Die grinders.

[welderwink]

Any of you guys have a die grinder you recommend?

 

[Packard V8]

In a word - Dotco

 

[sberry]

For what? Its relative.

 

[welderwink]

I am a welder (hence the name). And there are times when I need to grind out some weld metal in tight corners to clean it for cosmetic purposes.

 

[sberry]

These 4 inch right angles have been super, got 3 of them, one has had hundreds of hrs on it, never a problem with any of them @ 60$, real bargain. The little red Husky has been award winner too, at 30$ it outlast several of the 20$ real cheapies and really has good power.

 

[sberry]

You want something to run rotary files then? The red one in the middle is sold under a couple different brand names, its a super durable tool, as long lasting as some of the other hi dollar units it replaced.

 

[sberry]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VXYJD4/?tag=atomicindus08-20 Dotco doesnt list coo, are they USA?

 

[welderwink]

yup that will be the one i get then. one of the guys i work with has bought campbell hausfield and has owned 3 i believe cause they always break. so i dont want to go down that road. Thanks.

 

[tatra]

keep in mind the exhaust ports .........i use one on tires and front exhaust contaminates the rubber and compomises the patch bed..........front ex. may be beneficial as it can blow debris out of the way.........rear exhaust can get in your face in certain positions.......there are some that have a seperate exhaust hose that direct it away from you and the work area........

 

[fatrhino]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VXYJD4/?tag=atomicindus08-20 Dotco doesnt list coo, are they USA?

$300+ ??

Whats wrong with this IR - http://www.tooltopia.com/ingersoll-rand-3108.aspx

 

[Fedwrench]

Whats wrong with this IR - http://www.tooltopia.com/ingersoll-rand-3108.aspx

Nothing, I have it and the 90 degree version and they work great but, I'm not a welder.

 

[welderwink]

yea 300+ is a bit pricey i think i will try out the husky.

 

[wreckercologist]

Probably depends on what you want to spend.

I've had excellent luck with my Snap-ons. They are still working after 11 years. I have the PT200 & PT210. I wouldn't recommend the PT100 or PT110, those are junk in my experience.

Chicago Pneumatic is pretty good.

I've had mixed results with IR's.

The cheap little set I bought off the Mac truck have done quite well. One straight and one 90 degree die grinder for $75.00 two years ago.

Dotco makes nice stuff, as does Souix.

Is Florida Pneumatics still in business?

 

[billymade]

I have a Mac badged Flordia Pneumatic and it has been great... reasonable price too!
Check out pages 14-17 here: http://www.florida-pneumatic.com/fp 2009 catalog final.pdf

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_hi?ie=UTF8&search-alias=tools&field-brandtextbin=Florida Pneumatic

I have this one; you can put all types of attachments because of the chuck; built like a tank... bought used in early 90s still going strong and very powerful!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TDKMDM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[sberry]

Yes, those little Campbell's for around 20$ don't last very well. The Husky we ran the snot out of and it still works as good as when I bought it. If I needed another one they are so affordable I wouldn't hesitate. I have enough old beaters to keep specialty stuff on but for that I would add more.
Yes, the IR looks right and priced decent, that wouldn't scare me either.

 

[PurdueSD]

Ive been super happy with my IR composite die grinders. Ive got a straight one and a 90 degree. Nicest thing about them is they don't get as freaking cold in your hand when using them for extended periods of time.

 

[stricht8]

This is not a die grinder but it is an incredible tool for cleaning up weld beads in tight areas or anywhere for that matter.

http://www.mactools.com/product/tabid/120/p-318250-ag200.aspx

 

[lynam]

I have had this CP for about 1 year no problems with it and use it daily on brake services, and sometimes to clean up welds. One of the older techs has had one for over 15years still works never rebuilt.

http://www.babcotools.ca/Tools/Air-Die-Grinders/CPT875

 

[alex71]

if you weld for a living, you should get a production tool. You're cheating yourself if you get anything less. Spend the $$$, or watch ebay and spend less $$$, but it will still usually be more than $50, unless you get very lucky.

I like Sioux (US Made only), IR (industrial production series, such as the G model numbers, or the older cyclone T & H model numbers), Aro (made by IR), French-made Chicago Pneumatic/Georges Renault, Atlas-Copco, Dynabrade, Henry, TC service, Dotco, and 3M. All great tools. Get whichever meets your specs at the price, and be happy. Some go for more than others, but the build quality is very similar between all of them. I like the Atlas-Copco full-size die grinders the best because of their spindle suspension. Really reduces chatter when using carbide burs. Don't be fooled by the low-end IR, CP, or Sioux. Not the same thing at all.

Here are the pics of my grinder drawers. Yeah, I'm a bit obsessed

 

[sberry]

I am a welder by trade, I am on my second 79$ 7 inch sander in 20 yrs and have run it quite a bit, did put a standard bearing in the head. Not sure how much farther ahead I would have been to buy a 400$ one back in the day? So far I am at 150$ for 2 and this one is still going, used on most days. 79$ for 10 yrs and it still works.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

. Yeah, I'm a bit obsessed .

Are you really now???

 

[tonydanzah]

Here are the pics of my grinder drawers. Yeah, I'm a bit obsessed

is your toolbox a vidmar?

 

[atari]

I have had this CP for about 1 year no problems with it and use it daily on brake services, and sometimes to clean up welds. One of the older techs has had one for over 15years still works never rebuilt.

http://www.babcotools.ca/Tools/Air-Die-Grinders/CPT875

I to am a welder by trade and this is the one I use every day.

