What bits/stones to buy for my first electric die/straight grinder?

[gasket999]

Hi folks.

I've got quite a lot of metalwork to do at the moment including a lot of metal shaping and welding. My welding still isn't great so I'm doing a lot of dressing of welds.

Sick of my Dremel being too lightweight, the angle grinder being a bit aggressive when trying to use it for delecate work and my 14CFM compressor not being up to running an air die grinder for more than a minute or so... I've bought an electric die grinder - a 110v Bosch GGS 27 like this one

Its now out of production and only 500w but for £57 delivered brand new I thought it was a bit of a bargain.

I'd like to use it (if possible) like an air die grinder and for precision grinding (predominantly dressing bad welding while I'm learning) and cutting (a bit like a cut-off tool) where the angle grinder is too agressive.

It comes with nothing so could anyone recommend a set of discs, bits, stones, etc to buy to get me started as I'm struggling a bit. Lets say £25-£50 worth.

Thank you very much.

 

[gasket999]

I get confused when it comes to grinding bits - do I want the coloured grinding "stones" or the metal burrs (think these are tungsten carbide?).

I have a couple of tungsten carbide-looking ones in my toolbox that came from god-knows-where but wasn't sure if they were meant for an electric drill or a die grinder - not sure if the speed makes a difference.

Ideally I'd like to find an arbour of some kind to let me use small cutting discs for where the 4.5" are just a bit too big. I have seen some on eBay etc but I'm just not confident enough to know wherether thaey are for an electric drill or a die grinder or air-tools only - I'm concerned about safety if they come apart on me.

 

[brightspark]

rotary file

buy a rotary file garryson are the best[ cone shaped ATTACH]27958[/ATTACH]

 

[mike 109444]

And get yourself a face shield cos if something goes at the speed they run goggles will only protect your eyes and not your face! Is it variable speed? if not take care when first starting a newley installed bit incase it runs out of true. I use a couple of b&d routers (240v) but run then via an adapter from a 110v (yellow box type) this reduces the speed and torqu to a safe level but even then things like flap wheels (cheep ones?) can run out. If it's not variable you could run it from a socket with a light dimmer type controller (of the correct rating for the power 500w?) I have also used some of the Rota Zip atachments that can also be made to fit. Bought off ebay a rightangle sanding adapter for less than a tenner! comes with 3 sanding discs. Have made up some spacers for this so i can use the worn down 41/2" disc from angle grinder inc the thin cut discs, the 1mm ones!! When they are to small for the angle grinder cos the grinder body gets in the way, put to one side for the b&d. Look out for other collects for your die grinder as well.

 

[Balders]

I've found an Olive cutter extremely useful. Like this: http://www.cromwell.co.uk/KEN2105200K
If you grind aluminium spray the cutter with WD40 to stop it clogging

I use the arbour from my air cut off tool in mine also.

That motor body looks similar to the POF 600ACE router motor. I've got the router and use it for grinding

 

[Angusdog]

I get confused when it comes to grinding bits - do I want the coloured grinding "stones" or the metal burrs (think these are tungsten carbide?).

Not sure about die grinders but I bought some tungsten burrs for my dremel and what a revelation! The dremel stones are next to useless (disappear in a cloud of dust as soon as you put any pressure on them, I think they're only useful for making jewellery), but the tungsten burrs whip away metal in a controllable but rapid fashion. Enlarging screw holes, taking lips of edges, etc and seem to last for ages - highly recommended. An electric die grinder is on my list now, along with tungsten burrs.

 

[gasket999]

Thanks guys. Based on your input and that from my own research, I'm going for the following.

• Flap wheels 15 x 30mm in varous grits
• carbide burrs - a few different shapes, probably pointy, barrel and oval
• an arbor for 3" cutting discs plus plenty of discs
• spiraband holder and sanding bands
• i also fancy a small burr for the dremel for delicate work - good idea angus
• full screeen face mask - its overdue I've been using goggles up to now