I have a no-name DG I use from time to time. It is really easy to bog down so cutting is pretty slow. I have a vertical compressor with a large tank, 175psi. Are die grinders different from Mfg to Mfg? Do some have more umph?
Die grinders / Cut off tools
- Thread starter Chaznsc
- Start date
Some of the higher dollar ones seem to use less air than the cheap ones like HF. Another thing to take a look at is your air fittings. After switching to the Milton V's, my die girnders/cutters don't bog down like they used to. Might be an easy, inexpensive way to utilize the tools you already have just by switching air fittings.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
There is a difference in quality between the cheapo HF ones and actual good quality pneumatic tools. The biggest factor being clearance in the air motors. Higher quality tools are held to better tolerances, therefore the air going into the tools are actually doing work vs. going around the vanes/rotors and not doing anything but leaking around them.
Mike.
Mike.
Astro_Pneumatic_Tools
Well-known member
My sales department likes to tell me this story: We were approached by a large US manufacturing company that had multiple factories. They were using X name cheapo Die Grinders i'm sure many of you are aware of that I won't name here and were seeing if they could get a decent price from us on our industry staples (T20AH, T210, 202). We gave them a good rate because they mentioned they go through around 100-125 die grinders a month.
A year after their initial rather large purchase, they're are buying around 8-10 a month. We call them up
"Hey, you mentioned when we quoted you a quantity of around 100+ a month. Are you still buying the other brand's?"
"Nope! Around 10 is our new demand, thanks have a nice day. Bye!"
My sales team tells me (in charge of product design/quality ect) this and I'm like: "Sorry?"
Yes, there's a difference. Also, look for 1/2hp die grinders, you can find a few 3/4hp and up (like our 409 cut off tool and a die grinder we have coming out soon) but they are less common, usually more expensive and use more air.
_________
Chris
Product Manager
A year after their initial rather large purchase, they're are buying around 8-10 a month. We call them up
"Hey, you mentioned when we quoted you a quantity of around 100+ a month. Are you still buying the other brand's?"
"Nope! Around 10 is our new demand, thanks have a nice day. Bye!"
My sales team tells me (in charge of product design/quality ect) this and I'm like: "Sorry?"
Yes, there's a difference. Also, look for 1/2hp die grinders, you can find a few 3/4hp and up (like our 409 cut off tool and a die grinder we have coming out soon) but they are less common, usually more expensive and use more air.
_________
Chris
Product Manager
anndel
Well-known member
I bought a HF die grinder and it didn't work out of the box so I returned it and got an IR 5102MAX and didn't look back.
gdocktor3
Well-known member
No name die grinders generally don't work real well. They're meant for home owners doing light work. God knows what, but really light. I always recommend buying used name brand air tools off eBay if you're not using them day to day professionally. Matco, Mac, Snappy, Cornwell, CP or IR are all over eBay. ebay has money back guarantee now a days if you get ripped off. I've purchased atleast 6 used air tools off eBay and never been disappointed. Take the time to read the description and ask questions. I generally get them to guarantee it works in a message to show eBay should it be a scam. You can also find a nice IR, St. Louis pneumatic, Florida pneumatic or like brand new online for less than $100. Do your research and look around online. There are a million threads just like this that will tell you where to find a good, cheap die grinder on Google. I myself have two CP die grinders I bought at a tag sale. They work great with no issues on my 30 gallon, 5 hp craftsman compressor I also bought used on CL. There are always guys out there who buy top shelf stuff for one job, then never use them again. That's where I swoop in for the deal.
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I have an old Blue-point AT100A that was bogging down and recently bought a new Chicago Pneumatic CP861. The CP runs better but still bogs down a bit. I think it might be my compressor though (IR 60 Gal 3HP upright). I'm using 1/2 hose and Industrial Interchange 1/4 fittings BTW.
gdocktor3
Well-known member
I upgraded all my fittings to 1/4" thread x 3/8" body automotive coupling plugs. Then I did a comparison test with one of my impacts on a lug nut. Both nuts torqued to same specs using my snappy mg725, the bigger fittings made a ridiculous difference. The gun used to hammer a bit first, now it blows the lugs off with a tap of the trigger. Grainger had sales on the couplings and plugs at 19 cents each. I bought as many as I could. Now every tool I own has 3/8" body coupling plugs. You can buy a set of coupling plugs and quick release coupler for cheap from HD of tractor supply to test it out before deciding if you need a bigger compressor.
