Die Grinder

A die grinder is a versatile power or pneumatic tool suitable for most building materials. Powerful and handy, the grinder allows you to easily saw, chamfer, grind, cut, sand, and brush all kinds of materials. Metal, stone, wood, breeze block. Now a graving machine is a must in any workshop. With the help of it, you can not only decorate objects but also polish the surface, carry out cutting, milling, and other repair tasks.

There are plenty of universal grinders on the market, but only a few brands are truly top-quality. Depending on the work to be carried out, it is necessary to buy the best die grinder, and which perfectly meets your needs and your requirements.
We present an article in which we have compiled the most rated grinding machines, and we have checked their characteristics to help you buy the correct grinder.

Best die grinder

The best die grinder is the DEWALT DCG426B. It is very durasiable and you don’t have to change the brush. It also has a vary handy switch which allows you to control the the speed of the grinder.

Power sources of the die grinders

It is useful to clarify that the grinders can be electric or pneumatic.

It groups power grinders into two kinds, depends on the power source:

• network, operating from 220 V;
• rechargeable devices with replaceable batteries.

We find the electric grinder in most professional DIY enthusiasts or not. Its power is expressed in watts. If you don’t have electricity in your workplace, you can use a battery-powered cordless grinder. Also, a tremendous advantage of the cordless die grinder is the ability to work with wet material without the risk of being hit by an electric shock.

The pneumatic die grinder is constructed to work with any stuff, from plastic and wood to solid materials. The device is truly multifunctional. And that a compressor station powers it and gives even more advantages. The pneumatic device is much lighter, more ergonomic, and practical to work with. It is quieter and more reliable than comparable power tools.

Straight vs right angle die grinder. Which is better?

The position of the spindle axis is also important. It characterized the following graving machines:

• straight where the axis of the chuck is aligned with the centerline of the machine;
• right angle (angular), in which there is a certain angle between the axis of the spindle and the mini-drill;

The most common are straight-type devices: various burrs can be modified at different angles to them. The corner graver is necessary to perform the screwing, grinding, and other individual work during which the tool is to be paralleled or to be held onto the workpiece surface at some angle.

Die Grinders Comparison Table

Best Electric Die Grinder Reviews

Cordless die grinders

DEWALT DCG426B – best overall

The DCG426N has a motor rated at 1000W. This brushless-type motor offers better performance and more autonomy than conventional motors while providing longer tool life.
Besides, to meet the needs of each application, the tool has three mechanical speeds. The user can therefore choose between the maximum speeds of 5,000, 17500, and 25000 rpm to suit the application with this variable speed electric die grinder.

DEWALT DCG426B has an M15 thread spindle and can accommodate discs up to 1.5 inches in diameter. The device can thus perform several functions, including deburring, sanding, polishing, or sculpting.

Moreover, you should pay attention to the ergonomics of this best electric die grinder. It has a soft rubber grip that provides a secure grip for optimal control while working. The grinder weighs only 2.6 lbs, is lightweight, and the type of wireless power source it uses provides the user with free and worry-free handling.

Milwaukee 2485-22

The Milwaukee 2485-22 is the model, which offers more power than a pneumatic straight grinder with similar specs. And users got all this power in the most compact body in its class. It is only 4.6 inches in length. This makes it possible to work in the most difficult to reach places. Another plus is that the device is very light – only 1.7 lbs.

On the functional side, the 2485-22 model is equipped with a brushless motor with a 4-speed control mode and a variable speed trigger, offering the user optimal control in all situations. Thanks to this design, the motor can develop from 10000 rpm to 24500 rpm, depending on the selected mode. It, too, is supplied with collets of 0.2 inches and 0.3 inches and can work with discs up to 2 inches in diameter.

A 4000 mAh lithium-ion battery is used to power the motor. This battery is powered by 12V and 2A, which allows it to be charged quickly. It is also necessary to mention one of the key features of the instrument. This is an electronic intelligence REDLINK PLUS. It ensures maximum range and durability for challenging tasks.

Corded die grinders

Makita GD0800C

Next we review the Makita GD0800С. And we admit that it is an efficient tool with its 750W motor. This Makita grinder is very ergonomic because it has a good grip with a rubber coating. And its low weight of only 3.4 lbs. With such power, 25000 rpm, you can do high-performance jobs such as grinding, surfacing, cutting, deburring, or cleaning any kind of material.

We can note the ease of usage and its robustness combined with improvements in user safety are the strengths of this grinder. Indeed, with its reinforced aluminum protection casing, you will avoid all kinds of projections during your work.

Especially since this is designed with enhanced protection against dust thanks to the dust filter installed to protect its motor. However, it is also designed to withstand heat with its built-in cooling system.

The little extra of this straight grinder is the existence of a switch, allowing you to lock it on at the touch of a button. This will facilitate your task when you have to reach hard-to-reach areas while trying to hold on to them in a sometimes tricky way, given the difficulty of accessing the area to be cut.

DEWALT DWE4887

The next machine in our review is DEWALT DWE4887. Let’s take a closer look at this grinder.
The first element of the device that immediately stands out is the control button. A switch with a lock-off button is provided on this grinding machine. This feature is handy to help prevent accidents and serious injuries using the tool at high speeds.

