I have a very limited garage setup, and I've run into some trouble the last few times I've made a bracket or cut some patch panels. I have a 4 1/2" angle grinder, a couple of hacksaws, and some tin snips, but they're all pretty unwieldly when it comes to small details. An air compressor and die grinder are absolutely out of the question. I just have no place to put one. I've looked at a couple of electric die grinders, but they're awfully pricey for something I fully intend to replace with an air tool someday. Would a Dremel cut the mustard (so to speak), or is it going to be too underpowered?
When it comes to cutting metal, you can use a Dremmel, but you better have about 10,000 cut off wheels on hand, because each one will last for about 1/2 an inch to a full inch before it flys apart. Then you have to stop, pull out another wheel, lock the dremmel down, change out the wheel, and then frustratingly start up again knowing you're going to be doing the change out again in about 4 minutes. ....not like I know or anything...
A typical Dremel won't have nearly enough torque for most automotive use. Virtually all electric die grinders are fixed at a speed that's far too fast for cylinder head work. Makita used to make a variable-speed one that went as slow as 8,000 rpm, but it has been discontinued. I don't know of any currently-available electric die grinders that provide high torque at low speed, unless you step up to a big old cast aluminum Dumore like many porting shops used in the '60s. Don't underestimate the versatility of a good electric drill. Dave http://www.roadsters.com/
have you thought of putting a compressor up in the rafters or on a shelf off the floor?Wall mart has a complete air tool system for $269 which includes a 30 gal campbel hausfeld compressor and several air tools including a die grinder, spray gun,air ratchet,impact gun and airhose and tire chucks etc. another possibility is to put the compressor in a (doghouse )outside the garage.Never thought of mounting a compressor up high till I visited a friends shop and saw his setup.He has his 30 gal compressor mounted on a shelf up close to the cieling.
I agree with everything said so far, every tool has it's good points and limitations. I wouldn't want to be without my Dremel though. I buy 1/8 inch carbide endmills {NOT recommended} for digging out broken off bolts. I drill a hole in the center then use the endmill to cut the rest out, usually can save the threads. For cutting steel get cutoff wheels for your 4 1/2 inch grinder, Metabo makes the best wheels, USE gloves. I cut 1/8 by 20 inch peice of steel the other day with one cutoff wheel. With practise you can get pretty accurate. Buy as many tools as you have money and space for.
I have a nice fully variable speed dremel 5,000-30,000 RPM's. I use it all the time, but I wouldn't expect it to replace an air powered angle grinder. Like any tool it has it's uses and limits as nobo said. Always use the reinforced cutoff wheels with it. They are slightly larger, last longer, and don't shatter like the small ones that come in 25 packs.
There are some really cheap electric die grinders out there with 1/4" collets, not the tiny 1/8" dremel stuff. I had a Makita for a while, it eventually wore out. I replaced it with a chinese knock off version I bought at a swap meet ($10 new). And it lasted quite a while for the money. The electric ones do get really hot though compared to a pnumatic one, so hot you can't hold on to 'em anymore and have to take a break. Harbor Freight probobly has 'em.
This is kind of what I expected to hear. I'm a little surprised to hear there aren't really any variable speed electric die grinders, but that's why I asked. Leon, mounting the compresser up high sounds like a good idea, but I don't have my own garage and the one I'm borrowing is powered entirely (lights, portable outlets, everything) off a single extension cord. Anything more than a couple of halogen lights and the grinder trips the circuit breaker.
Hmm... Wonder if a rheostat couldnt be used on one of these bad boys... I may have to spend some time with a harbor freight model and a grangers catalog! Wonder if theres more to it than that?
I would be lost without my Dremel. It can do 1001 jobs, even some big ones if you have the patience. Can get into all the tight places bigger tools can't. I also use it for getting out broken bolts. If you get one, also get the angle head. They are great tools. It has saved my *** many times doing all sorts of oddball things. With the carbide bits you can mill anything.
I have a Metabo GE700, it's a Dremel on steroids...if you want a quality tool that has the power to do everything from grinding to polishing go ahead and spend the money for a tool that will last.
I have used a Foredom flexshaft for years. There are many hand pieces available for this variable speed tool. Probably better Dremel but more expensive. I am just learning the feel of air tools. Lots of power and mobility. I've ported engines with the Foredom but on my next one I'll experiment with an air grinder.Look in jewelery supply catalogue. best wishes, Random
I would get cut-off wheels for your grinder. That's what I use at work all the time, WEAR GLOVES AND A FACE SHIELD. We have electric die grinders and they are so long they are hard to control, did I mention gloves and a face shield.
there are variable speed/high speed electric die grinders out there. a company called Suhner makes one from Germany w/ variable speed foot pedal. Its extremely good quality but is on the pricey side. From the states there is Foredom. They too have a foot pedal control, but its an extra cost option. Its pretty good quality and not as costly. both have flex shaft drives. Milwaukee also carries an electric die grinder that is good, but has limited options and ive never seen one witha foot control. MSC carries the Foredom line; i dont know who carries the Suhner line anymore. Hope that helps.