Im not sure I follow. HD has a "3/8" set but the description still claims 1/4" fittings.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-5-...tyle-Quick-Connector-Kit-HDA20700AV/100079135
gdocktor3
Well-known member
Right the threads are 1/4" to fit in air tool. That is standard in most small tools. The body is 3/8" which allows for a larger inside diameter. Thus allowing more air flow.
Only my 3/4" impact has 3/8" threads. But now you can use a 1/2" or 3/8" air hose with 3/8" threads. Then you buy a 3/8" thread coupling that accepts 3/8" body coupler plugs. You'll have super air flow.
Only my 3/4" impact has 3/8" threads. But now you can use a 1/2" or 3/8" air hose with 3/8" threads. Then you buy a 3/8" thread coupling that accepts 3/8" body coupler plugs. You'll have super air flow.
gdocktor3
Well-known member
I also recommend using air tool lubricant or oil every time you use it. With more airflow the tool gets colder air which may freeze. Oiling the tool will prevent it from freezing up and stalling out.
This was confusing to me at first when I was looking into it. My take is that they are still 1/4 basic flow size but they flow the same as a 3/8. For example lets use Milton fittings cause I have their website saved.
Milton V style (1/4) 74 cfm
Milton H style (3/8) 67 cfm
Milton M style (1/4) 40 cfm (the standard)
The V style comes in 1/4 or 3/8 thread, but flows more than the normal 3/8 flow H style.
Well no one has pointed out an easy check..
If you look just forward of the warning label by the air inlet you will see the black ring in the center of that is a screw. If you turn that screw you can reduce the speed and increase the speed with it. We used to be sort of mean lol well no just hazing really if you walked away from your bench someone might turn your air tool speed down .. Or so I heard the stories anyway :} BTW most air tools have that screw so umm DA sanders Impact guns... yeah you get the idea. Imagine the fun of climbing 6 stories with air hose and da sander and sanding stuff go to start sanding and.. WTF not enough power so what could it be air hose, compressor ... yeah after a bit it might dawn on you someone turned your air regulator on the tool down :}
Cypher
Cypher
If you look just forward of the warning label by the air inlet you will see the black ring in the center of that is a screw. If you turn that screw you can reduce the speed and increase the speed with it. We used to be sort of mean lol well no just hazing really if you walked away from your bench someone might turn your air tool speed down .. Or so I heard the stories anyway :} BTW most air tools have that screw so umm DA sanders Impact guns... yeah you get the idea. Imagine the fun of climbing 6 stories with air hose and da sander and sanding stuff go to start sanding and.. WTF not enough power so what could it be air hose, compressor ... yeah after a bit it might dawn on you someone turned your air regulator on the tool down :}
Cypher
Cypher
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gdocktor3
Well-known member
I have no experience with Milton. I read good reviews and found good price on automotive style so that's what I bought and they've worked awesome for me.
md21722
Well-known member
In additional to what was said, these tools are offered in multiple power ratings. 0.33HP, 0.50HP, 0.70HP, and 1HP are fairly common. As the power goes up, so does the full load air consumption. Many of the manufacturing/industrial units are 0.7-1.2HP and use 28-35CFM. You'd need a 7.5-10HP compressor just to keep up. You might try a 0.5HP unit if yours is unrated or 0.33HP.
As said above, 3/8 coupling (bottom) has larger body than 1/4 coupling (top). Both are threaded to fit 1/4 FPT on your air tool.
gdocktor3
Well-known member
^^ Yes exactly. I would like to see the 3 Milton plugs mentioned above lined up next to each other. How a 1/4" v fitting flows more air than a 3/8" fitting is beyond me. Unless the inside diameters are exactly same size and the coupling is different.
As said above, 3/8 coupling (bottom) has larger body than 1/4 coupling (top). Both are threaded to fit 1/4 FPT on your air tool.
I can understand anything if you give me a picture.
bcradio
Well-known member
what is the cheapest place to get milton V fittings?
md21722
Well-known member
Northern Tool offers them at great prices.
Keep in mind that the "standard" 1/4" NPT fittings are rated for 40 CFM. The "V" style are rated for 74 CFM.
I try to use as short an air hose as possible, 25 feet or 35 feet.
If you are running more than 50 feet of 3/8" hose then you're probably going to see a decrease in airflow at the end. For a 100 foot run, if needed, I would run as much 1/2" hose as possible and step it down to 3/8" for the last few feet.
