my die grinder conspiracy

[mech-tech]

Just wondering here...but am I the only one that notices all and I do mean ALL die grinders of the 90 degree right angle style seem to look 99.99% identical...almost as if they were all made by the same company? My coworker had a very cheap harbor freight right angle die grinder for buffing gasket surfaces, and one day while using it, it slowly but surely became looser and looser until the gears in it stripped out, but no problem cause it was a cheap tool anyway. Well that evening I go to lowes to pick one up while my chicago pneumatic is on order, well while looking at the $45 Kobalt and the $70 dewalt, I noticed every thing about them looked exactly the same except for the outer plastic and color. So I grab the $45 Kobalt and put it to use the next day. Right out of the box it is already vibrating like my coworkers harbor freight die grinder did just before it failed the day before. That was one month ago and my Kobalt is still running strong but vibrating like its about to fall apart...but no suprise there since it is not exactly a pro model. Well my coworker replaced his junk harbor freight with a brand new Husky from home depot, and his too looks just like mine, but again no surprise there. Well finally my chicago pneumatic shows up and I am happy to finally have a quality tool to rely on...so I open the box and there it sits, a die grinder with the chicago pneumatic name and color, but yet it looks identical to his harbor freight, right down to the way the oil hole is made, the way the head is built, the body of the die grinder itself...everything.

From what you guys know, is there one company that all tool companies turn to for right angle die grinders? From the ones I have used, they all seem to vibrate like crazy and look identical, except for maybe a snap on I had used at my last job. What are you guys using for die grinders? Is there even a difference between the $70 dewalt and the harbor freight...other than a pretty outer grip????????

 

[Bobcat753]

I'd like to know myself. I need one after a bluepoint and then a harbor freight failed on me. I'd love to rush out and get one but I don't know which is best without spending an arm and a leg.

 

[SASORacing]

I use a HF grinder that was on sale for $12. I dont see a reason to "upgrade" unless it is USA made to make me feel like a better citizen.

 

[AndeiH]

i have the HF grinder and it gets the job done but it's really loud. i might try the aircat version pretty soon.

 

[srmofo]

The Chinese copied them from someone.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Oh...lol...use a Dotco or old Aro and you'll see the difference. So will your wallet

 

[mech-tech]

I forgot to mention, I work for the area distributor for large natural gas engines for oilfield use, and just one overhaul involves hours and hours of gasket removal. These are big v-12 and v-16 engines...so the harbor freight die grinders last about 2 weeks for other coworkers. I was hoping to spend less than $100 for a good one...but they all seem to feel and sound the same which isn't very appealing. I use the small cup wire wheels with it, as well as buffing pads and small paddle wheels for cleaning inside the block after the cylinder liners have been pulled. I oil my air tools constantly, but this only smoothes them out for maybe the first 2 or 3 minutes...then its back to the baby rattle. One thing I did notice about the harbor freight die grinder is that in the head where the two gears mesh, it's almost like they have too much back lash...which after some hard use caused the two meshed bevel gears to drift apart slightly, but just enough to where the tips of the gear teeth were not contacting well enough for operation...which caused the familiar rattle I heard while using it. And as I said earlier, my brand new Kobalt made this same exact noise straight out of the box. It does come with a 3 year warranty, so no big deal if it fails early...but the chicago pneumatic is just like it too

 

[G_P]

Those cheapie grinders can be improved by opening them up, and replacing the used cooking grease that the Chinese used in the gearbox with real grease.

 

[Ruger_556]

I have a NAPA one and an Ingersoll... Very different design. The NAPA is way better and doesn't vibrate. Not to mention a 1/4 of the cost.

 

[rdn2blazer]

Oh...lol...use a Dotco or old Aro and you'll see the difference. So will your wallet

Or a MasterPower. I bought a straight Master Power Die Grinder new on sale for $180. Best die grinder I've ever had. As far as 90's go, I have a IR that's my most used 90 then I have a couple junk one too. The very best part about this particular IR gun is the collet steup. It's not the lame typical coollet you see but actual precision ER collets can be used. And they come in fractional sizes up to 1/4 inch. I've had this IR model for 20 year I think? not really sure but a long time, and I still grab it first. I'd like to have a Master Power 90 but @ over $200 it will be a while since I don't need one. MP is manufactured by Cooper. All these tools are assembly line grade quality every day alll day usage type air tools. Quality comes at a cost. And is WELL worth it.



