Idle (off-piste) thought on Die Grinding...

[GRW]

I was using a meaty Makita leccy Die Grinder (works, not mine) for the first time y-day. What a tool with 6mm shank Carbide Burr in it!

I was needing to open out some holes to accept a larger item, and keep the shape etc..... and it occurred to me that it'd be a lot easier with the grinder held fast, and able to hold the workpiece.

I suddenly thought about my high speed wood Router, mounted in a Router Table - and it dawned on me that the collet size is the same on both, while a Router has the speed and plenty of power.

Is it a mental (or lethal) idea to think of using a carbide burr in the Router for freehand shaping bits of metal? (I can see the potential pitfalls of kicking etc)?

 

[Scalarocco]

Without over-thinking it, the die grinder is a motor with a collet chuck on one end. The router is a motor with a collet chuck on one end. The difference is in the application and how much you enjoy having fingers. If the rotation speed is correct for the application and won't place undue stress on the burr/cutter etc. The router is the shape it is based on its intended use, ditto the die grinder. If you still want to go ahead just PPE yourself up to a suitable degree as long as you're happy to accept the risks.

 

[GRW]

Without over-thinking it, the die grinder is a motor with a collet chuck on one end. The router is a motor with a collet chuck on one end. The difference is in the application and how much you enjoy having fingers. If the rotation speed is correct for the application. The router is the shape it is based on its intended use, ditto the die grinder. If you still want to go ahead just PPE yourself up to a suitable degree as long as you're happy to accept the risks.

I was thinking along the same lines.

As for enjoying having fingers.... yes I do! A router is a scary thing with such a lethal cutter (an electric hand plane is something else that I'm very, very respectful of - scary things).
In the Table, the Router is a lot more secure, but you have to be very mindful to keep yourself well away from the bit (pusher sticks, guides etc).

It occurred to me though that it's similar in principle to using the Drill Press, and using a drill press vice to securely hold the workpiece steady while keeping your pinkies well clear

 

[Windy Miller]

If you'd ever had a burr grab in the hole you're working on, and the workpiece gets ripped out of the vice, you'd know not to try that. The farking (out of balance) thing was vibrating so much that I could barely hold on to it. I might have soiled my pants a little that day!

I HATE those die grinders so much that I gave a brand new one away and was very glad to see the back of it!

 

[maroon]

Burrs bite hard. A die grinder will give before the burr(either lock up of bounce back/out). Having more Weight behind and more torque(routers are weighty things) there will be more of a chance of the burr snapping and flying than the die grinder giving way.

 

[minimutly]

If you'd ever had a burr grab in the hole you're working on, and the workpiece gets ripped out of the vice, you'd know not to try that. The farking (out of balance) thing was vibrating so much that I could barely hold on to it. I might have soiled my pants a little that day!

I HATE those die grinders so much that I gave a brand new one away and was very glad to see the back of it!

Yes, this and the burr catching and bending can be a ring tightening experience - the grinder vibrates so much you need two hands to hold it, so you then can’t reach the switch...
Foot switch would be the answer.....

 

[GRW]

Yes, this and the burr catching and bending can be a ring tightening experience - the grinder vibrates so much you need two hands to hold it, so you then can’t reach the switch...
Foot switch would be the answer.....

That's one thing I like about the Triton Router Table - it has the large safety stop at knee height, on the end where you feed the workpiece through. Not needed to use it in a hurry, but happy its there

 

[hotponyshoes]

Does a wood router have the dust protection that a die grinder would?
I'd be a bit worried that the metal dust/chips would damage the router if any gets sucked in.
I'd like to think that a decent wood router would have plenty of dust shielding but if they are only expecting it to deal with wood dust then I'm not sure if the electronics would be suitably shielded against metal particals?

 

[maroon]

That's one thing I like about the Triton Router Table - it has the large safety stop at knee height, on the end where you feed the workpiece through. Not needed to use it in a hurry, but happy its there

Didn't realise it was a table. You basically wanting to turn you router table into a manual upside down milling machine. Sort of. Stick a screen up (like a mill) and Wear big thick gloves to hold the workpiece barrier it so the workpiece is unable to fly back and chop you up.

