Electric die grinder

[sambo]

I was at the Vic Cobra club meeting last night and it was widely suggested that I use a die grinder for cutting the body work instead of a dremel. Aussie Mike said to go for an air tool but I don't have the space for one at the moment, plus it's another cost. (good suggestion long term though Mike - thanks).

I've used all my google powers to try and find electric die grinders locally and haven't had much luck. I will visit Bunnings on the weekend, but meanwhile any info or suggestions would really help. Things like: angle, straight or barrel? Which attachments? Suitable RPMs? Good/bad brands?

A few of the electric ones I found are here.

Thanks in advance.

Paul

[Rebel1]

Thats Aussie Mike for ya..

If it were up to him we'd all have blu$$y boring bars, milling machines, brake presses and both Tig and Mig welders, compressors, and all industrial strength stuff at that.

I was told he was once overheard in a sex toy shop complaining that of the hundreds of dildos they had on display he couldn't find what he wanted.

Seems he was after a 12" kick start, diesel power, 5 axis, industrial duty version that could also serve as a honing machine.

Unless you have a huge compressor stick with electric powered stuff.

[Aussie Mike]

They had one but not in the colour I wanted.

I suggested a compressor because of all the other uses you will find for it. Plus I believe an air die grinder is a lot easier to control and is a lot safer to use. With the throttle switch/valve setup on an air die grinder it's easy to constantly control the speed of the carbide burr, flap wheel, sanding drum or whatever tool you have in it. This is important for controling the tool chatter against the work piece so it doesn't get away from you.

If you like when you drop over you can have a try of both types as I've got about 3 different air die grinders an electric die grinder and it's little brother the dremmel.

If you are looking for a cheap electric die grinder with a bit of grunt have a look at some of the routers that you can buy. I bought a cheap GMC or some brand like that router. The base un bolts and you were left with a beasty electric die grinder. It was designed to do this too. It's a bit bulky compared to an air powered die grinder but it works OK.

Cheers

[Rebel1]

SEE!!....told ya didn't I?

[Rob. Smith]

Bunnings usually sell crap....you get what you pay for, particularly with electrical tools. Bosch are expensive BUT they are the smoothest and quietest I've seen. Best bet, look at the bigger brands...up in $ but up in quality !

[Aussie Mike]

I checked my router today andit's an Ozito brand. Here's the details on it from their web page: Ozito



To turn it into a die grinder you just loosen the clamp on the top of the router frame and the motor and spindle part comes out. It has a standard 1/4" collet which will take most of your regular carbide burs etc.

Cheers

[400TT]

What's wrong with using a drill, file & jigsaw.

That's all we did on our first Cobra build.

[sambo]

Craig, nothing I assume - but which method is quicker?

[Rob. Smith]

What in the world are you cutting out ? I removed most of the stuff with a drill and a burr. All the rough smoothing was done with an angle grinder and a "Flap Disc" these discs come in several grits and last forever. I use a 60 grit for the rough stuff and a 80 to finish. With a little practice you can get a pretty good finish. I've "borrowed" dads USA 110v Dremel and haven't used it at all because it would take too long to do the job. any way whatever you use...patience is the key. a bit at a time will finish the job with a quality end !

[Gav]

I'm with Mike, how can you complain about a tool that once you kill it, you take it back and they give you a new one!!!
Realy it's all horses for courses, if you are only going to use it for a couple of days, buy crap I say.
Or even better buy a compressor, pnumatic tools are much cheaper...