Where is a die grinder indespensable?
- Thread starter Kev442
- Start date
they are nice for small work/light grinding
i have a straight die grinder. use it mainly for cleaning up holes before I weld them. other times its used to deburr something... whatever is too small for a regular grinder. Ive used right angle grinders to clean gasket surfaces... dont own one but my straight would work for that too.
i have a straight die grinder. use it mainly for cleaning up holes before I weld them. other times its used to deburr something... whatever is too small for a regular grinder. Ive used right angle grinders to clean gasket surfaces... dont own one but my straight would work for that too.
If you work on cars enough, they are indeed indispensable. If you're in an area where the road gets salted, you'll use one a lot. A small wire wheel or cup brush will make quick work of removing rust. And, I don't know how many times, for me, a carbide burr in one has been the easiest way to get up inside some place tight, to chew through some heavily corroded bolt.
tjmonsen5
Well-known member
Put pads on it for removing paint, works great!
sparky7
Well-known member
fiberglass work
CAOS
Well-known member
Wouldnt have to ask me twice...
I use a die grinder for every pipe joint I fit up with a flapper wheel on it to clean up the inside of a bevel or hole.
Liquid oxygen lines do not like like burrs that may be left behind when welding in a half coupling!
Lopping off rusted bolts, cutting rusty u-joints, rusted exhaust clamps, exhaust pipe, sheetmetal work, weld cleanup/grinding, cutting slots in rounded phillips screws, sharpening lawnmower blades, deburring pipe- the list goes on and on.
Definitely a tool on the "need" list, at least for me.
Definitely a tool on the "need" list, at least for me.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
For grinding dies! 
camarotoolman
Banned
AZ_Catskinner
Well-known member
I use mine constantly - to the point that I justify having three of them hanging on the rack. One with a carbide burr, one with a pointed stone, and one with a flap wheel.
I have to leave the house but wanted to post this. I love my die grinders, once you get one, you'll wonder how it went without. When my broke, I replaced the angle one with a set of IRs, even though I already had a straight one.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00919559000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4
Even though they are IRs, they are made in China, mine are 1 1/2 years old and have been fine. Get a coupon code and save a few bucks.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00919559000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4
Even though they are IRs, they are made in China, mine are 1 1/2 years old and have been fine. Get a coupon code and save a few bucks.
Sick Puppy
Well-known member
What kinds of die grinders are we talking here? Electric, air powered, and are we talking a step above a dremel/proxxon?
GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
I use my Cman and Dremels as my angle grinder since I can only use one hand. I have the right angle attachment for that. The single speed Cman is in the garage for cutting & grinding. The Dremel variable speed is in my other shop. Use it for sanding and burnishing. Both of these are electric.
You'll find uses for it. If you're going pneumatic make sure you have enough compressor to run it.
You'll find uses for it. If you're going pneumatic make sure you have enough compressor to run it.
A die grinder is on my want list, I need you guys to make it go on my need list!
I'm not planning on porting any heads or intakes anytime soon, so where else do you use yours? Right angle or straight? Thanks!
I have both the right angle and stright die grinder. I got the straight one first. a couple of years later I got the right angle die grinder. The straight die grinder now just sits in my tool box. The right angle die grinder is better.
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You guys are certainly helping this move onto the need list. I currently have a 3" cutoff and a dremel knockoff. I don't envision electric being superior to air in the garage environment, so I'm going with air. I have a 2 stage 80 gallon, which will be fine for home use of one.
The kit NuttsGT references certainly solves the issue where I just know as soon as I pick one style, the need for the other is what will happen the first time out!
Keep the ideas coming guys!
The kit NuttsGT references certainly solves the issue where I just know as soon as I pick one style, the need for the other is what will happen the first time out!
Keep the ideas coming guys!
1984Datsun
Well-known member
Everywhere... today I used mine to clean off that infamous 'lip' of rust that forms on rear brake drums... worked real nice and took less time than I thought it would.
Them drums went on a hell of a lot easier than they came off... all I wanted to do was inspect the rear brake shoes and clean the dust and **** out of the backing plate, the shoes are fine. Same for the drums.
Putting them back on with that 'lip' still on them is a big no-no in my book... plus I'd hate myself (you would hate yourself too if you did it) for leaving the rusty lips there to deal with God knows how many miles later...
Them drums went on a hell of a lot easier than they came off... all I wanted to do was inspect the rear brake shoes and clean the dust and **** out of the backing plate, the shoes are fine. Same for the drums.
Putting them back on with that 'lip' still on them is a big no-no in my book... plus I'd hate myself (you would hate yourself too if you did it) for leaving the rusty lips there to deal with God knows how many miles later...
