What is a good die grinder to buy?

benmack1

benmack1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2010
Location
USA
Not sure if this is the right place to post this or not. Just looking for recommendations on a good die grinder to buy for the money. My immediate needs are to run a wire wheel for rust clean up. Not looking to spend a fortune but also trying to avoid chinese junk that looks good on price. I am open to chinese junk that actually isn't junk just trying to sort thru what is good and bad from folks experience. I have plenty of air capacity so all bets are on the table on specs.

Thanks!
 
I like IR and CP stuff myself. I dunno if it's still going on, but Sears had a combo straight and angled IR grinder for $99 online. I picked up the set last year, and like it just fine.
 
Air or electric? I'm going to disagree with Gubni personally. I can move metal a lot faster and with less fatigue with a good 4.5" grinder and the right disk. If you're talking about a 1/4" shank straight die grinder, the Harbor Freight stuff works fine, it just doesn't work as long. If you want the good stuff, Dynabrade or Air Authority will flip your wig with how powerful, quiet, and efficient they are. Of course, I doubt you're looking to spend $150-250 on a grinder.
 
well he did say die grinder, so, My IR has done well for many years and I bought it used off of EBAY. Secret is to keep it lubed.
 
For just a little die grinder, I have been very happy with my CP 90* $3.99 (with a coupon) Harbor Freight special. It get's the job done, and when (not if) it does wear out, I can afford to buy 5+ more before the price of a "decent" one. For my limited use, it works out for me.
 
GCncsuHD said:
For just a little die grinder, I have been very happy with my CP 90* $3.99 (with a coupon) Harbor Freight special. It get's the job done, and when (not if) it does wear out, I can afford to buy 5+ more before the price of a "decent" one. For my limited use, it works out for me.
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For clarification sake...there is a huge difference between 'CP'...one being Chicago Pneumatic and the other being the HF brand, Central Pneumatic.
 
UTfball68 said:
For clarification sake...there is a huge difference between 'CP'...one being Chicago Pneumatic and the other being the HF brand, Central Pneumatic.
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Agreed, it is central pneumatic. That's why I threw the HF in there with it, I couldn't remember what the C stood for at the time, but knew it wasn't Chicago.
 
i have snap-on,bluepoint and a few no name air die grinders and the snap-on is the best! their is a huge power difference and it just feels better. i do say look for something with a composite housing cause aluminum get's cold quick.
i also have a big electric die grinder but that's a whole different ball game.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. Just to clarify, I am talking the smaller sized 'die grinders' either straight or angled. Air driven as well. I have a 4.5 and 9 in (I think, it's huge and frankly too big to mess with for most things). I am cleaning up some axles right now as well as a gazillion other small things on a cj5 resto project. I should have been specific. I am trying to make a call between the $15-$20 HF or Northern Tool stuff or the $50-$70 better quality stuff. Definitely don't want to get crazy with price on this. If the HF stuff holds up a while, I am probably leaning that way. I just don't want the chinese crap that falls apart in 10 minutes.
 
also meant to ask. Anything at Northern Tool that anyone can recommend? I have one of those places about 20 miles away and a few 'coupons'. :lol:
 
I have one of the Northern Tool " house" brand die grinders, works ok, I use it on my service van fed by a twin tank wheelbarrow compressor mounted in the van.

does fine for what I've used it for and for long durations of use ( it pisses the comressor off ) I oil it ever couple of uses, and it's been fine. also using the house brand bits ( rotary files ) , which earen't much to write home about. I'll spring for some good bits/burrs some time soon, just haven't found the right tool truck sale yet.
 
Most of the other brand's cheaper lines of tools are the same thing you're getting at Horrible Fright, only with different paint and some money added to the price. For what you're doing, get the HF model and you should be fine. I'd put it up against anything "hobbyist grade" that Ingersall or any of the others put out. Until you get up to spending the bigger bucks, the differences between grinders are minimal.
 
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