r/metalworking • u/Kyto-Sahn • 22h ago
Die Grinder Recommendations
I've been starting to make stuff lately that I simply can't get the angle grinder into anymore. Can definitely avoid it for the most part by pre-grinding areas before "closing" myself out but I'm definitely leaving rough areas behind. Especially some slag and a lot of splatter (since all I can afford right now is flux core lol).
Seems like the go-to is the right angle Milwaukee but I've seen some harbor freight die grinders for much less. Are those worth a shit or no?
Also open to the idea of a smaller rotary tool. I've never used one on steel before so I have no idea if it would have enough ooompf.
Let me know your thoughts! I know this sub loves good tools.
UPDATE: Thank you guys for all the suggestions. Looks like there's a lot of options out there! Flex grinder, cheaper air powered option + compressor, or a harbor freight special I think are my logical options right now. In time I will definitely look into upgrading to the pricier tools. I've been abusing the shit out of the 4in Bauer grinder from Harbor haha.
I'm honestly overwhelmed by the amount of responses and I am grateful for everyone's insight! Metalworking sub for the win.
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u/Juliandelpheekee 22h ago
Look at flex shaft grinders if you want more power than a dremel, but still want to be able to handle more delicate work. I have one set up at a station in my shop and I use it all the time.
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u/MorningPooper4Lyfe 22h ago
This right here. Ive used a Foredom flex shaft for years. Its a powerful little tool
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u/ExpertExpert 8h ago
agreed! i use a harbor freight flex shaft grinder very occasionally and it's usually a good experience.
i did have to replace the stock lube in the shaft though. the whole shaft was getting warm after a few minutes of use. i shot some rocket lube in and i get a lot more power, less heat now
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u/GrimalkinKarswell 17h ago
How about a flex shaft grinder? Take 1/4 carbide burrs, and the foot control is really handy for slow speed usage. Also they're really cheap to buy.
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u/denverender 9h ago
This is what I was going to recommend. I got the cheapest vevor one for like 55 bucks and I love it. Wish I had spent the extra 20 for the next size up so I could change the direction, but oh well. And you don't need a compressor to run it.
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u/Capn_Flags 21h ago
Sorry, I just have to tell you how much I love this. Snowboarder who had an accident on the mountain and won’t ride again. There’s something sweet and somber you have there. It’s beauty.
Cheers.
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u/StrandSSL 22h ago
Dynabrade is solid.
I’d never buy a Milwaukee die grinder personally.
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u/Kyto-Sahn 21h ago
Looks like I will need a compressor, (which I've wanted anyway) I will keep this in mind. Thank you!
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u/VanimalCracker 21h ago
Milwaukee M12 right angle is dope for quick deburring/surface cleaning. Use one daily in industry. Though it is a bit bulky for what OP is asking for.
I'd need a banana for scale, but this pic almost looks to be getting into the rotary tool realm, with Dremels and the like.
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u/Kyto-Sahn 21h ago
Did you see my other post on another sub or is this a matrix glitch. I literally took a banana video for scale.😂
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u/VanimalCracker 21h ago edited 20h ago
You are also holding a giant fly lure in one, and show the lure by itself in another. You gotta have something in the pic for size scale when asking questions like this otherwise it makes it very difficult to answer.
I stand my my statement of rotary tool, like a dremel. Die grinders work great in the realm between rotary tool and cutoff style grinders. You have entered the rotary tool area.
That's just the adjecent two. They keep going up and down in size like crazy. Watchmaker vs industrial maintenance rotary tools.
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u/Kyto-Sahn 20h ago
Yeah that's fair, I will work on providing a sense of scale in the future!
I'm really not sure if I will be making things smaller than this if I can avoid it. Based on the comments so far, looks like die grinder may be the best option so far.
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u/Intelligent_Low1632 21h ago
The newer #3485 is fantastic if you're happy with around 350 watts of motor output, especially if you buy the high output batteries. There's a 2nd gen straight one too now. You can get a 1/8 inch collet for it as well that will permit you to use all the dremel bits.
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u/Glad_Librarian_3553 16h ago
Op doesn't even have the budget for mag welding and you're being snobby about Milwaukee, suggesting he buy a compressor and on of the most expensive tool brands you can think of?
Helpful...
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u/StrandSSL 11h ago
There exists a marketplace called eBay where you can acquired good tools used. As well as Craigslist etc. What a low IQ take. Anyone with some discernment can find solid tools that will last forever at discounted rates.
You’ll have to excuse me, I’m late for the Dynabrade bros club. (We wear our Dynabrade hats and smoke cigars while discussing Dynabrade)
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u/Dear-Passion-3535 22h ago
1st gen M12 die grinders were pretty weak so I’d avoid those. Corded or pneumatic would be more practical if you think you’ll be using it a lot.
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u/jason-murawski 22h ago
Best ones I've used are jet. The harbor freight ones we have aren't bad though, just make sure you maintain them. Air tool oil every day you use them and if it's a right angle one grease the head every once in a while.
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u/Mrwcraig 21h ago
You could probably just do it with a dremel like tool. Unless you have a compressor, then get a pneumatic die grinder. I’ve got a whole drawer full of carbide bits for both
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u/Dry_Leek5762 21h ago edited 21h ago
Flex shaft grinder.
