whats to story on die grinders? 6mm or 1/4"?

[Craig-S]

Thinking of grabbing one. Im a teal colour tool chap but the price difference is over double to go from 6mm to 8mm to get the use of 1/4" burrs etc. is it worth it is the question? or are there other brands worth considering? (NOT Red ones)

 

[MetalMonkey]

Did you mean 6mm, 8mm or 1/4" because all three are available....

Don't know about Makita ones, but the air die grinders I have usually come with a 1/4" and 6mm collet to allow you to use either.
Often its the same machine but you can just buy whatever collet you need. They usually aren't that cheap though.

 

[Craig-S]

Did you mean 6mm, 8mm or 1/4" because all three are available....

Don't know about Makita ones, but the air die grinders I have usually come with a 1/4" and 6mm collet to allow you to use either.
Often its the same machine but you can just buy whatever collet you need. They usually aren't that cheap though.

yeah makita do 6mm or 8mm, no 1/4" unless you buy the 8mm and get and extra collet. sadly just a 10l compressor so air tools are out the question

im guessing i cant squeeze a 1/4" collet into the 6mm, obviously the collet holder is bigger than the collet in question but still. i think the 6mm 's are around £115 ish, and £250 up for the 8mm, strictly corded

 

[BrokenBiker]

I've got a 6mm and haven't ever struggled to find burrs for it...I have got all shapes and sizes of carbide and a few wide flute types for aluminium

 

[Craig-S]

I've got a 6mm and haven't ever struggled to find burrs for it...I have got all shapes and sizes of carbide and a few wide flute types for aluminium

excellent, hopefully that will save a little grinding dust at least.

 

[hotponyshoes]

yeah makita do 6mm or 8mm, no 1/4" unless you buy the 8mm and get and extra collet. sadly just a 10l compressor so air tools are out the question

im guessing i cant squeeze a 1/4" collet into the 6mm, obviously the collet holder is bigger than the collet in question but still. i think the 6mm 's are around £115 ish, and £250 up for the 8mm, strictly corded

Get the part diagrams for all 3 models and see what's diffrent. 6mm & 1/4" might use the same shank?

Also have a look at the specs (or parts diagrams) as that's quite a difference in price between the 6mm & 8mm versions.
My guess is the 8mm is a heavier duty version so has more power or something rather than just the difference in collet size.

 

[Agroshield]

My guess is the 8mm is a heavier duty version so has more power or something rather than just the difference in collet size.

A 6mm and 1/4" collet will be the same OD, with the bore differing. The wall might be too thin on an 8mm bore. As you say, to accommodate that, the collet body, and hence hole in the spindle, needs to be larger (and also maybe a bigger nut.

As 8mm and 5/16" are much closer than 6mm and 1/4" that size machine only needs one collet to take metric or imperial tools.

 

[Craig-S]

Get the part diagrams for all 3 models and see what's diffrent. 6mm & 1/4" might use the same shank?

Also have a look at the specs (or parts diagrams) as that's quite a difference in price between the 6mm & 8mm versions.
My guess is the 8mm is a heavier duty version so has more power or something rather than just the difference in collet size.

They are indeed different, its not just collet size, the 8mm has more power and a metal neck, the spindles are different part numbers so not interchangeable.

if the 6mm is good enough and plenty of accessories then thats the route ill go and save some pennies, its only hobby use and not proffessional so its not likely to get a hot supper