Hand held metal polishing tool...?

[The Z'eer]

I've been using a domestic drill drill to tackle several jobs over the past few months which it isn't well suited for. As such I've decided it'd be wise to purchase the proper gear.

I'm looking into a tool which can do the the following jobs: Metal polishing and corrosion removal via flap and wire wheels.

With regards to metal polishing I'm well aware a 3 phase bench grinder is best suited but that's not feasible to me. Also I would prefer a hand held tool since it'll be more versatile for the required jobs. I do appreciate that a metal polishing job will take longer with a 240 volt hand held tool, but that's ok with me as long as it can be completed CORRECTLY.

Can anybody tell me the specifics of what the tool must have i.e torque and rpm and point me in the right direction for an item that suit the above jobs?

Thanks

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Adjustable speed angle grinder and a tyrolit polishing kit. Search it on YouTube, outstanding results.

 

[The Z'eer]

Adjustable speed angle grinder and a tyrolit polishing kit. Search it on YouTube, outstanding results.

Thanks for the info there I should imagine an adjustable speed grinder is preferable. I had heard a die grinder is more suitable than an angle grinder.

 

[hotrodder]

Like i said in the other thread there's usually some old school Wolf bench and straight/hand held grinders on the bay Not much in the way of bench grinders at the mo but a couple of 230V straight grinders and a 110V version.

I know you said you don't want a bench/pedestal version but they make way more sense a lot of the time, it's an old listing but this sort of thing http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/wolf-benc...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 ain't gonna be easy to slow or stall without leaning it soooo hard you risk damaging yourself and/or whatever is being polished whether it's running 6" dia x 1" mops or slightly larger dia but thinner versions. Note the 6" version in the link is 0.45hp not the identical looking 0.25hp version. They also exist as single phase 0.5hp 8" bench grinders or 10" buffers although the latter don't turn up for sale that often

The various brands of polishing kits that are available for angle grinders have there uses and are sometimes very handy but the consumables are more spendy* and generally shorter lived. Moreso if a low rpm or adjustable speed grinder isn't used

FWIW i've got several Wolf bench grinders, one is converted to a buffer another is used for deburring and graining stuff (google convolute deburring wheels) and while not in the same league as big 3ph kit they're got more than enough torque and a good enough duty cycle for anyone that isn't polishing stuff for a living. Same/similar abrasives exist for bench, straight or angle grinders the later just use a different mounting system and usually cost more as a result. Unless the workpiece is very heavy and/or unwieldy i'd rather hold the work against a fixed machine most of the time personally

* for example a 115mm tyrolit polishing mop is ~ £15 + VAT by the looks of things http://www.fwb.co.uk/tools/grinding-cutting-discs/tyrolit-polishing-mop-115mm-125mm- (rpms are mentioned in the vid), good quality 4" x 1/2" mops are under £2 and ultra thin 'razor buffs' for getting into tight spots that an angle grinder has zero chance of reaching are similar money

 

[The Z'eer]

Like i said in the other thread there's usually some old school Wolf bench and straight/hand held grinders on the bay Not much in the way of bench grinders at the mo but a couple of 230V straight grinders and a 110V version.

I know you said you don't want a bench/pedestal version but they make way more sense a lot of the time, it's an old listing but this sort of thing http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/wolf-bench-grinding-machine-with-double-polisher-attachments-/232091740353?hash=item3609bee8c1:g:fZ4AAOSwTA9X5GL~&nma=true&si=wVYIMsdYRPmf%2BJ8PskkrUvxvQg8%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 ain't gonna be easy to slow or stall without leaning it soooo hard you risk damaging yourself and/or whatever is being polished whether it's running 6" dia x 1" mops or slightly larger dia but thinner versions. Note the 6" version in the link is 0.45hp not the identical looking 0.25hp version. They also exist as single phase 0.5hp 8" bench grinders or 10" buffers although the latter don't turn up for sale that often

The various brands of polishing kits that are available for angle grinders have there uses and are sometimes very handy but the consumables are more spendy* and generally shorter lived. Moreso if a low rpm or adjustable speed grinder isn't used

FWIW i've got several Wolf bench grinders, one is converted to a buffer another is used for deburring and graining stuff (google convolute deburring wheels) and while not in the same league as big 3ph kit they're got more than enough torque and a good enough duty cycle for anyone that isn't polishing stuff for a living. Same/similar abrasives exist for bench, straight or angle grinders the later just use a different mounting system and usually cost more as a result. Unless the workpiece is very heavy and/or unwieldy i'd rather hold the work against a fixed machine most of the time personally

