Recommend a cut-off tool!

[Moose-LandTran]

Hey, folks,

I want to buy a little air cut-off tool, useful for rusty exhaust bolts and all kinds of stuff, but am unsure which to buy. There's loads of cheap ones out there, but i don't want something that's going to die the second time i use it.

A co-worker has a Blue-Point (rebranded Campbell-Hausfeld?) one which seems very good, i bid on one on eBay but missed out on it.

Here's the one i'm looking at, Campbell-Hausfeld TL1135:

http://www.chpower.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/chPrd3_10051_10001_96643_-1_10676_10711_

Any thoughts on this, or other recommendations? Don't want to spend loads on something i won't use that much, but also want something that won't die from my relatively light use. Suggested retail for the TL1135 is only $35.

Thanks!

 

[Homespun91]

Truthfully...I have a cheap HF one that's lasted for years...replaced an IR which died after 3-4 years at most. I think I paid $9.99 for the HF one on a weekend when I was desperate, and haven't killed it yet....though I try.

 

[Trucky]

Ampro makes a very decent model, available for 35. Florida Pneumatic makes a good one for 50$ if you're willing. But that CH will do the job just fine. Really, they'll all do the jobs you're talking about with ease.

http://www.amazon.com/Ampro-AR2300-Utility-Cut-Off-Tool/dp/B003YL4CZG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1309900789&sr=8-5

http://www.amazon.com/Florida-Pneumatic-FP-3801A-Cut-Tool/dp/B000PUK17C/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1309900897&sr=1-1

 

[CamarosRus]

Buy the HARBOR FREIGHT model and spend the savings on other tools.........

 

[Underdog]

If money was no object, then this is what I'd have. For muffler and bolts it would work wonders I bet.

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-1111-dynabrade-18075.aspx

 

[Altec]

I use a blue point one. The rubber grip has long fallen off, but it still works great.

I don't think the HF models are a bad idea though.

 

[Monte]

Rodac

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Buy the HARBOR FREIGHT model and spend the savings on other tools.........

You might want to look into that, I have heard good things also about the HF cut off tool.

I have a right angle die grinder, It's an "Astro" cheaper model,
and it gets a good bit of use, has held up well.

Well there cut off tool is$35.00- $40.00
http://www.jackxchange.com/products/207.cfm
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-328-astro-pneumatic-207.aspx

Thanks,
Tony

 

[rockchucker]

Truthfully...I have a cheap HF one that's lasted for years...replaced an IR which died after 3-4 years at most. I think I paid $9.99 for the HF one on a weekend when I was desperate, and haven't killed it yet....though I try.

I am still using mine and I use it weekly. I think it is the Central Pneumatic 47077.


Here...


http://www.harborfreight.com/3-inch-high-speed-air-cutter-47077.html


Works great! I use Marvel Mystery Oil on all of my Air Tools and Oil them with 5 drops before use, if using them even for a second.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I'm happy to pay $50-60, it really isn't something i'll use a whole lot. But i would like to have a "nice" one. That Campbell-Hausfeld is a nice looking tool too, and a good price.

Is it possible to somehow attach a wire wheel to one, for surface rust removal from bolt threads? Or will 20,000rpm cause it to explode and make me look like a porkupine?

Thanks for the input guys, looking into those suggested.

 

[Trucky]

I'm happy to pay $50-60, it really isn't something i'll use a whole lot. But i would like to have a "nice" one. That Campbell-Hausfeld is a nice looking tool too, and a good price.

Is it possible to somehow attach a wire wheel to one, for surface rust removal from bolt threads? Or will 20,000rpm cause it to explode and make me look like a porkupine?

Thanks for the input guys, looking into those suggested.

I was snooping around the Dynabrade website and I saw a lot of different kind of wheels and whatnot there. Honestly, I'd give them a call and ask the experts. I wouldn't think it would be a good idea, but I only have experience with bolted down grinders and whatnot (Which I've seen plenty of wire wheels go crazy on..), so I can't give you any direct advice.

