Edumacate me on cut-off tools & die grinders

[330Scott]

I am considering purchasing this cut-off tool & right angle die grinder kit from Northern Tool. I know that these tools are not the highest quality, but before I drop the big bucks on some quality tools, I thought I would play around with these and see if I really have a need for the better stuff. I know (I think) what these tools do, but I do have a few questions that I want to run by you.

The cut-off tool is a 20,000 RPM unit and uses 3" discs. I looked at what Northern offers for replacement discs and they only offer a general usage disc. I would guess that there are other, more specific discs available but what exactly are they? How would I determine what disc to use in which situation? And where is the best place to choose from & buy these different discs. Also, do you think that a 3" cut-off wheel is a decent enough size for most hobby shop needs? I do have a Sawzall, btw.

As far as the die grinder, the kit offers 5 grinding stones & 5 buffing stones. I could not locate any replacements for these at Northern, but I don't think it really matters right now anyway. First of all I can't tell a grinding stone from a buffing stone, let alone one grinding stone from another grinding stone. In other words, I know nothing about the different attachments that fit into the two different collets in the kit. And I would also assume that other attachment options are available besides the grinding & buffing stones. So please educate me on the different uses of a die grinder and especially about the different attachments for the unit. Also, where is a good place to see these different attachments & to buy them. Fwiw, I do have a dremel tool, but I really haven't had too much success when I have used it. I think that my lack of understanding the different attachments for it really comes through when I use it.

Sorry to show my ignorance here.



Thanks,

Scott

 

[kartracer55]

Idk how much your lookign to spend, but you can get a use made kit from Viking for 100 and it comes with rotary burrs, NOT cheapo stones. Rotary burrs are carbide steel, and last much longer than astone, but are more expensive. As dangerous as it is, you can mount a cutoff wheel to a die grinder too, in case your really in a jam

Jim

 

[l_bilyk]

In terms of usefullness:
1 - full size die grinder
2 - small angle die grinder
3 - cut off tool

If you have a sawzall, you probably don't need a cutoff tool. Basically the die grinders are big dremels. Good for porting manifols, grinding on welds, etc. The angle die grinders are really handy when pocket porting a set of heads and for surface conditioning (ie. you can hit hubs with a 3m roloc disk so the rotors sit better).

From personal experience they are all very similar in quality. So I would look for the one with the best warranty. It seems to me like most are made in taiwan. I think even IR and CP are made offshore.

Like Jim said, the stones are dirt cheap and disposable, so don't let that be the selling point. Burrs are nice to have.

 

[malibu101]

Rotary burrs are carbide steel, and last much longer than astone, but are more expensive.


Since we're talking to a new guy to this stuff, not all steel burrs are carbide.
Price will you which are carbide verses high-speed steel.

 

[nbaff]

I don't know if this helps, but one of my next tool purchases will be a right angle die grinder. I will put the 3M roloc disks, they will fit better into places that are tough to clean good for small jobs and require power. Which my dremel couldn't handle and burned up pretty quick. I would still be using my 3" cut off tool if it had the guard on it. Something on it broke and now I don't use it any more because I get a face full of sparks. It is very useful because it doesn't really require the clamp down force that the sawzall needs (to stablize the work piece) and is a little more manageable and can do smaller work.

 

[SoCalGarage]

just make sure your compressor can keep up- die grinders use ALOT of air.

for cut-off /die grinder wheels, check out local welding supplies, they usually have a better size/grit selection

 

[kartracer55]

Rotary burrs are carbide steel, and last much longer than astone, but are more expensive.


Since we're talking to a new guy to this stuff, not all steel burrs are carbide.
Price will you which are carbide verses high-speed steel.

Yes, I guess your right. I buy carbide burrs though. I can get them for 10$ a piece, USA made when i buy5 or more at the englishtown swapmeet.

Jim

 

[Darren M.]

In addition to the compressor comment. Make sure that you have an adequate moisture trap. The high volumes of compressed air these tools cause quite a bit of water in the tool if you don't. Either way make sure to lube your tool prior and after the job.

 

[Fast Orange]

That kit will be handy for automotive work-IF you have a ompressor that will keep up with the air demands for these tools.I've got several straight die grinders (set up with different carbide burrs-no tool changes in the middle of a job)'a 90 degree die grinder and a cut-off tool. I keep the 90 degree set up for Roloc pads-both scotch-brite surface conditioning and bristle type.
The medium grit surf. prep pads save a ton of time on engine work-gasket cleaning,etc.-just don't get carried away and dig into what you're cleaning up.
The bristle pads are great for finish grinding where a angle grinder won't fit.
Believe it or not,I've had good luckwith these tools from Harbor Freight-straight die grinders are always on sale,about $10-$15,90 dgree grinders about $20-25and cut-off tools about $20-$25. So far,with lube before each use,they're holding up OK.
The best place I've found for Roloc stuff is www.thetoolwarehouse.net .

