Thread: Which diegrinder?.

Hi forum - looking a die grinders - can get a cheaper corded version for approx $180 and a expensive version for $450 - does anyone have experience with the cheaper versions.? - nice to have for cleaning up welds in hard to get areas and removing paint. Also what shaped bits for it can you suggest. Btw Don’t really want to buy an air operated one. Cheers

No experience with die grinders specifically, but Makita power tools in general are very good bang for buck; back in my furniture and cabinetry days I don't think I was ever on a building site that didn't have at least a couple of tradies with Makita kits.

I have a makita corded die grinder, works well and is good from a quality standpoint. works well with flap wheels but I don't like using it with burrs as it is quite chunky and hard to control, if i was going electric again i would go with a battery one.

I have an air die grinder that is not used very often but it is handy when needed, what i do have that is much more useful for me is one of these https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-26...ander_p6290620 and i use it quite a lot, they are not real powerful and maybe a bit slow but work very well and are cheap.
You do need to get the blue belts for it tho...

I do not use a die grinder often but recently lashed out on this. https://www.totaltools.com.au/148422...-skin-m12fdgs0 A bit bigger than an air operated grinder, but a lot smaller than many other battery or mains powered grinders and a lot easier than taking around an air compressor.
For bits I use a set like this https://www.bunnings.com.au/sutton-t...r-set_p0047688 which could be suitable for your application.

Very often I buy things second hand to try and save a few $, eg this bit is probably a good buy, even including postage. https://www.cashconverters.com.au/sh...r/002200127714

I have the Makita Die Grinder, and it gets used virtually every week, either by myself or someone at work. If you're using it on Aluminium, you need a coarse bit, otherwise it'll block up, same with removing Galvanising. Which is what mine gets used for mainly.
Using one is a two handed operation, as depending on the bit, they can be very aggressive.
I wouldn't be without mine, even considering getting a cordless one soon.
Kryn

If you’re going to use one with burrs on steel make sure you also buy one of the small lights with a magnifying glass and some tweezers. They produce lovely little needle-like swarf which goes everywhere. I hate the bloody things and will do everything I can to find an alternate tool for the job.
If using them on aluminum grab a small block of candle wax and occasionally touch the burr on that - stops them loading up.

Can’t help you with a recommendation for an electric one - mine are all air.

Steve

Sort of related, but not strictly speaking on topic..
If you are cleaning up a large slot between two holesaw cut outs for example and you have a 1/4 trim router, put a carbide burr in it and wind it up to 11, much more stable than trying to do it freehand with a die grinder. Also gives you the option of setting a guide.
You can do radii on corners with a circle cutter if you take the excess off first with a grinder and don’t get too greedy with removing material each pass.

Back on topic..
If I was looking for an electric die grinder, I’d be heading toward a Metabo, it’s smaller form makes it less cumbersome to hang on to in my head.
https://www.metabo.com/au/en/tools/c...g/die-grinder/

Full disclosure, all mine are pneumatic.

I've also gone down the battery route for the occasional need I have, but mine is right angled
https://www.totaltools.com.au/146042...-skin-m12fdga0
Probably not worth getting this sort of thing if you have to buy batteries and a charger - would potentially double (or more) the cost.

I've used it with a burr once (and it worked) but mainly I got it to finish sheet metal, like that drill press guard.

Michael

I have both the makita electric and air powered ones. The makita is great for big fillet weld clean ups and such, and the straight air one for more delicate work. But the one that we use the most is this https://www.gasweld.com.au/ingersoll...RoCgHoQAvD_BwE

its so handy, and most of the time it has a little flap disc in it for cleaning up galvanised dags and such. I’ve even used it for wood carving,and relatively cheap.

I use a Makita electric DG heaps, they are big and take some getting use too and they have very good torque(much more that a small air one)I dont have much trouble with the size as I have larger hands.
Id say dont buy a single speed unit get a variable speed the extra cost(pretty much double) is well worth it, it makes the tool much much more versatile especially with soft metals and plastics/wood and you can run larger cutters... stops them kicking like a mule when using correct speed for the cutter and gives you much finer control.

Hint always prop before using a burr for cutting and while cutting never free hand... and never prop on a finger cutting towards your digit always prop on the after side of the cut and like a router approach the cut in the correct direction climb cutting is asking for trouble(the kick like a mule part)

I have the cheaper non-variable-speed Makita - I don't use it that often but when I need it, it's so very much the best tool for the job. In hindsight I'd probably lash out on variable speed, as you can't safely run an abrasive disk on mine due to the high RPM, and also, as mentioned, the machine can get a bit wild and take off on you if you don't have a good, braced hold on the tool.

And again, as mentioned, using a carbide burr on steel does produce thousands of evil little sharp chips, but again, for certain tasks, it's such a good tool.

Originally Posted by RustyArc

In hindsight I'd probably lash out on variable speed ,... and also, as mentioned, the machine can get a bit wild and take off on you if you don't have a good, braced hold on the tool.

Agreed 100%, I have had a 25k rpm Hitachi for 20 years or so and it's a wild ride if the burr gets away from you. I also have the Makita variable speed unit which runs down to 1800 rpm and it's so much more controllable in tight holes and castings. It wasn't cheap but it's built like a brick sh...house and will probably see me out.

The Makita gets used every week at the steam depot, the Hitachi gets used very rarely now.