I need a tool to cut metal and don't have an air compressor. How well do you think this would work for patch panel repair? They claim it will cut up to 3/4 deep and state that their wheels turn at 30,000 RPM vs 20,000 RPM for regular air cut off wheels. It's lighter than an angle grinder and I think it would be easier to use in tight spaces. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mG0bSUFcsw&feature=share&list=PLBE1D7A99CEF28580 Has anyone tried one?
4 inch grinder is a tool ever shop needs, cut off wheel, grinding, sanding. rotozips are nice but they sell you the initial tool cheap and any add on or replacement bit / wheel is expensive. I have a makita, bosch, dewalt and an off brand, I really like the makita, well balanced in the hand and the controls are the most comfortable. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=4+inch+grinder
"4 inch grinder is a tool ever shop needs, cut off wheel, grinding, sanding." I find a 4" grinder to be heavy, bulky and awkward to use compared to an air cut off tool for cutting sheet metal out for patch panels.
Just get a large die grinder like you would use for porting and polishing and some cutoff wheels. Many brands make them, dremel, makita etc. Here's a dewalt. http://www.factoryauthorizedoutlet.com/dewalt-1-1-2-25-000-rpm-paddle-switch-straight-die-grinder
Harbor freight 4 1/2" hand held grinder with a cutoff wheel, only $9.99 with a coupon found in any magazine. Louder than my makita but mine has lasted 2 years so far, all I use it for is cutting metal. Throw it away if it fails, buy one for cutting and one for grinding, no need to be swapping wheels back and forth! 10 pack of cutoff wheels $5.99 again with coupon.
Except you don't have air so your point is invalid. That roto zip will work, but how often are you going to have to change out those tiny cutting wheels? Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
I have used an electric cut off saw and the one I had was torque a plenty but I think you would get more use out of a 4 1/2 angle grinder that will cut/grind/flapdisk/wirewheel/ and trim a finger or two if you are not careful.
Hate to support HF but they have an electric dotco, haven't tried it nut there only like $20 plus a 20% coupon it would be worth a shot. Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
Iv got to were I almost never use the cutoff wheel on a die grinder anymore. The new blades / cutoff wheels for grinders make for a better deal. The only time I go back to the die grinder is in tight spots. Electric die grinder and a small 5/8 drive angle grinder and your good
I have the H-F 4" grinder/cut-off cheapie. I did a complete T-Bolt shock tower conversion with it and it's still alive and well. Boy! when those cut-off wheels shatter it smarts a little though!!!!
My makita lasted 13-14 years. The cheap ones about 2. I use them A LOT. Cutting sheet, exhaust pipe, rod and tube stock...I don't have a good compressor and electric has to work for me. The 4"(or 5") electric angle grinder is a MUST HAVE.
I have two Makita 4"ers and one Craftsman. You need at least two in your shop at all times, one setup with abrasive flappers or disks and one with thin cutoff wheels. I almost never use my air cutoff anymore.
Three Makitas myself. The Roto Zip Will probably do the job but the depth of cut is too shallow. A 4", 4 1/2" or 5" grinder with a cutoff wheel would be a better choice. I have been using the cheap 4" Makitas for 20 years or more. I like them because they are small and light. You can find used ones at the swap meet for $20.00 use them and throw them away if the fail. HF has cheap ones too but I have a hard time going there.
This sounds like a good way to go but I notice that die grinders spin at 25,000 RPM. My cutoff wheels say max RPM is 20,000. Do the make 25,000 RPM cut off wheels?
What he said ^ Great all around tool till you get air. After it's done as a cutoff tool put a flap wheel on it. I'd get the 4.5" cause I believe there are more 4.5" accessories available.
I just got this sheet metal nibbler at an estate sale for $4 http://www.lowes.com/pd_325140-353-...rch_msn-_-Tools_RTC-_-Bosch_1530-_-bosch 1530
Still concerned with the RPM problem. Also, how balanced does it feel running a cutoff wheel on a die grinder?
I never use a thin cut off wheel on an electric tool...... there is only one speed typically [full tilt 13 thousadn RPM plus]....and the cut off/zip wheel is incredibly too close to fingers...plus most have those damn lock switches ya have to hit again to shut down.... A little known fact is that the cut offs and even grinding wheels will cut better at about half that RPM and whos mad when the 3.00 wheels last longer? I have tried em all and do not think any are safe enough to use, get an air compressor and air tools and learn ta play the banjo with all your pinkys intact....
?? I've never met an air tool with half the balls of my 4" Milwaukee grinder. cut a lot of metal over the years, about 1% with air tools.
Tomato, Tomata, Potatoe, Potata.... lets cut the damn thing off.. I use my air powered die grinder for really precise work on sheet metal, 4" angle grinder for less precise work, and a sawzall for anything thicker than sheet metal. And Harbor Freight.... cheap $hit made by communists. Whenever possible spend your money on products made from countries that want to see Amercans dead. I am truly baffled by the guys that talk the talk and walk the walk when it comes to traditional rods, yet use HF tools to build said cars. WTF?
Indespensable tool. The majority of my truck is made with a 4 1/2 in mil-wakey PFERD brand, thin cutoff wheels are real good for sheet metal but dont bash them on the ground because they will break. Go Slow! electric grinders impart a lot of heat because they are on/off unlike air tools.
I've used quite a few grinders in my day to cut stuff. My personal favorite is the Milwaukee 4-1/2 in. Super Magnum. It has variable speed so it's much easier to use it with all kinds of cutting wheels and it's virtually unstoppable. I made a little adapter for it so I can use small 3" wheels or I can put a 7" cut off wheel on it. I also made an adapter for buffing wheels. It's great for polishing bug stuff like stainless headers. This grinder has tons of power and takes some getting used to. One thing to consider, speed does NOT equal power when it comes to electric grinders. It's more about amps. I personally don't think the rotozip would have the power for your metal cutting needs. Also, the small 3" wheel pictured below is a Norton Gemini and it has a very high 25,465 rpm max.
here's what I use, it's real comfy in ma hands. I also have a Black and Decker 4 1/2 grinder that looks almost like my Milwaukee. I use Dewalt cutting wheels and so far so good. http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/milwauk...=12&cgid=milwaukee-grinders&pmin=100&pmax=150
I got an angle grinder/cutter from Lowes a few years ago. It's a Hitachi and works good. I forget which it is....either 4 or 4.5". I know one of them is IMPOSSIBLE to find wheels for......I got the other one. lol Lastly, I cannot see how in the world anybody gets by doin automotive work with no compressor. If you're trying to be nostalgic, it's not like they are modern tools you know.
I use a shear (air) on flat sheets, may not be the best thing for cutting panels off cars but you can give it a shot. Electric shears $50-$150 depending on brand http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=electric+shear.
I've been using a cheapo Menards 4" angle grinder. Beats firing up the compre$$or. Surprised the little angle grinder has lasted as long as it has although the gears are starting to get a bit sloppy. Got a big Milwaukee angle grinder I wouldn't think of using a cut off wheel on. That thing demands respect.
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