George

 

[slantvaliant]

As far as stones and burrs, you'll want both, in various sizes and shapes. The carbide burrs are great, but they take off metal in a hurry and can get away from you. Ideally, you'd have a set of burrs made for aluminum, a set for iron, and a good assortment of stones and polishing dohickeys.
Don't forget a good set of goggles and some filter/masks.

 

[l_bilyk]

Yes, I guess your right. I buy carbide burrs though. I can get them for 10$ a piece, USA made when i buy5 or more at the englishtown swapmeet.

Jim

What a bargain!

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

That kit will be handy for automotive work-IF you have a ompressor that will keep up with the air demands for these tools.I've got several straight die grinders (set up with different carbide burrs-no tool changes in the middle of a job)'a 90 degree die grinder and a cut-off tool. I keep the 90 degree set up for Roloc pads-both scotch-brite surface conditioning and bristle type.
The medium grit surf. prep pads save a ton of time on engine work-gasket cleaning,etc.-just don't get carried away and dig into what you're cleaning up.
The bristle pads are great for finish grinding where a angle grinder won't fit.
Believe it or not,I've had good luckwith these tools from Harbor Freight-straight die grinders are always on sale,about $10-$15,90 dgree grinders about $20-25and cut-off tools about $20-$25. So far,with lube before each use,they're holding up OK.
The best place I've found for Roloc stuff is www.thetoolwarehouse.net .

George

You have to watch out about getting the scotch-brite
pad material that breaks off in parts that will be contaminated or in the engine itself. I loved them till I found out they can do damage. Ed ke6bnl

 

[Gregdoo]

Just yesterday I had an opportunity to use this Blue-Point (Snap-on) die grinder: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=7356&group_ID=812

What impressed me most about this one was how quiet it was (relative to others I've used). Maybe part of it was because it was a smaller unit, but it was very nice to not have that very loud dental drill sound ringing through my era protection.

Nice tool that I'd recommend if you're going to use it often, or where noise is a concern.

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

I have a cheapo HF unit they are ok noise is not an issue with me but lack of power is. They just bogg down when you add a little pressure. So that is my main concern. So if someone has a recomendation as to all out power with price in mind let me know thanks E d

 

[rusted]

I have a cheapo HF unit they are ok noise is not an issue with me but lack of power is. They just bogg down when you add a little pressure. So that is my main concern. So if someone has a recomendation as to all out power with price in mind let me know thanks E d

x's 2

With a full tank of air at 120 PSI, the HF ones is a mean little thing. I find I use mine all the time for things, but when you get down to 80 psi or less then are very frustrating. I have used some other brands (can't recall their name right now) but I found that they were more effefient on air usage. Now that i know how useful they are I would definatly buy a better one next time, but I have got lots of use out of my $15 HF one.

 

[W-Cummins]

Just yesterday I had an opportunity to use this Blue-Point (Snap-on) die grinder: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=7356&group_ID=812

What impressed me most about this one was how quiet it was (relative to others I've used). Maybe part of it was because it was a smaller unit, but it was very nice to not have that very loud dental drill sound ringing through my era protection.

Nice tool that I'd recommend if you're going to use it often, or where noise is a concern.

Get a PT200 better tool VERY low air use for a die grinder you can get one new on e-bay for about $100 or so and used less

I have 2 pt200's 2 pt210's and a pt250 best die grinders I have used. They have one annoying "feature" though the dam safety catch, but a min with a pin punch and that dam thing is in its new home ... the garbage can

 

[330Scott]

Thanks for all of the replies, guys. I have learned quite a bit by reading your posts.

I did buy the Northern Tool kit that I mentioned in my initial post. Man, that Christmas gift card was just burning a hole in my pocket for the last month. I also picked up some .035 & 1/16 cut off wheels and a little die-grinder twist lock kit from Sears that has three grits of sandpaper discs, three grits of aluminum oxide discs and the holder. I figure that will at least get me going for a while. I also spent some quality time with my dremel tool and have a better idea of what the different attachments are intended for, so when the time comes to use those types of attachments in the die-grinder I will know what to buy, if I can't use my dremel attachments.

Btw, my air compressor is a 6.5 hp, 60 gallon unit, so I think that I am probably ok on that front.

Thanks again,

Scott