Ok guys, you've got my juices flowing. You have convinced me to buy an angle grinder. $22 at Harbor Freight. I'm also considering a cheap welder. I just have no idea what I need.
Obed
Don't ever pay retail at HF- you should subscribe to the HF thread on TBN to get reviews and hints about what is good and what isn't. Also consider signing up for their email discounts.
HF tools, [and some of the ones from TSC also], while not always the best, have gotten me started on/helped me through, so many things I would not have been able to get into or done without the access to cheap tools to do what I need at minimal price.
Here is a link for a perpetual sale page from HF: Digital Savings
It has ALWAYS had a 20% sale coupon and sometimes other coupons that were very helpful.
But you have to plan your trips to make the most of the discounts, because they are no longer stackable.
Thomas
BTW, this is a better, and significantly more powerful, though slightly more expensive grinder from HF.
I have found that it is worth the $26.00 I paid for it on sale with the 20% off coupon [JMHO- 
T]:
4-1/2" Angle Grinder with Paddle Switch 65519
[Sorry, I tried to make it smaller]
4-1/2" Angle Grinder with Paddle Switch
Chicago Electric Power Tools Pro
Powerful angle grinder with paddle switch provides compact proficiency for sanding, grinding and deburring
Only: $39.99
Sale: $29.99
The high power-to-weight ratio of this 4-1/2" angle grinder with paddle switch provides all the speed and power you need for tough jobs along with a compact size to fit into tight spaces. A vibration-reducing handle can be secured in three positions and an adjustable wheel guard redirects sparks away from the user. Also features a contractor-grade impact resistant aluminum housing and 6 amp fan-cooled all ball bearing 10,000 RPM motor for smooth operation and long life.
High power-to-weight ratio for a compact, lightweight tool with the speed and power for tough jobs
Contractor grade impact resistant aluminum gear housing for increased durability and protection
Large paddle switch with safety tab
Three position vibration reducing auxilliary handle
Easy-to-replace brushes
Comes with grinding wheel, wrench, carbon brushes
Specifications
Name 4-1/2" Angle Grinder with Paddle Switch
SKU 65519
Brand Chicago Electric Power Tools Pro
Amperage (amps) 6
Diameter 4-1/2
Maximum speed (rpm) 10000
Voltage (volts) 120
Voltage type VAC
Cord length 6 ft.
Product Weight 4.19 lbs.
Size(s) 5/8-11 Spindle With 7/8 Adapter
Accessories Included wrench, and spare carbon brushes
VS
http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-4-1-2-half-inch-angle-grinder-91223.htm
This angle grinder has a powerful ball-bearing motor that provides smooth-running power to
tackle the hardest metal cutting, shaping and slag removal jobs!
Features include a tough aluminum construction for durability, a
recessed spindle lock and a two-position auxiliary handle for comfort
and control along with carbon brushes. This angle grinder is a powerful
tool for the professional metal worker or hobbyist.
- All ball-bearing motor for smooth running, long life
- Rugged cast aluminum gear case takes a pounding
- Two-position auxiliary handle
- Spindle lock for fast, easy wheel changes
- Comes with 4-1/2" grinding wheel, spindle nut, two wrenches, spare brushes
Specifications
Name
| 4-1/2" Heavy Duty Angle Grinder
|
|---|
SKU
| 91223
|
|---|
Brand
| Chicago Electric Power Tools
|
|---|
Amperage (amps)
| 4.5
|
|---|
Diameter
| 4-1/2
|
|---|
Maximum speed (rpm)
| 11000
|
|---|
Voltage (volts)
| 120
|
|---|
Voltage type
| VAC
|
|---|
Size(s)
| 5/8-11 Spindle With 7/8 Adapter
|
|---|
Accessories Included
| Grinding wheel, spindle nut, two wrenches, spare brushes.
|
|---|
I hope this helps and doesn't hinder your decision-making process.
Thomas
PS: I also have their cheapest welder [see the "digital savings page above] but I haven't tried it yet [awaiting my barn completion and exhaust fan installation] but on the welding net and the HF page on TBN, there are some folks who make it sing! The secrets seem to be go slowly, practice, and don't be afraid to reinforce the weld or buttress the piece. I have thought that maybe I should have waited to buy a more expensive one, but it turns out that my B-I-L [who used to weld for a living] has an brand new, unused AC tombstone stick machine sitting in his garage because he doesn't have or want to add a 220 line in his house, and he said that he'd give it a new home here, and teach me to use it, as long as he can "borrow" it once in a while.
Finally, you may not need to weld, and not even have to use a Cat 2 bolt section to use your box blade safely...
What if you just heated up and pound the mounting flange flat[ter], then make 2 square pieces from scrap to fit tightly up against the wall of the BBB sandwiching the flange to reinforce it, puting the correct/proper size bolt holes in these, so that when you tighten down the nuts etc, on the bolt, you are sandwiching the enlarged hole very tightly between two normal sized holes squarely.
Hopefully, by butting them against the wall of the BB, they won't have room to shift around. If they don't work, at least you could still them use them as weld-on reinforcements. No harm in trying.
Thomas
