Electric die grinder???

[Graham08]

I am looking to buy an electric die grinder. I think I have settled on a Milwaukee, but I'm not sure which one to get. They have two basic models, a 4.5 amp that is approximately 13" long, and an 11 amp that is about 21.5" long. I was leaning toward the 11 amp, but it sounds like a monster to handle.

Anyone own either model? If you have the 4.5 amp, does it have enough power to run cutoff wheels? If you have the 11 amp, how does it handle, awkward or no?

Thanks in advance...

 

[gotmud13613]

I had a need for one a few years back, a friend wanted me to put some patch panels in his blazer and it wasnt running, he also didn't have an air compressor. So I thought well for $30 I could buy the one from Harbor Freight and use it to get the job done then it will probably die or spend mega $$$ and get a brand name.

Well it's been a couple of years now and it's still going strong, they had them on sale a few months back so I purchased another one and have one with a stone mounted on it and a cut-off wheel on the other one.

They have been real handy on my welding-gringing bench. It's only rated at 4.3 amps but it has never stalled on anything I have tried to cut.

 

[OldCarGuy]

The long time standard in the Tool and Die trade and best electric hand die grinder made is a Dumore. Its’ compact size makes it easier to handle and allows it to get into tighter places than most any other grinder on the market. Yet it runs at 22,000 RPM’s and takes more to stall than most. They are costly. But once you use one, there’s no turning back…

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=1792863&PMT4NO=46104898

.

 

[eschoendorff]

I had a need for one a few years back, a friend wanted me to put some patch panels in his blazer and it wasnt running, he also didn't have an air compressor. So I thought well for $30 I could buy the one from Harbor Freight and use it to get the job done then it will probably die or spend mega $$$ and get a brand name.

Well it's been a couple of years now and it's still going strong, they had them on sale a few months back so I purchased another one and have one with a stone mounted on it and a cut-off wheel on the other one.

They have been real handy on my welding-gringing bench. It's only rated at 4.3 amps but it has never stalled on anything I have tried to cut.

I have taht one... no problems with it so far...

 

[64merc]

Stupid question: would these die grinders kinda function like a Dremel would? What do you all use them for exactly?

 

[eschoendorff]

Stupid question: would these die grinders kinda function like a Dremel would? What do you all use them for exactly?

They're like a really BIG Dremel..... I would like to find a flex shaft for mine someday...

 

[Graham08]

A die grinder would be like a big Dremel...most are 1/4" collet, where a Dremel is 1/8". Air powered die grinders are really common, but the use a lot of air, and I do not have a big compressor, so I'm looking at electric models.

I just ordered a Milwaukee 4.5 amp model with paddle switch. I have a job upcoming which involves cutting the centers out of some steel wheels and welding new ones in. The grinder will be used with a cutoff wheel to cut the welds holding the centers in, and then to remove the excess weld from the rim so I have a nice clean surface to attach the new centers to.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I will let you know how this purchase turns out.