Die grinder vs. Drill

[elcom]

In the process of cleaning a Wilton C1 that I bought used, I found a drill (with wire brush) and angle grinder (with wire cup) invaluable. This got me thinking about a die grinder.

The Metabo GE700 (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013SSVJK/?tag=atomicindus08-20) looks like a good choice.

The question is: What is/are the advantage(s) of a die grinder over a drill with appropriate attachment(s)?

Thanks!

 

[RBailey]

Die grinder is smaller and much higher speed.

If you are going to use a die grinder with a wire brush make sure you have a properly speed rated brush,

 

[rlitman]

If you are going to use a die grinder with a wire brush make sure you have a properly speed rated brush,

And wear leather, or be prepared to look like a porcupine.

 

[JASTECH]

elcom, Welcome to GJ. Big difference in the 2 tools. What do you intend on doing with it?

 

[tjmonsen5]

you need a nice air compressor to get the full potential from a die grinder. Im talking 60 gallons minimum. My 25 gallon tank gets sucked dry in about 20 seconds or less.

 

[elcom]

I was thinking of an electric die grinder, rather than air.
At this point, I don't have a "real" compressor, just a tire inflator.

Intended purpose: cleaning rust, polishing; perhaps some occasional cutting.

 

[carbon]

Look at this link.

The enco link is now wrong in the above link. It should be this. Go back/forth in the catalog; there's a number of them.

The one you (tried) to link to goes 7000 - 27000rpm. The max grinding wheel is only 2". Metabo is making a new version with a different range of speeds and a spindle lock: http://metabo.p2ionline.com/Flip/si...bstoryid=15605241&webstoryid2=15605241&FH=635

Having never used a wire wheel on a die grinder, I don't know how the grinder would respond. But with a carbide bit, the thing can get away from you easier than a good ol' 4.5" angle grinder does with any kind of wheel on it. I think the difference is you can use two hands on the the angle grinder, whereas the electric die grinder is one hand and fingers as it is designed to be a bit less brutish.

For cutting, stick with the angle grinder with a cutoff wheel and leave the guard on. Polishing would be up the die grinder's alley.

Here's some links to people who either took the guard off, didn't wear protection, or used a disk that was rated at lower speed than the grinder.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=113430&showall=1
http://forum.ih8mud.com/chit-chat/289748-warning-gore-pics-had-accident-grinder-cutoff-wheel.html

And maybe more knowledgable people can tell me: Not safe to use ferrous cutoff wheels on aluminum? They don't really talk about cutoff wheels on this post, just grinding wheels, but it got me thinking...

 

[Monte]

get one of those ! Cutting, grinding, polishing, wire wheeling..... it does everything !

 

[elcom]

Anyone know when is the GE710 plus model going to be available in the US?
Looks like it is not yet available.