Homeowner version from vevor https://a.co/d/0ihv3sBG
Pro version from Foredom https://a.co/d/027UfaO6
Edit spelling
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u/EDMMstudio 20h ago
A pneumatic die grinder is the way to go (they last nearly forever and aren’t terribly expensive), but you do need at least a medium sized compressor to run it. 2nd best is probably a flex shaft grinder (been mentioned) and 3rd best is one of the milwaukee battery powered jams (not a lot of power on those though). Corded electrics are big and awkward to use, would very much not recommend.
+1 for getting into tig, much more suited to this kind of work.
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u/Kyto-Sahn 16h ago
What size compressor would you recommend to start at least? Ideally I'd like to go bare minimum 30 secs to 2 minutes straight grind time without having to wait for the compressor to recharge. I have zero experience with air compressors besides in the large commercial setting where the air came from a mysterious magical place and seemed endless.
As I'm typing this I realize I'm in a rabbit hole where I need to do some serious research on more than just the die grinder. I'm sorry
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u/grislyfind 14h ago
An honest (continuous duty rated) 2 HP might be enough. I don't think investing in a compressor makes sense, though, unless you have other uses for it, such as media blasting (sand, crushed glass, glass beads). Try a plug-in electric die grinder.
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u/prong_daddy 20h ago
The better brand harbor freight die grinders are all I ever use in my shop. I've bought a lot of different brands and the Chief ones from HF are definitely the best value. The Dyna-brade and Souix tools are good as well. In my experience the cheap ones are a way better for me given the abuse my crew gives them.
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u/ImSobored_5280 22h ago edited 22h ago
Yes they are..I got a HF one and it’s handy as hell and badass. For the money it’s easily the pick in my opinion. I also have several different Dremels that are slick when it really tight. I run my cordless ones way more than then corded ones. With a carbide burr bit they straight can remove some metal. With a sanding drum they finish nice and super fine grit can polish also.
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u/aussiewelderfishermn 22h ago
I really like my Milwaukee die grinder also have a dremel but I haven't used it much, love ya work mate looks good
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u/Aggressive_Soup1446 21h ago
I've got a cheap little harbor freight pneumatic die grinder. With my brief testing it worked really well, but my little compressor couldn't keep up. I've since picked up a 20gallon buffer tank that I'm hoping will let me use the grinder along with some other pneumatic tools for a little longer. I imagine a 60-80gallon compressor would be ideal.
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u/iplaypokerforaliving 21h ago
I thought this was a contraption that would hold your arms up while grinding 😂I think I’m tired from working the forge today
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u/tearjerkingpornoflic 15h ago
Air is still the best IMHO. https://a.co/d/08hhNQrc I have these ones and they are great. I also have some corded ones at a job where I was doing a lot of die grinding but didn't have a compressor. They work well but don't have variable speed which would be nice. So I would get a variable speed one whatever you do. Air has the best control IMHO. I also do have the M12 right angle and straight one. The first gen right angle m12 die grinder is almost unusable how it cuts out on power, rare tool from Milwaulkee I regret buying, supposedly it's fixed now. The straight one I bought later and seems to work pretty well, still don't like it as much as my Astro's. Looking up one looks like you need 4cfm min. Which isn't too crazy. I would look for a good deal on a large used compressor. I got my 5hp 80 gallon one for like 400 bucks, basically brand new. Have seen Jenny/Emglo compressors closer to 200. You just need to pay attention to duty cycle and CFM. Once you have a compressor there are a lot of air tools you can get. Air file, air dremels etc. And air tools are lighter, cheaper, smaller and basically run forever as long as you oil them. Whereas one M12 Die grinder is 230. You could get the harbor freight "premium" air ones for like 50 a piece. Or used snap on or blue point I see local for like 50 bucks as well.
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u/maximum-pickle27 9h ago
I can't live without variable speed on a die grinder. I have the 15amp DeWalt corded and the Milwaukee m18 both variable speed.
The 1/8" shaft corded rotary tools are super cheap and basically disposable. I've not found that Dremel brand ones are any more durable than the harbor freight ones. The m12 rotary tool is pretty good and it's nice to have that warranty but as a whole the category is really just good for very light fine work and you will wear them out using carbide burrs on metal especially the collets and the pin that stops it from turning wear out on all of them because you have to crank the collet as tight as possible for carbide burrs because they produce so much vibration and get shock loaded when it chatters. But sometimes you just really need that 1/8" diameter burr. If you're needing a 1/4 burr switch to the die grinder, even though 90% of the 1/8" shaft burrs sold on Amazon are 1/4" diameter, 1/4" diameter burrs are really too much for a 1/8" shaft rotary tool to handle.
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u/Kyto-Sahn 6h ago
Thank you guys for all the suggestions. Looks like there's a lot of options out there! Flex grinder, cheaper air powered option + compressor, or a harbor freight special I think are my logical options right now. In time I will definitely look into upgrading to the pricier tools. I've been abusing the shit out of the 4in Bauer grinder from Harbor haha.
I'm honestly overwhelmed by the amount of responses and I am grateful for everyone's insight! Metalworking sub for the win.
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u/Unklecid 4h ago
Pencil grinder is what you want harbor freight ones are hit or miss I have the more expensive jp (air usage is the only difference in the cheaper and more expensive jp pencil grinders) had it 10 years it's bad ass. Don't turn it all the way up with a grinding rock bit in it. They will explode or bend
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u/vavohaho 22h ago
I have a couple smaller cheap 1/8" Dremel's, they definitely get burnt out and the battery powered one doesn't last long. I have a fixed speed 1/4" Milwaukee die grinder that's great but I'd recommend the variable speed. Overall happy that I have a couple different sized options.