What kind of grinders/clean-up tools do you use?

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I have a Bosch 4 1/2" angle grinder that I have been using to grind down my welds. I'm using 1/4" thick metal grinding wheel, a 80 grit flap disc, and another less agressive wheel for removing paint and rust. This works fine if there's enough room to use it, but what type of grinder do you use in more confined areas on a part?Also, what other types of grinding wheels/discs and grinding tools in general do you guys recommend for a newbie?Thanks,CarlLincoln AC/DC 225/125 Stick Linde HDA-300 MillerMatic DVI MIG Miller Dynasty 200DX Hypertherm Powermax 1000
Reply:I have 4 grinders mounted with a twisted cup, a twisted wire wheel, a grinding wheel and a medium grit flap disk.  When I do aluminum, I also mount a SS wire wheel.The above does all I need except final finishing I mount a fine flap disk.Favorite right now is a Miller Syncro 200.Tons of tools and I blame at least one of them when things don't go right.
Reply:We have 2 5" Metabo's and a 4 1/2" Dewalt. IF i need to get in some where real tight I use a right angle die grinder w/ appropiate attachment. "Every choice you make will effect at least one other person"
Reply:die grinder with spiral wound sanding drums, flap-wheels and bore cleaners, carbide burrs (wear double eye protection-glasses and shield... they throw razor sharp chunks at about 3 times the speed of light)handheld belt sander (1" belts)
Reply:I have 3 grinders.  2 x  5" - 1 with grinder wheel, 1 with a 80 grit flap disc. The other 4½" ginder has a knot wire wheel on it.  You don't have to have lots of ginders, to me it's just easier and faster than having to change heads all the time. Plus if 1 dies, I can still continue working changing abrasives as needed.Here in the Great White NorthMosquitoes can't fly at 40 below
Reply:I have 4 grinders, 2-4 1/2 one an old B&D pro with a 60 grit flap disc wheel and a Milwuakee with a grinding wheel, a 6" Dewalt with a knotted stringer bead wheel, and for hard to reach areas an old 4" makita with a knotted wire wheel.  Also a die grinder for REALLY tight areas.
Reply:I have two cheapo grinders - one with a wire wheel, and the other with a worn down sponge sander/flap disk.  Have a DeWalt 4.5" with the grinding disc in it.  Use a carbide burr in the pneumatic die grinder.  Run a 3/8" Skill plug-in drill with a rubber backed sanding disk for surface prep.  Use clean, sharp files and a couple of inline wire brushes (concave and convex) for hand work.Saw something over on toolmonger.com where a guy was using a HF buffer/polisher with a cup wheel in it.  I have one of those and might try it.
Reply:2-9" Old style Black & Decker Industrial grinders2-5" Metabo's, one with a cutoff disc one with a non twisted cup wheel6-4.5" harbor freight specials, 1 with a knotted brush, one with a flap disc, one with a non-ferrous grinding disc and 3 spares
Reply:2 4" angle grinders (Ryobi and NorthernTool)  for cutoff wheels and sanding disks1 4-1/2" angle grinder (NorthernTool) used mostly with a knotted wire wheel1 7" variable speed polisher/sander (HF) sanding disk or crimped wire brushIt's funny, the only one that did not come with replacement brushes was the Ryobi.  To it's defensed, I have used and abused the Ryobi for 6 years with no problems.  The others are no more than 2 years old, so we'll see how they hold up.  I seem to use the 4-1/2" Northern tool the most now, and it has held up good, so far.cricman
Reply:I have a die grinder that I stick a small wire brush on, it also doubles as a high speed drill for the tight spots.  I also use an assortmant of 4.5 inchers with the necessary wheels.  I like my milwaukee, but am thinking of trying out the metabo when the HF one craps out (its starting to go, kicks back on start).  The hf was great, I beat the crap out of it, and for 10 bucks it was hard to beat.Various GrindersVictor Journeyman torch200cf Acet. 250cf oxygenLincoln 175 plus/alpha2 gunLincoln v205t tigLincoln 350mpEsab 650 plasmaWhen you can get up in the morning, Its a good day.Live each day like its your last.
Reply:Thanks for the replies. When you guys talk about the die grinders for tight areas, is it pneumatic or electric? Do any of the manufacturers make a small electric grinder? I prefer electric because air isn't always available. I guess I could use my Dremel, but I want something a little more heavy duty.Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 Stick Linde HDA-300 MillerMatic DVI MIG Miller Dynasty 200DX Hypertherm Powermax 1000
Reply:Originally Posted by Carl26Thanks for the replies. When you guys talk about the die grinders for tight areas, is it pneumatic or electric? Do any of the manufacturers make a small electric grinder? I prefer electric because air isn't always available. I guess I could use my Dremel, but I want something a little more heavy duty.
Reply:HF has an electric one for about 35 bucks. With carbide burrs you can move some steel, but as was mentioned before Shield and glasses are a must. They are really handy when you have to deburr the insides of pipe or tubing. There is a bit of a knack to using them. If you cut on the wrong side of the burr it will let you know. I use air myself, the only real difference I see is the size.
Reply:Die grinder.  The nastiest little tool known to man.  The little metal shavings that come flying out are horrible.  Imagine the worst insulation itch known to man, throw in some catcus thorn pricks all over and that is what you feel like when covered in that stuff.  :shiver:But an effective tool.  So is the air arc.
Reply:Ok, this is what I was thinking of. I didn't even know they made electric die grinders. The only ones I ever used were air. I'm gonna get me one of these! (Maybe not this exact model) It will make those tight areas much easier to grind. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/6Z283Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 Stick Linde HDA-300 MillerMatic DVI MIG Miller Dynasty 200DX Hypertherm Powermax 1000
Reply:That'll move some metal for sure. Not much in the finesse department. I use mine a lot for chamfering, gouging out ugly corners, opening up holes, lots of things. Get every shape of burr you run on to.
Reply:Yeah, that one might be too heavy duty. The ship weight is 10 lbs. The other smaller Milwaukees are 5 lbs.Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 Stick Linde HDA-300 MillerMatic DVI MIG Miller Dynasty 200DX Hypertherm Powermax 1000
Reply:That is the beast we use at work.  Nasty bugger.  LOTS of torque.  Still too slow for my liking but is an important asset when cleaning/removing ugly or porous welds in really tight spots.
Reply:Metabo 5" variable speed angle grinders are the best.  I have tried them all and this is the only one that does not burn out after a year of heavy non-stop grinding.  Put a Lehigh Valley Abrasive flap discs on that grinder and you can smooth welds day and night without a hiccup.links: www.metabousa.com, www.lehighvalleyabrasives.com