Why didn't I buy these a looooong time ago !

[theoldwizard1]

So I have had an air compressor (tan 2hp Craftsman center console) for over 35 years. Still works great. But I took my time adding pneumatic tools, always having to have a job that I could justify the expense. My first was a Chinese cut off, because I had to do an exhaust system on my wife's car.

Anyway, about 6 months ago I acquired and Astro OYNX 205QL 90° die grinder. Not that I had a real need for it at the time, but I could see it would be handy for future auto repair jobs. I bought a 3M Roloc disc pad holder and some Chinese fiber discs. Then the other day, I bought myself a Father's Day present. Astro 2181 carbide rotary burr set.

I just used all of them on a brake job and WOW are they fantastic ! The die grinder and fiber discs cleaned up the surface where the stainless shims sit in a few seconds. Some die grinders consume a lot of air, but this one did not cause my compressor to run excessively. The fiber discs did the bet that they could do, but I was not satisfied. So I broke out the burrs. AMAZING ! I can only say be careful using them because they can cut through rust in to fresh steel (iron) in a short time.


Thanks Astro, for 2 fine products, 205QL and 2181 !!

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Hey old wiz, happy fathers day! Shoot me your address and I'll ship you the 206QL straight version of that die grinder (which I think pairs with your new burrs more naturally as well). Great quiet die grinders that do sip on that air supply.

Thanks for supporting Astro!

 

[derosa]

Hey old wiz, happy fathers day! Shoot me your address and I'll ship you the 206QL straight version of that die grinder (which I think pairs with your new burrs more naturally as well). Great quiet die grinders that do sip on that air supply.

Thanks for supporting Astro!

Wow, that's a sweet offer. I hope to one day get some of your stuff, right after I get a new house and garage. Always seem to have great customer service though this is a nice step above.

 

[Cope]

I started noticing Chris's customer service when I first joined this site. In the last year or so I've purchased thee 4901 air hammer, PR14 rivet gun and their 9426 heat gun. All three are top quality. I wish I had seen their die grinders before I bought a CP.

 

[bcradio]

Awesome of you to send that out Chris.

Thanks for the review. I may have to get me some astro die grinders soon.

Does anyone know if Amazon will get the 206QL back soon?

 

[d.mcfarland]

Hey old wiz, happy fathers day! Shoot me your address and I'll ship you the 206QL straight version of that die grinder (which I think pairs with your new burrs more naturally as well). Great quiet die grinders that do sip on that air supply.

Thanks for supporting Astro!

Does the straight and the angle versions both use the same collet?

I keep having problems with my current die grinder and would like to upgrade to a version that I can count on to not slowly loosen when grinding.

 

[driftpin]

I have an Astro 2760C 1/4" ratchet, and it's just the thing for working in confined spaces. It's got good balance and actuation; and as-mentioned, it's not a glutton for air, though I have a 220V twin piston air compressor so that isn't a big concern.

Being proactive in the marketplace helps put your company in a good light, and is just smart marketing.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Awesome of you to send that out Chris.

Thanks for the review. I may have to get me some astro die grinders soon.

Does anyone know if Amazon will get the 206QL back soon?

I'd say 95% of all our die grinders are sold through tool warehouse distribution or direct into factories/industrial. It's not surprising that there aren't a lot of online sources for our die grinders.

Does the straight and the angle versions both use the same collet?

I keep having problems with my current die grinder and would like to upgrade to a version that I can count on to not slowly loosen when grinding.

Yes the straight and angle both use the same collet.

I'd first double check the diameter of the shank on your attachment. Make sure it's .247-.249". I've noticed this problem before on some holders, attachments and burrs.

 

[rlitman]

So I have had an air compressor (tan 2hp Craftsman center console) for over 35 years. Still works great. But I took my time adding pneumatic tools, always having to have a job that I could justify the expense. My first was a Chinese cut off, because I had to do an exhaust system on my wife's car.

Anyway, about 6 months ago I acquired and Astro OYNX 205QL 90° die grinder. Not that I had a real need for it at the time, but I could see it would be handy for future auto repair jobs. I bought a 3M Roloc disc pad holder and some Chinese fiber discs. Then the other day, I bought myself a Father's Day present. Astro 2181 carbide rotary burr set.

