Die Grinder - useful attachments?

[fourstringfletch]

Cleaning out my grandfather's shop last weekend, I found a nice little 1/4" die grinder - a Packard 210, made in Glendale, CA.
With a puma OBA set up, I thought I'd throw it in the truck with some cut off wheels. I often find myself off the grid with projects in hand, but I don't have much experience with air tools.

So what attachments make the most of this little thing? Anyone attached a drill chuck (probably not enough torque)? Between this and an impact wrench, I think one could do a lot of work on a truck. Am I over thinking this?

 

[java]

Way too fast for a drill bit, could be used in a pi9nch but scary! Sanding drums are handy, as are the cutting disks you mentioned. I use it for the cutting disks 99% of the time, but only where a 4" grinder wont fit.

 

[zelatore]

Super handy tools, especially with a 4" cut off wheel. But they are sort of air-hungry, so you might want to try using it in the shop before counting on it in the field. Any continuous-running tool tends to use a lot of air.

 

[Stumpalump]

You can get sanding discs and Scotchbrite pads that work great. Scotchbrite pads eat off the most stubborn gasket material in a hurry without gouging aluminum like a scraper will. Like Don said they use a lot of air for such a small tool.

 

[Scoutn79]

3" thin cut-off wheels, arbor and sanding/scotchbrite type pads, small cup wire wheel, deburring attachments. As mentioned the won't work well for drilling, limited size of bits that the collet will clamp to and the low torque of the grinder won't do you much good, get an air drill. Also as mentioned they are air hogs, as are most air tools.

Darrell

 

[MotoDave]

Overland Journal had an amusing picture on the back cover one issue of a Snap-On die grinder with I think a whisk in it

 

[Scoutn79]

Overland Journal had an amusing picture on the back cover one issue of a Snap-On die grinder with I think a whisk in it

Good idea.
We tried using a 3/8" air drill to drive a blender to make Margaritas...the drill wasn't fast enough. We never did try an air grinder tho.

Darrell

 

[fishEH]

I wouldn't bother wasting the space on a die grinder in my truck. There's lots of things that could be useful. It comes down to space/weight vs gain for me. Some sandpaper or emry cloth, wire brush, etc would be just as useful and take up less weight and space.
I use an air impact quite often at home and I think it'd be more useful on the trail. I don't bring it though because of the weight space. Instead I bring a breaker bar and keep a 30" length of 1" pipe in the truck. The pipe is multiuse so I bring it.

 

[zelatore]

Funny, at home in the shop I rarely every dig out the air impact, but I do go for the die grinder(s) fairly regularly.
To tell the truth I wouldn't bring either with me on the trail even if my little compressor could run them. But hey, if the OP wants to that's fine with me. Maybe he'll be there when I actually need one and don't have it.

 

[Lucky j]

In an old JP magazine, I have seen one used just for that, running a blender. If I remember the thing was being noted as a great mod for weekend trips!

But also carrie one with cutting disk, carbide grinding bits, and scoth pads. But in deed, need a lot of air!

 

[ZMagic97]

I agree on keeping it at home. As far as energy put in to the ratio of energy out, pneumatic tools are the least efficient. It is great for having at home though for many projects both big and small.

 

[91AzXJ]

I had an old 12V cordless drill which had the battery die and I converted it to a corded unit which I can run off my vehicle battery. I have 30' of cord and can get it completely around my vehicle.

 

[zelatore]

I had an old 12V cordless drill which had the battery die and I converted it to a corded unit which I can run off my vehicle battery. I have 30' of cord and can get it completely around my vehicle.

Clever! Never thought of that. Of course, these days most things are more than 12v, but it wouldn't be hard to find a cheap craigslist Makita/Dewalt/Milwaulkee/Etc 12v tool and convert it.

 

[fourstringfletch]

Good thoughts, thanks guys.

Extra points for creativity - like the blender idea, except that prefer my margs on the rocks.
What else could 10,000 rpms be good for around camp?

 

[K2ZJ]

3" thin cut-off wheels, arbor and sanding/scotchbrite type pads, small cup wire wheel, deburring attachments. As mentioned the won't work well for drilling, limited size of bits that the collet will clamp to and the low torque of the grinder won't do you much good, get an air drill. Also as mentioned they are air hogs, as are most air tools.

Darrell

Perfect list.

Clever! Never thought of that. Of course, these days most things are more than 12v, but it wouldn't be hard to find a cheap craigslist Makita/Dewalt/Milwaulkee/Etc 12v tool and convert it.

Go to a few thrift stores. I picked one up for $6, found an 8' cord at the same store with a 12v plug on it.