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Schurkey
Well-known member
From 1990 to about 2000, I used an air-powered die grinder every working day.
I used Chicago Pneumatic (gutless junk) Ingersol-Rand (gutless junk) and several off-brands (gutless junk) all owned by the company I worked for. Company would get a new die grinder--I was all over it. Didn't make any difference.
Even though the company supplied (junk) die grinders to us, I bought a Mac Tools unit. One word: Fabulous. The current version is AG70. Power, speed--WOW. Two disadvantage are that it'll take a REAL air compressor to keep up, and it's even louder than the junk die grinders--and they're pretty loud.
Years later, I added an eBay "used" Snap-On extended-shank die grinder. Regular version is PT200, mine is the PT200LR. The longer shank allows two-handed control. Similar to the Mac; it's powerful and durable, and takes a lot of air. The plastic housing means I don't freeze my hands when working long-term. It seems to be quieter than my Mac; but may also have a touch less power.
If you have a big compressor...those are my two recommendations. They'll make the mass-market stuff look silly.
With ANY air-powered grinder, hearing and eye protection is mandatory.
I used Chicago Pneumatic (gutless junk) Ingersol-Rand (gutless junk) and several off-brands (gutless junk) all owned by the company I worked for. Company would get a new die grinder--I was all over it. Didn't make any difference.
Even though the company supplied (junk) die grinders to us, I bought a Mac Tools unit. One word: Fabulous. The current version is AG70. Power, speed--WOW. Two disadvantage are that it'll take a REAL air compressor to keep up, and it's even louder than the junk die grinders--and they're pretty loud.
Years later, I added an eBay "used" Snap-On extended-shank die grinder. Regular version is PT200, mine is the PT200LR. The longer shank allows two-handed control. Similar to the Mac; it's powerful and durable, and takes a lot of air. The plastic housing means I don't freeze my hands when working long-term. It seems to be quieter than my Mac; but may also have a touch less power.
If you have a big compressor...those are my two recommendations. They'll make the mass-market stuff look silly.
With ANY air-powered grinder, hearing and eye protection is mandatory.
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jlckmj
Well-known member
hey are one of the handiest tool in my cabinet. In fact, I have 5-6 of them, they all have permanent components in them,
one has a carbide cutter for enlarging holes, taking flat spots off metal,
one has a 3M type brillow pad on it for gasket cleaning, (best gasket cleaner ever) and cleaning large electrical connectors,
one has sanding disk for cleaning rust, one has abrasive blade for cutting muffler clamps and other rusty parts off,
One has a carbide de-bur tool for using on wood,
One has a sandpaper flapper,
Once you get one you will have a hard time doing things without it. I use one of them at least weekly, and I am not in the shop every day anymore.
Jim
one has a carbide cutter for enlarging holes, taking flat spots off metal,
one has a 3M type brillow pad on it for gasket cleaning, (best gasket cleaner ever) and cleaning large electrical connectors,
one has sanding disk for cleaning rust, one has abrasive blade for cutting muffler clamps and other rusty parts off,
One has a carbide de-bur tool for using on wood,
One has a sandpaper flapper,
Once you get one you will have a hard time doing things without it. I use one of them at least weekly, and I am not in the shop every day anymore.
Jim
purplezr2
Well-known member
I use mine with roloc disks for clean things up, brush on motors, gasket surfaces, stuff I weld. Works great.
diesel research
Well-known member
As stated in another thread, I think I am going to go with a pistol grip instead of my angle. Those gears strip out too often, and I believe not having gears could increase reliability.
I found 2 (right angle) made in the USA choices for under $100. Keep that in mind when you are buying one. It's pretty much not going to be USA under $100 unless it is one of those 2. SLP or dynabrade. I am not saying another doesn't exist, or that those are the best, I am only saying my research has only turned up those 2. The same basically holds true for straight pieces.
I use them for all sorts of things like roughing in an odd shaped or oval hole/slot.
Plenty of handy attachments like the auto-tech favorite roloc pads, carbide burrs for various material, the lisle extended shaft roloc attachment, stones, small cup brushes, etc.
Best sources for variety is tooltopia, harryepsteins, mcmaster carr, or your S/O truck.
Here is a pic of the pistol grip style I am considering instead:
I found 2 (right angle) made in the USA choices for under $100. Keep that in mind when you are buying one. It's pretty much not going to be USA under $100 unless it is one of those 2. SLP or dynabrade. I am not saying another doesn't exist, or that those are the best, I am only saying my research has only turned up those 2. The same basically holds true for straight pieces.
