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MetalMonkey
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Did you mean 6mm, 8mm or 1/4" because all three are available....
Don't know about Makita ones, but the air die grinders I have usually come with a 1/4" and 6mm collet to allow you to use either.
Often its the same machine but you can just buy whatever collet you need. They usually aren't that cheap though.
Don't know about Makita ones, but the air die grinders I have usually come with a 1/4" and 6mm collet to allow you to use either.
Often its the same machine but you can just buy whatever collet you need. They usually aren't that cheap though.
yeah makita do 6mm or 8mm, no 1/4" unless you buy the 8mm and get and extra collet. sadly just a 10l compressor so air tools are out the question
im guessing i cant squeeze a 1/4" collet into the 6mm, obviously the collet holder is bigger than the collet in question but still. i think the 6mm 's are around £115 ish, and £250 up for the 8mm, strictly corded
BrokenBiker
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I've got a 6mm and haven't ever struggled to find burrs for it...I have got all shapes and sizes of carbide and a few wide flute types for aluminium
excellent, hopefully that will save a little grinding dust at least.
hotponyshoes
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Get the part diagrams for all 3 models and see what's diffrent. 6mm & 1/4" might use the same shank?
Also have a look at the specs (or parts diagrams) as that's quite a difference in price between the 6mm & 8mm versions.
My guess is the 8mm is a heavier duty version so has more power or something rather than just the difference in collet size.
Agroshield
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A 6mm and 1/4" collet will be the same OD, with the bore differing. The wall might be too thin on an 8mm bore. As you say, to accommodate that, the collet body, and hence hole in the spindle, needs to be larger (and also maybe a bigger nut.
As 8mm and 5/16" are much closer than 6mm and 1/4" that size machine only needs one collet to take metric or imperial tools.
They are indeed different, its not just collet size, the 8mm has more power and a metal neck, the spindles are different part numbers so not interchangeable.
if the 6mm is good enough and plenty of accessories then thats the route ill go and save some pennies, its only hobby use and not proffessional so its not likely to get a hot supper
Agroshield
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Die grinders are also priced on supply and demand like every power tool. So the best value one will be the one everyone else buys and which will be the best all rounder.
More specialist ones are made at a price premium because their specific functionality has limited interest (no-one would buy a Makita HS013G to cut up plywood).
hotponyshoes
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I get that but, unlike something like an er-32, there is no standard for die grinder collets.
So, it's not unusual for someone to make a die grinder that comes with 8mm and 1/4" collets both of which have a 12mmOD.
Then make another model that comes with a 6mm collet with a 10mm OD.
Short of trawling the parts catalogue or accessories brochure (before purchase) I wouldn't be too keen on buying an 8mm die grinder and expecting to find a 6mm (or whatever) collet to fit it.
One source might be a different market, for example I have a bosch grinder that came with a 6mm collet but the same tool is sold in the USA with a 1/4" collet so I sourced one of those from there (for £35!!)
Unfortunately there are not many 'proper' tool shops where you can go to play with the display models to see what fits what.
Even fewer places that will have spares in different sizes on the shelf.
I've never tried it but i wonder if it would be possible to bore/grind a 6mm out to 1/4"?
Personally I'd go for 1/4" as there are a lot more options for burrs/points in that size.
Although, maybe I'm biased as that's what I have access to? If you are ordering them all online you may find everything you need in 6mm easily enough. Maybe have a quick look at price/availability of 6mm vs 1/4" tooling before committing to a grinder?
MattF
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The Bosch die grinders are easy/good on the collet front. That little 12V right angle grinder I bought came with a 6mm collet, if I recall. Bought nuts & collets from their 18V range, so that now has every size of imperial & metric collet I could find. The nut's a different style to the one which came on the 12V, but same thread.
I got a nut for each collet as they're a bit of a sod to pop out once fitted. Easier to just swap the full nut/collet pair.
I got a nut for each collet as they're a bit of a sod to pop out once fitted. Easier to just swap the full nut/collet pair.
interesting. the 800c doesnt have a 1/4" collet in the accesories, only 8mm, 6mm and 1/8" oddly, and its more an ER style rather than the simple cone with slits.
so who does a decent 1/4" die grinder than isnt red or cordless?
hotponyshoes
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I've got a metabo one that could go to a new home but it's 110v
just found the GCS30 LS which states 1/4" as well as 8mm and 6mm. 750w motor whic is the same as the makita 800. seems we have a winner.
oof yeah 110 is a faff for home use
starting to regret my decision to buy a new pressure switch for the compressor instead of just buying a bigger one and getting some air tools :/ hey ho
Maker
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Metabo.
both GE710plus and 910plus are both stated as 6mm, no 1/4" listed in accessories for either.
Mark 2
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I too have the Metabo 110v but I think the collet and locking nut are inseparable. I'd go and check but it's raining.
Kram
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What will you be using it for?
Until recently Makita were only offering a brushed motor cordless version which is certainally lower quality than a brushless.
I am extermely happy with this Fakita - brushless, decent power and controllable. 6mm collet. I dont currently own any 1/4" burrs, most shops over here sell them in metric shanks.
Until recently Makita were only offering a brushed motor cordless version which is certainally lower quality than a brushless.
I am extermely happy with this Fakita - brushless, decent power and controllable. 6mm collet. I dont currently own any 1/4" burrs, most shops over here sell them in metric shanks.
Agroshield
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You might have to look aftermarket rather than OEM for alternative collets.
See, for example, https://www.vaeeo.com/product-p-5854.html
In the wood working world a lot of people use the Makita trim router as the spindle in home-built CNC machines. People like Oozenest make 3mm and 1/8" collets for them for this purpose.
Collets are difficult to modify because of the slits. You have to bung up the slots when in their rest state, modify them (interrupted cut if boring) and then removing the bunging material.
