Need a quality straight pneumatic die grinder rec.

[xOccupantx]

I’m in the market to buy my own straight pneumatic die grinder. I prefer quality over price in my tools, so I generally am looking to avoid HF types.

A little background, I’m a fabricator not a tech so it will mainly used with carbide burr bits on stainless steels to inconel.

I have a Snap On guy that comes every week so if SO is without peer I have no issue with doing that. But if an IR ir Chicago Pneumatic or whoever is equal quality for less I have no issue going that direction either. Also I once used a front exhaust and found it pretty cool the way it cleared chips, so that’s another feature I think I’d like.

What do you guys recommend?

 

[zkling]

Dotco

 

[BuffettFan]

2nd for Dotco.
My 2nd choice would be Sioux.

 

[sberry]

These are my bargain pics and while I can run a cut off on a straight I rather have right angle.
These are my pics and these vendors are not exclusive as these are generic China branded all over the world. I am not against better one but these been well tested and have lasted as long or better than some IR we got. Same for a couple CP, worn right out.
Cheap enough to add different attatchments to more units and further reduce wear to each unit etc. It right angle are bullet proof, the sander is my second in a career and still works with 1 repair I did off the shelf part.
While the concept of being able to find a part 20 years from now for a unit you paid 400 for its more rewarding to be able to do it for 75 bucks even if a guy had to toss it rather than toss another 200 at it.
I got worn out brand,,,, not worth fixing.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I liked my IR, my friend has the new HF "Chief" at his home shop he's using every day and he seems to really like it. Made in Taiwan

 

[xOccupantx]

2nd for Dotco.
My 2nd choice would be Sioux.

I’ve heard of Sioux before but forgot all about them. Just looked them up. Seems part of the Snap On family of industrial brands and pretty inexpensive. Also they have all the features I’m looking for.

I think Sioux is the front runner so far. Thanks.

 

[speed bump]

Dotco, Sioux, or Dynabrade for an everyday use tool.

For cheapies my aircat ones are nice enough.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Brand isn't that big of a deal. It really depends on what size you want, how powerful you need it to be, noise level, and your budget. My mini die grinders from Mac tools work fine for what I do with it and it is pretty much a generic Made in Taiwan rebrand.

 

[Dave455]

Done a bit of grinding over the years!

First off, what size burrs are you going to use?

If it’s 1/4 shank, then the Dotco are probably top of the range, but worth paying for a metal bodied version I reckon.

Sioux I’ve never used, but am told they are good.

I/R used to be good, then they introduced a cheap line that were generic Taiwanese, now everything I see is Chinese. Not sure if top end tools are, but with so many other choices I reckon they’ve blown it!

Recently used a Kuken, (not KoKen) made in Japan. Lovely tool, probably the ‘wild card’ choice, but beautifully smooth. Starting to see a lot of these in the U.K. now, generally in places that would have had I/R a decade ago!

If you’re using mostly 1/8 shank then the Desoutter (Type 4 or similar) is the way to go. Smooth, powerful, long lasting and a delight to use. Dread to think what price these are new, but they last so well they can often be had used for reasonable money. Mine is one of the few tools I have duplicated in case of failure, as I just don’t get on with any others as well. Dynabrade might be similar, and more readily available in the U.S.

The quality of the tool bit is probably more important than the tool. I use mostly British made Garryson burrs. There is probably a U.S. equivalent. I keep my eye on eBay as these often turn up new / surplus at considerable savings. I have a local supplier that keeps them, and ‘specials’ if I need to work on aluminium etc!

Stones are even more critical than burrs. Norton are great, makes like Bibiellle are a bit ‘second tier’ but work, cheap stones wear out almost instantly. I love Cratex points for final finishing and ease of use. All easily available from MSC.

Invest in some good hand protection too. I’m currently using some welders gauntlets that have double thick leather on the top. Metal splinters will easily penetrate thin leather, and are a nuisance to remove!

 

[xOccupantx]

Done a bit of grinding over the years!

First off, what size burrs are you going to use?

If it’s 1/4 shank, then the Dotco are probably top of the range, but worth paying for a metal bodied version I reckon.

Sioux I’ve never used, but am told they are good.

I/R used to be good, then they introduced a cheap line that were generic Taiwanese, now everything I see is Chinese. Not sure if top end tools are, but with so many other choices I reckon they’ve blown it!