Page 34 in this catalog link below show the 90 deg.

http://www.apexpowertools.com/brands/master_power/


This site has the same master power 90deg for $214

http://secure.nhbragg.com/product/master-power-mp4424-die-grinder-985835/

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Dotco. Sioux second to that.

Charles

 

[The Cobbler]

I bought 2 craftsman angle die grinders from a clearance joint. they both had loose gear housings & were like brand new. fortunately the gears were't damaged .I tightened the nut and after a short time they loosened again...I guess the the frequency actually spins the nut reverse to the rotation of the spindle . someday I will lube the gear housing up with grease & loctite the nuts in place.

 

[Ruger_556]

I bought 2 craftsman angle die grinders from a clearance joint. they both had loose gear housings & were like brand new. fortunately the gears were't damaged .I tightened the nut and after a short time they loosened again...I guess the the frequency actually spins the nut reverse to the rotation of the spindle . someday I will lube the gear housing up with grease & loctite the nuts in place.

I had two of those Cman blow up the gear housings on me... Switched to NAPA and I'm much happier

 

[warweapon762]

I've been running a HF right angle for a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time... For almost 10-13 years now. I did swap the grease out with high temp bearing grease and it works like a charm.

The newer ones seem like garbage though, I'd like to replace it down the road with a Husky model.

 

[TDLMOMOWERS]

I have the Napa grinder, and have used it hard and it is still as smooth as it was when I bought it 2 years ago.

 

[Wamsutta]

Get you a Sioux and you'l never go back to anything else.

 

[greasemonkey44]

Looks like is not the same
Ask anyone who bought a reman starter that looks like an oe but isn't worth a damn

 

[davesnothere]

I got straight and 90 degree mac ones years ago, 100$ for the pair off the truck on promo. Still running like champs.

 

[rdn2blazer]

Pictures of the IR with an ER collet system. This gives the ability to run many different small drill sizes. I may be incorrect, but I believe all other 90 deg grinders use a 1/4 collet that the only other size you can get them in is 1/8only. I use my 90 deg air grinder for drilling in tight spaces all the time simply because of this collet setup. These type of collets are used in cnc machining. They're not the best most precision collets, but for this application, they are great. The last picture is your typical lame collet that only can be found in two sized. I have both. But you see how many collets there are with the ER collet setup.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Pictures of the IR with an ER collet system. This gives the ability to run many different small drill sizes. I may be incorrect, but I believe all other 90 deg grinders use a 1/4 collet that the only other size you can get them in is 1/8only. I use my 90 deg air grinder for drilling in tight spaces all the time simply because of this collet setup. These type of collets are used in cnc machining. They're not the best most precision collets, but for this application, they are great. The last picture is your typical lame collet that only can be found in two sized. I have both. But you see how many collets there are with the ER collet setup.

You can also buy 1/4" to 1/8" adapters....that's what I did. https://www.google.com/search?safe=...3.0....0...1c.1.48.hp..1.15.988.0.UT89PEPh97s

 

[Dave455]

It's not all of them, but it is a hell of a lot of 'em!

The thing that really hacks me off is that when these companies start outsourcing they generally come out with the same old lies of 'it's the same tool, just made elsewhere' when it obviously isn't the same tool they used to make, but it obviously is the same tool that everyone else buys and puts their brand name on!

I'm lucky in that I have a few old Desoutter tools (used to be a top end British maker) which should last me ages! There are a few tools I don't own, and if I see any decent British made Desoutter used, I'll buy 'em! Trouble is, the lightly used ones are getting thin on the ground now!

There was a time when there was no end of decent alternatives, but less so now!

Some of the original Desoutter patterns are still available. They are, I understand, made in Hungary, but that's not as bad as it might be!

Dotco produce some gorgeous stuff, and though it's expensive I'll probably save up and go down that path!

The 'wild card' here has got to be the Japanese stuff. I've talked to guys with Kuken tools (not the bottom of the range, which is rebranded) and they all seen to rate them highly!

 

[gungatim]

Those cheapie grinders can be improved by opening them up, and replacing the used cooking grease that the Chinese used in the gearbox with real grease.

That, and checking the clearance on the gears, they are not always pressed on to spec, which is why some are louder than others, and some strip out sooner.