Die grinder suggestions for projects/repairs ??

[Farm Fun]

Looking at getting a die grinder for projects at our farm. Could have used one this past week instead of using a rat-tail file by hand. Never had a die grinder and my dad never had one either so I'm not sure where to start. Thanks for any suggestions.
Brands ?
Models ?
Corded vs Battery ?
Straight vs Right angle ?

 

[Caden]

We have both the straight ones and right angle at work. I find each has it's strong suit: de-buring bits or sanding drums I like the straight ones for better access, but for wire wheel work or running a sanding/ grinding pad I much prefer the right angle one, as it doesn't try to jump out of your hand as bad.

They both are air powered which is great, super high rpm, but also very air-hungry.

If you don't have a large compressor then maybe corded electric would be my best recommendation.

 

[JustJim]

I have a cheap Harbor Freight die grinder, it's worked great and I'm not sure what more I'd want. It's pneumatic and straight.

The bigger question in my mind is about the cutting burrs. Carbide burrs will quickly cost you more than the die grinder itself. I bought the Harbor Freight set of burrs, and they seem to work well. I've not use high speed steel burrs, but I tend to work with harder metals so the carbide seemed to be the way to go.

I hate using the die grinder since it sends a shower of little sharp chips everywhere....they turn up in the laundry and the wife is not happy. If I can, I'll use it outside and wear my welding jacket, gloves and face shield if I have to be in the path of the chips. Just be prepared to pick the little chips out of everything or make a plan to keep them at bay.

Jim

 

[Tarmy]

I have Metabo and DeWalt full size. They both work great. The key is the burrs…get good ones that are double cut carbide or quality metal burrs.

i prefer the Metabo as it has adjustable speed…so the control is better.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

Caden pretty well covered it; the air ones are great if you have a big compressor, which I don't. Having Ryobi batteries, I bought the One+ cordless one, which is an angle style. I've used it enough to get used to that style, and it's handy. It seems light duty and it's overpriced unless you're already into the One+ system. I've used it with 2 and 3" sanding disks and grinding bits. I don't know how it would handle carbide burrs. Like most, it comes with a 1/4" collet, but the 1/8" collet from Milwaukee is an exact fit.

The HF Hercules corded tool doesn't get good reviews, so the Dewalt seems to be the way to go, at ~$200, for a heavy duty corded model.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I have both right angled and straight.

It's pretty much like any other tool, the "right one", depends on the job at hand.

If I had to choose one, I would pick the "angled" one. I use it 10 to 1, BUT there are always exceptions.

Mine are air powered and probably 1,000 centuries old. Just put a few drops of oil in them once in a while to keep them running.

@Caden is 100% correct on the "air hungry" part though.....Unless you have a really nice compressor, you will be limited on how long you can run them, and your compressor will be cycling "non-stop".

Battery operated might be a better choice if the compressor is an issue.

Both are apparently IR (Ingersol Rand) , however I have no idea which is/are the "best" models nowadays

Good luck

 

[GeoHorn]

Whatever you choose… avoid cheap chinese wheels, discs, etc. found at discount tool places.

One of my last flight-training-clients was the CEO of a major abrasives and grinding-wheel mf’rs….. who showed me some pics of what can happen when using chinese discs and wheels in grinders:

 

[GeoHorn]

 

[Sidekick]

I have the Dewalt 20 volt straight and Milwaukee M12 rt angle along with Harbor freight air ones that haven't been used in years. I 3d printed a packout insert for the Milwaukee that gets used most to keep everything together.

Both stand up on their own

The Dewalt has a switch for variable speed ranges and Milwaukee a button
Some burrs and the abrasive disc's see the most use

They both work great but in my mind Milwaukee makes superior tools these days and is comfortable to use. The Dewalt was purchased years ago before I woke up and will be replacedby the Milwaukee eventually. Once you use battery versions, you will never go back to the noisy dirt blowing air versions that are energy hogs.

 

[someguy9000]

View attachment 181064

Yea I wear a full face shield always IMO.

Anyway I have a milwaukee M12 right angle die grinder (edit... same one posted right above me lol) and its probably my most used tool. I use it for everything and its flat out awesome, like I don't know how I lived without it now.

 

[dlsmith]

I have both right angled and straight.

It's pretty much like any other tool, the "right one", depends on the job at hand.

If I had to choose one, I would pick the "angled" one. I use it 10 to 1, BUT there are always exceptions.

Mine are air powered and probably 1,000 centuries old. Just put a few drops of oil in them once in a while to keep them running.

@Caden is 100% correct on the "air hungry" part though.....Unless you have a really nice compressor, you will be limited on how long you can run them, and your compressor will be cycling "non-stop".

Battery operated might be a better choice if the compressor is an issue.

Both are apparently IR (Ingersol Rand) , however I have no idea which is/are the "best" models nowadays

Good luck


View attachment 181053

If you keep those Ingersol Rand air tools lubricated and don't abuse them, they will last longer than you will.

 

[hagrid]

I don't hate die grinders but I hate what they spit out.

 

[D2Cat]

I don't hate die grinders but I hate what they spit out.

Now wait a minute, what they spit out is why you use them!

 

[dlsmith]

I don't hate die grinders but I hate what they spit out.

When I use the carbide burrs on steel, they spit out billions of little, tiny slivers that go everywhere. Usually, I wear my sand blasting hood and welding jacket so the slivers don't get embedded in my clothing. Using them on cast iron is different, it creates material more like sand, instead of slivers.

 

[Tarmy]

Which is why you need this…for messy stuff…

That fixture is for a bench vice mounted on a 2x2 hitch tube…

 

[Caden]

Not trying to derail the thread, but @Tarmy I noticed the entire property in the background of your bench vise picture looked really neat and well kept; caught my eye.

Carry on -

 

[Sidekick]

I lit my wooden bench on fire with a 4 1/2 angle grinder. Grinding bench has ½ inch aluminum plate on it now. A good welding jacket will keep you from burning holes in your clothes plus protect you if a disc explodes when using die grinders and angle grinders I have found.

 

[Farm Fun]

The issue of metal chips everywhere is not something I had really considered. Granted I've got the option of doing some things outside of a shed/shop but still a consideration.

 

[hagrid]

They are sharp and incredibly annoying.

Puppies and kitties cannot be in the area until vacuumed.

 

[Tarmy]

Not trying to derail the thread, but @Tarmy I noticed the entire property in the background of your bench vise picture looked really neat and well kept; caught my eye.

Carry on -

Thank you. That is our second home up by lake Almanor. We were surrounded by the Dixie fire 5 years ago…our area was a donut hole…everything for 30 miles in every direction burnt to the ground. I have always kept our place cleaned up…habit and safety mostly.

Thanks again…