I just used all of them on a brake job and WOW are they fantastic ! The die grinder and fiber discs cleaned up the surface where the stainless shims sit in a few seconds. Some die grinders consume a lot of air, but this one did not cause my compressor to run excessively. The fiber discs did the bet that they could do, but I was not satisfied. So I broke out the burrs. AMAZING ! I can only say be careful using them because they can cut through rust in to fresh steel (iron) in a short time.


Thanks Astro, for 2 fine products, 205QL and 2181 !!

That looks like a sweet burr set! Carbide burrs are pretty amazing at what they can do. My only issue with them is the sharp as heck shavings they create.

You can use a cutoff type disc on a straight grinder by working off the edge, but once you start to use the face, the grinder will push your hand all over the place. That's where the angle makes all the difference. Angle die grinders are for discs.

Speaking of discs, you should check out Roloc bristle discs like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E612L32/?tag=atomicindus08-20
(that's not necessarily a good deal on the discs, I'm just including the link as an example). Unlike pads, the bristles don't get clogged, and they're quite a bit more aggressive than you'd expect. These are my go-to discs on my angle die grinder.

Once you start with the burrs, you'll have better control with a straight grinder. You got a great offer from Astro! Please report back with your comments on how each style grinder works best for you.

BTW, those burrs are amazing on steel (they can clog on aluminum, though there are ways to deal with that), but there are also specialized burrs for wood carving too:
http://www.woodcarverssupply.com/Saburr-Tooth-Carbide-Burrs-1_4/products/109/
I'm not sure if Astro has an equivalent, but I'd be curious to know.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Yes the straight and angle both use the same collet.

I like that push button collet lock !

 

[theoldwizard1]

Speaking of discs, you should check out Roloc bristle discs like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E612L32/?tag=atomicindus08-20
(that's not necessarily a good deal on the discs, I'm just including the link as an example). Unlike pads, the bristles don't get clogged, and they're quite a bit more aggressive than you'd expect. These are my go-to discs on my angle die grinder.

Good tip ! I already have some, but I thought the fiber discs were better for the job. These are all new to me so maybe I grab the wrong thing.

How well do those bristle discs work on small surfaces like the cast iron pad under the stainless shims ?

Once you start with the burrs, you'll have better control with a straight grinder.

You know I kind of had the feeling and was contemplating buying the straight on eventually.

there are also specialized burrs for wood carving too:
http://www.woodcarverssupply.com/Sab.../products/109/
I'm not sure if Astro has an equivalent, but I'd be curious to know.

Are you saying these work good on aluminum ?

 

[619DioFan]

I have the 8 piece astro burr set myself. been using them hard for over 3 years now. zero noticable wear. great product that I highly recommend if you need a set of burrs.

 

[rlitman]

Good tip ! I already have some, but I thought the fiber discs were better for the job. These are all new to me so maybe I grab the wrong thing.

How well do those bristle discs work on small surfaces like the cast iron pad under the stainless shims ?


You know I kind of had the feeling and was contemplating buying the straight on eventually.


Are you saying these work good on aluminum ?

The bristle discs can be difficult to get into tight corners. For that, the fiber discs are better. But the beauty of Roloc is how easy it is to switch discs. I have an angle die grinder that has a 2" Roloc pad that never leaves it.

You can use your rotary file burrs on aluminum. I lubricate mine with wax, and use a scrap of copper pipe to clean out the bits of aluminum that eventually get stuck. I have seen burrs made specially for aluminum. They're like an aluminum file. More open cut than a regular file.

The carving burrs I linked would not work on aluminum. They're amazing on wood (they'll also tear up flesh like a chainsaw), though I've also used them on rubber and soft plastics. If they get loaded up with wood, you just clean them by burning off the wood with a torch.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Happy Father's Day (last Sunday) and Birthday (this weekend) to ME !



Thanks Astro Tools !

 

[deberly12]

The bristle discs can be difficult to get into tight corners. For that, the fiber discs are better. But the beauty of Roloc is how easy it is to switch discs. I have an angle die grinder that has a 2" Roloc pad that never leaves it.

