small angle grinder for wire brush use

[bigegg]

I'm in need of an "angle grinder" to run 2-3 inch wire wheels for cleaning up a vehicle chassis.

The 4.5" grinder is too big
The proxxon/dremel is too small
The die grinder is too fast.
The cordless drill is the wrong shape/difficult to hold.

Any recommendations? I'd prefer a Milwaukee if battery (although I cant see anything suitable after a 10 minute "google"), although mains powered is okay.
Pneumatic would be too awkward, between running a 30m airline from my big compressor, plus the weight of the hose., but I'm prepared to be convinced.

Any recommendations? Budget up to maybe £200?

ta

 

[Robotstar5]

Have a look at this I have some of the 12V system and that's pretty compact.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Have a look at this I have some of the 12V system and that's pretty compact.

That looks like a decent version of the £15 Chinese jobbies that many of us bought after Christmas.

 

[bigegg]

Have a look at this I have some of the 12V system and that's pretty compact.

just had a look at this, and lowest speed is 12000rpm.

needing something around 4-5000

<edit>
looks like some of the small Norton brushes are suitable for up to 14000rpm, but I'd like a bit more choice of speed and tooling.

 

[Ubique]

I just use a DeWalt right-angle cordless drill, I think it was ~£55 'bare'.

 

[bigegg]

That looks like a decent version of the £15 Chinese jobbies that many of us bought after Christmas.

Or maybe exactly the same, in a different colour

 

[Agroshield]

Have a look at this...

What are the details of the wheel fitting? From a brief glance, all I could see was a vague 'M5' reference.

Do 2-3" wire wheels exist in that fitting?

To find the right thing, it cannot be a look with only one eye. One eye needs to find the tool; the other eye needs to find suitable consumables for that tool.

Just as food for thought, this Shih Tzu one (https://www.aimtools.co.uk/collections/grinders/products/100014) has a hollow spindle that takes a collet, so can accommodate two different types of consumable.

 

[bigegg]

I just use a DeWalt right-angle cordless drill, I think it was ~£55 'bare'.

I don't have any DeWalt stuff - I'd have to buy a charger and batteries, so I'd be approaching the limit of my budget.
I'd rather spend the money on the correct/perfect tool

 

[Ubique]

Is there not an equivalent in your preferred brand?

 

[bigegg]

What are the details of the wheel fitting? From a brief glance, all I could see was a vague 'M5' reference.

Do 2-3" wire wheels exist in that fitting?

To find the right thing, it cannot be a look with only one eye. One eye needs to find the tool; the other eye needs to find suitable consumables for that tool.

Just as food for thought, this Shih Tzu one (https://www.aimtools.co.uk/collections/grinders/products/100014) has a hollow spindle that takes a collet, so can accommodate two different types of consumable.

The label on that grinder is "Katsu", which i actually like as a brand.

Further research shows it has again a no-load speed of 12000rpm, which is too fast

 

[bigegg]

Is there not an equivalent in your preferred brand?

No.

The do a straight, and a right angle, die grinder, and a "polisher", which is basically their m12 cordless drill without the clutch and a different chuck

 

[GRW]

What are the details of the wheel fitting? From a brief glance, all I could see was a vague 'M5' reference.

Do 2-3" wire wheels exist in that fitting?

To find the right thing, it cannot be a look with only one eye. One eye needs to find the tool; the other eye needs to find suitable consumables for that tool.

Just as food for thought, this Shih Tzu one (https://www.aimtools.co.uk/collections/grinders/products/100014) has a hollow spindle that takes a collet, so can accommodate two different types of consumable.

I've had one of those wee Katsu grinders for a couple of years. It's done surprisingly well. It's low powered so you have to let the tool do the work without force, but it's v handy.
With collet fitted and the smallest diameter die grinder bits it gets into places that other stuff cannot get - same goes with mini discs.
If mine dies I'd immediately get another - only the very short cable is a bit of a niggle (but not enough to make me change it)

 

[GRW]

The label on that grinder is "Katsu", which i actually like as a brand.

Further research shows it has again a no-load speed of 12000rpm, which is too fast

I've no way of measuring true speed - but it doesnt feel like it runs appreciably faster than a regular 4.5" to me .
Also, given its low power - it will lose rpms as soon as its under load - even being light-handed to preserve the dinky brushed motor.

 

[Ubique]

I appreciate you would prefer to not use air tools, I've been using the Silverline knotted wire wheels in a straight die grinder with a swivel joint for the last eight or nine years on various bits of cars. The no-load speed is above the rated speed of the wire wheel but it's never been an issue.
This is the air tool

The knotted wheel

And the swivel joint

Being a straight tool does mean the working surface of the wire wheel is easier to get into confines spaces, I appreciate the exact tool is over budget, there are smaller / slower ones, like the tyre repair ones that run around 4000rpm and obviously there should be equivalents by other manufacturers. The downside is it'll put more load on your wrist than an angled device, but it may be better due to access improvements. The wire wheel is rated to 12k rpm IIRC, never had one let go in use or spinning up.

 

[GRW]

Oh yes.... if you can find an adaptor for it (I did but cannot recall where from) you can run the wee Rocol?? Roloc?? Mini sanding / polishing pads as well in the dinky Katsu.

 

[bigegg]

I appreciate you would prefer to not use air tools, I've been using the Silverline knotted wire wheels in a straight die grinder with a swivel joint for the last eight or nine years on various bits of cars. The no-load speed is above the rated speed of the wire wheel but it's never been an issue.
This is the air tool
View attachment 490166

The knotted wheel
View attachment 490169

And the swivel joint
View attachment 490174

Being a straight tool does mean the working surface of the wire wheel is easier to get into confines spaces, I appreciate the exact tool is over budget, there are smaller / slower ones, like the tyre repair ones that run around 4000rpm and obviously there should be equivalents by other manufacturers. The downside is it'll put more load on your wrist than an angled device, but it may be better due to access improvements. The wire wheel is rated to 12k rpm IIRC, never had one let go in use or spinning up.

I'm thinking I may just try my milwaukee angled die grinder based on this.
maybe shell out for the straight one if it goes okay.

 

[Agroshield]

Further research shows it has again a no-load speed of 12000rpm, which is too fast

Any machine designed or sold to accommodate abrasive wheels will run at roughly 80m/s (actual rpm relates to diameter). The only way you will get a slower-running machine is to buy either a variable speed one or one that cannot take abrasive disks.

Power = torque x rpm, so the only way any small spinny thing can have enough power to do its job is to run at a gazillion rpm.

Small, powerful and slow-running is one of those "cannae change the laws o' physics" items.

 

[zzr1200]

4 variable speed, so it states.....

M12 FUEL™ Angled Die Grinder | Angled Grinders | Milwaukee Tool UK

M12 FUEL™ angled die grinder. The first cordless right angle die grinder that delivers more power vs. pneumatic models. Compact size (only 119 mm long) to help fit in tight places, and offers great mobility and access.

uk.milwaukeetool.eu

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I just use a DeWalt right-angle cordless drill, I think it was ~£55 'bare'.

I'd use an angled drill as well if it had variable speed

 

[hotponyshoes]

Monti Bristle Blaster?