When people think about the must-have tools in their shop, their minds usually go to impact drivers and miter saws. Do you know what tool often isn't considered as one of those must-haves, but really should be? The air die grinder. This remarkable tool can do a lot, and if there isn't one in your shop now, by the end of this article, you will be convinced it should be. Below, you are going to learn all about air die grinders, what kind of projects it can be used on and the different types of die grinders that are available.
An air die grinder is a handheld power tool that features a spinning spindle that can hold a die grinder bit. These bits range from cutting to grinding to other functions and are used to remove parts of the materials that you are using the tool on. If you are unfamiliar with this tool, here is a quick rundown of what it is and how it works. Wondering what kind of materials you can use a die grinder on, and what kind of projects can you use it for? Good question.
Below are just a few examples of the jobs you can use your air die grinder on. You will find it works great with metals, wood, plastics and more for everything from cutting to polishing to many other things. You may only find some of what you can use a die grinder on listed below but think of this more as an idea starting point.
Let's start with a project that gave the die grinder its name. Die grinders first came to be because they were used to grind dies such as metal stamping dies, die-casting dies, forging dies, plastic molds and a whole lot more. They do this by manually grinding and matching the profiles of mating parts. What makes a die grinder the best tool for the job is that they are small and feature easy directional control.
When you really want your metalwork to shine, you will have to polish it. What can help you get that job done? An air die grinder. That is because a die grinder features rotary polishing bits that are round in cross-section. These can help you polish holes and curved surfaces in the materials you are working with. So, no matter if you are looking to polish something as small as metal collectibles or as big as a car, a die grinder can help you get the job done.
One of the last things you do with a project is add those finishing touches, like sanding off the rough edges. When you want to make sure you do that job right and not ruin the project you were working on, you will want to get an air die grinder with a few different bits. Some bits will help you smooth out wood, steel, metal and more. And speaking of smoothing out metals, if you are welding metalwork, you will want an air die grinder in your toolbox. You will be able to remove the excess or welding spatter in no time.
Rust is the worst and can really destroy metals once it shows up. Good thing that there is a tool you can use to help combat it. That's right, a die grinder can get the job done. Pair a die grinder with the right bit, and you can quickly remove rust from metal surfaces. So, the first moment you see rust, grab an air die grinder and grind it off.
Do you own a lot of blades but don't have the time to wetstone all of them? That isn't a problem when you own an air die grinder. With the right attachment bit, you will able to sharpen a wide range of blades. Do you have a set of hunting knives that need sharpening for your next trip? Then break out that die grinder and get to sharpening. Are you someone who chops a lot of wood with an axe or hatchet? Please make sure the blade on them is at its sharpest with an air die grinder.
As we already stated, a die grinder can help you smooth surfaces. This is great for removing rough edges and removing paint and finishes. If the specific surface you are trying to smooth out is wood, then you are going to want to use your die grinder as a sander. This can replace the use of sandpaper and help you get some more control out of the sanding you need to do.
Did you know that you can use an air die grinder to sand wood and create masterpieces out of wood? You can. When you pair a die grinder with a carbide burr, you will be able to sculpt wood to how you see fit. So, if you are a woodworker or a carpenter, be sure you have an air die grinder in your workshop because you will be able to make something exceptional with one.
If collision repairs are needed on your vehicle occasionally, you will want to have a die grinder in your toolbox. An air die grinder will help you strip surface paint off metal so you can then work on the bare metal to do auto repairs. And if you use a cutting bit with your air die grinder, you will be able to remove sheet metal, depending on the repair that needs to be done.
There are two different types of die grinders, straight and right angle. One isn't necessarily better than the other, one is just designed to fit the project that you are working on better than the other. Let's get into what makes each of these two die grinders unique and what kind of jobs they should be used for.
A straight die grinder can also be called a standard die grinder. It gets its name because the grinder comes straight out of the handle. This design is excellent for the user to have more control over the grinding that they'll be doing. This works great for very detailed and precise work. If you are going to go with just one die grinder, a straight die grinder is your best bet.
A right angle air die grinder works just like its straight die grinder cousin, but it has the grinder coming off the handle at a right angle that is perpendicular to the body. So, why would you ever need to use a right angle die grinder? Sometimes the project that you are working on will have you dealing with tight spaces, and to try and use a straight die grinder just won't hit the area you need to sand, cut or grind. With its unique shape, a right angle air die grinder can get that job done. So, if you feel more comfortable with that shape and have projects that have strange angles to work on, you will need a right angle die grinder in your toolbox.
While an electric die grinder might not be as powerful as their pneumatic (air) die grinder cousins, they do have a lot of good qualities. Electric die grinders are light, quick and aren't connected to an air canister. These features make electric die grinders perfect for precise work that needs to be completed away from your shop. And when it comes to electric die grinders, you even have a few options as far as how they are powered. You can choose between corded and cordless. Something to keep in mind when it comes to cordless, though, is that batteries can add weight to your die grinder. So, depending on the project, you can opt for corded. As was said before, electric die grinders are less powerful than pneumatic die grinders. This means that electric die grinders can use some bits that pneumatic ones can't. Some bits require less power to work better.
Air die grinders pack power. That power comes from being attached to a canister filled with compressed air. So, if you already own an air compressor in your shop, a pneumatic die grinder might be a good buy for you since you already have the power source. These are great for large jobs that require a powerful grind; if your project requires more precision, then you should go with an electric die grinder.
Now that you know more about air die grinders, what they can do and the differences between the model types, you should be set to go to work on your next project. If you don't already own a die grinder or are looking to replace the one you have, be sure to check out Northern Tool + Equipment's website to find the one that's right for you. You'll find both electric and pneumatic die grinders along with a range of attachments, bits and accessories to go along with the actual tools. Stop in and complete your tool collection today.
