Help - advise on next tool purchase (angle grinder + drill press)

[964haus]

Looking for some advice from the forum in selecting my next investment.

So for the last number of years I've been slowly building up my basic set of tools. Up until now I've focused mainly on getting my garage "shop" built out enough to be able to keep my KTM motorcycle humming so I've got a pretty good assortment of wrenching tools but nothing much more. (I have a bench grinder and buffing machine too).

Now i want to change this.

I'm keen to learn how to do some light fabrication, etc and have been looking at adding a couple of angle grinders and a drill press to the garage. A welder is planned for next year.

Some questions (apologize that these will seem very basic or even laughable to some on here, but figure this is a knowledgeable place, so here goes..)

Angle grinder:

• Been looking at this one from Home Depot: https://www.homedepot.ca/product/de...-paddle-switch-small-angle-grinder/1000851807 is this a good one to start with?
• Thinking of getting 2, one with a cutoff wheel and one with a flap wheel. Can someone explain what sort of sanding wheels, flap wheels, etc would be good for what purpose? For a beginner? Like I understand what they do generally, but would love an overall breakdown of what should be used when.

Drill Press:

• Been looking at Craigslist but not much around here. Some advertise as 2 or 3 phase....what is that referring to?
• Been looking at Wen drill presses and would love real world feedback. Suggested models? I like that they are easy to adjust the speed of and can crank down to around 350 (good for metal I've been told).
• My budget is around $300 (CDN so about $250 USD)
• I'd like this to do metal and wood.

Anything else you'd suggest for a beginner starting to build up his power tools?

Thanks all!

Matthew

 

[crewchief888]

pick your favorite color for your angle grinder.

i have 4 corded grinders. 1 dewalt, 1 hitachi, 2 orange HF
2 cordless, both milwaukee, 1 brushed, 1 fuel.

drill press,
i'd be looking for one with the lowest speed available, for running larger bits and hole saws. mine happens to be a large benchtop model. it's an import from a (somewhat) local industrial supply house.

 

[Farmer888]

Pretty much any decent name angle grinder will work fine, and if your not using it professionally then cheaper ones do the trick too. My personal favorites are 2 bosch 1380 slim grinders I got 6 years ago for $100 for both. I've used them heavily and they keep going great.

Cut off wheels: pretty self explanatory, there is different thicknesses but I usually always use the thin ones. I find the cheap ones disintegrate quickly and be sure to always have adequate face protection and gloves when grinding!

Flap wheels: Good for taking the scale off mild steel or paint removal etc.. good for finishing and buffing out welds without leaving deep grinder marks

Grinder wheels: standard I usually see them called "Type 27" good for heavy metal removal and rust removal but don't leave a nice finish.

 

[RoninB4]

"Light fabrication" machinery requirements will depend upon how large a drill/cutter and what metals will be involved. Aluminum cutting speeds are high, SS cutting speeds are very low. Using a 10mm drill is very different than using a 25mm hole saw. I hate to advocate spending more than your budget allows but generally the more you spend on a drill press the wider the range of capability and speeds. Having more capability in your machine is seldom a regret, having machinery that's not capable is the greater regret for most buyers. JMO

Drill press- 350 RPM will be way to fast for drilling stainless steel with anything larger than an 8mm drill, it will work harden at that speed and tapping will be difficult/impossible. Slower drill speeds work better than most people realize and don't burn up the cutters/drills.