Talk to me about die grinders.....

[slim_boy_fat]

Hoping the Collective can offer it's usual sound advice re buying a die grinder as I'm currently contemplating acquiring one.

Will need to be 240V and beefy enough in wattage terms that I can't stall it in amateur use. I don't want to pay a fortune for an all-singing/dancing machine and would even consider used if anyone on here has a 'surplus' machine at a good price.

I've done the usual Googling but there seems to be a bewildering range, everything from long-nose to a wide range of power levels and 'no load' speeds etc.. Some seem little more than Dremel-type things with small capacity chucks, which I already have.
I'm thinking of a machine which'll drive carbide burrs, as I've a couple of jobs for which I'd like one. Budget-wise, I'm not looking to spend a fortune given the occasional use it'll get.

Thoughts?

 

[Gragson]

I've got 2 Katsu, a long nose and stubby nose version. They are good enough for my occasional needs and the long nose one has good access capabilities, They are also only about £30.
Plug Katsu die grinder into ebay if you want to see some.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

More Googling found this CLICKY

A decent machine/deal for a known name?

 

[Mick Annick]

I’ve got a battery Makita one and it’s bit of a beast, and single speed only. After all of the warnings about die grinders on here it is the tool of last resort for me - make sure you’ve got good PPE!

 

[jerrytug]

Mains Lidls, dangerously powerful until you find the speed control.
Do not wear any gloves, long sleeves or beards, a hoodie drawstring would be life-changing..the bits turn at very high rpm and are razor-sharp, you will not flinch quick enough.
Very very useful for £25 + bits.

 

[Bravheart]

If you've a compressor an air drive is the kiddie

 

[minimutly]

Air drive for small jobs. Anything big and it costa a fortune.

 

[arian]

Mains Lidls, dangerously powerful until you find the speed control.
Do not wear any gloves, long sleeves or beards, a hoodie drawstring would be life-changing..the bits turn at very high rpm and are razor-sharp, you will not flinch quick enough.
Very very useful for £25 + bits.

View attachment 355463

Was going to commend the Parkside jobbie. As I recall, @doubleboost broke his and Lidl replaced it.

Of course, not available at the moment.

 

[Mark 2]

I have the Lidl (though, until reading this thread had forgotten about) and my recollection is it not having much torque.
We have a Metabo at work which is a beast and I bought another one based on it's performance.
Someone may correct me but 18500rpm was the magic setting for carbide bits?

 

[Hitch]

We have the metabo ones with variable speed. Pretty good.
Or for a longer nose one, the Hikoki is fantastic, but not variable speed.

 

[daleyd]

Lack of torque isn’t a bad thing when it comes to carbide burrs!

You need speed and light pressure in my (albeit fairly limited) experience - if they slow too much you can chip teeth and if they grab you don’t want something that’s going to wrench itself out of your grasp and launch itself across the room!

I like air powered ones for the exact reason they don’t have a lot of torque, but they are very air hungry.

 

[Gragson]

More Googling found this CLICKY

A decent machine/deal for a known name?

I thought you were not looking to spend much but yes a known name although the Katsu are ok budget. kit

Like the longer nose Katsu, that Makita does not appear to have variable speed? I get around that with a very basic variable plug in speed controller.
Can't make out the collet arrangement on that Makita but guessing its the 6mm clamp style and not one of those dreadful aftermarket dremel chuck type arrangements.

The short nose version K does have variable speed hand a half decent integrated chuck so I had to get both tools

I've also got an air grinder which served well on porting inconel headers but TBH its too much of a faff for smaller jobs.
Give the Makita a crack and let us know what it's like

 

[Mick Annick]

Like the longer nose Katsu, that Makita does not appear to have variable speed? I get around that with a very basic variable plug in speed controller.

Why didn’t I think of that? I’ll have a google for a speed controller, more wallet pain…

 

[Mick Annick]

Why didn’t I think of that? I’ll have a google for a speed controller, more wallet pain…

Hang on, mine’s battery powered…

 

[slim_boy_fat]

All good stuff, lads.

If you've a compressor an air drive is the kiddie

Only a Lidl 25 litre one, not much use for air tools

Of course, not available at the moment.

With my luck, they will be as soon as I buy an alternative.

I thought you were not looking to spend much

I had a max of £100 in mind but wasn't sure what that'd get me.

 

[droopsnoot]

I thought you were not looking to spend much but yes a known name although the Katsu are ok budget. kit

Like the longer nose Katsu, that Makita does not appear to have variable speed? I get around that with a very basic variable plug in speed controller.
Can't make out the collet arrangement on that Makita but guessing its the 6mm clamp style and not one of those dreadful aftermarket dremel chuck type arrangements.

The short nose version K does have variable speed hand a half decent integrated chuck so I had to get both tools

I've also got an air grinder which served well on porting inconel headers but TBH its too much of a faff for smaller jobs.
Give the Makita a crack and let us know what it's like

View attachment 355486

I have that same Katsu one in the centre of the photo, I'll have to have a look for a speed controller as it does seem a bit too much sometimes. I do need to get around to swapping the mains cable on it as it's (still) failing around the end of the strain relief. Other than that, though, it's been very good.

I don't have my compressor on very often, so while I have an air die grinder, it's too much faff to start the compressor up for a short grinding session. Most of the time I have to spend five minutes with a hot air gun on the compressor so it doesn't blow the fuse when it starts up. I haven't got around to trying a thinner oil in it yet.

 

[SierraV6]

I’ve got a battery Makita one and it’s bit of a beast, and single speed only. After all of the warnings about die grinders on here it is the tool of last resort for me - make sure you’ve got good PPE!

It’s probably the same one I have, absolutely indispensable in some situations, but very much the tool of last resort!

I would imagine the mains powered version is just as good, that’s what I’d go for.

 

[123hotchef]

Hoping the Collective can offer it's usual sound advice re buying a die grinder as I'm currently contemplating acquiring one.

Will need to be 240V and beefy enough in wattage terms that I can't stall it in amateur use. I don't want to pay a fortune for an all-singing/dancing machine and would even consider used if anyone on here has a 'surplus' machine at a good price.

I've done the usual Googling but there seems to be a bewildering range, everything from long-nose to a wide range of power levels and 'no load' speeds etc.. Some seem little more than Dremel-type things with small capacity chucks, which I already have.
I'm thinking of a machine which'll drive carbide burrs, as I've a couple of jobs for which I'd like one. Budget-wise, I'm not looking to spend a fortune given the occasional use it'll get.

Thoughts?

What brand of cordless tools do you use now if any?

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Makita GD0600/2 Electric 6mm Die Grinder 240V - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Double insulated. Equipped with a large, flush paddle type on / off switch. Easy to grip small circumference housing and round shaped collet nut engineered to prevent damages and scratches. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

Should do you.

I have an older version of this

MAKITA GD0800C

240v Straight grinder

www.howetools.co.uk

 

[mtt.tr]

I've got 2 Katsu, a long nose and stubby nose version. They are good enough for my occasional needs and the long nose one has good access capabilities, They are also only about £30.
Plug Katsu die grinder into ebay if you want to see some.

Yup I know a fella with the katsu he really likes it