dubdoc
Well-known member
Hi all. I am tired of waiting for my compressor to catch up and finally turfed my beloved angle die grinder. What's the best/smallest electric/cordless unit?
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Electric angle die grinders ?
- Thread starter dubdoc
- Start date
Downwindtracker 2
Well-known member
I've used a Makita a fair bit at work. I would look at a more efficient air tool. Or a bigger compressor .
I didn't think that makita made one?I've used a Makita a fair bit at work. I would look at a more efficient air tool. Or a bigger compressor .
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Downwindtracker 2
Well-known member
They did make one, it was the most common one around here at the time. Japanese production, not like the current Chinese Makita.
FSrepair&fabrication
Well-known member
I prefer air, however i have heard good things about the new milwaukee cordess angle grinder. A small air compressor is nothing but irritating unless your using a nail or staple gun. Upgrading may change your opinion of air.
The OP did not mention what kind of compressor he has. He did mention he chucked the grinder so now some of you want him to buy a new grinder and a compressor too? Maybe run a 220V circuit? All great ideas but probably more money and effort than getting a cordless grinder.
Back to the actual question, the Milwaukee M12 is fantastic. Go for it. My air grinders haven't left their drawer since I got it. Haven't found a good cordless air hammer yet though.
Back to the actual question, the Milwaukee M12 is fantastic. Go for it. My air grinders haven't left their drawer since I got it. Haven't found a good cordless air hammer yet though.
My air die grinders were the only air tools I haven't retired until I got the M12 right angle & straight die grinders. Before the Milwaukees I've never seen a cordered or cordless right angle die grinder made by anyone. There are straight die grinders but the big ones.
I'm not a fan of M12 tools grip size & the RA M12 is much bigger than air die grinders but I absolutely love the thing & use often. I had no plans in buying the M12 straight die grinder (compact) but there was a sale so I picked on up. Turns out I like that one too & use it much more than I though I would.
I'm not a fan of M12 tools grip size & the RA M12 is much bigger than air die grinders but I absolutely love the thing & use often. I had no plans in buying the M12 straight die grinder (compact) but there was a sale so I picked on up. Turns out I like that one too & use it much more than I though I would.
sberry
Banned
For general fab I like 4 1/2 electric with 1/4 hard when You can find a generic Wal-Mart B&D for about 30$ works really well. Buy a spare/second at that price.
txvwnut
Well-known member
Another vote for the M12 right angle. I wasn’t sure how much I’d use one when I bought it and now I don’t know how got by without one. You will need the 3.0 or larger battery as they are power hungry.
jeepnut24
Well-known member
I love my m12 angle grinder so far, and no loud compressor cycling. Will not go back.
They did make one, it was the most common one around here at the time. Japanese production, not like the current Chinese Makita.
Was it one of the older 7.2V ones? Do you have a photo or model number of it?
strutaeng
Well-known member
I think OP was talking "die grinder," not angle grinder?
I have the pneumatic HF die grinder and bought some carbide bur bits for grinding some handrail welds. My ancient Emglo 2HP 8CFM kept well with it. No waiting for anything.
I did few hours worth of grinding. The problem with me is the bits would "walk" away from the collet. Had to stop many times to adjust the bit. Not sure what the issue was.
Oh, and those carbide burrs bits eat steel like nothing. The other problem was tiny metal shards ALL over the place. PPE with full face mask is a must!
The electric ones have a longer body, so they may be easier to control, but they are larger than the pneumatic ones. Ditto for cordless.
I have the pneumatic HF die grinder and bought some carbide bur bits for grinding some handrail welds. My ancient Emglo 2HP 8CFM kept well with it. No waiting for anything.
I did few hours worth of grinding. The problem with me is the bits would "walk" away from the collet. Had to stop many times to adjust the bit. Not sure what the issue was.
Oh, and those carbide burrs bits eat steel like nothing. The other problem was tiny metal shards ALL over the place. PPE with full face mask is a must!
The electric ones have a longer body, so they may be easier to control, but they are larger than the pneumatic ones. Ditto for cordless.
I've got all Dewalt 20 volt stuff but I've been lusting after the m12 angle and straight die grinders. They look really useful and I assumed they would be my gateway into the m12 system but then I recently saw a review video where the reviewer compared them with another 20 volt grinder he had on hand (happened to be the Dewalt) and the m12 definitely got bogged down pretty quickly with what looked like the same kind of use I hoped to subject my grinder to so now I'm back on the fence.