I use them for all sorts of things like roughing in an odd shaped or oval hole/slot.
Plenty of handy attachments like the auto-tech favorite roloc pads, carbide burrs for various material, the lisle extended shaft roloc attachment, stones, small cup brushes, etc.
Best sources for variety is tooltopia, harryepsteins, mcmaster carr, or your S/O truck.
Here is a pic of the pistol grip style I am considering instead:
...And here I thought I was the only one who thought Brandi was cute. Gotta luv the unpainted face.
OTOH, Mom always said, "pretty is as pretty does".
I'll add a little more, sorry about the short post earlier. I had a straight die grinder, worked great and it still does. Off hand, I believe it's an IR but a small one. I knew a lot of guys used a right angle die grinder with sanding discs and roloc pads (scotchbrite). I wanted to try one so I spend like 15 bucks and bought one at HF. I think it lasted a couple of years before the gears wore off.
Once it died, I was practically lost with out it. I'm sure you guys understand what I'm talking about. I started looking around to replace the one I had and found the set that I linked in my other post. I found a coupon code and it knocked a few bucks off of it. Best thing about it, the wife was wanting what to know what I wanted for my birthday. Once it arrived, I told the wife she could pay for the Sears bill when it came for my birthday present.
Kevin, like I said earlier, once you get one and use it, you'll wonder why you didn't buy one sooner.
Once it died, I was practically lost with out it. I'm sure you guys understand what I'm talking about. I started looking around to replace the one I had and found the set that I linked in my other post. I found a coupon code and it knocked a few bucks off of it. Best thing about it, the wife was wanting what to know what I wanted for my birthday. Once it arrived, I told the wife she could pay for the Sears bill when it came for my birthday present.
Kevin, like I said earlier, once you get one and use it, you'll wonder why you didn't buy one sooner.
GoBlue
Well-known member
cleaning caliper brackets prior to installing new hardware and pads
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
Kev442, if you have an air compressor, you need both straight and 90 degree angle die grinders.
Mine are normally used to grind armor on vehicles that prevents those pesky 7.62mm AK rounds from hurting good citizens of the USofA.
Might want to see if you can flag down a Mac driver if you have one.
Twice a year they offer these 2 piece die grinder sets for $75 for both tools. Spring and fall usually and you may have to pre-order or at least say you want one. Clam shell pack, but a hell of a deal for IR tools rebranded as Mac. Yes---I did say $75 plus tax ---for both.
This is my unopened "backup" home set as as most have said, I already run IR and Mac die grinders in several forms.
Burrs, 3m scuff discs, wizz wheels, etc. That grinder will take it all on.
If working or bicycles or trying to mod that custom car bracket, they make light work of almost any job.
Yes--you need one.
Mine are normally used to grind armor on vehicles that prevents those pesky 7.62mm AK rounds from hurting good citizens of the USofA.
Might want to see if you can flag down a Mac driver if you have one.
Twice a year they offer these 2 piece die grinder sets for $75 for both tools. Spring and fall usually and you may have to pre-order or at least say you want one. Clam shell pack, but a hell of a deal for IR tools rebranded as Mac. Yes---I did say $75 plus tax ---for both.
This is my unopened "backup" home set as as most have said, I already run IR and Mac die grinders in several forms.
Burrs, 3m scuff discs, wizz wheels, etc. That grinder will take it all on.
If working or bicycles or trying to mod that custom car bracket, they make light work of almost any job.
Yes--you need one.
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That top MAC unit, is the exact same IR that I started off with and it's still going strong, well built.
Sick Puppy
Well-known member
Tell me more please, I want one (when I get a compressor), even though the shipping would be a killer! lolKev442, if you have an air compressor, you need both straight and 90 degree angle die grinders.
Mine are normally used to grind armor on vehicles that prevents those pesky 7.62mm AK rounds from hurting good citizens of the USofA.
Might want to see if you can flag down a Mac driver if you have one.
Twice a year they offer these 2 piece die grinder sets for $75 for both tools. Spring and fall usually and you may have to pre-order or at least say you want one. Clam shell pack, but a hell of a deal for IR tools rebranded as Mac. Yes---I did say $75 plus tax ---for both.
[pic]
Burrs, 3m scuff discs, wizz wheels, etc. That grinder will take it all on.
If working or bicycles or trying to mod that custom car bracket, they make light work of almost any job.
Yes--you need one.
How much does that pack weigh please?
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I've decided to get my "feet wet" with the kit NuttsGT referenced. That way I can play with some accessories to see what I like working with best. I'll have one of each and life is good! Free shipping didn't hurt either.
Thanks ALL!
Thanks ALL!