 

[Racr350]

I have the MAC with the articulating head. Soo nice to get different angles on things. Expensive..but a joy to use when you do this for a living. If price is a big factor, I wouldn't be afraid to get the nicer HF model

MAC:
http://www.mactools.com/Product/tabid/120/productid/318374/variantid/309133/Default.aspx

Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/specialty-air-tools/3-inch-composite-air-cut-off-tool-95028.html

And I'm considering getting this for hard to reach places:
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/specialty-air-tools/3-extended-reach-air-cutoff-tool-67996.html

 

[rockchucker]

I'm happy to pay $50-60, it really isn't something i'll use a whole lot. But i would like to have a "nice" one. That Campbell-Hausfeld is a nice looking tool too, and a good price.

Is it possible to somehow attach a wire wheel to one, for surface rust removal from bolt threads? Or will 20,000rpm cause it to explode and make me look like a porkupine?

Thanks for the input guys, looking into those suggested.

I have a small Die Grinder for the use of Wire Wheels. Same Central Pneumatic brand from HF. I Like to keep the Cut-off Wheels in the Cut-off so I don't have to remove the guard every time I want to Wire Wheel something. I also never have the need to run the Die Grinder at full speed with a Wire Wheel. I however do not buy cheap *** Wire Wheels for fear of them coming apart. I go to the real Tool Store and spend more money on a few wheels than I spent on the Tool from HF. I have always envisioned the Porcupine aftermath and don't want to be a pincushion when a cheap Wire Wheel lets go.

 

[silversix]

I tried a Husky and a craftsman and was very disappointed, they had very little torque and would stop if I applied too much pressure. I bought a HF one and it is awesome! Had it for a few years now and it works great, very powerful.

 

[Racr350]

I have a small Die Grinder for the use of Wire Wheels. Same Central Pneumatic brand from HF. I Like to keep the Cut-off Wheels in the Cut-off so I don't have to remove the guard every time I want to Wire Wheel something. I also never have the need to run the Die Grinder at full speed with a Wire Wheel. I however do not buy cheap *** Wire Wheels for fear of them coming apart. I go to the real Tool Store and spend more money on a few wheels than I spent on the Tool from HF. I have always envisioned the Porcupine aftermath and don't want to be a pincushion when a cheap Wire Wheel lets go.

same here.. wire wheels are meant to be used on a die grinder. and they work great when you use decent ones.

 

[wafrederick]

Also come in reversable changing the shaft rotation,Mac and Matco make them.Body shops use this version to keep sparks away from the user.

 

[Jdubzz]

I have a Matco - the nice thing is the tool is reversible so the sparks fly the direction that you want them to.

 

[crewchief888]

i have several die grinders, the best of the bunch have been astro brand.
i needed a dedicated cutoff tool, bought the $10 HF, and have no complaints.

most wire brushes will disintegrate on a die grinder at full speed.
we used to get encapsulated brushes for die grinder use

worked out good for cleaning liner oring grooves in engine blocks

 

[91bronc300]

Get this.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ASC73E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It's got cojones. It's more ergonomic than an air die grinder. And it's much, MUCH quieter. I've got one and I've got the HF air cut off tool. And I (practically) never grab the air one. Only if I have the air hose right handy and I would have to grab an extension cord to use the Makita do I ever use the air over the electric.

The HF cut off tool is pretty good for 10 or 12 bucks or whatever I paid for it. My compressor will run it full bore non stop and it does have power, like I say, it's a decent cut off tool. It's mostly other reasons I prefer the Makita.

For one, noise. I hate using any air tool more than 60 seconds at a time. And sometimes I need to use a die grinder for 10 or 15 minutes straight or more.

For two, ergonomics. I don't like having my hand so close to the working head of the tool. Often times it makes it harder to get the tool head where it needs to be because your bulky hand grabbing the bulky tool body is right in the way or too big to fit into a certain space. The fact that the electric has a long body is doubly handy because you extend the reach of the tool, plus you can put two hands on the tool when you need to be extra dextrous with it, doing very fine movements. Anyway, since I have both and I vastly prefer the electric die grinder for both burrs and stones AND cut off wheels I thought I'd chime in.

