Makita die grinders any good?

Compare them to Dremel and Foredom. I know Foredom is a lot better, but I
mean as a handheld, will it cut nearly as good as a Foredom?

How are they to control? I don't want it for precise work, and probably
will be using it two handed most of the time.

Price seems pretty good, NIB on ebay.

Steve

I have four or five die grinders, use them a lot. The Makita is one of
my favorites. The tapered nose makes it easier to hold than the usual
cylindrical air die grinders. I rarely use two hands on a die grinder.
Occasionally I will put one hand on the work and the other on the die
grinder, and use a finger of the hand on the work to help position or
stabilize the die grinder. You can also use the Makita like an
overgrown pencil, resting your hand on the work.

I have not used the Foredom, but a 1/4 inch shank die grinder is 10
times as powerful as a Dremel. I rarely use my Dremel anymore.

Richard


SteveB wrote:
Makita die grinders any good?

Compare them to Dremel and Foredom. I know Foredom is a lot better, but I
mean as a handheld, will it cut nearly as good as a Foredom?

How are they to control? I don't want it for precise work, and probably
will be using it two handed most of the time.

Price seems pretty good, NIB on ebay.

Steve

Makita makes several different die grinders. I'm sure they're all pretty
good but I haven't used them all. However you need to be very careful abuot
their GDO810C. It was discontinued several years ago and can still be found
on ebay for very cheap. It was designed to spin very large bits and so
spins very slowly. This is fine if you're going to use a large bit, but is
useless if you're going to use small carbide burrs, etc.

The electric die grinder that Harbor Freight sells for $30-$40 is very good
too.

"SteveB" wrote in message
news:CFG_e.84017$DW1.48848@fed1read06...
Makita die grinders any good?

Compare them to Dremel and Foredom. I know Foredom is a lot better, but I
mean as a handheld, will it cut nearly as good as a Foredom?

How are they to control? I don't want it for precise work, and probably
will be using it two handed most of the time.

Price seems pretty good, NIB on ebay.

Steve

SteveB wrote:
Makita die grinders any good?

Compare them to Dremel and Foredom. I know Foredom is a lot better, but I
mean as a handheld, will it cut nearly as good as a Foredom?

How are they to control? I don't want it for precise work, and probably
will be using it two handed most of the time.

Price seems pretty good, NIB on ebay.

Steve

I don't know about die grinders specifically, but in my experience
Makita make pretty good electric tools. I have a Makita angle grinder
and my father has a Makita pistol grip drill. Both seem pretty decent.
But if you've got an air compressor you might want to look at air
powered die grinders. I think you'll find there's a larger range and you
can't burn them out either.

Chris

On Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:24:41 -0500, "AL" wrote:

Makita makes several different die grinders. I'm sure they're all pretty
good but I haven't used them all. However you need to be very careful abuot
their GDO810C. It was discontinued several years ago and can still be found
on ebay for very cheap. It was designed to spin very large bits and so
spins very slowly. This is fine if you're going to use a large bit, but is
useless if you're going to use small carbide burrs, etc.

The electric die grinder that Harbor Freight sells for $30-$40 is very good
too.

I have no complaints with the one I bought at Princess Auto for
Cdn$11.99 Of course I don't know any better.
Gerry :-)}
London, Canada

What type of work do you think you will use it for? If it will be light
pressure the Dremel will probably work. If you will be using moderate
pressure and tool sizes, then the Foredom (or offshore clones) are good. If
you will be using 1/4" carbides to work metal, then the Makita will be a
good choice.

The Makita will be a 2-handed tool, whereas the Dremel and Foredom are
1-handed. If you use a flexible shaft on the Dremel, or are using a
Foredom, keep in mind that the shaft is spring wire and if the cutting tip
binds up the spring will break. All 3 types do a good job, but are designed
for different levels of similar work.

Alex

"SteveB" wrote in message
news:CFG_e.84017$DW1.48848@fed1read06...
Makita die grinders any good?

Compare them to Dremel and Foredom. I know Foredom is a lot better, but I
mean as a handheld, will it cut nearly as good as a Foredom?

How are they to control? I don't want it for precise work, and probably
will be using it two handed most of the time.

Price seems pretty good, NIB on ebay.

Steve

1 mind the rpm
2 not as well made as a die grinder

"SteveB" wrote in message
news:CFG_e.84017$DW1.48848@fed1read06...
Makita die grinders any good?

Compare them to Dremel and Foredom. I know Foredom is a lot better, but I
mean as a handheld, will it cut nearly as good as a Foredom?

How are they to control? I don't want it for precise work, and probably
will be using it two handed most of the time.

Price seems pretty good, NIB on ebay.

