Angle die grinder

Angle die grinder - 10/07/08 12:30 PM

Can anyone recommend a good pneumatic 1/4" angle die grinder? I'm looking for one that will last.
Thanks,
Scott

Posted By: Scott Carl

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/07/08 12:49 PM

Quote:

Can anyone recommend a good pneumatic 1/4" angle die grinder? I'm looking for one that will last.
Thanks,
Scott

Many may disagree, but I like Harbor Freight. When I can buy a die grinder with 1/4" AND 1/8" collets as well as a few various grinding stones for often less than $15 or just the 1/4" die grinder for $9, I don't worry about it lasting. HF has a pretty good return policy and I have yet to wear one out. Trick is a good compressor and to get the grinders when they are on sale and get as many as bits you will use. I actually have 4 or 5 with various bits, rasps, and stones so I don't have to keep changing them. HF abrasives aren't the best but that's where you want to spend your money anyway. I try to get carbide cutting bits when I can afford them. Well worth their cost!

Posted By: Scotts72Rallye

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/07/08 01:11 PM

Thanks for your response Scott. Anyone else out there have one they would recommend or steer clear of?
Scott

Posted By: 73cudaproject

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/07/08 01:28 PM

Since my welding skills are not so great I end up doing more grinding than I care to admit. Typically I use the 4.5" grinder; however recently my son won a small air powered angle grinder. I think it is the Chicago Pneumatic. I ended up buying a couple carbide tips for this tool and have been amazed at how helpful this tool has been for getting into tight areas. Lots of my grinding has been under the car so my advice is to use the tyvek type suits otherwise the metal shavings will get all over you. I have a few t-shirts I might as well throw away as I cannot seem to get the metal shavings out of the shirt.

To answer your question while I am not a big fan of the electrically operated HF tools I do like the HF air powered specialty tools like the small saw, nibbler, and angle grinder.

Posted By: WILD BILL

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/07/08 02:53 PM

I have a lot of BIG name air tools at work. Mac and Ingersol mostly.

My Die grinder, Cheap. Hasn't let me down yet and I've had it for about ten years noe. Some air tools you don't want to skimp on. IMHO, I don't thnk this is one of those cases.

Good bits and abrasives are worth their cost though

Posted By: Scott Carl

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/07/08 03:07 PM

Quote:

To answer your question while I am not a big fan of the electrically operated HF tools I do like the HF air powered specialty tools like the small saw, nibbler, and angle grinder.

Don't want to get too far off the subject, but I do have 2 HF 4" electric grinders and I love them

I bought them on sale for $14 each. There again I have a different disc on each to save on tool changing. I use mine a lot but not every day 8 hours a day. I've had them for 3 years now without a problem. I know there's better product out there but I feel these $14 grinders run smother than my $50 Makita and the switch is worn out on that after 3 or 4 years of the same type of use.

Just MHO FWIW. I will NOT however scrimp on hand tool such as wrenches an the like. Craftsman, Snap-on, Mac, Matco, etc. Only

Posted By: Scotts72Rallye

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/07/08 10:36 PM

Thanks for all the responses!

Sounds like everyone so far is happy with the cheap ones.
Scott

Posted By: rrunner

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/07/08 11:00 PM

Quote:

Thanks for all the responses! Sounds like everyone so far is happy with the cheap ones.
Scott

NOT me! That Harbor Freight grinder is junk in my opinion. I bought it to keep at home used it once and it broke, got another and it has problems with the air valve and handle bending around it! I gave up on trying to get another. It's the bottom in the pic. The top is a Ingersoll Rand 301 it' a few years old now and it was for my wharehouse box. The middle unit is a OLD mac tools that I've had for 16 years in my box at work and use it about every day!! It is a dead ringer for that newer Ingersoll, guess who must have made them for Mac, it just has a different handle. These two grinders are GREAT and a Ingersoll will give years of use.

Posted By: Scotts72Rallye

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/08/08 12:42 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Thanks for all the responses! Sounds like everyone so far is happy with the cheap ones.
Scott

NOT me! That Harbor Freight grinder is junk in my opinion. The middle unit is a OLD mac tools that I've had for 16 years in my box at work and use it about every day!! It is a dead ringer for that newer Ingersoll, guess who must have made them for Mac, it just has a different handle. These two grinders are GREAT and a Ingersoll will give years of use.

I keep seeing some used Snap-on's and Mac's On eBay for under $75.Anyone else have a favorite?
Scott

Posted By: rrunner

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/08/08 12:52 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Thanks for all the responses! Sounds like everyone so far is happy with the cheap ones.
Scott

NOT me! That Harbor Freight grinder is junk in my opinion. The middle unit is a OLD mac tools that I've had for 16 years in my box at work and use it about every day!! It is a dead ringer for that newer Ingersoll, guess who must have made them for Mac, it just has a different handle. These two grinders are GREAT and a Ingersoll will give years of use.

