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newbie looking at tools, questions bout angle grinder..

Dabba

Dabba

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i plan on doing some work to a new cucv im about to acquire. I plan on doing some sanding and ill need to grind to do a shackle flip. It appears i need a grinder and it looks like an angle grinder will allow me to sand and grind. My question is what should i get? I dont want to spend alot of money on tools. I just want something cheap and effective as i dont plan on using it much after this, i cant fab or weld. I have a compressor thats good for at least 100psi, maybe 150-200. Should i get neumatic or electric? Pros, cons? I also have a pretty large socket set i plan to use on the shackle flip/lift. Should i get an air gun, could they be found on the cheap? Thanks. Im pretty new with power tools and i realize im gonna need to start investing if i plan on doing any real work myself. Thanks.
 
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00928170000P?mv=rr

im looking at that. I need to grind off the rivets for a shackle flip and to sand my hood down to get rid of some rust. I think this looks pretty good, but for the life of me i cant find any accessories for it. Im looking for additional grinding discs and sanding discs of varying grit. Can anyone point me in the right directions for accessories and advice. Thanks
 
If you're only going to use it for a short time, doubtful if you have the K5 bug, go to Harbor Freight and buy either the 7" or the 4" or both for the price of a Dewalt.
 
That Dewalt is a good angle grinder, however this is not the kind of tool you would use to sand a hood. For sanding purpose you want either a DA (dual action) sander or an inline sander (long board as they are most commonly refered to).
 
4X4HIGH said:
That Dewalt is a good angle grinder, however this is not the kind of tool you would use to sand a hood. For sanding purpose you want either a DA (dual action) sander or an inline sander (long board as they are most commonly refered to).
Click to expand...

So you think i should get the dewalt and then look for a DA? Any advice for a cheap DA? I need a amatuer tool, i cant do any heavy fab work yet nor am i interested, just need it for minor work. Any suggestions and where do i get the discs of varying grit?
 
My thoughts in buying tools is buy good quality tools the first time and be done with it.

You should be able to buy the grinding disc for it from just about any hardware store or if you have a Harbor Freight there they sell them as well.
 
I have a Harbor Freight 4" that I beat the hell out. If I smoke it, I'm only out $10.00. I've used it to cut 1/4" plate again and again with no problems. My 4" HF outlasted a 4 1/2" Crapsman that was given as a gift. That was a POS.

I also bought the Rigid 4 1/2" from Home Depot. It looks like they are selling a two pack right now for the price of one (CLICK). I am really happy with the performance of the Rigid. I was really surprised at how smooth the thing is.

I'll buy the cut-off wheels from HF. Some of the consumables just aren't worth the time and trouble for me. They don't hold up. The time to stop and replace a sanding disks got old.

I like having one that I don't have to stress too much about damaging if an unexpected oops happens and another (not high end by a long shot) that I am a little more careful with. I can keep one outfitted with cutting disks and the other with the job of the day disk...

Just my $02.

I completely understand spending a couple of extra $$ for quality. I have to balance my tool budget.
 
does harbor freight have an online store? I dont have any stores by me and i hear that store mentioned here more than any other.
 
Dabba said:
does harbor freight have an online store? I dont have any stores by me and i hear that store mentioned here more than any other.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't order from them if you can't walk in or return a defective item. IMO their quality isn't worth mail - order.

Amazon is another good place when they drop prices. I bought my 14" Jet band saw (for wood) and my welder from them. The prices can vary overnight. They sometimes have killer deals with free shipping/no tax.
 
4X4HIGH said:
My thoughts in buying tools is buy good quality tools the first time and be done with it.
Click to expand...

Agreed...There's something to be said for having a quality tool in some situations... I have a cheapo Harbor Freight grinder and it gets the job done but I can definately tell a difference between that and the stuff I use at work.
That being said I can go through 5 of these Harbor Freight units before I get into the same price range as the stuff we use at work.
 
I'll agree also on buyin once and be done with it. I have bought cheap tools and while hand tools are alright to buy cheap IMO anything electronic you get what you pay for. I usually go for the best for those. That's why when i went to buy myself a cordless sawzall and drill i just went and spent more on a kit like this

IMG_0237.jpg
 
I agree with the buy it once and be done, if you have the cash now. I recently borrowed a cheap grinder from a friend of mine to grind my calipers and backing plates for 15" wheels. It took almost no pressure to stop the wheel from turning and I would have been working on one side for a week! I finally went and bought a Dewalt, 10 amp I think, its the medium duty one. Couldn't be happier with it and was done with the work in no time! Also, it came with a pretty nice case for storage so I know I will be able to find it later when the need arises. These rigs are an addiction, eventually you will need that grinder again!
 
yeah, think ill go with the dewalt and find a decent DA sander, any suggestions? Also any suggestions for a pneumatic wrench gun? I never used one, i have a compressor thats capable of at least 100psi, myabe up to 150-200. Let me know if thats enough.
 
Most general automotive pneumatic tools have an upper limit of 90 or PSI. The CFM rating and tank size is the HP behind the tool.
 
its a medium sized tank. I dont know off hand, a few gallons, nothing huge but its not small either. What size is sufficent?
 
The answer depends on what you are doing and with what tools. 25 gallon IMO is a minimum. 6 to 10 CFM minimum. The CFM needed depends on the tools you use it with.

I have a couple of grinders and cutters that require more air (CFM) than my compressor can keep up with.

Here's a pretty concise article on air compressors.

http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/inthegarage.php
 
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