electric die grinders

[Russell]

What are they like for removing paint/rust scale with a small wire brush? Im planning on using a 4 inch angle grinder with a selection of poly wheels, sanding pads and wire brushes for the larger areas but want something that gets in the awkward corners. I have tried using a brush in a battery drill but it doesn't do a lot.

 

[Shovelhands]

What are they like for removing paint/rust scale with a small wire brush? Im planning on using a 4 inch angle grinder with a selection of poly wheels, sanding pads and wire brushes for the larger areas but want something that gets in the awkward corners. I have tried using a brush in a battery drill but it doesn't do a lot.

I have a battery one and tbh it’s way to fast for wire brushing I think, unless you can get one with variable speed? I’ve used it in a pinch, but it’s not ideal.

 

[Canal Navvy]

I have a battery one and tbh it’s way to fast for wire brushing I think, unless you can get one with variable speed? I’ve used it in a pinch, but it’s not ideal.

I've not tried an electric die grinder, but the air versions destroy wire brushes really quickly

 

[Lancs Lad]

I've got the right angle Milwaukee M12. Really handy for small jobs . Got variety of different heads...scotchlok system is good.

 

[doobin]

I've got the right angle Milwaukee M12. Really handy for small jobs . Got variety of different heads...scotchlok system is good.

This. I prefer roloc tho.

 

[William127]

I've got the right angle Milwaukee M12. Really handy for small jobs . Got variety of different heads...scotchlok system is good.

I quite like the look of them, got plenty of m12 batteries to run it

 

[Bri963]

Just bought a PCL air one, much lighter and easier to use. If you’ve got air, that is.

 

[Quattromike]

I use a straight grinder with variable speed, if you have it sped down enough it works ok with spindle mounted wire brush, it's a roughly 30mm diameter twist knot straight out wire brush I use and if you have it too fast the wires open right up like a flat wheel type 🫣.
No idea how it works on paint but does the job on rusty old steam valves

 

[Bri963]

Die grinders work best with flap wheels, cylinder wheels, and with good tungsten grinders they’re unbeatable for grinding crap welds out of corners. With wire wheels you need to have a light touch or you‘ll end up with unintended piercings.

 

[V8Druid]

Just bought a PCL air one, much lighter and easier to use. If you’ve got air, that is.

no where near as much guts as a leccy though Bri .. got two of each -- air is great for a tight spot .. leccy certainly takes it out

 

[Giles]

I’ve the DEWALT battery die grinder

Had to clear some lime render off some stone work started with drill and wire brushed slow painful going, tried it in 20,000 rpm die grinder oh wow what a difference obliterated the render off the stone but left the stone fresh still.

Destroyed the cheap wire brush and was finding wires for days afterwards lodge in jumper etc,

Have since bought some 20k rpm rated brushes much better in the die grinder

 

[Bri963]

no where near as much guts as a leccy though Bri .. got two of each -- air is great for a tight spot .. leccy certainly takes it out

Perhaps not Gra, but I’ve tungstened some big welds out without stalling a PCL. I can see where an electric one would be better on Giles’s work, though.

 

[V8Druid]

Perhaps not Gra, but I’ve tungstened some big welds out without stalling a PCL. I can see where an electric one would be better on Giles’s work, though.

yeh you have really got to be going for it with a carbide burr to stall a little air grinder

 

[doobin]

yeh you have really got to be going for it with a carbide burr to stall a little air grinder

High speed low pressure on burrs!

 

[Lancs Lad]

I like these little flappies plus that weird plastic type brush is quite handy for delicate stuff