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cut off tool

Jwych

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Joined
Mar 30, 2014
Messages
335
Location
Sioux city Iowa
after searching for a couple weeks now im undecided on which cut off tool/die grinder to buy. Ive looked at snapon/blue point, mac flex head, IR, and air cat and can't make a decision. not alot of reading on them on here from what I've searched either. anyone got any input?
 
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wise

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Jan 19, 2013
Messages
182
Location
Ontario. In Canada.
+1 on the CP, My straight cut-off tool is awesome! I forget what I paid, but I know in my head I was taking a chance buying it vs. the SO and Mac ones. The chance paid off ten fold, it's a tank.
 
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Jwych

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Joined
Mar 30, 2014
Messages
335
Location
Sioux city Iowa
+1 on the CP, My straight cut-off tool is awesome! I forget what I paid, but I know in my head I was taking a chance buying it vs. the SO and Mac ones. The chance paid off ten fold, it's a tank.

can you link me to the model you bought?



anyone else have input?
 

southalabama

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Jan 10, 2011
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5,528
Location
Brewton AL
I've had good luck with one from harbor freight. I don't normally praise their tools but I had a coupon and tried one. It's done all I've asked it to do.
 
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Jwych

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Mar 30, 2014
Messages
335
Location
Sioux city Iowa
I've had good luck with one from harbor freight. I don't normally praise their tools but I had a coupon and tried one. It's done all I've asked it to do.

I have decided to not buy tools from there for work anymore. had a few bad experiences that have made me shy away from HF for my work tools
 

wise

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Jan 19, 2013
Messages
182
Location
Ontario. In Canada.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002STSOY/?tag=atomicindus08-20 I've had it over two years, and use it quite a lot. I've gone through a couple hundred discs and it's shown no sign of slowing down. Before I got it I was just using a 1/4" Mac (overseas) Die Grinder, and it's so worth it to have a dedicated cut-off tool, not just for speed and ease of use, but for safety (the guard TEMPORARILY comes off easily when you need it though). These tools will cut your face in half if/when the disk breaks, so remember to use the guard or a full face shield, or both!
 

southalabama

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Jan 10, 2011
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5,528
Location
Brewton AL
I understand hf reluctance. I don't buy anything from there that requires electricity. But a ten dollar air tool that actually works is something I can live with.
 

OkRider

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Apr 26, 2014
Messages
593
Location
Oklahoma
I went the HF route as well. I use the air cut off tool so infrequently I just couldn't justify spending the money to get a better quality one. For what I spent I can't complain.
 
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Jwych

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Joined
Mar 30, 2014
Messages
335
Location
Sioux city Iowa
Analysis paralysis for a cutoff tool? What happens when you buy a car? :3gears:

You dont wanna know.... Lets just say I spent 6 months researching my first reloading press. Mainly am this way because have a budget and will pay extra for better quality but want to skimp when I can. I will be using this cut off wheel quite frequently so should probably buy a decent one
 
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n8n

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Mar 11, 2014
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3,607
Location
Curtis Bay, MD
one downside to the HF cutoff is I was completely unable to disassemble it; had an application that required removing the guard and apparently the thing's loctited together. Had to cut the guard off with an angle grinder, now it has none at all.

For the price though, if you use it occasionally, it does hold up well and if it requires service you can toss it and get another one.
 

redwrench60

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Joined
Sep 10, 2011
Messages
6,061
Location
East Tennessee
Look, if you get an air cutoff wheel be sure it's a reverseable one. Thank me later. It seems no matter what I'm always standing right where the shower of sparks are flying. With a reverseable one you can direct the sparks away from you.
 

Jrsixx

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Apr 6, 2014
Messages
127
Location
Chicago burbs
Never even knew there was a reversible made...hmmmm now that would be sweet. I have the Mac flexible head, bought it used about 10 years ago and it never fails me. really like the versatility of the movable head. I also have an arbor for my die grinder that holds a cutting disc. If you're only using one occasionally and on a budget, that may be the way to go.
 

jmm

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Aug 20, 2012
Messages
1,349
Location
NC
Strictly as a cut-off tool, I really like the IR 326. Nothing fancy, but it's got power to burn and it works well.
 

mrborohachi

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Joined
Mar 27, 2013
Messages
841
Location
Berdoo Route 66
Never even knew there was a reversible made...hmmmm now that would be sweet. I have the Mac flexible head, bought it used about 10 years ago and it never fails me. really like the versatility of the movable head. I also have an arbor for my die grinder that holds a cutting disc. If you're only using one occasionally and on a budget, that may be the way to go.

what model number is that MAC flexible head cutoff wheel tool? I had seen that tool once but never got a serial number. With no MAC dealer within 50 miles of me i'm going to have to look for one online
 

metaleltr

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Sep 4, 2009
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2,680
Location
Western Ohio
I believe the mac flex head is no longer made, it is pretty freaking sweet though if you ever get the chance to pick one up
 

countryroad82

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Mar 18, 2011
Messages
3,447
Location
Kentucky
I went through this a few months ago. Still haven't been able to find anything like my ol' reliable that died. It was a cheap no name that I had for years, I have since bought HF, Kobalt, CP, and even Snap On and I'm still not satisfied! None seem to have the torque I'm looking for. I guess I'm either not remembering correctly or they just don't make 'em like they used to but I recall my old cutoff being able to effortlessly cut through 2 pieces of metal without taking all day! That is how I cut my path panels is I lay the new over the old and cut both at the same time which leaves a good area for **** welding. Everything I have used stalls way too easy even with the air pressure turned to the max.
 

sberry

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Jun 18, 2005
Messages
35,747
Location
Brethren, Michigan
I like a right angle better than a straight for cut offs but this straight sold at HD and I believe under Farmhand at TSC is a bargain and way better than the 10$ types.

The right angle is a bargain, have 3, had a guy run one for 2 months once, had them near 20 yrs now and never so much as had to tighten a screw on one.
 

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Jwych

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Mar 30, 2014
Messages
335
Location
Sioux city Iowa
So I ended up buying the mac flex head this morning , seemed like a handy function hopefully it will serve me for many years to come
 
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