Pencil grinder

[jsteih]

I’m looking to get a pencil grinder. I’ve only ever used a Dotco, but $450 is way over my price point. I was looking at die grinders on Amazon, and saw that Astro Pneumatic makes a pencil style grinder. Has anyone ever used these? I’m a bit concerned with quality, because they offer them in multiple packages. Here is what I was looking at:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RH36WU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_HhccCb0RBHFVA

 

[davethorik]

Looks like a different colored version of the HF pencil grinder. They are ok but vibrate a lot. Maybe 1 out of 5 is DOA in the box. Also good to check run out once you have a bit in it...theres a reason they're cheap.

 

[CobraRed]

Looks like a different colored version of the HF pencil grinder. They are ok but vibrate a lot. Maybe 1 out of 5 is DOA in the box. Also good to check run out once you have a bit in it...theres a reason they're cheap.

Classic GJ response. What does them looking similar or the same have to do with anything. I have had both and they're not even made in the same country. It's in HF's interest that their tools regardless of quality look just like well made ones. It's practically their business plan.
The HF one was pretty junk, it rattled itself apart. The AP one I've used for a few years now, the adjustment could be easier to use, and these things aren't a ton of power but plenty enough to bend or snap 1/8" shank bits. It's no Dotco but I haven't been able to kill it either.

 

[dan.brown]

I have one and it has been easy to use. I use it with a one sided diamond bit and have no problem whatsoever.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[Danglerb]

Classic GJ response, you got a bad item at HF, doesn't mean the one next to it in the bin isn't fine, or the next batch a few weeks later.

 

[WhataTool]

Classic GJ response, you got a bad item at HF, doesn't mean the one next to it in the bin isn't fine, or the next batch a few weeks later.

I do believe that particular one was made classic by the "Fool me once..." motto long before GJ was around

 

[Air21]

We use HF and now Astro pencil grinders at work every day deburring hard chrome, nickel plate, and blending damage on all sorts of funky metals. They all work fine. I have a Sioux at home but only because I found it. Unless you're doing something crazy you'll do fine to buy whichever one comes in your favorite color.

 

[scooternut]

I've had the Astro Pneumatic for about five years, and i like it very much.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Fun fact: As much as half of all of our pencil grinders get sold into U.S. factories purposefully grinding on new denim jeans to make them look worn and rustic. They use them because they are lighter/less fatigue than a full size die grinder. They use ours because they last longer than comparables when not oiling them (refuse to oil the tools or air lines, they don't want to get oil on the expensive jeans because holes and rips are great but oil specks absolutely not)
Cracks me up, but I gotta love 'em for it

 

[Alaniho]

Fun fact: As much as half of all of our pencil grinders get sold into U.S. factories purposefully grinding on new denim jeans to make them look worn and rustic. They use them because they are lighter/less fatigue than a full size die grinder. They use ours because they last longer than comparables when not oiling them (refuse to oil the tools or air lines, they don't want to get oil on the expensive jeans because holes and rips are great but oil specks absolutely not)
Cracks me up, but I gotta love 'em for it

Great fact, thanks for the cool detail. Do they use TC burrs to do this , can't imagine the application is too tough on the consumables.

I have got to vote for ATA pencil grinders though, all made in Ireland.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Great fact, thanks for the cool detail. Do they use TC burrs to do this , can't imagine the application is too tough on the consumables.

Mainly abrasive flaps discs and diamond/stone abrasives from what I saw.

 

[jsteih]

Fun fact: As much as half of all of our pencil grinders get sold into U.S. factories purposefully grinding on new denim jeans to make them look worn and rustic. They use them because they are lighter/less fatigue than a full size die grinder. They use ours because they last longer than comparables when not oiling them (refuse to oil the tools or air lines, they don't want to get oil on the expensive jeans because holes and rips are great but oil specks absolutely not)
Cracks me up, but I gotta love 'em for it

That’s quite the “fun fact”. It’s also a good testament to your product.