I keep seeing some used Snap-on's and Mac's On eBay for under $75.Anyone else have a favorite?
Scott

There is a new ingersoll 301 for $55 buy it now on e bay now. I typed in ingersoll 301 and it was the first to pop up.
Auction # is 230296808005
Just found another for $43!!!! auction 150253512624

Posted By: blk00rt

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/08/08 01:25 AM

Ingersoll Rand, but then again I am very partial to them.(worked for them for 12 years now). I also have a Campbel haufeild and it works good for occasional use.

Posted By: Scotts72Rallye

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/08/08 02:53 PM

There is a new ingersoll 301 for $55 buy it now on e bay now. I typed in ingersoll 301 and it was the first to pop up.
Auction # is 230296808005
Just found another for $43!!!! auction 150253512624

Thanks John for the heads up on the Ingersoll.

Scott

Posted By: justinp61

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/08/08 03:27 PM

I have a cheap Harbour Freight angle grinder that a friend gave me. Before I put togather my new compressor I ran it on a small compressor and line. My shop is now plumed with 3/4" main line and 1/2" drops and hose reels with 1/2" lines on them. I can tell you for a fact that the line size makes a big differnce, and yes you have a compressor capable of supplying enough air. My cheap grinder is a different animal now. Will it last as long as the higher end stuff? Most likely not, but I'll use until it wears out then look at some of the IR stuff.

Posted By: Duster499

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/09/08 08:26 AM

Any air tool will last much longer if it is oiled before each use. Get some oil made for air tools and put a few drops in the air inlet before using. I've used Ingersoll, Chicago Pneumatic and Jet all with good results as long as they are oiled regularly.

Posted By: A_Roldan

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/09/08 12:17 PM

I've been using the Harbour Freight one for a couple of months now. No complaints.

It's been working good for me and I agree with the above post; you have to put a few drops of that air tool oil every day before you use your tools. I have had tools for years and years that I oiled daily.

~Angel

Posted By: Scotts72Rallye

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/09/08 12:44 PM

Thanks everyone for all the responses. Now that my head is spinning

I'll pick something up this weekend.

Scott

Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/09/08 12:55 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Thanks for all the responses! Sounds like everyone so far is happy with the cheap ones.
Scott

NOT me! That Harbor Freight grinder is junk in my opinion. I bought it to keep at home used it once and it broke, got another and it has problems with the air valve and handle bending around it! I gave up on trying to get another. It's the bottom in the pic. The top is a Ingersoll Rand 301 it' a few years old now and it was for my wharehouse box. The middle unit is a OLD mac tools that I've had for 16 years in my box at work and use it about every day!! It is a dead ringer for that newer Ingersoll, guess who must have made them for Mac, it just has a different handle. These two grinders are GREAT and a Ingersoll will give years of use.

Anyone who say's HF tools are good, have never used a quality tool. That's why Snapon says there is a difference. Because there is and your job will go smoother/faster and will come out better with a quality tool.

Posted By: 5thAve

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/12/08 01:19 AM

I have a cheap one and its never had any problems.

Posted By: momopar

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/12/08 01:34 AM

If you want the best and price is no object,

Dotco.

Posted By: SALEM1912

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/12/08 01:45 AM

MAC Tools has a two piece set (angle and straight unit) on sale this month for $79.

Posted By: Dave Watt

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/12/08 11:28 AM

I have an Ingersol Rand that is awesome. It doesn't bog down like my Harbor Freight one does.

Posted By: miketyler

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/12/08 02:50 PM

Dotco high speed right-angle grinders are used in the aviation industry and last forever when maintained. You won't find them very cheap though

Posted By: Scott Carl

Re: Angle die grinder - 10/12/08 03:50 PM

Quote:

Anyone who say's HF tools are good, have never used a quality tool. That's why Snapon says there is a difference. Because there is and your job will go smoother/faster and will come out better with a quality tool.

I don't think HF are "Great" tools but they serve me for what I use them for. Having worked in the metal fabrication business for 25 years I know good from bad and I agree: If your livelihood depends on it, get the quality tool. You won't be disappointed. My job doesn't depend on them anymore and not all my air tools are HF, but if I have to replace one of my $9 HF die grinders in the next year and it lasts me another 5 years etc, I'm fine with that. That's why I have several with different bits for each. Proper care is the secret for any air tool. even the best tools won't last long without daily oiling, or at least every time you use it if not everyday. I have my most frequently used air tools hanging in such a way as I can oil them all in a matter of seconds. I just squeeze the trigger on each and squirt my favorite tool oil in. I keep a cover over them when not in use to keep crud out because that's the worst enemy to air tools after lack of oil; Dirt

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