Time for a new Die Grinder

[Stooge]

After a little over 3 yrs, my go to Ingersoll Rand 307B decided it had too many parts in it to work yesterday. I don't have too many tools that actually break, but when they do, I usually try and upgrade a bit. I forget what I paid for it, not much but I think they've come down in price even since then, so im sort of tempted to buy another since they can be had for around $50, but am open to some similar range, straight angle ones. the 308B ($75) one looks nice but seems to have pretty similar specs to the 307 but with a composite case, and the 5108Max is more than im looking to spend on one at about $130.
Any others to look at, or are they all basically the same at the sub hundred dollar price point?

20180408_103248 by Dan Haas, on Flickr

20180408_103525 by Dan Haas, on Flickr

 

[Wamsutta]

Sioux 1954HP. Expensive has heck but POWERFUL.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SIOUX-1954...850694&hash=item3d128fca81:g:IiQAAOSwGvhT0Zvu

 

[Air21]

I'm happy with my AirCat especially in a confined shop the quiet operation is great.

 

[kctyphoon]

Milwaukee makes a cordless electric in the m18 platform.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Are you looking for beefcake torque with slower rpm, or super fly 30k rpm Dotco style?

Depends on how you use it and on what....

 

[jeepinerdeep]

My personal experience has been that the CP versions of mini's hold up better than ones I have bought from NAPA, Aircat and IR. Same price range too. CP875 and 876. No scientific analysis was done.

Sometime I would like to try St Louis Pneumatic

 

[Stooge]

Sioux 1954HP. Expensive has heck but POWERFUL.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/SIOUX-1954...850694&hash=item3d128fca81:g:IiQAAOSwGvhT0Zvu

Handsome! but a little.more than im looking to spend

I'm happy with my AirCat especially in a confined shop the quiet operation is great.

I hadnt even thought about air cat, as i always just think of for impacts, not a bad price and small size is one of the factors.

Are you looking for beefcake torque with slower rpm, or super fly 30k rpm Dotco style?

Depends on how you use it and on what....

On paper, the 307b a workhorse mini and was rated at 28k rpm. i was happy with how it performed compared a 20k right angle i have, and i dont think i would like to step down. 95% of it's use will be sheet metal work

My personal experience has been that the CP versions of mini's hold up better than ones I have bought from NAPA, Aircat and IR. Same price range too. CP875 and 876. No scientific analysis was done.

Sometime I would like to try St Louis Pneumatic

Ive never used a CP die grinder, but ive been impressed with other CP air tools ive used, although they have all been much older. The grinders seem to get pretty good reviews as well, definitely worth a look.

I like the options, ill just flip some coins an decide to get another 307, or try and air cat or chicago pneumatic one!

 

[vssjim]

The ONYX line from Astro seems very good to me I bought a 90 degree one and it has good power is smooth, quiet and the case stays a good temp. Don't forget to look over some on Ebay I bought an older model CP Steel case USA made NOS die grinder for sixty dollars. I bought it Ten years ago and it is fantastic I'm sure it was a couple hundred dollars industrial tool when they made it.

 

[rlitman]

The ONYX line from Astro seems very good to me I bought a 90 degree one and it has good power is smooth, quiet and the case stays a good temp. Don't forget to look over some on Ebay I bought an older model CP Steel case USA made NOS die grinder for sixty dollars. I bought it Ten years ago and it is fantastic I'm sure it was a couple hundred dollars industrial tool when they made it.

I was just going to mention these. I saw one of these that had a one-wrench quick change collet that I've been drolling over for a long time now.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ALA1X36/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HOC9M0A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

FYI, these seem to be cheaper on eBay. I've just posted these links as examples.

 

[Stooge]

I was just going to mention these. I saw one of these that had a one-wrench quick change collet that I've been drolling over for a long time now.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ALA1X36/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HOC9M0A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

FYI, these seem to be cheaper on eBay. I've just posted these links as examples.

That might be the new one right there, quick change is a big selling point! I know it doesnt take long to change tooling, and i usually keep the 2 wrenches i need out on the bench all the time, but its something i just inexplicably hate doing. Sounds pretty powerful as well!

