School me on die grinders

[ohblondi]

I am looking to buy an inline die grinder,. but with all the different options available I don't really know what to look for, especially when it comes to the various horsepower and rpm ratings.

Appreciate any help provided

 

[Hammer1963]

Are you looking for an air powered die grinder? If so, price point and what type of work you are using it for will be factors. For daily use in body and fab shop, I use the Snap-on PT-100 1/4 HP, Snap-on PT-200 and Matco 2880 1/2HP die grinders. I have used them for 15 plus years with no issues. They use similar designed air motors. The Matco unit is made by Professional Tool Products as is the Cornwell CAT 530 which shares the internal air motor with the MAtco. I know that Sunnex and AirCat make similar units copied from the PTP design and those would be more less costly

 

[ChrisLS8]

I have a couple Dotcos that was super nice and top tier and I also have the HF composites that work very well too.

What will they be used for?

 

[engineer2]

If you are considering electric, Foredom is very popular.

 

[bobcatdan]

Nice normal size CP die grinders are nice. I belevie they are calling them CP Classics these days.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you are considering electric, Foredom is very popular.

More of a super-duper Dremel, but still a very good tool. The HD electrics are just TOO HEAVY !

 

[engineer2]

The popular Foredom grinders use a remote motor with a cable drive and a handpiece. Foot controlled speed would be a bonus.

 

[ohblondi]

Thanks for the responses. I would be using it for more body work and fab work. And I would run it off of an air compressor.

Price point I am not too concerned about, I don't mind buying good quality tools so I don't have to buy the same product 2 weeks down the road.

I would definitely be putting a carbide bit on the inline grinder at times.

Is more horsepower bad, and more likely to cause me harm. Do I want higher or lower RPM?

 

[Sliding T-Handle]

Fuji is good quality. Japanese Industrial. It is standard issue at some Japanese Automotive manufacturing die maintenance and equipment maintenance departments. If you use a cut off wheel higher RPM is better. Always wear eye protection. 24 to 28 thousand RPMs is good. Keep in mind most cut off wheels on the market are rated for 25 Max. Put five drops of air tool oil in it once a week and it will last you a long time.

I was going to buy a souix by Snap-on made in USA on eBay but it was front exhaust. Rear is better for me. Fuji has a filtered rear exhaust. A $10 cut off tool from Tractor Supply of 18000 RPM is junk. I know because I bought one and it was made fun of severely. Then I got smart and bought an Arbor for my die grinder and it screams as a cut off tool. But I use Burr bits and stones in it as well.

 

[Bockscar]

Fuji is good quality. Japanese Industrial. It is standard issue at all Japanese Automotive manufacturing die maintenance and equipment maintenance departments. If you use a cut off wheel higher RPM is better. Always wear eye protection. 24 to 28 thousand RPMs is good. Keep in mind most cut off wheels on the market are rated for 25 Max. Put five drops of air tool oil in it once a week and it will last you a long time. I was going to buy a souix by Snap-on made in USA on eBay but it was front exhaust. Rear is better for me. Fuji has a filtered rear exhaust.

I would recommend if you use it everyday oil it everyday...... and IR makes really good stuff reasonably priced

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Sliding T-Handle]

I would recommend if you use it everyday oil it everyday...... and IR makes really good stuff reasonably priced

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Agreed, we use something that comes in a 55 gallon drum. I think it may have the letters DTE but I'd have to confirm. Now when I go into work tonight I will oil all my air tools.

 

[kb1982]

I have a CP 860es (extended shank) that I picked up from Amazon Warehouse Deals cheap. The COO is Japan. It's 24k rpm at .5 hp. I don't use often, but it works flawless when I do. When I was researching die grinders, Dotco was a name that repeatedly was at the top of the list. I've seen some of them on eBay for what seemed to be great prices.

Sent from my Z962BL using Tapatalk

 

[6PTsocket]

If you are considering electric, Foredom is very popular.

Isn't Foredom for small stuff, l think it takes 3/32 shaft bits. It is sort if a big boy's Dremel. I think we are talking about 1/4" shaft bits. There are in-line electrics from DeWalt, Makita and the other power tool companies in various powers. I have an old Makita that is not their most powerful and it has not been too bad.

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[scubadoober]

Dynabrade. Just do it.

 

[Tinner]

For fab work I use 12,000 rpm die grinders. More torque and better low speed control. There's no reason to spin most abrasives at 20k or more. For 90 degree grinders, I prefer the geared heads to the air driven (turbine) heads, which sap power.

I have one 20k straight die grinder, as some carbide burrs like the higher revs.

My 90s are 2 .4hp Dotcos a .4hp Dynabrade, a .7hp Dynabrade and a bad *** 1hp Sioux. Straights are a .5hp Dotco, .7hp Universal Tool and a 20k .5 hp Dynabrade. I also have a mini 20k straight, i forget the brand, name wore off it years ago.

Once you use professional grade air tools you won't want the cheap stuff any more. There are great deals on ebay, if you have some patience.

 

[Firebrick43]

For fab work I use 12,000 rpm die grinders. More torque and better low speed control. There's no reason to spin most abrasives at 20k or more. For 90 degree grinders, I prefer the geared heads to the air driven (turbine) heads, which sap power.

I have one 20k straight die grinder, as some carbide burrs like the higher revs.

My 90s are 2 .4hp Dotcos a .4hp Dynabrade, a .7hp Dynabrade and a bad *** 1hp Sioux. Straights are a .5hp Dotco, .7hp Universal Tool and a 20k .5 hp Dynabrade. I also have a mini 20k straight, i forget the brand, name wore off it years ago.

Once you use professional grade air tools you won't want the cheap stuff any more. There are great deals on ebay, if you have some patience.

I could not of said it better. I agree in every way. Other than deburring I don't care for 20000 rpm die grinders. Even in this my 100k (yes 100,000 rpm) dotco is superior.

12000 are so much more handy. The big 3/4hp ones more so. Dynafiles are the best

 

[theoldwizard1]

Isn't Foredom for small stuff, l think it takes 3/32 shaft bits. It is sort if a big boy's Dremel. I think we are talking about 1/4" shaft bits.

They have collets from 1/16 to 1/4.

 

[seber]

Most industrial user specify Dotco. Pretty bulletproof.

 

[yaidunno]

I've got the Matco MT2880 and MT2883 1/2 hp units. I'm not sure who makes them for Matco, but they are a pretty nice tool. I see they have now been replaced by 1 hp units.

If I were to need new ones today, Dotco's would be my #1 choice.