Recently used a Kuken, (not KoKen) made in Japan. Lovely tool, probably the ‘wild card’ choice, but beautifully smooth. Starting to see a lot of these in the U.K. now, generally in places that would have had I/R a decade ago!

If you’re using mostly 1/8 shank then the Desoutter (Type 4 or similar) is the way to go. Smooth, powerful, long lasting and a delight to use. Dread to think what price these are new, but they last so well they can often be had used for reasonable money. Mine is one of the few tools I have duplicated in case of failure, as I just don’t get on with any others as well. Dynabrade might be similar, and more readily available in the U.S.

The quality of the tool bit is probably more important than the tool. I use mostly British made Garryson burrs. There is probably a U.S. equivalent. I keep my eye on eBay as these often turn up new / surplus at considerable savings. I have a local supplier that keeps them, and ‘specials’ if I need to work on aluminium etc!

Stones are even more critical than burrs. Norton are great, makes like Bibiellle are a bit ‘second tier’ but work, cheap stones wear out almost instantly. I love Cratex points for final finishing and ease of use. All easily available from MSC.

Invest in some good hand protection too. I’m currently using some welders gauntlets that have double thick leather on the top. Metal splinters will easily penetrate thin leather, and are a nuisance to remove!

Great post and thanks for the help.

I knew I forgot something. Allow me to clarify.

I’m looking for 1/4” shank, 1/2 or even 0.3hp should be fine for my needs. And I don’t need the absolute top of the line everyday heavy industrial use piece for over $500. I just need a good quality professional line tool to open holes, deburr a tube, or cut a notch quickly. Anything big I’m using the Bridgeport.

Again thanks for everyone who has replied with help and suggestions.

 

[jabberwoki]

Dotco....search over.

 

[senlow]

Dotco

Have you noticed a trend???

 

[vssjim]

I have a number of die grinders and my nicest is a steel body CP that I got on a killer deal but one of my cheaper ones but just as nice is an Astro Onyx 1/2 hp die grinder it is really quite and smooth and has held up well and has a plastic body cover that is low on vibration and temp. I know it's rear exhaust and that's not what you wanted but I really like this tool.

https://www.astrotools.com/air-tool...edium-die-grinder-22-000rpm-rear-exhaust.html

 

[xOccupantx]

I have a number of die grinders and my nicest is a steel body CP that I got on a killer deal but one of my cheaper ones but just as nice is an Astro Onyx 1/2 hp die grinder it is really quit and smooth and has held up well and has a plastic body cover that is low on vibration and temp. I know it's rear exhaust and that's not what you wanted but I really like this tool.

I’m not dead set on front exhaust or any feature really. Just thought the Mac one I borrowed once was neat. So I appreciate the rec. Thanks.

Will look into it more.

 

[xOccupantx]

Dotco

Have you noticed a trend???

Heh. Yep.

Appreciate it.

 

[Mr_B]

I like the astro, some of the better brand taiwan and japan are top class for middle of the road cost.
I don't touch IR or main brand snapon air tools, simply not that great a tool for the asking prices .
sioux and astro offer great tool and value and easy source, kuani kuken sp other options but harder for some source

 

[Jack84]

I have one made by Toku Japan. Don’t use it that much but very pleased with.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Long ago, I was told the best made air tools come from Japan . Over the years I have never had any reason to doubt that.

 

[Wamsutta]

SIOUX 1954HP

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SIOUX-1954...NDER-1-4-23-000-RPM-MADE-IN-USA-/262304418433

I have one of these. The thing is so powerful that it will twist my wrist when it starts up. The ones with the grey housing are pre-Snap-on.

 

[redwrench60]

SIOUX 1954HP

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SIOUX-1954...NDER-1-4-23-000-RPM-MADE-IN-USA-/262304418433

I have one of these. The thing is so powerful that it will twist my wrist when it starts up. The ones with the grey housing are pre-Snap-on.

I thought $295 was pricey for a die grinder but with 1,954 horsepower I guess that’s a bargain!

 

[Steve_P]

I have Snap On and Dynabrade straight models, both USA. I prefer the Dynabrade over the SO. There are not a lot of deals on Dynabrade, but pick out your model and watch Ebay as new ones are occasionally on there under list price. Dynabrade has a lot of options so you can get exactly what you want as far as size and exhaust location