Classic high regarded air die grinders?

[JHZR2]

While I have a Milwaukee m12 grinder that I like and use, I do like old school air tools in certain circumstances.

Especially when I can find good deals (nearly free/free especially) on old stuff on places like FB marketplace.

I found two great IR231 impact guns, for example, sometime back. I don’t need two, and had an aircat, but for the price, I like them.

I actually do want a straight die grinder/cutoff tool. I’d like to find the old ones that were quality USA/Japan that I can service and use.

What was the IR231 equivalent for straight and 90 degree die grinders from back when? What models should I be looking for?

Maybe IR221 or 308? CP 861?

Others?

Thanks!

 

[Trav]

Those are good tools. The SP Air SP-7231R is a pretty trick high end tool also sold under the Vessel brand for a few bucks less. Made in Japan.

​

 

[D60]

I often appreciate the plastic or composite bodies for insulation.

Much of the question is what you want to do with it. Compact units fit in tight spaces but usually less power.

Are you porting heads for hours, or quick use to lop off small fasteners or create short slots?

If you wanna have a heart attack, search Henry, Patco, Dotco or Dynabrade

I kinda like the AP stuff for as little as I use them. Compact, insulated, inexpensive.

 

[tom slick]

Add Sioux and Atlas Copco to the high end air tools to collect.

 

[JHZR2]

I often appreciate the plastic or composite bodies for insulation.

Much of the question is what you want to do with it. Compact units fit in tight spaces but usually less power.

Are you porting heads for hours, or quick use to lop off small fasteners or create short slots?

If you wanna have a heart attack, search Henry, Patco, Dotco or Dynabrade

I kinda like the AP stuff for as little as I use them. Compact, insulated, inexpensive.

Some cutting of sheet metal, some cleaning of stuff. It’s not a need, it’s a want. Sometimes I’ve found that I just prefer air tools, and if I can find some nearly free, then it’s only space required to keep them.

 

[Hohn]

If you have the air for them, air die grinders and air angle grinders are still unequalled in power to weight and size. There's no way you can make a 1hp/800w angle grinder with a battery or plug in electric motor that's even close in being as small and light.

I find that for die grinders, I need torque and brute durability more often than I need small and light. I bought a big boy Makita Corded electric die grinder and that things is a beast that will run circles around my air grinders because of the torque it has. When you have a big 1" carbide ball burr in there, the electric beasts shows how it crushes the air tools. So if you have the space, the big boy gives you unparalleled rate of material removal.

But air grinders are often just uses for quick zip-zip type work with Rolocs or such. So you don't need gobs of power, you just need to touch up something to get off some paint or rust. I used them mostly as tiny angle grinders or straight grinders.

SP and Sioux have to be the top of the heap, but the classic CP and IRs are still out there and still bombproof.
I've become a fan of the newer Aircat stuff. The composite body doesn't freeze your hands ice cold (air tools in winter with a metal body? OUCH), they have better grip, and they use a low profile trigger instead of that dumb paddle that's always in the way and inadvertently being activated. https://aircat.com/product/5-hp-composite-straight-die-grinder/

As a bonus, many of the aircats have some noise damping in them so they aren't as loud. Still need ear pro though.

 

[D60]

Electric is great and torquey, but HUGE compared to air.

For slotting, quality burs matter as much as anything. I just slotted a square body frame for hitch bolts with my M12 -- worked as well as anything and didn't take long.

Otherwise for air grinders that are "good" in mere-mortal territory, I still reco AP. Honestly anything Taiwan built is probably "fine"

 

[JHZR2]

If you have the air for them, air die grinders and air angle grinders are still unequalled in power to weight and size. There's no way you can make a 1hp/800w angle grinder with a battery or plug in electric motor that's even close in being as small and light.

I find that for die grinders, I need torque and brute durability more often than I need small and light. I bought a big boy Makita Corded electric die grinder and that things is a beast that will run circles around my air grinders because of the torque it has. When you have a big 1" carbide ball burr in there, the electric beasts shows how it crushes the air tools. So if you have the space, the big boy gives you unparalleled rate of material removal.

But air grinders are often just uses for quick zip-zip type work with Rolocs or such. So you don't need gobs of power, you just need to touch up something to get off some paint or rust. I used them mostly as tiny angle grinders or straight grinders.

SP and Sioux have to be the top of the heap, but the classic CP and IRs are still out there and still bombproof.
I've become a fan of the newer Aircat stuff. The composite body doesn't freeze your hands ice cold (air tools in winter with a metal body? OUCH), they have better grip, and they use a low profile trigger instead of that dumb paddle that's always in the way and inadvertently being activated. https://aircat.com/product/5-hp-composite-straight-die-grinder/

As a bonus, many of the aircats have some noise damping in them so they aren't as loud. Still need ear pro though.

Agree with all.

Also I like the opportunity for the classic Chicago and Ingersoll (or similar) products that can be found on the super cheap. That’s why I’m hoping for some model numbers to look for.

Currently I look for

IR 308, 301
Blue point 150c
Cp 861

 

[D60]

I understand good stuff can be rebuilt but my luck w used air tools has been spotty -- unless you can test beforehand.

Moisture + storage kills them, and most air tools are neglected IME

 

[D60]

Also if you're shopping the 2" angle grinders are the bomb-diggity for grinding in tight quarters. There's also a Matco MT2885 buried in there but it has the largest body by far.

 

[Hohn]

Also if you're shopping the 2" angle grinders are the bomb-diggity for grinding in tight quarters. There's also a Matco MT2885 buried in there but it has the largest body by far. View attachment 311031

I use the little HF one that is super compact and setup for native 3" Roloc. It's super compact.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-professional-right-angle-disc-air-sander-58809.html

It's not a proper grinder per se, but I don't often need rigid wheels in something that size. I have long neck cutoffs for those cases.

 

[Jmoney7269]

All of my small ones are the good ol IR 20+ years old. My large one is Dayton. They get oiled before every use. Every once in a while, ill skeet some Aerokroil in them too.