 

[rlitman]

That might be the new one right there, quick change is a big selling point! I know it doesnt take long to change tooling, and i usually keep the 2 wrenches i need out on the bench all the time, but its something i just inexplicably hate doing. Sounds pretty powerful as well!

There are two different sizes there. The big one does indeed sound pretty powerful. I'm not ready for the upgrade myself, but one day, when mine decides it has too many parts too...

 

[RV8guy]

DOTCO Series 10. The last die grinder that you will ever need to buy.

 

[Stooge]

DOTCO Series 10. The last die grinder that you will ever need to buy.

Im sure its great, but im just a poor hobbyist cobbling together junk and from a quick search, its definitely not in the budget!

 

[davethorik]

DOTCO Series 10. The last die grinder that you will ever need to buy.

Good point, op already stated a $300 Sioux was too pricy, so I'm sure he will look at Dotco lol...but I guess you'd actually have to READ the thread to know that, and who reads? Nobody got time for that.

Another vote for Astro here.

 

[RV8guy]

Good point, op already stated a $300 Sioux was too pricy, so I'm sure he will look at Dotco lol...but I guess you'd actually have to READ the thread to know that, and who reads? Nobody got time for that.

Another vote for Astro here.

There is always ebay. I picked up an old DOTCO die grinder for $20. The 90 degree gear set is a little worn but it has run many cheap die grinders into the ground.

 

[sberry]

These are workhorse bargains.

 

[LXCam]

Sometime I would like to try St Louis Pneumatic

I bought four of those a couple years back when someone on eBay had a super whammy sale going on. I bought three straights and one 90. Holy moly are they quality units, I wish I had bought another half dozen when the getting was good. I'm so sold on them I'd happily pay full price for another. Solid, smooth and great power, I got no complaints.

 

[sberry]

I am sure you could easily find one for full price. How much were they? The one I show in the pic outlast several of the cheap HF ones and has lot of power. it is a generic production sold under several brands, brutal tuff. It was about as cheap as i have seen it under Huskey. I have "good" ones too, cost near 10x as much. Rhey aint worth it especially for the part time or hobby crowd and its 15 or 20 years, probably in 100 hour or more range and still works good. The 4 inch right angle there is way used, got 3 of them and never so much as tighten a screw on one. Got a couple USA that are broke, half the use.

 

[Bryanthegreat]

I have a CP that has been good. Ingersoll is a good tool also.

 

[vssjim]

I bought four of those a couple years back when someone on eBay had a super whammy sale going on. I bought three straights and one 90. Holy moly are they quality units, I wish I had bought another half dozen when the getting was good. I'm so sold on them I'd happily pay full price for another. Solid, smooth and great power, I got no complaints.

There is a ebay seller that has straight StLouis grinders for 65.00 or best offer also, the ones with lights.

 

[C.L S2000]

Another vote for Astro. I have this one but wouldn't mind getting the 1/2 hp version of the same right angle quick release.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016UY66T8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[WhataTool]

The best astro die grinders are the simple aluminum ones, less features to fail. Durable as all hell

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I bought four of those a couple years back when someone on eBay had a super whammy sale going on. I bought three straights and one 90. Holy moly are they quality units, I wish I had bought another half dozen when the getting was good. I'm so sold on them I'd happily pay full price for another. Solid, smooth and great power, I got no complaints.

When I decide I need a 6th die grinder or one of my current 5 die, I'm going to go for it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I forget which ones I bought but it was a pair from Sears. IR set that included a straight and right angle. . . . I ordered and the wife paid for my Birthday it think it was. I was a little disappointed when I got them to see they were made in China but they haven't let me down so far.

 

[Daves69]

http://www.wttool.com/index/page/pr...andle+Air+Drill&update_continue_shopping=true

Made in usa.

Have on that is over 30 years old still works great

 

[GeorgeFromPa]

Just picked up a proto for less then 70 bucks. we have like 10 of them at work, the one that worked the best was an old astro but they dont make it any more. the Proto mini works great.. 24000 rpm .3 hp. im told its made for mac also. they make half hp also but i cant see the point on a die grinder. look into it. im happy with it. i got the 120 degree and i think in a week or two im going to order a 90 degree for bushing and what not and the long straight one for when i polish walking beams. https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/411ZCp5uu8L._SX425_.jpg