air tool manufactuers
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,412
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From: Munroe falls, Ohio
air tool manufactuers
Im looking for a new air die grinder. I was looking at kobalt, husky, craftsman, IR. Of course almost everyones going to say get the IR. What I saw was that if the kobalt or husky was made in usa, it had a 1yr warrenty if made in china a 3yr warrenty. The craftsman said "assembled is usa" with a 1yr. A few years back a friend worked at sears and said their impacts were made by IR, would that be true of all craftsman air tools?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 232
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From: Rhode Island
IR sells a lot of cheap tools now, compared to the reputation they built over the years. I have one of their DA sanders and it is as low cost as anything out there. Personally, I am a big fan of Craftsman hand tools, but not their power tools. It seems you always get stuck with dealing with Sears for any parts. If noise isn't a problem, I think any inexpensive die grinder would do, even the cheap ones hold up for years. Just apply some air tool oil when you can.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
made in USA (important to me) and are guaranteed forever. Many of their power tools,
though, are made in China these days. I do, however, have midrange air tools from 'em,
impact wrench & ratchet; I think they're made in Japan.
As an aside, I also got the impact socket set in the link below, I think it's one of the
best investments I've ever made in tools:
Craftsman 95 pc. Easy Read Impact Socket Set, 6 pt., 3/8 & 1/2 in. Dr. - Model 15383 at Sears.com
It was on sale for $300.
In my experience, this is one of the huge advantages of Sears - parts are readily
available - and for a LONG time.
Ex 1: Just a few weeks ago I got a chain & cable assembly for a garage door opener I
bought from them in 1985.
Ex 2: I was also able to purchase parts for a water softener I had purchased from them,
also in 1985.
Ex 3: Just a few months ago, I was able to get a switch for the Dremel rotary tool they
resell under their name, I received it as a Christmas present in the early 1980s.
I do it all online, there are pictures & diagrams and exploded views on their Web site, I
just click, click, click and the part is in my mailbox or on my doorstep about a week
later.
That, to me, rocks.
Cranky Old Guy
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 6
From: Raphine, Virginia
Most are Central Pnuematic, just relabeled. I did buy a Kobalt angle die grinder that does look diff. and very pleased with it. I use my air tools every day and the real key to keeping them working is keeping them oiled properly and using a moisture trap.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
I had an old Husky 90º that I blew the head out of. Second one lasted a couple hours, same with the third. That was with oiling, the problem on the first was that the head wasn't greased. Same with the other two, but I put in synthetic Snap-On grease. The gears were too soft to handle any kind of work.
I use a straight air, straight electric, and a flex-shaft electric now.
I use a straight air, straight electric, and a flex-shaft electric now.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Coal Country, ND
Every 90 degree die grinder that I've had (on my 4th now, Blue Point, IR, CP, and now Mountain, yeah very chinese) has always met it's demise by breaking just before the chuck. Never a motor or gear problem. The cost to replace the busted parts always came way to close to replacement cost.
My advise........................get a cheapy, oil it often, and grind, cut and buff away!
My advise........................get a cheapy, oil it often, and grind, cut and buff away!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
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I have used the Central Pneumatic die grinder for years (in fact I have used alot of CP air tools) and never had a problem with them. CP has a good line of air tools, even though it is mainly sold by Harbour Freight. As with any air tool, clean and lube it properly and it will last a long time. And if the CP does die, they are cheap enough to replace without alot of expense.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 700
Likes: 1
From: waterloo, iowa
I use then everyday at work... we have a brand called westward... not sure where you can get them or who make them or anything, but we've had the same pair over by my machine for over 2 years with no problems, but i guarantee they are cheap.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
You get them @ Grainger, they are the low-budget house brand, below Dayton...
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,244
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From: Cottage Grove, WI
OK, Craftsman hand tools, have never been made by "Craftsman" For the longest time, they were made by Snap On. Now they are made by Matco. Same factory, and in a lot of instances, the same tools, just with slight variations. Take Craftsmans Professional line of wrenches. The EXACT same as Matcos wrenches, with a slightly different open end. Same handle size, same box end design, same degree offset, everything about the 2 brands of wrenches are the same, until you get to the open end. And craftsman professional air tools are made by IR. NOT CP. Same tools, same parts. just a different sticker on the side.
The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,245
Likes: 7
From: Cloverdale, BC
How cheap are you talking? If you want good and "cheap" then IR is the way to go. If you want cheap, hell, I could find a Chinese made die grinder for $10. Having said that, I have Snap On straight and angle die grinders at work.