Die Grinders

2510Paul · Mar 7, 2018

Are there any Die Grinders better than others or any to stay away from? Farm and Fleet has a DeWalt model and a Performance Tool model.

I want to get a straight and a right angle for my High School buddy.

Paul

davyfireball · Mar 7, 2018

You didn’t say electric or air -I bought a air at harbor freight 5years ago. Walmart has some just like. Real handy. I bought a electric dreamel cost around $25 burned it up. The magic smoke came out.

Jiles · Mar 7, 2018

Personally--I would much rather have a good used one then a NEW one from Communist China
I have several American made grinders I have used for years.

gtractorfan · Mar 7, 2018

I like to use electrics with quarter inch shanks. I had a Craftsman which didn't last long, a cheap one from a tent sale that lasted a lot longer and now I have one from Harbor Freight, quarter inch shank. I use it a lot. Electric seems more efficient to me than running the compressor a lot for air powered.

gab · Mar 7, 2018

I've got three air powered, one straight and two angle grinders. These are twenty dollar ones off the Homier or whatever travelling tool trucks that used to come around twenty years ago. The two angled ones have been used/abused hard and still working. Straight one was in a kit full of stones and hasn't been used much.

Russ from MN · Mar 7, 2018

Yes, electric is much more efficient, I think you would have to run a 3 hp compressor to power a 1/2 hp air tool.

2510Paul · Mar 7, 2018

I meant air but the electric comments are good to hear also.

I was going through a NAPA sales brochure with a NAPA label air straight for $100 with a right angle one for free. I ordered them.

Does anyone make a good electric one? One that holds the smoke in longer?

I don't suppose someone make a battery operated one that is worth anything?

Paul

bmack95hd · Mar 7, 2018

In my former job sold both Milwaukee and Bosch straight die grinders, electric. Had good luck with both models.

JDEM · Mar 7, 2018

I have a couple from Harbor Freight that are over 20 years old and were less then $10 each. Never had a problem. Seems even the cheap ones are extremely durable. You do not need a high-horse compressor to run either. Not unless you have to run continuously. I have one at a remote camp with a 1/3 HP portable compressor with a 3 gallon tank and it works the grinder fine in short runs.

Last month our local Tractor Supply had a bunch of die-grinder kits that also came with cut-wheel attachments. $8.99 each. I bought two and am amazed at how well they work. I went back to buy more but they are all gone.

It is the good carbide bits that can be kind of pricey.

kcm.MN · Mar 7, 2018

Electric is more efficient, but there are times when an electric shouldn't be used. If working with stone/concrete or in very damp/wet conditions, I would definitely go with air over electric!

TimV · Mar 7, 2018

Bosch, Metabo, Dayton, etc. all make good electric grinders but be prepared for sticker shock--you're not gonna get one for $10. I know Bosch makes an 18-V LI-battery cordless grinder, though I have not used one myself. For most things my cheapie HF or equivalent air grinders work well, though as mentioned it's not particularly efficient to start up the compressor just to run it. Another possibility would be to look into professional-grade wood carving units. The better ones are made for long duty cycles and might hold up well depending on what your friend is planning on doing with it.

2510Paul · Mar 7, 2018

Thanks a bunch guys. Ya, I started Googling and found all kinds of stuff. Electric, air, battery by all the major manufacturers and some I never heard of.

The air driven ones are the cheapest and likely the simplest mechanically and hence pretty good longevity. Less likely to leave any smoke out. Ha, Ha.

I am going to try these NAPA labeled, air. Yes, I also have to get some bits, sander, etc.

For myself I am going to keep an eye open for a right angled die grinder and 4 and 1/2 inch battery operated angle grinder to just keep handy for those short grinding jobs to remove sharps. I have a DeWalt Drill and small Impact now with battery so maybe I can find DeWalt products that will use the batteries I have.

Thanks a bunch.

Paul

SVcummins · Mar 7, 2018

Bought one at harbor freight in 2001 still running and use it all the time 9.99$ on sale

David G · Mar 7, 2018

I have a corded DeWalt, have worked the snot out of it, even fell off tractor going down road.

kcm.MN · Mar 7, 2018

(quoted from post at 18:20:19 03/07/18) I have a corded DeWalt, have worked the snot out of it, even fell off tractor going down road.

Well, seems it don't need its snot to work - just its smoke. :wink:

2510Paul · Mar 7, 2018

I'm thinking one of these:

https://www.dewalt.com/en-us/products/power-tools/control-products/flexvolt-60v-max-grinder-2-battery-kit/dcg414t2

looks pretty nice. Might have to try it. I would like to know more about the Milwaukee counter part. Milwaukee talks about their "Fuel" products.

Paul

Little Ed · Mar 7, 2018

the company I work for bought me a Dynabrade right angle air die grinder about ten years ago. Use one every day, and the cheap ones didn't last very long. this one is about a third as loud as the chinese made ones. It was a great investment then. Major sticker shock now.

Dick L · Mar 8, 2018

There are die grinders and then there are die grinders. What would be the use? Dumore was the brand most tool and die/ mold building shops used when I started. I bought HF Dumore look like a few years back. It is no Dumore but with some rework of the chuck it does the job. I buy the cheep HF small short die grinders as throw aways. They work fine for quite a while.

WGM · Mar 8, 2018

I'm with you!

Die Grinders

2510Paul

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davyfireball

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Jiles

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gtractorfan

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gab

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Russ from MN

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2510Paul

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bmack95hd

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2510Paul

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