Steve

Hi Steve ,

I respectfully disagree with the other posters about tha Makita die
grinders. I am a pipeline welder of 25 years and use nothing but Makita
power tools....except for their die grinders.
I have two of them and although they are of excellent quality and are
very durable. They spin too freaking fast!! They spin so fast that they will
bend the shanks of the die that you are spinning should one come a little
bit unbalanced. I have the Model 906H ...one in aluminum housing and the
other in plastic ...They spin at 27000 RMP which in my opinion is way too
fast.
I have had, (on many occasion) had a 50 dollar bit bend over and
crater due to being unbalanced and then the shank bends over 90 degrees due
to the centrifigal force of the RMP. ...then try and shut the damned thing
off as it is vibrating in your hands as you reach for a toggle switch on the
back of the unit. You don't dare let it go for it may turn on you.. Both are
resting comfortably in the "unused" section of my tool cabinet at home. I
bought a Dewalt die grinder with a trrigger on the handle that spins at
around 19000 RMP which is a lot easier to handle and much easier on bits and
my nerves.
I agree that Makita makes an excellent and a wonderful
tool...but I really think they screwed up on the RMP of these things and to
also have a toggle switch on the back of the unit is like having a trigger
lock (something I usually disgard as soon as I buy).

My take on this is buy what you like....just stay away from that
27000 RPM and a toggle switch....
Hope that was of some help....Jim

Sorry...I screwed up on My RPM....I wrote RMP a few times....when you see
that I meant Revolutions per Minute and didn't write it down
correctly...should have reread before posting...my fault....regards...Jim

Hi Steve ,

I respectfully disagree with the other posters about tha Makita die
grinders. I am a pipeline welder of 25 years and use nothing but Makita
power tools....except for their die grinders.
I have two of them and although they are of excellent quality and are
very durable. They spin too freaking fast!! They spin so fast that they
will bend the shanks of the die that you are spinning should one come a
little bit unbalanced. I have the Model 906H ...one in aluminum housing
and the other in plastic ...They spin at 27000 RMP which in my opinion is
way too fast.
I have had, (on many occasion) had a 50 dollar bit bend over and
crater due to being unbalanced and then the shank bends over 90 degrees
due to the centrifigal force of the RMP. ...then try and shut the damned
thing off as it is vibrating in your hands as you reach for a toggle
switch on the back of the unit. You don't dare let it go for it may turn
on you.. Both are resting comfortably in the "unused" section of my tool
cabinet at home. I bought a Dewalt die grinder with a trrigger on the
handle that spins at around 19000 RMP which is a lot easier to handle and
much easier on bits and my nerves.
I agree that Makita makes an excellent and a wonderful
tool...but I really think they screwed up on the RMP of these things and
to also have a toggle switch on the back of the unit is like having a
trigger lock (something I usually disgard as soon as I buy).

My take on this is buy what you like....just stay away from that
27000 RPM and a toggle switch....
Hope that was of some help....Jim

Excellent point! I have my Makita plugged into a speed reduction foot
pedal, I almost never use it at full speed. I strongly recommend using this
approach, nothing scarier than a 1/4" carbide cutter flailing at 90 degrees.

Alex

"Jim & Lil" wrote in message
...

"SteveB" wrote in message
news:CFG_e.84017$DW1.48848@fed1read06...
Makita die grinders any good?

Compare them to Dremel and Foredom. I know Foredom is a lot better, but
I
mean as a handheld, will it cut nearly as good as a Foredom?

How are they to control? I don't want it for precise work, and probably
will be using it two handed most of the time.

Price seems pretty good, NIB on ebay.

Steve

Hi Steve ,

I respectfully disagree with the other posters about tha Makita die
grinders. I am a pipeline welder of 25 years and use nothing but Makita
power tools....except for their die grinders.
I have two of them and although they are of excellent quality and
are
very durable. They spin too freaking fast!! They spin so fast that they
will
bend the shanks of the die that you are spinning should one come a little
bit unbalanced. I have the Model 906H ...one in aluminum housing and the
other in plastic ...They spin at 27000 RMP which in my opinion is way too
fast.
I have had, (on many occasion) had a 50 dollar bit bend over and
crater due to being unbalanced and then the shank bends over 90 degrees
due
to the centrifigal force of the RMP. ...then try and shut the damned thing
off as it is vibrating in your hands as you reach for a toggle switch on
the
back of the unit. You don't dare let it go for it may turn on you.. Both
are
resting comfortably in the "unused" section of my tool cabinet at home. I
bought a Dewalt die grinder with a trrigger on the handle that spins at
around 19000 RMP which is a lot easier to handle and much easier on bits
and
my nerves.
I agree that Makita makes an excellent and a wonderful
tool...but I really think they screwed up on the RMP of these things and
to
also have a toggle switch on the back of the unit is like having a trigger
lock (something I usually disgard as soon as I buy).

My take on this is buy what you like....just stay away from that
27000 RPM and a toggle switch....
Hope that was of some help....Jim