Best cutting tool for patch panels?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 5
From: Tucson AZ
Originally Posted by AXracer
Anyone ever tried to find a chuck to fit one? I sure would like to be able to use mandreled wheels as well
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 109
From: Northshore, MN
sanding disc or cutting wheel? At work I use an IR right angle air sander with 2inch roloc pad and 3 inch 80grit discs. which gives the edge flex as opposed to "digging in" If it's the cutting wheels that end up 2inches, maybe a 1 1/2" roloc sanding disc will sandwhich the cutting wheel tight to the pad? Never tried this, but it's similar to how I keep the 4 inch sanding discs tight on my pistol grinder, with stacking them together with the back one facing opposite of the outer two. electric grinders we use are hitachi. they're lightweight(arm doesn't get tired as quick) and are not expensive, however my dewalt has been lasting me 10 years now. my friend has a Mac air cutoff tool with tiltng head and reverse, which is really, really nice for controlling sparks. Though quite spendy.
Last edited by havi; Oct 4, 2005 at 09:50 PM.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Would be nice to find a jacobs style chuck that would screw onto the 5/8 (x?) threaded mandrel on the angle grinder to allow the ues of rolock mandrels on it. I have a Makita 3/8" right angle drill I use, but the speed needs to be higher for efficient use.
Since I still haven't got a garage even started I don't have a large enough air compressor to run air tools. I also wish someone made a left handed angle grinder or at least one with a centered switch, I always have to do some potentially dangerous maneuvers to turn mine on and off and throw sparks at myself rather than away. Guess there aren't many left handed craftmen in Japan.
Since I still haven't got a garage even started I don't have a large enough air compressor to run air tools. I also wish someone made a left handed angle grinder or at least one with a centered switch, I always have to do some potentially dangerous maneuvers to turn mine on and off and throw sparks at myself rather than away. Guess there aren't many left handed craftmen in Japan.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 495
Likes: 1
From: Somewhere in da corn,Iowa
The tool of choice for me is one of those lil nibler cutters that give you a coil of metal that u cut out...that's what i use the most at the body shop i work at and i do a lot of patch panels...most on chevys since they don't build stuff as well as ford. if you cannot get one of those...a cutoff wheel or an angle grinder.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 5
From: Tucson AZ
havi, a good suggestion except that the cutoff wheel (you're right, it's not a disc) has a hole for a 5/8 arbor and that won't center with a roll-loc. when those wheels get down to a 2'' diameter they are no longer usable on the offset grinder although there's a lot of life left in them, for small stuff anyway. I have a collett that fits my die grinder but that's usually too long for tight spots. Also the die grinder, because of the high rpms is a little squirrelly with a cut off wheel on it. I also have a Mac tools cut off tool with the flex head and it is an awesome tool but it uses the wheels with the 3/8 arbor and those are fairly pricey. Does anybody know of an on-line source for those?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Tim, have a machinist friend who could make you an arbor out of 5/8" bolt? drill a 1/4" hole down the center of a 3/4" long bolt, put in a 2" long 1/4" bolt from the threaded end, and run a nut up against the head of the 5/8" bolt to lock it. Or if you wanted to get fancy thread the center hole and countersink the end. screw in a 1/4" flathead bolt with some locktite. Be sure to use a hardened 1/4" bolt.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 5
From: Tucson AZ
ax, have actually been thinking along those lines but it hasn't had the priority to really ''git 'er done'' it is good that someone else comes up with the same thing. It's either a good idea or we're both wrong 
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Really would need to be 1/4" or 3/8" capacity chuck to be useful. Most DP chucks I've seen were 1/2" or bigger, which would be too large and heavy.
All the tool mandrels are 1/4"
All the tool mandrels are 1/4"
Last edited by AXracer; Oct 5, 2005 at 04:43 PM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 2
From: east central Illinois
Originally Posted by fatfenders56
Good suggestions all, having 2 offset grinders is priceless. For anyone who is in the market, Northern tool has DeWalt 4'' offsets in their new catalog for $39.00
Kevin
1953 Ford F-100
Go Illini
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 5
From: Tucson AZ
Originally Posted by Fat Fendered Ford
Is the Northern Industrial Tools grinder they offer at $25 a piece of junk?
Kevin
1953 Ford F-100
Go Illini
Kevin
1953 Ford F-100
Go Illini
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
What he said, for an additional 15.00 why bother with an unknown. Biggest problem with the no name import tools is there's little to no quality control or consistant supplier. You may get a good one, or it's just as likely you'll get one that will go up in smoke the first time you use it. If you want to take the chance, look on ebay, you can find the same tool sold there in boxes of 4 for 20.00 with cases and wheels or 4 for 10.00 for the grinders alone. Buy 8 for 20.00 and you may get a good one or make a good one out of all the parts and you've still saved 5.00 and have a pile of spares.
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More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
From: colorado
Awww.. my little thread is all grown up! Thanks for all the input! --"The tool of choice for me is one of those lil nibler cutters that give you a coil of metal that u cut out..." -by "Fiftyfourd" makes me wonder, does anyone have an opinion on a "Blue Point "nibbler cutter? I found one for sale but don't know how well it would work...can you go around corners? Cab corners to be exact...