You can use your rotary file burrs on aluminum. I lubricate mine with wax, and use a scrap of copper pipe to clean out the bits of aluminum that eventually get stuck. I have seen burrs made specially for aluminum. They're like an aluminum file. More open cut than a regular file.

The carving burrs I linked would not work on aluminum. They're amazing on wood (they'll also tear up flesh like a chainsaw), though I've also used them on rubber and soft plastics. If they get loaded up with wood, you just clean them by burning off the wood with a torch.

"they will also tear up flesh"


For the good of the community I have to ask how you know????

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

 

[sberry]

I havnt used a bristle, looks interesting. We all have out methods we develop. I don't have a right angle with that collet, always meant to get one, just never did. Everyons work is a bit different. I use mainly 1/4x4 1/2 and the rest is specialty. These make up for a lot of machine tools.
I like right angle for wire wheel and cut off. Similar to Astro one of my hi use tools is the red thingy for burs, the kit looks like a great way for a guy to get started and would likely help with the choices.
I like 4 inch for cut off, those 3 are my staple sizes and use the same one for wire wheels as for cuts.
The one on the left is brutally tough, I got a couple with high hours, one in the 100's, never had to so much as tighten a screw on one.

 

[rlitman]

"they will also tear up flesh"

For the good of the community I have to ask how you know????

Thankfully, I have not had had any ****** experiences with carving burrs, but I give them a lot of respect because they're so aggressive on soft things. They're something you don't want to one-hand, for example.

 

[deberly12]

Well I'm glad you didn't have any injuries but .... I was hoping for a good story

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[rlitman]

Well I'm glad you didn't have any injuries but .... I was hoping for a good story

I'm glad too. I did just cut up several of my fingers on the table saw blade the other day, but that too was not much of a story, since the blade was not turning at the time. I was just sweeping dust off the table into the hole with the insert out, and wasn't paying close enough attention to the sharp things. Last time that saw drew blood, it was when I hooked my fingertip on a sliver of steel on the underside of the table (something raised by a bolt on a washer).

Last week's shop injury was sticking a wire through my thumb. I was cleaning a clarinet I'm restoring, and ran my thumb onto a needle spring. D'oh!

 

[-Brent-]

How about some links? I need a straight one but I'd do both if the prices were right.

Where's the best place for a consumer to buy them from?

 

[Cope]

http://www.astrotools.com/ IIRC, there is a blink for dealers. Amazon is usually a good place.

 

[bulldogr6]

Back in 1995 when I started out as a Chrysler automotive tech I bought a Astro AP200 AH angle die grinder off a truck vender that came to the shop. The other Techs scoffed at it and said I wasted my money cause it was not a SO or Matco. I no longer work in that trade but 20+ years later that tool still is a wonderful high value time saver . Has been 90% Roloc duty but did use the stones that came with it a few times. Seeing the presence of Astro here and the customer support I will definitely consider there products for any future purchases.

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[-Brent-]

I'm ready to pull the trigger on all three but cannot locate a 206QL. I'm posting up here in hopes that Astro knows when they'll be back on the market.

 

[Michael_in_DE]

very cool of you Chris. Now when I buy I'll have to look for your stuff.

 

[Stuart96]

Does anyone know the power output of these? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007QV1RGM/?tag=atomicindus08-20


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[Dingleburry]

Good tip ! I already have some, but I thought the fiber discs were better for the job. These are all new to me so maybe I grab the wrong thing.

How well do those bristle discs work on small surfaces like the cast iron pad under the stainless shims ?


You know I kind of had the feeling and was contemplating buying the straight on eventually.


Are you saying these work good on aluminum ?

Those discs work awesome on steel. They have a metal abrasive in them. i have white and yellow ones at work. donno what the difference is. when i use them i get the occasional spark fly off
As far as cast, cast eats them in seconds.
Either then that, they work awesome.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Does anyone know the power output of these? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007QV1RGM/?tag=atomicindus08-20


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Those are both 1/3HP

http://www.astrotools.com/onyx-composite-body-1-4-die-grinder-25-000rpm-rear-exhaust.html

http://www.astrotools.com/onyx-composite-body-1-4-90-angle-die-grinder-20-000rpm-rear-exhaust.html