I need some tool purchasing advice.

I’m looking to buy a sander/grinder for doing basic body work, removing surface rust, old blistered and cracked paint, grinding welds, etc. I don’t have air in the garage so it must be electric. I’m not a professional and I’ve never played one on TV so I don’t need a commercial grade machine, just something that’s good for a do-it-yourself hobbyist type guy. I’ve looked at Northern Tool and Eastwood’s web sites and they both have a wide variety so I’m clueless what I should be shopping for.

So, I’m asking for some advice from all you body guys. What type, what features, what price range, what should I look for? What would you recommend?

 

I'm a fan of the Metabo's
I'm also a fan of buy one good one and it lasts...

 

I'd second that. My first angle grinder was a B&D Professional and it lasted about 20 years of regular use. I went to Metabos when it died.

Sanding off rust -- anything more than surface rust -- is a losing proposition. Plan on sandblasting or dipping. The strip-n-clean wheels do a decent job, you can run them on a drill or a die grinder if you keep the speed down.

Joe

 

I'd vote for Bosch. Personally, I like the paddle style switch better. I've had mine close to 10 years now, and I use it for everything (do all my cutting/notching with a suicide wheel).

 

My 2 cents is a 4-1/2" 1/2" arbor grinder with a switch you can operate with gloves on your hands- I use Dewalt 'cause it works for me and the guard can turned to allow working in odd positions. Buying cheap tools is indeed false economy.
Good luck with your project.

 

A full face shield and full length welders gloves to start with. A 4 1/2" to 5" angle grinder with normal grinding discs, cutoff discs, wire wheel attachment, and a pad for flexible discs.

Also a 3" die grinder for tight spots (not sure about electric though) mine are air and are a "must have" in my opinion. Next (for paint feathering) a 6" random orbital sander. These should get you well under way for around $300-$500.

 

The 7" sander/grinder I got from sears for a weeks pay back in 1980 is still working fine...but they don't make them like that any more, unfortunately.

After using the big one for so long, when I got a 4" the little one seems like a joke.

 

Why not invest in an air compressor first...you can get a decent one and start ac***ulating air tools...I think in the long run you'll be happier and the quality of tool and variety is great plus it used to drive me crazy constantly screwing around with extension cords...you don't need some big monster compressor...something around 5 hp and 30 gallons should do the trick and alot of times you see them at yard sales or on craigslist pretty cheap...just my .02

 

I bought a ****ty cheapo out of Harbor Freight... 10 months later it is still running... depending on the head/disc... it can move a lot of material in a little time.

 

A DeWalt 4-1/2" grinder a great all around tool for lots of stuff and lasts forever. Get the one with the paddle type switch. The ones with the slide switch have a ****py switch that wears out after four or five years, but the paddle switch one keeps on going and going. Another good feature on a DeWalt is the push****on to lock the spindle to make it easier and faster to swap discs.

With a 4-1/2" grinder, you can use grinding wheels, abrasive flap wheels, sanding discs, paint stripping discs, surface conditioning discs. It's a good size tool that you can hold in one hand when you need to. You can also get into tighter places that you couldn't reach with a bigger tool.

Make sure you wear ear and eye protection using any grinder. They make a pretty good racket, and sparks and pieces of stuff go flying everywhere like little bullets.

A grinder is something that you will use so often, that it's one of the tools that you will really want to spend the extra dough on to get a good quality one. You'll just wind up pissed off if you buy a ****py one and it's ruined 6 months later. Also, a good grinder is balanced better, doesn't vibrate as much in your hand, and isn't as noisy as a cheap one. Good ones have more power too to get the job done faster.

 

My first power tool purchase was a 4 1/2 inch Makita grinder. It has lasted 8 years now so I didn't hesitate in buying a 7 inch Makita grinder last winter that has worked flawlessly.

 

I agree, you really do need air in your shop. Otherwise, how will you breathe ? All kidding aside, Home Depot has a nice selection of good sized compressors for cheap. You will appreciate the air tools for their light weight and cool running compared to electric tools, especially after a day of grinding. Plus, you can blow the grinding debris out your garage door. Add to this that most air tools are cheaper than pro electric tools.

 

Be respectful of that 41/2" grinder, they can kick back and do serious surgery to the face. I prefer to use the 8 inch grinder unless space makes it impossible.
I prefer air to electrical power tools, but over 50 years of playing with cars, I have a full set of both. I am still using all the Sears Craftsman tools I bought in the early 70's, and think that with proper care most mid range tools can last a lifetime. I say this as a hobbiest not a professional. Shop tools should always be the best you can buy, because time is money.
I do have some cheap Chinese that I have in the event that I need to use it where it could end up getting destroyed.
My priorities would be:
Get a compressor with a 40 gal tank.
Start buying the cheaper air tools, they can be a real bargain.
Get a tool catalog so you can plan your purchases
Bob