Cliff -
I have a lot of experience with grinders - They are a great tool,
however they can be dangerous as well. I've had many of my employees
"bit" by them so be careful with it. Be sure to get a "soft pad" set
up as well. Basically it is a rubber pad and a special nut and spacer
that allows you to use "sandpaper" on them. You are a lot less likely
to gouge metal with a soft pad. You can find these at any large
hardware store. Harbor Freight probably has them as well. One thing
I will say about the "Chicago" brand is they are generally poor
quality. For occasional home use they should be ok, but they vibrate
quite a bit, not near as smooth, and the switch (IMO) is dangerous.
They have an on-off switch, like toggle switch. If you happen to drop
it, while on, it will dance across the floor, hitting everything (and
everyone) until you can unplug it. These thing spin fast (Like the
rotary spits!). The type with a paddle switch (Dewalt, Black&Decker,
some Bosch, some Milwaukee) I believe are much, much safer. You hold
the paddle to turn it on, if you drop it shuts off. Having said that,
If you are extremely careful when using it, $20 is probably a deal you
can't pass up. Don't expect that brand to last forever, but it's
about 1/5 the cost of a better one.
I don't recommend air grinders for home use. Unless you have a big
upright air compressor, they use an awful lot of air and small home
compressors won't keep up.
Just my .02 worth.
Bill
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-triumphs@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-triumphs@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Cliff Hansen
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 1998 7:03 PM
To: triumphs@autox.team.net
Subject: Buy an angel grinder?
Guess what? Harbor Freight is opening a brand new store in
Albuquerque TOMORROW! And the wife is pre-disposed by
Christmas guilt to let me buy stuff - talk about timing.
Anyway, there's several items on sale at half price. Some are
no-brainers, I wanted to ask about the Chicago brand 4-1/2" electric
angle grinder ($20.) 5/8"-11 spindle with 7/8" arbor adapter.
3/4 HP. Having never used one what does it do?
Should I have one - why yes, I should, its a tool isn't it? Is there
an advantage to getting an air-powered grinder?
Thanks, I'll be in line at 7 am.
Cliff Hansen
chansen@anr.net
1966 TR-4A CTC 64615L
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