Get one, then go to HF and get this for 3 bucks

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-cut-off-wheel-arbor-for-die-grinder-93389.html

 

[pdizzleinmt]

does anyone know who makes the mac one with the indexing head?

 

[evintho]

Can't beat the HF Central Pneumatic cutoff tool. I paid $10 for mine 20 years ago and it's still going strong! Right now I'm using it daily 'cause I'm making patch panels for the roadster. Just keep it lubed! It's not so much the tool, it's the consumables that add up. A 5-pack of the good 3M cutoff wheels are $20+!

 

[kartracer55]

The Harbor Freight one is OK. Mine sees intermittent use around the house and has been going for a year or two now. I purchased another one for the shop and guys use it probably daily, never oil it etc etc.

I will say this. It works fine, but it doesn't have the power of a higher end one and it probably uses as much, if not more air. Air tools are one area where higher quality (dont confuse with price) can pay off for power/consumption.

I think the Chicago Pneumatic 861 is a significantly better tool, with far more resistance to stall, and the ones I have seen were made in Japan and had been around the block. Certainly one of my favorites, however it also costs way more. The HF is a much better VALUE, but an inferior tool to the CP861 @ $115 vs ~$10

 

[yogitech]

Moose, i've got two of the HF ones and used them constantly for the past 5 yrs w/ zero issues. Couldn't justify the cost for the Name brands for the purpose of the tool. Do you have HF in London?

 

[RKA]

+1 for the HF. I'm more than happy to spend the money on a quality tool. But for me, this is something that sits in the toolbox "just in case". I've pulled it out once in the last year, so I'm more than happy to have saved the money here so I could splurge on other things.

 

[Yotaforce]

I only buy the $9.99 at Harbor Freight. They usually last me a few years (and I use the **** out of them restoring cars for a living), and when they break, which they always do, I throw it away (after removing the wheel) and go pick up another.
I have worked at places that bought the high dollar ones. They would break just as easy, but then the boss would cry and whine about how much it's gonna cost to replace it, and usually yell at whoever used it last and try to blame them. Lol.

 

[Honda guy]

I have the MAC with the articulating head. Soo nice to get different angles on things. Expensive..but a joy to use when you do this for a living. If price is a big factor, I wouldn't be afraid to get the nicer HF model

MAC:
http://www.mactools.com/Product/tabid/120/productid/318374/variantid/309133/Default.aspx

Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/specialty-air-tools/3-inch-composite-air-cut-off-tool-95028.html

And I'm considering getting this for hard to reach places:
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/specialty-air-tools/3-extended-reach-air-cutoff-tool-67996.html

+1 on the Mac. The flex-head feature comes in handy sometimes. Good power. Rubber coated body keeps it from getting too cold to handle, if you use it for extended periods. You can get just the tool, without the box etc. , for about $240.

 

[Trucky]

Rubber coated body keeps it from getting too cold to handle, if you use it for extended periods.

Too hot to handle?

 

[evan71]

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-inch-high-speed-air-sander-with-jacobs-chuck-97187.html

if you arent as worried about safety we use these all the time at work. allows you to put on a bigger disk and get better angles than the ones with a shield. definitely wear a face shield with this! our technical term for this tool at work is a wiz-bang! there are other brands besides harbor freight that makes them.

 

[Honda guy]

Too hot to handle?

Nope, too cold. I had the original style, without rubber coating, and on cool days the tool would get so cold I'd have to wear gloves to use it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I bought my Campbell-Hausfield at TSC about 6 years ago, never had a problem with it. I took the lawyer guard off of it. If you leave it on, you'll never get it into a tight space on a car.

 

[vssjim]

I have had a Florida Pneumatic cut off tool for over 20 years and it is fairly strong and has been trouble free.