Keep in mind that the "standard" 1/4" NPT fittings are rated for 40 CFM. The "V" style are rated for 74 CFM.
I try to use as short an air hose as possible, 25 feet or 35 feet.
If you are running more than 50 feet of 3/8" hose then you're probably going to see a decrease in airflow at the end. For a 100 foot run, if needed, I would run as much 1/2" hose as possible and step it down to 3/8" for the last few feet.
Here is a few pics from google. They compare Milton M 1/4 and Milton V 1/4 styles.
Attachments
I have been buying mine from jbtoolsales.com. Good prices and fast shipping. Plus a wide selection of fittings along with other tools. Makes it easy to get to the $99 dollar free shipping, lol.
gdocktor3
Well-known member
OK, so they are basically 3/8" body couplers. Thanks for the pics. I think the Milton stuff is over priced. You can get some cheap 3/8" body automotive plugs from Speedaire or even the ones from Home Depot for much cheaper imo. Plus, this is just a test to see if it improves the die grinder the op is talking about. Buy the cheapo HD set before you put big bucks into replacing all the fittings with something else.
Milton V ******* are only $0.77 and the couplers are $4.48, not that over priced compared to the HD ones. And the nice thing about the Milon V style couplers is that they also accept Milton M style *******. So if your already running an M style ******, you only have to switch the high usage tools over to the V's.
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gdocktor3
Well-known member
I stand corrected
Marcm157
Well-known member
One of the only tools I ever bought from Snap On was a mini right angle Die Grinder. I absolutely love it. I just wrench on my own personal projects but even with minimal use, I was going through cheap DG's like nobody's business.
bcradio
Well-known member
Sold, because I currently use M connectors. I really don't want to change out 100 connectors
Do you have a link for the 77 cent connectors?
md21722
Well-known member
The Milton M's do not fit as tight into a V coupler as a V ****** would fit into a V coupler, or an M ****** would fit into a M ******, but they do fit...
We have a winner! I stopped by and picked up a 3/8 set from HD and holy moly what a difference. I will have to turn it down to use it! I can't wait to try my impact.
https://www.jbtoolsales.com/milton-760-hi-flo-v-style-1-4-mnpt-brass/
These are the male thread *******.
https://www.jbtoolsales.com/milton-764-hi-flo-v-style-a-m-v-1-4-fn/
These are the female thread couplers.
JB has other variations, you will just have to do a little looking. Or Milton has a good website, check that out to get the part numbers.
http://www.miltonindustries.com/couplers-and-plugs/v-style.html
Yea it aint perfect but it does work. Have finally switched everything over to the V's, but when I still had some M's in circulation, didnt really notice any leaking. Still a hell of a lot better than the cheap HF fittings I started with.
Glad to hear that fixed your problem. I was quite amazed the first time I tried high flow fittings. My father was very hesitant to switch too, he had used the same fittings for forever. But finally I proved to him the difference with a few demonstrations, now he has switched everything over.
Especially when faced with a smaller compressor like I have in the shop or in the service truck, high flow fittings give you the best chance at maximizing performance at minimal cost.
LennyTheLizard
Well-known member
Hope this isn't off topic.
I purchased some surplus file storage cabinets from work a couple months ago. These came from our Die Shop. One drawer was nearly full of die grinders. I have both straight shaft and angled type. Once I have some time to sort out what they really are and if they work, I was thinking of selling most of them on here or ebay.
I think there are a couple rebuild kits thrown in there too. My guess is that they all probably have some problem, but not sure.
I purchased some surplus file storage cabinets from work a couple months ago. These came from our Die Shop. One drawer was nearly full of die grinders. I have both straight shaft and angled type. Once I have some time to sort out what they really are and if they work, I was thinking of selling most of them on here or ebay.
I think there are a couple rebuild kits thrown in there too. My guess is that they all probably have some problem, but not sure.
I'd be interested in a straight and two 90's
gdocktor3
Well-known member
Good deal. I'm glad I could help. Now, start looking around eBay for a larger hose and larger filter/regulator setup so there are no restrictions anywhere. It is also better to thread the hose directly into the regulator/filter if possible. Less fittings the better flow.
cagullett1
Well-known member
Anyone know the difference between the Milton 760 and S760? They are both 1/4" V fittings and both appear the same. I first thought the "S" was for steel, but the 760-1 is the steel variant. The link above does not have the "S", and is significantly cheaper. I'm only seeing the S version on Northern, and Milton's website wasn't giving me much info.