I've got all Dewalt 20 volt stuff but I've been lusting after the m12 angle and straight die grinders. They look really useful and I assumed they would be my gateway into the m12 system but then I recently saw a review video where the reviewer compared them with another 20 volt grinder he had on hand (happened to be the Dewalt) and the m12 definitely got bogged down pretty quickly with what looked like the same kind of use I hoped to subject my grinder to so now I'm back on the fence.
As far as I know, currently non of the other big name brand cordless tool makers make the same size die grinders as the M12 ones. Dewalt & others make 18V/20V straight die grinders but they are the big ones with the size body/motor similar to angle grinders.
I'm not trying to stick up for the M12 die grinders or anything like that just cause I have them. But can't compare 18V to 12V stuff & can't compare angle grinders to die grinders. Totally different uses.
I can easily stall my M12 die grinders if I wanted to but I can just as easily stall my air die grinders as well. They're not meant for heavy grinding like an angle grinder. When used as a die grinder they perform great. Most of my use with die grinders these days is quick short work. I'm so glad I don't have to mess with an air hose & listen to my air compressor run anymore. For bigger grinding or cutting jobs I'll use my angle grinder.
Lennyzx11
Well-known member
I’ve been researching this also. I have a lot of M18 Milwaukee with only a couple of M12 items.
M18 doesn’t have the variable trigger I believe. It’s on or off.
One of the M12 offerings does. I think the angle one. That’s what I’m leaning towards though.
I’d rather have the m18 but I’d rather have the ability to feather the trigger like a air die grinder.
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M18 doesn’t have the variable trigger I believe. It’s on or off.
One of the M12 offerings does. I think the angle one. That’s what I’m leaning towards though.
I’d rather have the m18 but I’d rather have the ability to feather the trigger like a air die grinder.
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sberry
Banned
Electric is cheap to operate, cheap to buy, has a lot of power. Air is 5 hp to make the same as a utility in the wall 120v.
Bottlecapdigger
Well-known member
I gave up on a lot of my air tools, just too loud in the shop. I only one I still use in my 1/2 " impact when doing wheel nuts, and I'm going to replace it soon too. I use all electric or cordless.
Something a buddy told me about a hand grinder he got is that it also runs in reverse, I can see that being handy when in a tight spot or don't want the sparks going somewhere. But I'm thinking it might be an air grinder. BCD.
Something a buddy told me about a hand grinder he got is that it also runs in reverse, I can see that being handy when in a tight spot or don't want the sparks going somewhere. But I'm thinking it might be an air grinder. BCD.
neophyte
Well-known member
Hi all. I am tired of waiting for my compressor to catch up and finally turfed my beloved angle die grinder. What's the best/smallest electric/cordless unit?
Electric motors from top power tool manufacturers are getting slimmer, but non are really the size of an air die grinder.
Suhner may be the skinnier electric die grinder you’ll find, and even those ard going to be way bigger than a pneumatic.
A Dremel or Proxxon might be close in size, but way less powerfull than air or professional electric.
If a flex shaft won’t be an issue, you might look into a Foredom with a longer flex shaft.
For small but powerful, this is what is usually recommended.
Foredom rates their standard SR series motors at 1/6 horsepower, that run at 18,000rpm max and those have foreword and reverse.
Foredom also makes a TX series motor rated at 1/3 horsepower, that has a slightly lower maximum speed of 15,000rpm.
And a low speed LX motor that maxes out at 5,000.
The Foredom motors are rated for continuous duty.
Standard foredom flex shafts are around 36-40”, and longer flex shafts are around 66”.
Hand pieces with collets or a chick are available.
If you need compact but more power, Suhner and a couple other manufacturers make “Industrial” flex shaft machines capable of powering full size angle grinders.
The flex shafts are thicker though, and the machines are pricey.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MV0FYMG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
jeepnut24
Well-known member
Sorry I meant my M12 fuel angled die grinder... love it. Quiet enough I can run it at night too. Plenty of power so far with 4ah batteries. I suppose I could stall it out, but that would be abusing the tool..
https://milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Metalworking/Grinders/2485-20
https://milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Metalworking/Grinders/2485-20