Rotary die & cut-off tools: Can I..

[Spot the welders dog]

Thanks Gav; Left here feeling stupid - researched some more, and discovered that you doth practice evil

Where are you looking to buy? ebay,machine mart ?......should be able to confirm the collet size....

Admittedly my 'research' is mainly ebay, but I cannot find a cut-off tool that uses a collett fixing of a spindle. as opposed to a fixed spindle/mandrel/pointed bit, to which the disc is affixed using a machine screw.

Cj: I'm glad you're here to ask the questions that I need to be asked

but the speed they need to run at feels like a potentially face-losing exercise,

Spinny cutty things deserve respect and fear in equal measure in the STWD book of life!

Do you have a shield for your grinder? think that this alone persuades me toward a cutt-off tool and adapter to enable the use of other mediums (Hope Gav can point me toward a suitable device now that he's seeded the way ).

Nice find on the Tooled-up arbor - Found something similar; but for six times the cost!

But I'm not about to undermine my own inventiveness and just buy it!

That's not a lot of cash to keep that handsome profile of yours or do you relish that "demented vibrator" feel that only an uncentered spinning disc gives

Thanks for the input...very much needed I'm sorry to say.

 

[gavuk]

Can't find any myself now spot but could have sworn ,the tool with the wire brush started out as a cutting tool.....
.If i had to choose i would go with a collet ,so a die grinder,also in the picture is a home made arbour made from a 10mm bolt,which works well,but in truth I rarely use mine favouring a grinder instead
Most of the available cut off disks are way too thick ,we used to keep "hummer"iirc disks which were thin and lasted well,I always use a full face shield so i don't worry so much if i don't have a guard fitted

 

[Country Joe]

Now there's a nice looking arbor, gavuk! Looks like you're a lathe owner, then?

Spot the welders dog, no I don't have a guard, but do wear a lot of protection when using the "demented vibrator", though. However, as gavuk says, a grinder is usually possible, instead.

Must admit, I have bookmarked that tooled-up arbor. The discs I have were from Smith & Arrow, but they're only 1mm thick. They don't seem to do them now, just 0.8 & 1.1mm ones.

All the Best,
CJ

 

[gavuk]

Yes Joe I have a harrison L5 ,but that was made at work years ago...Spot if you go for a die grinder i'll post you an arbour

 

[Spot the welders dog]

Spot if you go for a die grinder i'll post you an arbour

Haha, you think I'll fall for that old trick: Get my addy and then send the boys around to slap me about for being cheeky...no way lol
Seriously: Thank you for that very kind offer - You're a real gent.

Think I have found my shopping list:-
Cheapo die grinder.
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Power+Tools/Air+Compressors+Tools/Air+Die+Grinder+Kit/d40/sd3164/p33383
Mandrel to fit 10mm bore discs.
http://www.woodworkscraftsupplies.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=94_97_146&products_id=708
@CJ - I've orded two. if you want one I'll send it over to ya..

Found this also; Not sure if it has any benefit over the one above?
http://www.silverstonefactors.com/index.php/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&product_id=2293&category_id=473
And this looks nice if you require a 6mm & 10mm bores.
http://www.abrasivesupply.com/SPEDECUT_1_4_Manrel_Kit_for_Small_Cutting_Grind_p/sm50p.htm

I'm also going to invest in a 'Rolec' type fitting (50mm) so I can use the small diameter clean&strip disks, and sanding discs.

Thank you lovely forum peeps....

 

[KemppiFrog]

Not sure I like the idea of cutting discs in die grinders. Any 'grabbing' of the disc will put a strong twist on your hand, leading to the disc (if in a slot, or cutting tube) disintergrating.

A cut off tool would be like a mini angle grinder, with the disc in line with a handle. One could make up a handle for one of those, and a guard....
KF

 

[gavuk]

Spot your second choice mandrel allows easier changing of the disc,without having to dismount the arbour,to remove the nut holding the disc,so its quicker...........

 

[brightspark]

Not sure I like the idea of cutting discs in die grinders. Any 'grabbing' of the disc will put a strong twist on your hand, leading to the disc (if in a slot, or cutting tube) disintergrating.

A cut off tool would be like a mini angle grinder, with the disc in line with a handle. One could make up a handle for one of those, and a guard....
KF

the largest slitting disk i would use in a die grinder if i had to would be 2 inch max. any larger would be dangerous and just let go .fortunately i dont need to

 

[Country Joe]

STWD, That mandrel from Silverstone Factors is actually made for the job, and it seems they also have those Hummer discs that gavuk was talking about, earlier. The other one is from America, so shipping would be a killer, I'd guess.
I also notice how those air-powered die grinders seem very reasonably priced, when compared to the electric versions.

KemppiFrog, I know what you mean, it's one of those things I'd never even attempt one-handed, and only when access is too limited for any other method. Being able to cut off almost flush can be handy at times, though. I'm still a bit wary/careful when using the ultra thin (0.8 & 1.0mm) slitting type discs in a (normal 4.5 inch) grinder, for the same reasons - seems as if one small snatch would cause it to explode on you.

Like gavuk says, the mandrel makes it possible to change discs without removing the whole arbour, and seems to have less metal beyond the disc, enabling you to cut closer to flush, as opposed to the ones I've seen with quite a length of threaded area behind the disc, where the securing nut would have to go.

I'm tempted, to take you up on that (very kind) offer of a mandrel, but as you've had to shell out for one, there's no reason I shouldn't, too (and don't want to become known as the forum "free-loader"), so I'm off to measure the exact size of the shaft on the one I've been using, as the one in the link says 6.35 mm, and I'm starting to think that the collett size is only 6mm, so that 0.35 may be what makes them such a tight fit.

I've just measured them.
The tight-fitting (un-centred) item I've been using is 6.305mm, but those dangerously hopeless pink and blue stone type things are just a shade over 6mm, so maybe the difference matters. Maybe a tiny smear of grease is in order.

Which, I guess, means I'm tied to using the Silverstone one for a tenner, as opposed to the Woodworks one at £3. But anythings better than an off-centre disc.

Brightspark, I don't think I've ever seen 2 inch discs, just 3 inch ones, so far...
All the Best,
CJ

 

[Spot the welders dog]

My £3 mandrel has just dropped through the door. Surprised to find 'USA' stamped onto the face.
Nice that it also answered another question I had regarding the grinders direction of travel: This mandrel has an anti-clockwise thread.
@CJ; took a rough measure (rough as in calliper needs new battery!), and seems to be dot on 6mm - although my old eyes couldn't possibly define 0.3mm difference..

I've emailed the stateside suppliers: awaiting shipping costs to be confirmed.

 

[Spot the welders dog]

Just found these pics and remembered this thread - works a treat - Still extremely handsome thanks to my creative genus...