 

[Kev442]

Have several of the cheap HF's. I just upgraded to the FP linked to at Amazon as the HF's like to stall out and get cold with extended use. If you are not doing extensive metalwork on cars, the HF is fine, especially on sale for $6.99. I still use the HF's a lot yet.

 

[hofferwood]

Rockwell
Chuck

 

[GoBlue]

I use a HF straight die grinder with a wheel on it. It works great but vibrates like a s.o.b...rattles your teeth!

 

[garfunkle24]

I have the flex head Mac one too, but IMHO it is over-priced, overweight, too fat and limited in it's utility. The thing is so cumbersome that to me it pretty much negates the benefit of the flex head. Each to their own I guess.

I prefer a regular die grinder over a cut-off tool anyway as the guard pisses me off.

 

[Skin]

Hey, folks,

I want to buy a little air cut-off tool, useful for rusty exhaust bolts and all kinds of stuff, but am unsure which to buy. There's loads of cheap ones out there, but i don't want something that's going to die the second time i use it.

A co-worker has a Blue-Point (rebranded Campbell-Hausfeld?) one which seems very good, i bid on one on eBay but missed out on it.

Here's the one i'm looking at, Campbell-Hausfeld TL1135:

http://www.chpower.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/chPrd3_10051_10001_96643_-1_10676_10711_

Any thoughts on this, or other recommendations? Don't want to spend loads on something i won't use that much, but also want something that won't die from my relatively light use. Suggested retail for the TL1135 is only $35.

Thanks!

I've had that CH [or a very similar model anyway] for about 2 years, its cut hundreds of rusted nuts and bolts and is still fine. I abuse cheap air tools as well, its probably seen about a dozen drops of mystery oil in its whole life. My one and only minor complaint is the shield doesnt lock, it ratchets. Other than that its light, nothings broken, and it does its job.

 

[Hammer1963]

If you really want a good cut-off tool. spring for the Matco reversible cut-off tool. I have been using pnuematic cut-off tools for 30 years and this is the best I have ever used. This is one bad *** tool. I also have a new Snap-on cut-off tool that I strictly use for grinding welds. It too is a good tool, but it's not nearly as powerful as the Matco unit

 

[CommonRail]

+1 on the Mac. The flex-head feature comes in handy sometimes. Good power. Rubber coated body keeps it from getting too cold to handle, if you use it for extended periods. You can get just the tool, without the box etc. , for about $240.

X2 on the indexable MAC. Worth every penny. I also have the extended version MAC whick is very handy in tight situations.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Thanks for the recommendations, guys. As temping as some of the suggestions are, many are waaay out of my price range. Found a new CH one like in my first post for a wallet-pleasing $13.69, new off eBay!

I was snooping around the Dynabrade website and I saw a lot of different kind of wheels and whatnot there. Honestly, I'd give them a call and ask the experts. I wouldn't think it would be a good idea, but I only have experience with bolted down grinders and whatnot (Which I've seen plenty of wire wheels go crazy on..), so I can't give you any direct advice.

I think i'll just wait until i buy an electric angle grinder and put a wire wheel on that, don't need wires flying into my skin from too high rpm.

Moose, i've got two of the HF ones and used them constantly for the past 5 yrs w/ zero issues. Couldn't justify the cost for the Name brands for the purpose of the tool.

I didn't want to spend a lot right now, and the big name brands are far too much money for the little use this will see. I wanted something cheap but not unbranded and generic. Imported is fine.

Do you have HF in London?

No, we don't.

I bought my Campbell-Hausfield at TSC about 6 years ago, never had a problem with it. I took the lawyer guard off of it. If you leave it on, you'll never get it into a tight space on a car.

Good to know. I'll leave the guard on, save me from sparks flying in my face.

I've had that CH [or a very similar model anyway] for about 2 years, its cut hundreds of rusted nuts and bolts and is still fine. I abuse cheap air tools as well, its probably seen about a dozen drops of mystery oil in its whole life. My one and only minor complaint is the shield doesnt lock, it ratchets. Other than that its light, nothings broken, and it does its job.

That's good. I oil my air tools every time i use them, so hopefully should last the same.