Which tool should I use?????

[67chevy2wd]

I am looking into getting a new grinder of some sort. I also want it to be my cut off tool. Should I go electric or air and which brand and size? Or should I even go with a grinder?

[Sillyoldman]

What are you cutting? I use a bandsaw for most of my cutting.

[67chevy2wd]

Sorry mostly cutting on body panels. I would love a plasma cutter but I dont' have the money right now.

[cdowns]

for body panels and other light gauge sheetmetal i find it's tough to beat an inexpensive jigsaw

[Slonaker]

Make sure you have a big compressor if you plan to go with air. I have a big 115 volt compressor, and it is way too small. I found out my cutoff tool is good for a few seconds of cutting before it starts to turn too slowly to be of any real use.

I have been using a $17 Harbor Freight 4 1/2 inch grinder with a Dewalt cutoff wheel lately, and it works a lot better. It will do just fine until I can get a bigger compressor.

Slonaker

[krue]

If you're dead set on a grinder, get a 4.5" electric for grinding (about $30 @ Wally world) and a small air cut off tool (on sale @ HF all the time for $10).

[68haywagon]

I have the cheap HF air cutoff wheel....works great till ya run out of air after about a minute. I have a 4.5" electric grinder that I picked up at a tool sale for like $12, but haven't had the chance to try it out yet.

If you have some big sections to cut out I would not use air unless you have a big 2 stage compressor.

Mike

[67chevy2wd]

The air compressor I use is an 80gal hooked up to 220V, as far as stages I dont' know. I like the electric grinder but it just doesn't get into every place I want it to. I have a couple diegrinders but they just don't have the power to cut metal. Something like a jigsaw would be nice because I seem to burn up alot of cut off wheels.

[68C15]

you might consider what i refer to as a "fart saw". its like a sawzal but fits in your hand and runs off shop air. they work great for small areas and especially on sheet metal. best of all is there is no sparks and it stops instantly when you release the trigger (no cut fingers or limbs)

[>X<]

at the body shop i worked at when i was younger we had a METABO tool that spun 4 or 6 inch cutoff wheels fast, fastest thing i have ever used next to a plasma.

[67chevy2wd]

Originally Posted by >X<

at the body shop i worked at when i was younger we had a METABO tool that spun 4 or 6 inch cutoff wheels fast, fastest thing i have ever used next to a plasma.

I think I know what you are talking about, we have one and it cuts anything and fast. It doesn't turn on like a grinder when you hit the switch it has to get wound up first. I am mostly wondering if there is any benefit to using air or electric.

[>X<]

air tools are lighter and have less parts to break. i have a body saw (like a jigsaw but straight) a milwaulkee grinder that pretty much lives with a wire wheel on it, a IR air angle grinder with a roloc head, a high speed 3" cutoff wheel tool, a sawzall, and a friend with a plasma. for sheetmetal the cutoff wheel gets used most and for grinding the little IR with 36 grit roloc discs gets used 90% of the time. combined they were still cheaper than a good electric grinder or metabo.

[67chevy2wd]

I have never heard of a roloc disk. Is it a brand or a type of disk?

[jcueckert13]

Originally Posted by 67chevy2wd

I have never heard of a roloc disk. Is it a brand or a type of disk?

its a round abrasive disk used on a dye grinder, at work we use them to remove gasket material.

[>X<]

3m makes them. they are the ONLY thing to use for grinding welds on this (automotive) metal. they come in 2" and 3" discs ranging from 24 grit to 180 grit, also available in scotch brite pads (what jkqkert is referring to) and bristle discs. way less heat and faster than big grinders.

[67chevy2wd]

Ok I know what the scotchbrit ones are and the bristle ones. Thanks i will have to check into it.

[Sillyoldman]

Heck. Get Both an electric and a air tool. I have a electric and use it more than I thought I would. It even cuts off steel fence posts and you only have to drag a cord around. I do love the A-tools too. They sometimes seem to be job specific, but when you get in a bind that forgotten air tool will be handy.

[mbgmike]

If you are working with sheetmetal believe me, You will end up with just about very tool. AIr or Electric,even manual.

[shifty]

Originally Posted by cdowns

for body panels and other light gauge sheetmetal i find it's tough to beat an inexpensive jigsaw

Cutoff wheels can be sloppy, make a mess and slower than a .jigsaw, which cuts through body panels like butter.

I went to Lowes and got a Dewalt 4½" angle grinder for grinding and a pack of metal cutting blades for my jigsaw. I've cut out all kinds of stuff - I cut out my tranny hump just the other day, as a matter of fact.

A grinder (electric) can double as a sander as well, you just need the attachment, which I think is like $7 at your local hardware chain store.