Next, let’s look at the performance characteristics. The spindle’s speed is 25,000 rpm. It is only suitable for work with metal, stone, and hardwood. The DWE4887, powered by a 4.2 A motor, gives the grinder a good performance for workshop usage.

The collet here can hold all removable tools inside from 1 to 1/2 inch and is compatible with accessories up to 1/4 inch. Moreover, the model is very light, weighing only 3.65 lbs, despite the high power. The total tool length is 14 inches which are sufficient for cavities and remote workplaces.

Best Pneumatic Die Grinder Reviews

Ingersoll Rand 5102MAX

The first air grinder in our review. The 5102MAX offers optimum performance and maneuverability with great durability and reduced weight, and it deserves to be called the best air die grinder.
The case is well-designed. All-bearing construction ensures high durability and low vibration levels.

Built-in grease nipple increases the life of the angle head. The ergonomic composite handle is lightweight, protects against cold, and offers optimal grip. Another design feature is tool ventilation. The rear air exhaust directs air away from the user.

The Ingersoll Rand 5102MAX has 0.4 HP that idles at 20000 rpm. The construction designed for verification-free operation eliminates any risk of pollution on the workpiece and workspace. For work safety, the shaft lock is available. It facilitates rapid replacement of the accessories with one hand. Moreover, an ergonomic safety lever prevents the unintentional starting of the machine.

DEWALT DWMT70782L

The next pneumatic grinder is the DEWALT DWMT70782L. This is a compact pneumatic angle die grinder for the processing of solid materials.
The grinder only needs 3.0 CFM at 6 bar pressure to operate. With such a power supply, it can develop 20000 rpm. It makes connections to airlines through the common 1/4 inch connector.

This right angle air grinder is made of solid aluminum alloy, which gives lightness (only 1.17 lbs) and sturdiness at the same time. Also, the case is covered with a soft-touch coating that allows you to hold the instrument well, even during vibrations.

The tool lies well in hand, but it also has a convenient start button from which fingers do not get tired. We should also mention that the machine has a 1/4 inch collet with the fast lock feature for the attachments.

Chicago Pneumatic CP860ES

Next, we will consider one of the most powerful machines in our review. The Chicago Pneumatic CP860ES develops an impressive 0.5 hp. or 400 watts of power. This will be more than enough for any garage or even a professional job. With this power, the CP860ES’s spindle develops up to 24000 rpm. Most likely, this power is necessary to be comfortable working with an elongated spindle and a 1/4 inch collet.

The machine’s case is made of aluminum alloy. The front part has a coating that prevents the device from slipping in hand. The start button is located on the edge of the device and has a smooth running. Thanks to the aluminum case, the machine is lightweight – 2.1 lbs, even with its extended spindle.

Maybe you forgot to buy it?

Carbide Burrs Set

Buyers guide

Things to consider when choosing the die grinder

You should take care of the following traits when choosing a grinder:

• supply voltage or airflow pressure
• spindle speed
• the modes of an operation
• additional attachment

The power rating of the grinders

When selecting a grinder, motor power is very critical. This feature affects the cost and price of this tool. You can buy a grinder with a power of just 200 W and a speed of 20 000 rpm for the home or a small workshop. It is enough. However, for professional activity, you will need a power of 250W and a speed of about 25000 rpm.

Speed control

Consider the maximum and minimum speed of the shaft when selecting the model of the tool first. For the quality of solid materials processing, this feature is fundamental. Polishing and grinding are performed at low spindle speeds, otherwise, the surface of the product may overheat. And high speeds can chop and sharpen, and the more solid the material to be processed, the more revolutions should be. The shaft rotations in modern machines are 15000-35000 rpm range.

Burrs and extensions

There are a huge number of varieties of special die grinder bits.
Whether you are working on metals, wood, or plastics, it may be necessary to grind a cut, angle, dimension, or even a surface. To do this, you need to equip your grinder with a grinding wheel. The important thing when choosing your grinding wheel is to pay attention to the material to be worked on. Finally, note that depending on the work to be done, there are flat, cylindrical, conical, or spherical grinding wheels.

We reserve cutters for machining, precision grinding, filing, sharpening, or even the production of more or less complex shapes on a part. They allow precision work on wood or even soft metals.

If you have some cuts to make, you can equip your grinder with discs. To be mounted on a drill, a disc must be assembled on a disc holder. This disc holder is installed in place of a classic forest. The bore of the disc holder must allow the assembly of the discs you choose and need.

What size air compressor do I need for the air die grinder

Airflow is analogous to watts for a power tool and shows how many gallons of air per minute the tool needs to function properly. Besides, it is also worth considering the working pressure. If the pressure is too low, then the grinder will not develop the required speed. For air-powered grinders, the norm is 17 – 121 gal/min, which corresponds to pressure from 6 to 6.5 bars.

Safety tips when using die grinders

When performing some actions with a grinding machine, you must observe safety precautions and protect yourself from dust and small fragments:

• eyes and face protection
• head protection
• hand protection

Eyes and face protection

The eyes and face can be protected using transparent masks, which are often made of polycarbonate. Alternatively, safety glasses can be used.

Head protection

A construction helmet is ideal for head protection.

Hand protection

Use protective gloves to protect your palms, but make sure that they do not restrict your fingers.