* for example a 115mm tyrolit polishing mop is ~ £15 + VAT by the looks of things http://www.fwb.co.uk/tools/grinding-cutting-discs/tyrolit-polishing-mop-115mm-125mm- (rpms are mentioned in the vid), good quality 4" x 1/2" mops are under £2 and ultra thin 'razor buffs' for getting into tight spots that an angle grinder has zero chance of reaching are similar money

I'm sure the usage of a proper bench grinder is superior to a hand held tool. However, I'm looking for a tool that I can use for flap and wire wheeling metal that also suffices it to polish it too.

 

[Mee]

4 1/2" angle grinder does it all, you can fit standard abrasives, a backing pad and resin bonded discs which are finer than abrasives and give a very fine, almost mark free finish in their finer grades, you can get a screw on Velcro backing pad for the Scotchbrite type plastic based polishing pads, and kits for polishing mops.

 

[The Z'eer]

4 1/2" angle grinder does it all, you can fit standard abrasives, a backing pad and resin bonded discs which are finer than abrasives and give a very fine, almost mark free finish in their finer grades, you can get a screw on Velcro backing pad for the Scotchbrite type plastic based polishing pads, and kits for polishing mops.

Thanks for the info there but I think I'd prefer a straight grinder, for polishing and flap and wire wheel usage, plus other abrasives I feel the tool will be more suited.

 

[Mee]

Then an air or electric die grinder as well as an angle grinder.

 

[ukracer]

Aldi still had some in stock two weeks ago in my local store. it's been shut for 2 weeks for refurb ,but its worth checking your local store.

 

[ukracer]

Thanks for the info there but I think I'd prefer a straight grinder, for polishing and flap and wire wheel usage, plus other abrasives I feel the tool will be more suited.

As said above. You need a die grinder. I doubt it will be as good as an angle grinder due to the wheels and tools available for it.

 

[The Z'eer]

Then an air or electric die grinder as well as an angle grinder.

Air isn't an option, I've no compressor. Surely one grinder is a better option than buying two?

 

[The Z'eer]

Aldi still had some in stock two weeks ago in my local store. it's been shut for 2 weeks for refurb ,but its worth checking your local store.

I can't imagine the tools available in Aldi will be any better for metal polishing then the De Walt 700 watt drill that I already have.

 

[brightspark]

die grinder limited to a collet chuck and high speed and no use for polishing and using flap wheels ect

 

[The Z'eer]

As said above. You need a die grinder. I doubt it will be as good as an angle grinder due to the wheels and tools available for it.

There appears to be many attachments for a straight grinder, pretty similar to drill I believe.

 

[The Z'eer]

die grinder limited to a collet chuck and high speed and no use for polishing and using flap wheels ect

Using flap wheel here https://www.howetools.co.uk/makita-...gle_shopping&gclid=CLngn5jK3c8CFSwq0wodlk4BsA I think a fair few are compatible with various abbrasives.

 

[ukracer]

I

I can't imagine the tools available in Aldi will be any better for metal polishing then the De Walt 700 watt drill that I already have.

I was referring specifically to the adjustable speed angle grinder many on this forum have purchased . the variable speed makes it more versatile for polishing IMHO.

 

[graffian]

There appears to be many attachments for a straight grinder, pretty similar to drill I believe.

Like this.

 

[The Z'eer]

I

I was referring specifically to the adjustable speed angle grinder many on this forum have purchased . the variable speed makes it more versatile for polishing IMHO.

Sounds good, do you know the specifics of the tool such as it's max rpm, h.p. etc?

 

[Robotstar5]

Like this.

That brings back memories, as an apprentice in the 70's I looked after the hi frequency grinders used in the fettling shop for cleaning the raw castings. The operators would wedge the wheel into a casting then switch it on and hold it stalled until something burnt out so they could have a break while I repaired it. I realised I had enough spares to make up a couple of spare grinders so I could do a "service exchange" when they bought a knackered one in, they didn't come in so often after that

 

[ukracer]

Sounds good, do you know the specifics of the tool such as it's max rpm, h.p. etc?

https://www.aldi.co.uk/1200w-angle-grinder/p/093549044695700