Lightweight grinder recommendations

[damiane]

Hi all. I am looking for a lightweight grinder to use removing small areas of rust and/or corrosion and for polishing metal surfaces on a Series IIA. I have an industrial angle-grinder but even with a wire brush fitted rather than a disc it is pretty aggressive. I was thinking one of those Dremel or Ryobi type devices might be sufficient. It doesn't have to be cordless. They do seem to have an accessory head for every damn thing (including whipping up a cappucino I imagine) so it could have some application in my wood working as well.

Any recommendations on this tool type would be gratefully received.

Damian

[Phil B]

What about an air tool?
They are available in straight shaft or offset (great tool for light derusting), light, cheap, small and reliable. They don't use much air so only a small compressor is required.

[damiane]

Lot of extra expense though isn't it Phil

[Homestar]

Lot of extra expense though isn't it Phil

$20 going to break the budget? Ozito Air Straight Grinder Kit AGK-PRO I/N 6290425 | Bunnings Warehouse (http://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-air-straight-grinder-kit-agk-pro_p6290425)

If you don't have a compressor, then that's a great excuse to buy one of them too! :). It's a must have for any workshop and they aren't expensive for little hobby versions.

One of theses would be much more suitable than a Dremel. I have one and while it's great for very small stuff and model making, it wouldn't cut it doing anything on a vehicle.

[crash]

$20 going to break the budget? Ozito Air Straight Grinder Kit AGK-PRO I/N 6290425 | Bunnings Warehouse (http://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-air-straight-grinder-kit-agk-pro_p6290425)

If you don't have a compressor, then that's a great excuse to buy one of them too! :). It's a must have for any workshop and they aren't expensive for little hobby versions.

One of theses would be much more suitable than a Dremel. I have one and while it's great for very small stuff and model making, it wouldn't cut it doing anything on a vehicle.

I have an SPC straight air grinder and a more expensive (can't remember brand) 90deg shaft. Comparing the two the more expensive one (was around the $150mark) is more efficient and has more grinding power. I use the 90deg one a lot more than the straight shaft as it is easier to hold and control, but the straight shaft will get into places the other doesn't.

I also have a Dremel, and have used it a lot on the vehicle I am working on. I have used it to cut out small areas of rust that I could not get any other tool to do, have cut out small shapes of metal and shaped them to weld into place, ground out small divets that other tools could not get into. What I am trying to say is both have their place while working on vehicles.

[BigBlackDog]

$20 going to break the budget? Ozito Air Straight Grinder Kit AGK-PRO I/N 6290425 | Bunnings Warehouse (http://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-air-straight-grinder-kit-agk-pro_p6290425)

If you don't have a compressor, then that's a great excuse to buy one of them too! :). It's a must have for any workshop and they aren't expensive for little hobby versions.

One of theses would be much more suitable than a Dremel. I have one and while it's great for very small stuff and model making, it wouldn't cut it doing anything on a vehicle.

Don't you see though? You buy the compressor and the grinder. That's ok. Then you think I might as well get a tyre inflator, then an air gun, maybe a rattle gun, ooh a sand blasting cabinet! Then perhaps a paint gun. Then your cheap air compressor will either be inadequate or will blow up. So the cycle goes. And that's why a flat out refuse at this point to buy a compressor:D

[Homestar]

Don't you see though? You buy the compressor and the grinder. That's ok. Then you think I might as well get a tyre inflator, then an air gun, maybe a rattle gun, ooh a sand blasting cabinet! Then perhaps a paint gun. Then your cheap air compressor will either be inadequate or will blow up. So the cycle goes. And that's why a flat out refuse at this point to buy a compressor:D

Very true. Once you get a compressor, it's uses just keep on coming. When I bought mine, I lashed out and spend some decent dollars on a 17CFM trade quality unit. Over $1000 - Aussie made (when you could still buy those things) but you get what you pay for. It does draw 13 amps though and makes the lights go a bit dim when it runs, but I can - and do, anything with it including spray painting and die grinding. It will lazily work away all day without batting an eyelid. It's got the grunt to do anything I will ever need. Probably why I leave the Dremel in its case when I'm working on cars, it covers all my needs. :)

[mekon76]

Yep, compressor and air tools, I only use a dremel for small finicky jobs.

[damiane]

Okay thanks guys for the contributions thus far. I get it. Dremel has limited use for the task in hand. Compressors are king but will rule your life for ever after and will also cause power outages in all surrounding suburbs. So clearly given that the bit that fits on the almost end is $20 and yes Gav I can afford that - just - what about the cost of the huffy puffy bit. At what point am I no longer ripping up money and am the proud possessor of a staunch DIY level compressor. Note: maybe there is a forum somewhere for compressor owners who do restorations on old compressors. The mind boggles.

What about this 90 degree versus 0 degree stuff. What will prove the most useful when I am on my back under the chassis spitting out 40 year old rust and mud from the High Plains winter of 1976. Any recommendations as to brand of compressor, HP, puffnpower, etc.

with thanks for your guidance

Damian

[Phil B]

As the others have said air tools are relatively cheap and the types of tool function is endless. Once you start you will go on to buy them all they are that good.
Cheap tools are OK (except rattle guns in my experience) but buy a good compressor and it will last a life time.
17 to 20cfm is the right size. It is the free air pumped volume you are looking for, in other word what volume the compressor will pump with the outlet valve open to atmosphere. The more the better. Horse power is linked to cfm. Tank size doesn't really matter except when you are seriously spray painting. There is nothing worse than running out of air when painting.
Consider a second hand unit on evilbay or the like. If you take your time good units do come up. Just watch out for the cheap stuff. It will not produce the cfm.

[SouthOz]

Metarbo and others make good electric Die Grinders. Cost about the same as a "good quality" air powered one. The plus is you dont need a compressor.

Dave

[Blinky]

Just finished a refurb of an old machine. Removing surface and flaking rust along with many layers of paint was a breeze with a 4" angle grinder and one iof these.

Josco 115mm Strip It Disc I/N 6332825 | Bunnings Warehouse (http://www.bunnings.com.au/josco-115mm-strip-it-disc_p6332825)

This disc did hours of work, did not remove base metal and ripped through any surface coating - rust or paint - with minimal effort. Even when I came across hidden filler/bog it did not damage the surface.

My 4" angle grinder didn't even raise a sweat even when working for extended period. Dust/waste fall out was significant but not a hazard - I just work a simple paper mask.

You can buy a 4" grinder from bunnies - Ozito or Ryobi for under $50 - can't go wrong. I have a GMC from Bunnies and it has done a lot of work with no issues.

Cheers

[Phil B]

I had the opposite experience with a cheap 5" grinder (Ozito I think).
Burnt out in about 2 hours of continous use with a wire brush wheel, replaced under warrenty, next one lasted about an hour. Traded up to a Makita ($185), still going strong.
I use this tool for heavy cleaning (rims, diffs, springs etc) but use the air tools for body panels. Better control and less vibration.

[AllTerr]

I bought this one awhile back when I was doing up my car. Seems to be alright....

http://www.bunnings.com.au/bosch-720w-125mm-angle-grinder-with-3-discs_p6200198


Sent from my iPhone using AULRO mobile app