Fixing angle grinder

[MG David]

The shaft on my angle grinder comes out a hole in the centre of a plate that is fixed to the main body casting with 4 self tappers. Over the years these screws have come loose and I have tightened them up many times. However, they will no longer grip in the body.

I am thinking of filling the 4 screw holes in the main body with a product I have read about called JB Weld. Then I would drill a pilot hole for each screw before reassembling.

Firstly, are there any JB Weld users out there who can tell me it they think this would work? They used it in PPC magazine when refacing a cylinder head.

Secondly, where is it sold? I can't find it in Halfords.

I have had the angle grinder since about '82. It is a 115mm Black & Decker Pro. Back then the small angle grinders had M10 threads rather than M14 which seems to be the standard for all sizes now. I have a couple of wire brushes and sanding pads with the M10 thread. So I don't want to just throw it away.

 

[gavuk]

Can you not use slightly larger selftappers or just tap the holes metric?not used jb weld have used belzona and a product from thistle also a liquid metal,not as good as a size increase imho but should extend the grinders life

 

[fingers99]

I'd be inclined to tap the holes bigger or use helicoil.

I had one of those grinders years ago and it was so much nicer than the cheap tat I tend to use now. (Otherwise, I'd say bin it and get one from Aldi!)

I've an idea that Machine Mart sell some kind of adaptor.

FROST sell JB weld on the internet.

 

[Luke]

I think I'd much rather drill and tap, or helicoil the original metal than muck around with JB weld. Is there enough metal to do so?

I've no direct experience of JB weld but in this application it's going to be subject to a fair amount of vibration, personally, my hopes wouldn't be too high.

 

[Paul.]

For those sort of repairs, I would try a thread rolling Taptite screw first, no tapping required and much more secure than a conventional self tapper.

Edit: Another Link

 

[MG David]

Thanks for the ideas. I will have a further look at it tonight. The smallest tap I have currently is a UNF 10-32. It may be a bit big.

 

[fingers99]

Cheap taps and dies from Tracy Tools. Fairly sure it'll be metric.

 

[zzr1200]

Considering the cost of taps/jb weld/or any other solution, plus the time and the age of the grinder. I'd bite the bullit throw it away and buy another good quality one and look forward to the next 25+ years.

 

[malcolm]

You'll be lucky to get 25 years out of an angle grinder these days - engineering has moved on enormously over that time and there's no longer any need for over engineering.

If you were self tapping into alloy of some sort I'll send you a couple of free sticks of those alu welding /brazing rods if you can take a couple of photos and do a little write up on the forum in return. Needs a bit of heat though so would only work of you could pull the part away from any seals or grease.

 

[eil]

Thats the trouble these days, throw it away and buy another. I dont agree though, im with you David at least have a try at keeping the old thing going.

 

[zzr1200]

You'll be lucky to get 25 years out of an angle grinder these days - engineering has moved on enormously over that time and there's no longer any need for over engineering.

I agree, but it is possible I had a little Wolf 4 inch grinder up until a couple of years ago which must have been 30+ years old.

I suspect the B&D replacement might last 15 years with luck, at work we have Metabo grinders and drills that take a beating, should last well in diy usage.

 

[gav the welder]

just chuck the thing away lol
and buy another 1

i had a grinder that blew up on me on saturday i was well peed off about it

but it only cost me 4 quid from makro lol

and ive had it for 5 years

 

[drivewasher]

Put a lenght of solid copper wire 0.75mm sq (earth wire from a 1.0mm sq twin and earth cable) into the stripped hole cut it flush with the gearbox housing, fit the cover on and put screws back in. You may need to experiment with the gauge of wire to get screws to grip. Works well in plastic housing too

 

[Weldingartisan]

I use the paddle switch type Makita grinders, I've had a couple of them coming up 10 years and all spares are still available. I've only had to replace the bevel gear set in one and the brushes have just gone in the other and thats with heavy industrial use. At £50.00 a piece I call that a bargain. W/A