Cut-Off Tool

[the old grind]

Understand that these cutoff tools don't have the 2:1 reduction of the similarly powered angle grinders and run 1:1 at armature speed, so be sure cutoff wheels are rated for 20k RPM or more.

If one puts a pricey new part into a high end power tool the rest of it will still show its age (cord, switch, brushes, gears, housing ..). As Grandpa said, "Nothing lasts forever, including balloons and a good time."

Question might have been, "Will 7 HFTs last as long as a $150 one?". (HFTs are $40/pair if one is that curious. )

Some of us are hard on tools as if nothing should ever break or wear out, or just d__ unlucky. (not me ) Some are always in a big hurry, and I know guys that can trash any tool in one use if they don't know its practical limits, er' not that I'm inferring anything ...

 

[DXN1EL]

Seems like I'm better off with a angle grinder and a cut off wheel. This Milwaukee is only 6"

http://www.grainger.com/product/DIAMOND-X-Abrasive-Diamond-Blade-6TMN7?opr=APPD&pbi=19F543

 

[chopped]

Quick comment on the HF cut of tool. I bought one for spots where i couldnt get the grinder and also much easier for plumbing and exhaust work. However right out of the box I thought I had picked u the wrong one. (the box was labeled ... For Dargo).LOL
Anyways right off the first cut it died. I assumed it was toast until I found and learned the little red reset button. I think its set to sensitive as I often kick it out without allot of overworking it.But Im glad it has that switch.. Also its convient as I have a good supply of discs as the ait version used the same disc.

 

[LD1]

Unless you are in an area where you just cannot get to, I would also vote for the slicer disc on an angle grinder.

I also use HF angle grinders as well. From the cheap $10 one up to the more deluxe $20 one. They both work fine, but dont have near the power as my 12.2A metabo or 10A Milwaukee. I think one HF is 6A and the other is only 4.5A. Without knowing that, I could see how easy it is to burn up. So if metal hogging is needed, I get a bigger grinder. IF just knocking some paint off to weld, or touching up mower blades, nothing wrong with a HF unit.

Also, on the HF grinders, first thing you need to do is pop the head off and give it some more grease of better quality. They will last 10x's longer.

 

[CNC Dan]

Understand that these cutoff tools don't have the 2:1 reduction of the similarly powered angle grinders and run 1:1 at armature speed, so be sure cutoff wheels are rated for 20k RPM or more.

I can't speak for all of them, but all of the 4.5" grinders I've looked at have about 14:1 gears, give or take.

 

[dragoneggs]

Jim,
I don't think you are correct on that. I've bought many HF tools that were and still are going strong, including a 30 year old drill press. I've had a couple of duds, but nothing that wasn't made right and nothing that had a repeat issue. Never had a grinder fail prematurely when used correctly...of course I never bought the lowest 'drill master' either. Maybe they don't last as long. But a few years ago, I was at my local machine shop and piled outside the door was a bunch of burned up grinders waiting for pickup for repair. Included was HF, DeWalt, Makita, Metabo, and Milwaukee. I asked the owner which one he had a problem with most. He said "They all burn up...my money is better spent on the cheaper ones".

The above mentioned item is 20.00. A similar item on sale from a name brand is 150.00 or more. If you live any reasonable distance from a HF store, then your math doesn't add up...even if you had to repurchase the item out of warranty...two or three or even four times.

I agree that investing in good quality tools is smart and you will have less headaches at inopportune times, but there is a real difference I think whether the tool is for a professional or for an occasional weekend warrior. If I have a big job and I know I will use the tool again many times, it is a no brainer to buy quality. If I need it for one or a very occasional job then a lower priced unit is something I consider. If I bought every tool at the highest quality, I would not have some tools and would have spent a lot of money on tools that did not return my investment.

 

[IslandTractor]

Finding a HF electric tool which isn't a single use item is the exception, not the rule. Of the tools I've tried, the only one I still have is their porta-bandsaw. I've destroyed the gear boxes in their angle grinders in less than a weekend.

Buying them because they're cheap is false economy. When you make the second trip to the store (refund or exchange), you're already losing more than what a reputable brand unit with a reasonable expectation of durability would've cost up front.

My experience with HF grinders has been good. I buy them when they cost about $15 or less (under $10 last weekend) and mount a single disc or wire brush and never bother changing. Just buy more. I think I have five or six now. Haven't had any of them quit but to be fair I don't work them hard as I am a hobbyist not a pro. I wouldn't buy them if I earned my living using the tools all day. For weekend use however they make a lot of sense compared to spending five or ten times as much. The convenience of having one with a grinder, one with a cut off wheel and a couple of different style wire brushes and yet another with a flap disc all set up and ready to go is great. And all that for less than $100. If one dies I'd just buy another at the next sale.

 

[Jim Timber]

My dad also told me something else of great wisdom on this subject: "When I'm at work, I'm paid to be frustrated. When I'm at home, I pay not to be frustrated."

There's value in not being hassled with junk breaking.

Maybe they've stepped up their suppliers lately? It's been 7 years since I let the smoke out of the pipe threader and hammer drill. You can infer all you want about my ham-fisted techniques, but the Ridgid 1/2" hammer drill I bought to replace the bosch that also burnt up on my slab along with the HF (and the Black and Decker that only made 5 holes too) - well, it's still going after completing the other 16 holes I needed to drill. I wish I would've spent that 109 bucks first after roasting the leads off the windings on the bosch. It actually melted the case. I soldered it once, but it got cooked again shortly after. That slab is like granite!

 

[IslandTractor]

My dad also told me something else of great wisdom on this subject: "When I'm at work, I'm paid to be frustrated. When I'm at home, I pay not to be frustrated."

There's value in not being hassled with junk breaking.

Maybe they've stepped up their suppliers lately? It's been 7 years since I let the smoke out of the pipe threader and hammer drill. You can infer all you want about my ham-fisted techniques, but the Ridgid 1/2" hammer drill I bought to replace the bosch that also burnt up on my slab along with the HF (and the Black and Decker that only made 5 holes too) - well, it's still going after completing the other 16 holes I needed to drill. I wish I would've spent that 109 bucks first after roasting the leads off the windings on the bosch. It actually melted the case. I soldered it once, but it got cooked again shortly after. That slab is like granite!

If HF stuff lasts as long as Bosch, either the Chinese have won or your technique is poor.

 

[LD1]

If HF stuff lasts as long as Bosch, either the Chinese have won or your technique is poor.

Maybe I mis-read, but I dont think he was talking about HF. I think he was talking about a ridgid outlasting them all??