The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Lookin into a die grinder

Hey Bolters,

Within the next year I hope to begin building the engine for my truck. In that I'm trying to research and slowly collect tools I'll be using for that project and many others to come.

I'm trying to gather any and all info on die grinders. I prefer to buy USA made products. Just like everyone else, quality and affordability are high on my list of priorities.

I know this is a very generic question, the truth is tonight is the first night I'm reading articles online, so I have no specific questions yet.

Thanks for your time guys and gals.

- Daniel

I don't think you will find an American made electric one. I use a GE700 Mettabo. They are made in Germany.

http://www.metabo.com/Product-catalogue-handheld-powertools.24048+M586d51e80bd.0.html

As for pneumatic, Dotco is the best and I think they are still made in USA. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...IKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1XMZWA6H0F0JXN96TGME

They are used extensively in the aircraft industry and can be found used in pawn shops, military surplus and eBay.

I have a ingrasall rand pneumatic die gringer. over 20 years and it still works great

I thought www.dynabrade.com made about the best die grinders and sanders. Have some at work and they are nice.

I've also used industrial quality Ingersoll Rand grinders and they are great quality too, and like Dynabrade quite expensive. the long reach 90* with about a 3" cutoff wheel (or grinding wheel) and guard is really handy, not sure the model but that's what I used most, I'd like to find a used (cheaper) one now...

Day after day at another job I used a Cornwell angled die grinder/sander and a different one for a cut off wheel. I don't see the angled one that I like on their website, but aluminum housing with the blue grip on it and gearless, less than 90* angle. No problems and we had 4 or 5 of them in the shop, used them all everyday for sheet metal/rust repair and replacement work.
The better quality Cornwell grinders are a great valve, I'd buy more of them.

I'd stay away from the cheap geared angle ones that you're likely to see a lot of in your searches, the gears don't seem to hold up so well. Have not had or heard of any problems with the really good industrial quality versions, other than the significantly higher price.

Grigg

Thanks for all your advice and information guys. This si great. It seems when I search for "top rated die grinder" or "USA made die grinder reviews" my searches come up null and filled with poor quality brands.