Throw Your Puny 90* Air Grinder Away! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

theastronaut · 08-27-2013, 06:36 PM

I have been using a cheap/small Harbor Freight 90* grinder for years... until last week. We recently bought a better 3" cut-off grinder and I couldn't believe the difference from the old Husky grinder we had. So I started looking for a better 90* grinder. Ended up with a Matco MT3883 with 1 horse power... Yes 1 Hp! This thing rocks! You can't bog it down with a 2" grinding disc, and with a 3" disc it will flatten welds VERY quickly. Can't believe that we put up with the HF grinder for so long! Now if I could just get back all that time I wasted grinding before!

El Campo · 08-27-2013, 07:32 PM

Haha that thing looks impressive. I bet it goes through air like a sand blaster though doesn't it! Probably need high flow fittings I would imagine (such as Coilhose Pneumatics Megaflow fittings)? How much does something like that set you back? I have two of those exact same Horrible Freight 90 degree grinders and would like something better.

theastronaut · 08-27-2013, 08:22 PM

Didn't even think of high flow fittings, the one it came with fit our system so I went with it. I'll try and see if those make any difference. They're listed at $265 on Matco's website, but we found thos one on ebay as a "used" new display item. Gave right around $90 shipped, worth every penny.
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**Tom Vogel** · 08-29-2013, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theastronaut; They're listed at $265 on Matco's website, but we found thos one on ebay as a "used" new display item. Gave right around $90 shipped, worth every penny.
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Posted via Mobile Device[/size]

Thats a great deal. I always look for re-conditioned if I can find it. Usually you get an 'as new' gaurantee along with a greatly reduced price. Good Score!

MailManX2 · 08-27-2013, 08:25 PM

Nice grinder but pricey. I could buy 13 of the HF $20 grinders for the price of that thing.. Hmm let me go check my piggy bank..

theastronaut · 08-27-2013, 08:35 PM

True, but we own a resto business so we don't want to waste our customers time/money by using slow tools. The HF grinders are very durable but don't have much power. It took 5-6 years to tear up my first HF angle grinder. They're fine for hobby use, we just needed something more powerful.
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WadmalawJoe · 08-28-2013, 05:57 AM

I'm with you Astronaut, if I can afford a better tool I buy it. So thanks for posting!
I have bought HF tools and usually regret it within 24 hours. Basically as soon as I use it and realize, there has got to be something better than this. I do buy plenty of other stuff from HF.

El Campo · 08-28-2013, 02:09 PM

90 dollars is a screaming deal! I would buy 2 of them right off if I could find them for that price! If you have never tried them the Megaflows are unbelievable. I will never buy another air fitting that isn't Coilhose Pneumatic. The beauty of the Female end that goes on hose is that it will accept all standard (automotive and industrial) male fittings as well as high flow. $$$$ but as you said earlier worth every cent.

Bigdav160 · 08-30-2013, 11:46 AM

Edit-----Delete

gmclowsierra · 08-30-2013, 05:42 PM

How many of you want the Matco one? I might be able to get a discount on a multiple buy. I'm a Matco distributor.
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El Campo · 08-30-2013, 06:58 PM

I'd go for one of the angled as well as one of the straight ones probably if there was a group discount.
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08-27-2013, 06:36 PM	#1
theastronaut Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Anderson SC Posts: 3,901	*Throw Your Puny 90 Air Grinder Away!** I have been using a cheap/small Harbor Freight 90* grinder for years... until last week. We recently bought a better 3" cut-off grinder and I couldn't believe the difference from the old Husky grinder we had. So I started looking for a better 90* grinder. Ended up with a Matco MT3883 with 1 horse power... Yes 1 Hp! This thing rocks! You can't bog it down with a 2" grinding disc, and with a 3" disc it will flatten welds VERY quickly. Can't believe that we put up with the HF grinder for so long! Now if I could just get back all that time I wasted grinding before! __________________ Project Goldilocks '66 C10 Short Fleet BBW Build '65 C10 Highly Detailed Stock Restoration Thread '78 Camaro Targa Roof Build '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work '66 F100 Full Rotisserie Restoration '40 Packard 120 Convertible Coupe Restoration How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster How To Detail Sand Body Panels, Edges, Corners, Etc

08-27-2013, 07:32 PM	#2
El Campo Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: El Campo, Tx Posts: 1,246	*Re: Throw Your Puny 90 Air Grinder Away!** Haha that thing looks impressive. I bet it goes through air like a sand blaster though doesn't it! Probably need high flow fittings I would imagine (such as Coilhose Pneumatics Megaflow fittings)? How much does something like that set you back? I have two of those exact same Horrible Freight 90 degree grinders and would like something better. __________________ 72 Chevy blue LWB, 99% original Oklahoma truck, 28,000 miles 72 Chevy SWB: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=486626 (Attempt/Mistake #2) 2003 Harley Davidson Dyna Superglide with 2007 Street Bob front end 2000 Ford F350 Powerstroke 4WD CCLB, 310,000 miles running great (STOLEN St. Patricks Day 2014 AND NEVER RECOVERED) 2002 Ford F250 Powerstroke 4WD CCLB (To replace stolen one) Hook em Horns!!!

