Dremel Right Angle Attachment

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Last week I decided it was time to purchase the Dremel Right Angle Attachment, bulk cutting discs (currently use these) and grinding discs (never used these).   For the past year or so I've needed an alternative for an angle grinder.  It had to be small, handle-able with one hand and capable so I'm not sitting there all day.  I've looked at the Proxxon unit, went back and forth but ultimately decided it wouldn't work due to the low RPM.  It runs 6500-13000.  For metal work that won't cut it.  Another option was a pneumatic right angle die grinder.  This is a very reasonable option, except for me not having a big compressor capable of keeping a psi monster fed.  The cost for a capable unit is up there.  As it is I don't have a lot of room in the garage or a dedicated 220 receptacle.  The pneumatic and compressor wasn't in the cards at this time.  Likely in the future, but not now.  This Dremel right angle attachment has been on the market for a little bit but there were either no reviews or the few I read were negative.  Last week there were many reviews and they were positive.  That was my prompt to go ahead.From Amazon:Dremel Right Angle attachment $20EZ Lock cutting discs bulk pack $17EZ Lock grinding discs 2pk $11  I have been using the EZ lock cutting discs for a while and am impressed with the performance.  Compared to the original cutting discs that Dremel had these are light years ahead.  They last a reasonable amount of time.  They handle flex and distortion a lot better.  I have not had one shatter or break on me yet.  I have cut up to 1/4" mild steel.  Takes a while but it'll cut and leave a pretty good edge, shiny and smooth.  I am not suggesting one use these discs in place of a band saw, metal saw,  recip saw or torch or plasma.  Merely telling the readership one way I've used the discs.    Another way I've used the cutting disc is for weld prep in a grinder-esque fashion.  With a light steady touch at the correct angle it will clear out mill scale, bevel and even smooth down high spots.The grinding discs are outrageously priced.  "They better last forever" was my first thought.  I was eager to try these though. I put one in place and went to town smoothing out welds on my press brake handle.  After I figured out how to drive the thing it was good.  It did the job, I handled the tool and that's all I was asking.  I'm impressed.  The discs doesn't look dilapidated or used up.  But it was used.  I'll see how much more this takes before I finish it.  I really want these to last since they're so dang expensive.  At this time they do not come in bulk packs.The right angle attachment itself is a solid piece.  As you can see from my picture I have it on my single speed Craftsman tool.  It is a little rattly from the innards.  It works similar to a weedeater where it has a square wire shaft slip fit into a square-holed chuck.  The direction of spin is away from me which is awesome.  The right angle puts the tool at a more comfortable angle in my hand so I can get the tool where I need and still have control over it.  It's doing exactly what I hoped it would do.Just used this thing once so far so I am still feeling it out.  But it is very promising for filling that angle grinder spot.  For the size and scope of my projects at this point this tool will go a long way.Overall review is good.  If it goes downhill I'm sure everyone will hear about it  Attached ImagesLast edited by Monica; 09-28-2011 at 09:36 AM.Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand
Reply:Interesting. My 1st thought was that you were using a Dremel knock off of the Rotozip 90 deg angle "saws" with the abrasive blades for steel. They are supposed to have an abrasive wheel thats more like a diamond blade than the normal abrasive blades for those saws as well.http://www.rotozip.com/en-us/Pages/C....aspx?pid=11_8As far as sanding, if that dremel attachment uses hook and loop fasteners like some do, you can make your own from bulk packs of standard sand paper for random orbit sanders. I'd had to fab my own sandpaper for detailed sanders in the past by either cutting up sticky backed or hook and loop paper from one of my other sanders when I couldn't get what I needed right away. For round shaps a punch would make for fast production if you found that another sand paper would work ok..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Nope, a Dremel for my grinding, filing, some cutting, fast scratching  lolFor sanding I use a B&D Mouse orbital sander.  It does use the hook n loop pads.I haven't compared the two to see which takes off mill scale faster.  I normally have the Dremel out at the times I'm welding so it's just easier to grab and use than the Mouse which I keep in its pouch on the shelf unless I'm doing finishing work.  The mouse does do a nice job cleaning up rusty metal (I keep 120 well stocked).  I used it prepping my hinge pins and pulling off the coating on black pipe.  I'll try it on mill scale today.  I need to smooth out my bender face to reduce friction. Attached ImagesLast edited by Monica; 09-28-2011 at 10:49 AM.Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand
