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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 578 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 578 | Now that my compressor is up and running, I keep looking at pics of die grinders.
What do you use them for? I don't have any dies that need grinding.
I'd like to get into nooks and crannies with a wire brush, but all the wire brushes with 1/4 inch shafts are only safe to 4000 rpm, die grinders spin up to 20K.
Are they handy?
"Happiness equals reality minus expectations" - Tom Magliozzi
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | they're very useful for cutting/grinding anything, but there are a lot of different tools/tips available for die grinders - cutting, grinding, brushing, rotary fileing, sanding, polishing ... higher speed wire brushes are avaiable, but you MUST wear protection I'll never be be without one as long as I've got a compressor that'll handle it Bill | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,383 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,383 | A right angle die grinder is by far the easiest to use. In my years building aircraft the brand almost universally used was Dotco.
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Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,168 "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! | | "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,168 | I find I use mine a lot to make slotted or oval holes. The poor mans version of an oval punch?? | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | I use mine the most with a Scotch Brite adapet on it, usally with either a medium pad or 800 grit sander pan, mainly for buffing rust off rotors and caliper slides. The Farm Hand brand for TSC is a good one (made by Chicago Pneumatic) for the price.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,002 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,002 | Tiny mentioned Dotco. Dotco comes with an 1/8 collet which would allow you to get into smaller nooks and crannies.  Larry
I don't own a vehicle that isn't old enough to drink.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 289 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 289 | Its my favorite tool. I have an HF straight and bought a CP 90 degree after the HF 90 died. I run the 4000 rpm wire brushes all the time, just wear good eye protection and something more than a t-shirt. Get some 3" cutoff wheels and put your hacksaw away forever. I also run the 2" and 3" rolocs for removing paint and cleaning surfaces for gaskets. Indispensible tools. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 453 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 453 | I'd be lost with out mine. I keep 2 going at the same time. 1 for grinding and 1 with a wire wheel. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 339 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 339 | I have 4 die grinders in different sizes, and anyone that has one will tell You how important they can be...I restore a lot
of stainless moldings, and they are great to remove repair scratches, and polish back to original...I wouldn't be without
them....Bill B | | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 138 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 138 | We have several at work (Auto Mechanic's shop)... First time I'd ever used one... Now it's on my shopping list! We have one set up with the scotchbrite pad adapter... Whenever I do ANYTHING that has a gasket, all sealing surfaces get hit with that.... Haven't had a gasket leak yet since I've worked there.
-Matt
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 338 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 338 | related to the topic:
what type/grade/hardness/size of grinding and polishing stone do you use/recommend for porting, polishing, and blue printing a head?
where do you get yours from. i was shopping locally and all i am able to find is the little combp packs of bits.
thanks
big ed
"it's only old if you can't find a use for it; otherwise it's cool and i'll use it."
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 465 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 465 | It realy doesn't matter what size spot you're getting into,there will be a tool for it.
As far as RPM, their are 5000 rpm tools out there.
Generally speaking, for occasional usage ,a cheap one will do.
But ,this is a product you get what you pay for. Dotco and Cleco are near the top of the line,also Dynabrade. 3M now has a line of air grinders.
I also find the Right angle tool to be the most versatile,and some can be coverted to regular die grinders. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 206 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 206 | I'm going on 10 years with my cheapy die grinder,Use it alot but not as much as a regular shop would I guess.I keep it oiled regularly and it's holding up well.Tom | | | | | Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 80 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 80 | I have one that I bought in 1982 and it's still going strong.
Used it almost daily in a body shop all those years.
Now watch it quit after I post this!!!! | | | | | Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 355 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 355 | i got me a 4 1/2 in die grinder a while back and its probubly the most vital tool i have in my bin specialy if your taking apart an old truck far as what disks to get i would say get a variety pack from harbor freight tools lol i use a hell of alot of the thin waffer disks for various cutting choirs and for surface smoothing on thicker metals and weld seams thicker ones work well for that i wouldn't go with a large grinder the smaller hand grinders can get into smaller area's and are generaly more useful
1937 1/2 ton
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 355 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 355 | btw i bought the grinder itself at harbor freight for around 10 burned it up from over use and they replaced it no questons asked good store
1937 1/2 ton
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 8 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 8 | 17 years as a maintenance mechanic , like they say it is a neat tool , like a dremel tool but air operated. Nice to use for sanding , cutting bolts off, also for cutting into welds & panels
Buy one and you will be happy
Don't forget safety , always wear face shield & have the right guard on the tool, herd about to many incidents with this type of tool. | | |
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