these? Seem to get good reviews...

And MD what do you mean by "the bit" I am turning? Just spinning 36 grit, 120 grit and fine grit 2" discs in conjunction with my mini random orbital sander which I mainly use a 120 grit 2" pad with.

I thought there was a post referring to burrs that was yours. Oops.

For 2" wheels a 0.4 HP 20,000 RPM die grinder will be fine. 12,000 RPM if you want to go slower. You may look into disc sanders as they often have a 97 degree head but if you're not working on flat surfaces it may not matter. However, some disc sanders put the air motor in the head so there aren't even bevel gears to wear out.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

I thought there was a post referring to burrs that was yours. Oops.

For 2" wheels a 0.4 HP 20,000 RPM die grinder will be fine. 12,000 RPM if you want to go slower. You may look into disc sanders as they often have a 97 degree head but if you're not working on flat surfaces it may not matter. However, some disc sanders put the air motor in the head so there aren't even bevel gears to wear out.

We have sanders like that, curently the smallest in the market:
http://www.astrotools.com/index.php/onyx-micro-2-sander-velcro-0-4hp.html

But if the OP is doing wheel repair getting the hand away from the head for clearance is likely a priority so our design may not be best on that model.

On that note, OP I'd take a look at our ONYX 210QL

http://www.astrotools.com/index.php/onyx-hd-quick-lock-1-4-swivel-throttle-90-die-grinder.html

1/2HP (which is up there for a Right Angle) and the lever throttle swivels to where ever its most convenient. And more to your point, it's one of the quietest die grinders around.

Also like all of QL die grinders, its head is quick locking so you can eliminate a wrench in the attachment changing process. Our 205 QL locking Right Angle is even quieter (AFAIK the quietest RA on the market) but is 1/3HP.

I'm also working on a 3/4HP Right Angle similar to our popular 216QL. But not out as of now.

 

[md21722]

OP, I would definitely consider Astro's recommendations, and from there buy the industrial brands. I have a few Dotco's in my toolbox that replaced everything else I owned but I haven't tried Astro's air tools. The Dotco's are definitely better than anything the tool trucks ever dreamed of selling.

 

[JorWood]

We have sanders like that, curently the smallest in the market:
http://www.astrotools.com/index.php/onyx-micro-2-sander-velcro-0-4hp.html

But if the OP is doing wheel repair getting the hand away from the head for clearance is likely a priority so our design may not be best on that model.

On that note, OP I'd take a look at our ONYX 210QL

http://www.astrotools.com/index.php/onyx-hd-quick-lock-1-4-swivel-throttle-90-die-grinder.html

1/2HP (which is up there for a Right Angle) and the lever throttle swivels to where ever its most convenient. And more to your point, it's one of the quietest die grinders around.

Also like all of QL die grinders, its head is quick locking so you can eliminate a wrench in the attachment changing process. Our 205 QL locking Right Angle is even quieter (AFAIK the quietest RA on the market) but is 1/3HP.

I'm also working on a 3/4HP Right Angle similar to our popular 216QL. But not out as of now.

Thanks I really appreciate the reply!

I was getting ready to pull the trigger on one of your products. I was originally torn between the 205QL Onyx and the 204 Onyx... As HP has never been an issue with even the Harbor Freight grinder I liked the 205QL for it's lower average CFM consumption at 2.4... However I have no need for a quick detaching head and feel that the extra bulk could get hung up so that put me back to considering the 204.

I'm curious if these are all going to last just as long or if the more expensive models should be expected to last longer.

Another question is would I be better off with the 216QL if I just go lighter on the throttle or lower my PSI at the regulator to save on CFM?

Thanks again!

And for reference...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016UY66T8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0083RPU8E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[JorWood]

I just happened upon a Dotco 12L series angle grinder brand new in box on CL for $100... Gotta hope it's not stolen... Assuming it checks out I'll probably pull the trigger regardless of whether or not it's the right one for me. I'm wondering though can you move the trigger to the front on a Dotco?

 

[Jim Johnstone]

Good timing on this thread. I just completely killed my 90 degree grinder in under a year. I'm going to look into an astro as well.

 

[MW.]

Another question is would I be better off with the 216QL if I just go lighter on the throttle or lower my PSI at the regulator to save on CFM?

http://www.harborfreight.com/brass-air-inline-regulator-68220.html
I like using a valve like this at the die grinder to regulate speed.

 

[md21722]

I have never seen the trigger moved. Some companies make pistol grip disc sanders that may work for your application. Pistol grip is like a drill so throttle control should be easier but I've never used one to tell you for sure.

 

[JorWood]

Well I got the Dotco off of Craigslist and I'm not in love... it's actually on the louder side. I think I'm going to sell it and get an Astro after all.

 

[Doug Arthurs]

If you want to reduce the noise out a whip hose on the air in then slip another hose big enough to go over the air exhausr over that and push it on. Usually there is a black plastic piece slightly smaller then the body. Now the exhaust noise is at floor level and behind you. Much easier on the ears.

 

[zkling]

Well I got the Dotco off of Craigslist and I'm not in love... it's actually on the louder side. I think I'm going to sell it and get an Astro after all.

Just for the noise? That's a mistake IMHO. Atlas copco, sioux, dotco, masterpower (dotco). Are all top angle die grinders.

 

[dnschmidt]

Telling somebody to buy a Dotco for $500.00 (good advice actually) when he has a $200 compressor is sort of pointless. This guy is clearly trying to cheap out so the Astro wins. The first thing he needs to do is buy a real air compressor as any die grinder is an air hog.

 

[kiatech]

What about 3m's industrial line?

 

[md21722]

What about 3m's industrial line?

At least the 0.5 and 1HP grinders are are made by Sioux, same guts as they sell themselves or Snap On.

 

[JorWood]

Telling somebody to buy a Dotco for $500.00 (good advice actually) when he has a $200 compressor is sort of pointless. This guy is clearly trying to cheap out so the Astro wins. The first thing he needs to do is buy a real air compressor as any die grinder is an air hog.

I don't know if I would go with "cheap out" but if you've ever started a business on a shoe string budget you'd understand that sometimes you just lack the options you would like for yourself. My reality is quickly switching between sanding, prep, painting and talking to customers and if I can remove the step that involves fiddling with earplugs, that's a $$ saving move. The Astro I bought is supposed to only use 2.4CFM and until I can get my big compressor fixed I need something that sips.

On another note regarding the Dotco, I also didn't care for the trigger action as well as the one I got in particular only spun 12k RPM. However I may keep it as a backup.