08-27-2013, 08:22 PM	#3
theastronaut Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Anderson SC Posts: 3,901	*Re: Throw Your Puny 90 Air Grinder Away!** Didn't even think of high flow fittings, the one it came with fit our system so I went with it. I'll try and see if those make any difference. They're listed at $265 on Matco's website, but we found thos one on ebay as a "used" new display item. Gave right around $90 shipped, worth every penny. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Project Goldilocks '66 C10 Short Fleet BBW Build '65 C10 Highly Detailed Stock Restoration Thread '78 Camaro Targa Roof Build '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work '66 F100 Full Rotisserie Restoration '40 Packard 120 Convertible Coupe Restoration How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster How To Detail Sand Body Panels, Edges, Corners, Etc

08-27-2013, 08:25 PM	#5
MailManX2 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ledyard, CT Posts: 119	*Re: Throw Your Puny 90 Air Grinder Away! Nice grinder but pricey. I could buy 13 of the HF $20 grinders for the price of that thing.. Hmm let me go check my piggy bank.. __________________ Ken B 60 Chevy Apache 2019 Chevy Silverado Z71 Why buy something when you can build it for twice the price.. Just because something can be done doesn't mean it should be done...**

08-27-2013, 08:35 PM	#6
theastronaut Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Anderson SC Posts: 3,901	*Re: Throw Your Puny 90 Air Grinder Away!** True, but we own a resto business so we don't want to waste our customers time/money by using slow tools. The HF grinders are very durable but don't have much power. It took 5-6 years to tear up my first HF angle grinder. They're fine for hobby use, we just needed something more powerful. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Project Goldilocks '66 C10 Short Fleet BBW Build '65 C10 Highly Detailed Stock Restoration Thread '78 Camaro Targa Roof Build '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work '66 F100 Full Rotisserie Restoration '40 Packard 120 Convertible Coupe Restoration How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster How To Detail Sand Body Panels, Edges, Corners, Etc

08-28-2013, 05:57 AM	#7
WadmalawJoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ravenel SC Posts: 317	*Re: Throw Your Puny 90 Air Grinder Away!** I'm with you Astronaut, if I can afford a better tool I buy it. So thanks for posting! I have bought HF tools and usually regret it within 24 hours. Basically as soon as I use it and realize, there has got to be something better than this. I do buy plenty of other stuff from HF. __________________ Toys/projects Many toys, not enough time to play! My youngest son and I picked up a 69 Chevy C-10 on 1/7/22, this is my second 69, it was 10 years ago that I had my other one. So I’m back!!!

08-28-2013, 02:09 PM	#8
El Campo Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: El Campo, Tx Posts: 1,246	*Re: Throw Your Puny 90 Air Grinder Away!** 90 dollars is a screaming deal! I would buy 2 of them right off if I could find them for that price! If you have never tried them the Megaflows are unbelievable. I will never buy another air fitting that isn't Coilhose Pneumatic. The beauty of the Female end that goes on hose is that it will accept all standard (automotive and industrial) male fittings as well as high flow. $$$$ but as you said earlier worth every cent. __________________ 72 Chevy blue LWB, 99% original Oklahoma truck, 28,000 miles 72 Chevy SWB: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=486626 (Attempt/Mistake #2) 2003 Harley Davidson Dyna Superglide with 2007 Street Bob front end 2000 Ford F350 Powerstroke 4WD CCLB, 310,000 miles running great (STOLEN St. Patricks Day 2014 AND NEVER RECOVERED) 2002 Ford F250 Powerstroke 4WD CCLB (To replace stolen one) Hook em Horns!!!

08-30-2013, 11:46 AM	#9
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	*Re: Throw Your Puny 90 Air Grinder Away!** Edit-----Delete __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe Last edited by Bigdav160; 08-30-2013 at 11:48 AM. Reason: Dumb speed reading

08-30-2013, 05:42 PM	#10
gmclowsierra Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: williamsport,pa Posts: 329	*Re: Throw Your Puny 90 Air Grinder Away!** How many of you want the Matco one? I might be able to get a discount on a multiple buy. I'm a Matco distributor. Posted via Mobile Device

08-30-2013, 06:58 PM	#11
El Campo Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: El Campo, Tx Posts: 1,246	*Re: Throw Your Puny 90 Air Grinder Away!** I'd go for one of the angled as well as one of the straight ones probably if there was a group discount. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 72 Chevy blue LWB, 99% original Oklahoma truck, 28,000 miles 72 Chevy SWB: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=486626 (Attempt/Mistake #2) 2003 Harley Davidson Dyna Superglide with 2007 Street Bob front end 2000 Ford F350 Powerstroke 4WD CCLB, 310,000 miles running great (STOLEN St. Patricks Day 2014 AND NEVER RECOVERED) 2002 Ford F250 Powerstroke 4WD CCLB (To replace stolen one) Hook em Horns!!!



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