Nomad
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- North Devon (for how long?)
A couple of people have asked for info about my latest acquisition so here goes ...
I had a need to removed some metal from a deeply recessed casting (bottom edge of a cylinder in a diesel engine, working from below with the crankshaft still in situ.)
Needs were something long and thin, first thoughts were a narrow finger sander then somebody suggested a die grinder.
I have a good stock of Makita 18V LXT batteries so I started looking for either a long neck die grinder or a die grinder with flexi drive.
What I ended up with was a long neck die grinder + a flexi drive + assorted new bits for a very reasonable £75 from Eb@y AIM-Tools:
Katsu 6 speed die grinder with 6mm chuck (Makita LXT compatible "Fakita")
Flexi drive 55" with 10mm chuck 105045
Assorted 10mm tungsten bits
So far it has proved it will easily remove the metal I need from the bottom of a cylinder, access is tight (I need to work between the cheeks of the crankshaft !) so the die grinder body won't reach but the flexi shaft works fine and removed metal very quickly.
Holding the die grinder around waist level in one hand, locking the power on and using the flex at head height (keeping the drive cable as straight as possible) is comfortable.
The 6mm chuck on the grinder and the 10mm chuck on the flexi feel cheap but they grip well and run smoothly. I've not noticed any run-out on either, they might feel better after some use.
With hindsight there was no reason to get a long neck version as the flexi drive give me access anywhere.
A chuck gives me more choice than collets, for me it was the right choice - others might have different views.
I tried using the grinder on a test piece without the flex - if that was my main use I'd prefer a short neck so I could apply more force if needed.
A quick test to flatten welds on a floorpan was disappointing, I was hoping it would be quick and easy but I found it difficult to get any "bite" so it removed metal very slowly. It might get better with practice...
Expect more info when I've spent more time experimenting
Edit: if anyone is looking for Makita compatible clones try OneVanTool (thanks to @Memmeddu for the info) https://onevantool.com/search?options[unavailable_products]=show&q=makita
I had a need to removed some metal from a deeply recessed casting (bottom edge of a cylinder in a diesel engine, working from below with the crankshaft still in situ.)
Needs were something long and thin, first thoughts were a narrow finger sander then somebody suggested a die grinder.
I have a good stock of Makita 18V LXT batteries so I started looking for either a long neck die grinder or a die grinder with flexi drive.
What I ended up with was a long neck die grinder + a flexi drive + assorted new bits for a very reasonable £75 from Eb@y AIM-Tools:
Katsu 6 speed die grinder with 6mm chuck (Makita LXT compatible "Fakita")
Flexi drive 55" with 10mm chuck 105045
Assorted 10mm tungsten bits
So far it has proved it will easily remove the metal I need from the bottom of a cylinder, access is tight (I need to work between the cheeks of the crankshaft !) so the die grinder body won't reach but the flexi shaft works fine and removed metal very quickly.
Holding the die grinder around waist level in one hand, locking the power on and using the flex at head height (keeping the drive cable as straight as possible) is comfortable.
The 6mm chuck on the grinder and the 10mm chuck on the flexi feel cheap but they grip well and run smoothly. I've not noticed any run-out on either, they might feel better after some use.
With hindsight there was no reason to get a long neck version as the flexi drive give me access anywhere.
A chuck gives me more choice than collets, for me it was the right choice - others might have different views.
I tried using the grinder on a test piece without the flex - if that was my main use I'd prefer a short neck so I could apply more force if needed.
A quick test to flatten welds on a floorpan was disappointing, I was hoping it would be quick and easy but I found it difficult to get any "bite" so it removed metal very slowly. It might get better with practice...
Expect more info when I've spent more time experimenting
Edit: if anyone is looking for Makita compatible clones try OneVanTool (thanks to @Memmeddu for the info) https://onevantool.com/search?options[unavailable_products]=show&q=makita
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