The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Die grinders

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?

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

A right angle die grinder is by far the easiest to use. In my years building aircraft the brand almost universally used was Dotco.

I find I use mine a lot to make slotted or oval holes. The poor mans version of an oval punch??

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.

Tiny mentioned Dotco. Dotco comes with an 1/8 collet which would allow you to get into smaller nooks and crannies.

Larry

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.

I'd be lost with out mine. I keep 2 going at the same time. 1 for grinding and 1 with a wire wheel.

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

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.

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 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.

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

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!!!!

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

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

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.