 

[jlenander]

I like the Atlas-Copco full-size die grinders the best because of their spindle suspension. Really reduces chatter when using carbide burs.

I have been fighting with chatter lately using carbide burs. I'm not sure if I have chosen the incorrect cut for the bur, or maybe my grinder needs improvement. It is a MasterPower (USA I believe). Could you please show me which of your grinders is your ~20K Atlas-Copco favorite? It may be my next ebay quest.
Thanks, Jon

 

[evintho]

I know you guys are talking about air powered die grinders but I've had one of these Makita 1/4" electric die grinders for years and love it! I ported a couple of heads and exhaust manifolds with it along with using it for a ton of other tasks. It's smooth, vibration free and does an excellent job.

Makita GE0600 1/4" electric die grinder

 

[alex71]

I have been fighting with chatter lately using carbide burs. I'm not sure if I have chosen the incorrect cut for the bur, or maybe my grinder needs improvement. It is a MasterPower (USA I believe). Could you please show me which of your grinders is your ~20K Atlas-Copco favorite? It may be my next ebay quest.
Thanks, Jon

They're the larger yellow and black ones in my first pic. BTW Master Power is good stuff. They're made by Cooper, who makes Dotco. I don't know if they're made in the same plant but I suspect they are.

Does yours vibrate too? Maybe there's something wrong with it, or the shaft of the bur is bent.

 

[jlenander]

They're the larger yellow and black ones in my first pic.

OK, so its the third one from the right on the row nearest the camera?

BTW Master Power is good stuff. They're made by Cooper, who makes Dotco. I don't know if they're made in the same plant but I suspect they are.

Yes, MasterPower is an excellent quality tool. Most of mine are US, but I do have a few Japanese made models and they are good too. They can often be had for a great price on ebay!

Does yours vibrate too? Maybe there's something wrong with it, or the shaft of the bur is bent.

The Grinder doesn't vibrate...it is well balanced and runs true. I do have my doubts about the quality of the last set of burs I bought. Do you have any recommendations for a good brand/style for general purpose use on steel?
Thanks, Jon

 

[alex71]

Its the fourth one in from either side. there are two of them in the bottom row. Sorry I can't really recommend any specific burs. I know I have an astro-pneumatic set that worked fine, the rest of them I got as parts of other lots, and I don't know the manufacturers.

 

[alex71]

is your toolbox a vidmar?

Its a Lista. Just picked it up off CL a couple of days ago. The thread should still be on the first few pages of this forum.

 

[stricht8]

Its a Lista. Just picked it up off CL a couple of days ago. The thread should still be on the first few pages of this forum.

You filled that up quickly!

 

[rodm1]

In a word - Dotco

Dotco
.

 

[lekkousa]

These guys make great stuff in America!

Imagine that.

They will sell direct, just email them they are very fast to respond.
Make the other airtools look like toys!

http://www.tcservice.com/

 

[welderwink]

i bought a husky die grinder today for 30 bucks. and it has sometype of 3 year warranty so we will see what happens thanks.

 

[alex71]

These guys make great stuff in America!

Imagine that.

They will sell direct, just email them they are very fast to respond.
Make the other airtools look like toys!

http://www.tcservice.com/

TC Service makes NICE stuff. I have a couple and I love them. They're expensive, and unlike the other top brands, are difficult to find on ebay, etc.

 

[stock z/28]

I have a few Buckeye (spelling?) grinders that I like a lot also.

 

[enginenut]

For at least 50 years the industry's best electric die grinders have been Dumore.Take a look at a workhorse.

 

[JayL]

How about this die grinder? Is it a good one? I'm still hunting for several die grinders for auto shop use.

http://www.dynabrade.com/dyn10/content.php?page=catalog

Dynabrade Red Straight Line Die Grinder 18000
.4 hp Autobrade Red Straight-Line Die Grinder
25,000 RPM, Gearless, Rear Exhaust, 1/4" Collet

* Compact, lightweight design.
* Includes safety-lock lever; rear exhaust.
* Smooth, efficient air motor with built-in speed regulator.
* Composite tool grip absorbs vibration and reduces cold air transmission.
* Optional 1/8" collet insert: 18432.

Looks US Made to me.

Thanks

 

[MotoDave]

I bought this set: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00919559000P
They've done everything I've wanted them to do so far. FYI its an internet only deal, and annoyingly they won't let you ship to the store so you have to pay shipping.

 

[JayL]

I bought this set: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00919559000P
They've done everything I've wanted them to do so far. FYI its an internet only deal, and annoyingly they won't let you ship to the store so you have to pay shipping.

That looks like a good deal. However I'm not sure if those will be good for commercial ( general ) auto shop use. The guys I will be handing the die grinders won't hesitate to abuse the tools a bit to make the job quicker or just to finish it.

I had my sights on the Chicago Pneumatic CP860 ( Japan ) till I saw the Dynabrade ( USA )18000 die grinder which are roughly the same price ($ 100 give or take a bit ). I actually need 3 die grinders and am thinking now to get 2 CP and 1 Dynabrade. I wanted all Dynabrade (USA ) but have no feedback yet on the tool.

I know other die grinders are better but the two models above fit the budget.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[4x4gearhead]

I dont care what anyone says with an IR you cant go wrong for the money, every IR air tool Ive ever had has outlasted any other brand that was in my toolbox.