Die Grinder Recommendation

[Alan Reagan]

Looking to buy a new die grinder and will probably go with a 90 degree version this time. Any recommendations on a good one? Thanks.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Air or electric?

 

[Alan Reagan]

Air. Didn't mean to leave that little detail out. I've tried electric and they didn't seam to have enough power.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

I've tried CP, IR, Viking, and a few others - all were good. The Viking didn't last as long as the others. My Dad bought the Harbor Freight version. That is JUNK!!!

Of the IR I have tried 2 versions - The 301 and the other isn't made anymore - looks like the G1 is the replacement. The "other" had a higher HP rating and it is extremely obvious when using it - I would not get the 301 if you will be using it much - especially for cutting. If you were just using a carbide bit, not as obvious it has less HP.

Make sure you get one that has the correct max speed for your attachments.

 

[TFucili]

I have a Blue Point that I bought in the late 80s, still going.

 

[Wayne M.]

For air tools, they can’t be beat on selection and parts.

http://landmessertools.com/

Site is archaic, and hit n miss on prices, but you’ll find it.
I’d stick with the real brands, probably IR or CP.

 

[DavidC]

I have had a Chicago Pneumatic since the late 70's

 

[mwilson]

Blue Point here as well, at least 25 years old with zero issues...

 

[Alan Reagan]

Thanks, everyone. I have some IR tools that have performed well. Harbor Freight is off my list. Chicago Pneumatic is still on the list. I believe it's KB that makes one with real bearings in the head but reviews have been positive and negative. Seems like a simple task to go buy one but I really hate taking things back. I just went through three sets of digital calipers and finally ordered one that works like it should. The three failures were 1. a frozen adjustment wheel, 2. one kept zeroing out when I opened the jaws to measure and 3. the last one kept switching from metric to SAE while I was trying to measure. Overall, it took three weeks of taking them back and finally getting a refund. They came from a reputable parts store. So I dare not buy my die grinder from them. When I start a job, I don't like to stop and have to wait on an exchange to finish it. That's why I'm asking.

 

[TFucili]

Thanks, everyone. I have some IR tools that have performed well. Harbor Freight is off my list. Chicago Pneumatic is still on the list. I believe it's KB that makes one with real bearings in the head but reviews have been positive and negative. Seems like a simple task to go buy one but I really hate taking things back. I just went through three sets of digital calipers and finally ordered one that works like it should. The three failures were 1. a frozen adjustment wheel, 2. one kept zeroing out when I opened the jaws to measure and 3. the last one kept switching from metric to SAE while I was trying to measure. Overall, it took three weeks of taking them back and finally getting a refund. They came from a reputable parts store. So I dare not buy my die grinder from them. When I start a job, I don't like to stop and have to wait on an exchange to finish it. That's why I'm asking.

Which calipers did you end up with? I think mine are Mitutoyo, but they are also ancient, and not digital.

 

[Alan Reagan]

They aren't Mitutoyo. Those are very nice. I don't remember but will get the name and post them. So far, they are working great. Good display, smooth. I do a lot of bearing measurements and the digital display makes it easy. I have a hydraulic press that I use to occasionally press in axle bearing and prefer to measure before attempting to press so that I don't tear up the bearings or retainers (Jeeps).

 

[Dan_69GTX]

http://landmessertools.com/

I've bought stuff from them before. Good company!

 

[seafish]

Harbor Freight is off my list. Chicago Pneumatic is still on the list. .

FYI-- Chicago Pneumatic is Harbor Freight's "house brand" of air tools.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

FYI-- Chicago Pneumatic is Harbor Freight's "house brand" of air tools.

Harbor Freight is "Central pneumatic" NOT Chicago.....

 

[Alan Reagan]

Reagarding the calipers, I got a set of Fowler. The company is Fowler High Precision and Measurement Tools. They came with the calibration card. They may be made outside the US but I didn’t see it on their website or on the calipers or documentation.

Central Pneumatic is Harbor Freight, as Dan_69GTX said. Chicago Pneumatic is a different company although they could very well be the same. Grainger, Industrial Tool and Supply, and other distributors carry the Chicago Pneumatic tools.

 

[Wayne M.]

Chicago is NOT central. I think they do this to cause confusion and it works.
For measurement tools, only buying from the proper machine tool source will do. It’s fine to buy these tools as imported as long as it’s not China or Korea. Fowler might actually be Polish which is good stuff.
If I needed a dial caliper today, this is where I’d look

https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn...s/Calipers/Electronic-Calipers?navid=12108095

 

[seafish]

My bad...Chicago Electric is Harbor Freights house brand of electrical tools and as you said, Central Pneumatic is their air tool line.
DEFINTELY causing confusion in my old brain!!! LOL

 

[BDaugherty]

I’ve had pretty good luck with harbor freight air die grinders. I buy multiples when they are on sale. Rather than swapping bits/wheels, I keep one 90deg with a buffing pad, one straight with a wire brush, one straight with a carbide bur, one straight cutoff wheel etc.

 

[Shiner]

I’ve had pretty good luck with harbor freight air die grinders. I buy multiples when they are on sale. Rather than swapping bits/wheels, I keep one 90deg with a buffing pad, one straight with a wire brush, one straight with a carbide bur, one straight cutoff wheel etc.

I do the same thing. I find that they can't be beat for the price, especially when the other manufacturers are using imported components anyway.

 

[04blackcherry]

Alan,
How much CFM do you have available? It seems like the better quality air tools use more air. It's all backwards, because we want good tools but are usually limited in air volume. The cheaper tools are under powered so use less air (they are also less efficient). So, if you want to pay for the top of the line stuff try to match it with your air volume. May have to pick a .5 HP motor over a 1 HP. The better quality brands will have better bearings and gears in the 90 deg head.

I ended up buying a 10 amp Dewalt 4.5" grinder and some cutoff wheels. I still use the 90 deg air die grinder for small or tight clearance work. I think it's a Campbell/Hausfeld.

I work in an industry that uses a lot of pneumatic hand tools. Our brands are Atlas Copco, Dessouter Tool, Dotco, Jiffy Tool, Universal...we use IR industrial in our lab. They have lasted forever. The 1HP IR is an animal, but we have up to 100 CFM in our air system. The .5 HP one still does pretty good. The industrial quality stuff can get spendy.