 

[hotponyshoes]

I also have a foot switch that I can use for stuff like this.
It's just a foot switch that I have wired a plug and socket onto so I just put it inline whenever I am doing something vaguely dangerous or for the convience if its a job that needs both hands like on the pillar drill.

 

[rtcosic]

I also have a foot switch that I can use for stuff like this.
It's just a foot switch that I have wired a plug and socket onto so I just put it inline whenever I am doing something vaguely dangerous or for the convience if its a job that needs both hands like on the pillar drill.

I'm making a long-term loan of this brilliant idea.

Yet another one of this Forum's Why Didn't I Think Of That posts.

Any advice on the source of a suitable switch?

 

[Dcal]

My foot pedal came from a singer sewing machine.
I used it with one of the small lidl inverter welders for cutting polystyrene (amongst other things) and it hasn't burnt out yet.

 

[hotponyshoes]

I'm making a long-term loan of this brilliant idea.

Yet another one of this Forum's Why Didn't I Think Of That posts.

Any advice on the source of a suitable switch?

I bought the type on the left.
It was about £15 on ebay.

I drilled another hole for a 2nd cable entry and put a trailing socket on but in hindsight I could have used an external junction box and maybe mounted a socket plate on that. Or maybe look for one with 2 cable inlets as standard?

I was expecting to have to replace the switch with a decent one at some stage but it's all held up fine so far!

The only problem with mine is it's easy to step on it accidently or if you are just not concentrating, press it before you have got hold of the workpiece!
One of the other types would be a bit safer but I'm always wearing chunky steel toe size 10's and didn't know how easy they would be to use?

 

[rtcosic]

Ordered

 

[roblane65]

I have used a burr in a small trend router ( variable speed with a 6mm collet fitted ) just removed the router base and used just like a die grinder . with suitable PPE of course and it did the job ok was just a few small fillet welds and it got me out of bind .

 

[AKN]

I have used a burr in a small trend router ( variable speed with a 6mm collet fitted ) just removed the router base and used just like a die grinder . with suitable PPE of course and it did the job ok was just a few small fillet welds and it got me out of bind .

I have the small Trend router (T3?) too with a reasonable collection of carbide burrs. I used it a few times now for opening up holes in panels for meters, big connectors etc. A bit interesting if the burr decides to rattle round the hole, no limbs lost, yet! All in all I find it a very useful bit of kit.

P.S. I woiuldn’t want to try the same stunt with the 1/2 Trend router though!!

 

[roblane65]

I have the small Trend router (T3?) too with a reasonable collection of carbide burrs. I used it a few times now for opening up holes in panels for meters, big connectors etc. A bit interesting if the burr decides to rattle round the hole, no limbs lost, yet! All in all I find it a very useful bit of kit.

P.S. I woiuldn’t want to try the same stunt with the 1/2 Trend router though!!

Try it and make a video .........

 

[GRW]

My Router is a right meaty Erbauer one, bought with the intention of it being mainly in the table - so it is darned powerful - so thought, care and PPE would be a must.
I'm liking the barrier /workpiece holder thinking.... while a universal Foot Pedal is something that could be really handy - great idea!

 

[GRW]

Does a wood router have the dust protection that a die grinder would?
I'd be a bit worried that the metal dust/chips would damage the router if any gets sucked in.
I'd like to think that a decent wood router would have plenty of dust shielding but if they are only expecting it to deal with wood dust then I'm not sure if the electronics would be suitably shielded against metal particals?

That's a thought I had as well.... and don't know the answer. I think it would be possible to add a close-fit shield around the shank to stop bits dropping through the Table and into the Router.

 

[bricol]

Hmmmm . .. I'm not sure the thought process will work fast enough to save fingers . . . I could see you bracing yourself firmly against the floor, ie harder on the switch, while attempting to hang on tighter to the lump of metal now rotating around at a reasonable rate of rotation . . .

Similar to driving a non-abs equipped car . . . all locked up sliding to the scene of the accident . . the thought process pushing the brake pedal through the floor takes some over coming to come off the brakes to make the wheels rotate and regain grip . . .

Gloves even worse - first thing you should taught near rotating machinery - don't wear gloves!