Recommended Air Die Grinder

[JonnyAlpha]

Hi;

I am about to replace the Flitch Panels and Scuttle Ends on my Mini and have been advised that (as a conventional Angle Grinder is to large to get into all the areas required to be cut and welded) an Air Die Grinder would be required.

I am on a tight budget (as usual) but any recommendations would be appreciated. A good set of Burrs would also probably do the trick?

Also can a Die Grinder take a cutting / grinding disc or is this a different tool altogether?

Thanks

 

[johnakay]

1st of all you'll need a good size compressor or the b*gger soon run out of air.
if it just a one off a cheap one should be good enough.

 

[JonnyAlpha]

1st of all you'll need a good size compressor or the b*gger soon run out of air.
if it just a one off a cheap one should be good enough.

Sorry forgot to mention I have an old Snap On 2.5HP 50L Compressor.

 

[masleeve]

I am repairing the A posts in my taxi ( I must post some pics) the cutting has been done with a dremel type tool where the grinder doesn't fit.
I have just bought a 3 inch cheap cut off grinder from machine mart. (£20) so will see how useful that is.

 

[dobbslc]

I've just got a 3" one from Machine Mart it was about £29, it seems very good....
Until my air runs out
No good on a 25 litre 6.99 cfm Clarke jobby!
Anyone know what capacity and cfm I'll need to go up to for it to work properly?

 

[johnakay]

50 ltrs you might just get away with it. mine a 50 ltr and the ginder last about a minute and a half maybe a little more.
just enough to cut 2 or 3 inc 2mm steel sheet.
I've got this one.work fine for me with no problems.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEAVY-DUT...035?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item27ec10ea23

 

[gordon stephenson]

As above, or if you keep looking for the air grinder leaders, Desouter, Conso.lidated pneumatic and ingersoll-rand. Keep your eyes open and you may drop on one for the right price later.

 

[langy]

Small compressor ain't gonna run a decent air grinder for long.

 

[dobbslc]

Yeah mine goes for about 5 seconds then psssss!

 

[optima21]

I turn the regulator on my compressor down to 70psi, it might be a bit slower at working,but the compressor can just about keep up with the air consumption then

 

[normspanners]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281139145230?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
bought one of these they seem quite good, they also do a long pattern extended nose one, handy for getting better grip or doing down inside tubes or hard to get places if that also seems ok
they are rubber covered to stop vib also hands dont get as cold when using them

 

[lchris21]

also look out for chicago pneumatic....

I got one and its a great tool to use especially on intricate grinding work....does gobble up air though !!!

 

[gordon stephenson]

If you work in heavy industry, air tools are great, endless supply of air and no safety issues from electrikery, But for the light user or hobbyist the electric units are a far more practical.

 

[marlinspike]

I have a lot of trouble dressing down the welds in restricted areas on my car project. I have used a Dremmel with a grinding stone or sanding cylinder in the past but it takes ages. I then got a power file - much, much better - but will be too big to go under the obstructions in the boot where the next holes are.

How much of an improvement would an electric die grinder be over a power file or Dremmel? Not actually that many cheap ones around but I might get one if they actually remove the material quickly.

 

[lchris21]

I have a lot of trouble dressing down the welds in restricted areas on my car project. I have used a Dremmel with a grinding stone or sanding cylinder in the past but it takes ages. I then got a power file - much, much better - but will be too big to go under the obstructions in the boot where the next holes are.

How much of an improvement would an electric die grinder be over a power file or Dremmel? Not actually that many cheap ones around but I might get one if they actually remove the material quickly.

you might want to try a carbide burr for limited access areas. I've got a dewalt D28885 grinder like this... which I use occasionally. Its a bit bulky but nothing gets in its way..just make sure you got good eye protection on because the needles it flings off are a nightmare

 

[brightspark]

if your getting an electric die grinder your better off getting one with a long nose on it for getting in to corners or tight spaces using a carbide burr

 

[Turbo]

How much of an improvement would an electric die grinder be over a power file or Dremmel?

I used to use a power file for the same things as you. Now I have a die grinder & carbide burrs and its a million times better. Mines an air grinder and they are hungry on air. I have 2 x 7 cfm 25 litre compressors feeding into a 100 litre reservoir and I still have to eventually stop to let them catch up.

 

[JonnyAlpha]

I am repairing the A posts in my taxi ( I must post some pics) the cutting has been done with a dremel type tool where the grinder doesn't fit.
I have just bought a 3 inch cheap cut off grinder from machine mart. (£20) so will see how useful that is.

Which one? any good?

 

[JonnyAlpha]

I am undecided between a Die Grinder and a Cut Off Tool and unless you can do cutting I may need both? Would be nice to have the option.

I am up in Bristol at the mo and may be able to pop into a Machine Mart or Tool Station.
Spotted this Clarke Pro Kit which contains both a Die Grinder and a Cut Off Tool, Grinding Stones and 12 Cut Off Discs, its £57.59 but looks well made?
The manual says CFM is 5 average 16 at Max load, but will by 2.5HP run these or would I be Pi**ing in the wind?

I know you can fit Carbide Burrs to a Die Grinder for metal removal but can you fit a cutting disc?

 

[Cobbler]

When they calculate the air consumption it's done on 20% or 25% usage. I bought a Clarke cut of tool, reading in the catalogue that its 4 or 5 cfm, then looked at the paperwork in the box which says about 16 cfm continuous. The average usage is ok when you are using a tool intermittently like a air chisel, stop start sort of thing, but the cut off tool you want to run for a continuous time. My one runs my 1.5hp flat in seconds, it's my tool of last resort.