Reply:Glad it works for you.  Although I have and use Dremel and Dremel-type tools, I usually just use them for 'small' stuff.  Because, well they ARE small and don't have a lot of power.  Have you checked out something like an electric die grinder?  One hand-able, gobs more power than a Dremel, 1/4 inch shank collet for standard 1/4 inch die-grinder 'stuff' (grinding wheels, burrs, Roloc-type stuff, etc).  Not a right-angle though.http://www.harborfreight.com/electri...aft-44141.html$30 on sale.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:some additional ideas: - a real full sized die grinder + flexible attachment- cheap weak harborfreight angle grinders ARE manageable with one hand if you get the really crappy one- if you have air tools, a cutoff tool with the 3" discs.miller syncrowave 250hobart handler 140home made 400 amp engine driven in progress...
Reply:Originally Posted by jdchmielsome additional ideas: - a real full sized die grinder + flexible attachment- cheap weak harborfreight angle grinders ARE manageable with one hand if you get the really crappy one- if you have air tools, a cutoff tool with the 3" discs.
Reply:srry, skimmed it, mostly looked at the picsmiller syncrowave 250hobart handler 140home made 400 amp engine driven in progress...
Reply:Originally Posted by jdchmielsrry, skimmed it, mostly looked at the pics
Reply:might check on a different brand arbor like a norton or 3m might save you in the long run..  also check pricing at MSC.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Originally Posted by brucermight check on a different brand arbor like a norton or 3m might save you in the long run..  also check pricing at MSC.
Reply:Originally Posted by MoonRiseGlad it works for you.  Although I have and use Dremel and Dremel-type tools, I usually just use them for 'small' stuff.  Because, well they ARE small and don't have a lot of power.  http://www.harborfreight.com/electri...aft-44141.html$30 on sale.
Reply:Originally Posted by brucermight check on a different brand arbor like a norton or 3m might save you in the long run..  also check pricing at MSC.
Reply:Monica,Good that you are considering the 'exploding disk' factor.As long as the item you are using has an appropriate speed (RPM) rating, you should be OK.If the 1/4 inch shank items you are using are RPM rated for a die grinder (usually 25k-30k rpm), then you should be OK using them in a Dremel at 25k-30k rpm.But check the RPM rating first!And watch out for 1/4 inch shank things that are made for sticking in a drill, as those will be rated for maybe 2k-4k rpm.item rated for 30k rpm = OK in a tool spinning slower than thatitem rated for 4k rpm = flies apart if used in a 30k rpm tooldevice rpm rating has to be equal to or greater than the rpm of the tool.One thing to watch out for is that since the Dremel is made for 1/8 inch shank and the OD of the 'bits' is usually small, the bearings in the Dremel are sized for the loads from those size bits.Put a bigger diameter and heavier 1/4 inch 'bit' (grinding wheel, etc) into a collet adapter and putting all that in the little Dremel collet (with the motor and bearings sized for the usual 'little' Dremel bits/wheels/etc) and you may put extra stress on the motor and bearings.  Which would shorten their life.Enco is also another source for tools and such.Some 1/8 inch shank burrs are here:http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?P...MITEM=325-2102Some Dremel stuff is here:http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=688&PMCTLG=00Surf around.MSC is at http://www.mscdirect.com  800-645-7270Grainger at http://www.grainger.comNote that the 'big' industrial supply places are (usually) not bargain-priced, as they are more geared towards businesses that Need-It-Now.  Sometimes they have sales and sometimes their prices on 'commodity' things will beat local big-box type stores.  So just check the prices and decide for yourself.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...