I bought a cheap electric die grinder 1/4 and 1/8 inch collets from Homier Tools. Very cheap like $20 on sale at one of there traveling tool sale shows. They do have a web sight (do a search) but I don't know if you can get cheap on line or if you gotta wait for the traveling tool show. Oh ya I like the damn thing. It vibrates alot but has lasted me 2 years now.
This is exactly what I would have said. A hanging motor like a Foredom is MUCH better than a Dremel. Much more power, much easier to vary the speed. More expensive, however. Also, I don't understand: You can get a pretty small compressor that opens up a whole world of inexpensive, powerful tools.
I use my Dremel tool a lot. I just replaced the variable speed switch and the brushes. Dremel makes a high quality servicable tool, not some cheap throw away piece of ****. It is used mostly for fitting and fabbing and grinding in tight spots. Yes it is slow and yes it does consume cutoff wheels rapidly. I've switched to the heavy duty wheels that seem to last longer. In general it is an excellent tool for light duty and presision material removal. If you have tougher jobs use a die grinder or right angle grinder. Air tools are nice because they don't heat up. High quality electric industrial rated tools are the best when you don't have air.
No air compressor because not enough power to the garage is what I gathered. Of course there are gas powered air compressors -- about $200 over what electric ones cost. If I had to go that route I'd go ahead and buy one of the smaller electric generators and a small electric compressor. Wouldn't be to much more and there would be power for other uses. You can "cheat" on that. An inexpensive inverter and a 60+ amp alterntor mounted on an old lawn mower frame works just fine. The vertical shaft mower works great -- an alternator doesn't mind being mounted vertical. Harbor Frieght and Northern Tools usually have a flex shaft tool cheap. Yeah, it's a Chinese cheapy, but for under $100 will last a while if you're just doing occasional jobs. I'm still using the $20 angle grinder I bought a couple years ago, but I haven't done a big job in a while. I figured if it lasted through the job I bought it for (rebuilding my car) it would have been worth the money. That really didn't phase it much. For $20, when it goes I won't complain. Electric motors usually give some warning before going out, so I should have time to go out and buy another before getting stranded in the middle of a job. Of course if I was doing this for a living, or even doing a lot of welding/grinding as a hobby, I'd spend the dough on a much nicer unit. Something like a Milwaukee...
Dremels are for model cars. I have used the $50.00 8 amp die grider from Harbor Freight for some time now without problems. It's kind of big and gets a little hot, but hasn't let me down. If $50.00 is too pricey, then you needn't think about the Dremel either.
I got a Craftsman Rotary Power Tool for xmas. It has variable speed from 5,000 to 35,000RPM, with 5 settings. It cost under $60 I think. It will use Dremel attachments. Have only used it a couple times but it seems perfect for almost any application. I will be using it to relieve one of my flatheads. 31ACoupe
rheostat on any universal motor works well. i have used em for slowing down drills and routers in my woodshop. electric diegrinder is the same ****, with a different output shaft
You know, I'd looked at those portable air compressors, but they all looked pretty underpowered for the money. Granted, I know nothing about air compressors. Based on the "how do I buy..." threads, though, it looked like I'd be better off waiting until I could buy a "real" compressor and making due with something else in the mean time. Who knows. With some creative tool swapping I could probably get by with just the dremel. Just looking for the best bang for the buck.
Believe it or not,my variable speed Dremel works *****en for polishing side-beams on connecting rods,& the process goes pretty quick too. I use the rubber drum thingy thats about 1/2" in diameter with a sanding drum on it.I went through about 25 sanding drums.Not bad for polishing 16 rod beams. Try it on an old rod. Once you get the hang of it,you'll be suprised.
I've used a number of die grinders, both air and electric, including pricey (and heavy!) Dumores which were state of the art in the '50s and '60s, and in terms of price, performance, and user friendliness the Makita GEO600 is my odds-on favorite. I use mine with a router speed controller (about $25 at HF) when using sanding rolls and flapwheels, but they work great at full speed (25K rpm) with high-quality burrs and stones. Makita has excellent parts and service support, and an affordable rebuild returns the tool to as-new condition. Other important plusses of electric vs. air die grinders are reduced noise level and far less grinding swarf being blown around the shop. Air-powered die grinders have a huge appe***e for air and will keep a small compressor working almost full time for extended tasks like head and block porting. For many hobby-shop jobs they work fine. Add an in-line pressure-regulating valve and they are really versatile and easily controllable for a wide variety of tasks and materials.
i have one of those pancake style compressors in my woodworking shop for nailers, staplers and blowin off dust, and without a doubt i can tell you there aint no two ways about it, it would NEVER keep up with the likes of a tiny 1/8" die grinder... period
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