USA Made Right Angle Die Grinder - Anyone use St. Louis pneumatic tools?

[jmarsa]

I've been looking for a right angle die grinder that's made in the US, anyone have any experience with this brand http://www.stlouispneumatic.com/diegrinders.htm or recommend another?

I did find some INGERSOLL-RAND at Grainger but they start at $500 which is at least 2x what I'm willing to pay.

Thanks,

--JMarsa

[ironworks]

The only one we use is the Snap on unit. Great grinder

[elitecustombody]

I like my MAC grinder,very powerful and yet small and light

[jmarsa]

The only one we use is the Snap on unit. Great grinder

Thanks for the pointer, they have two models made in the US: PT110 & PT210R

--JMarsa

[ironworks]

The One we use is expensive. But has great throttle control and seems to last a long time

[GregWeld]

SNAP-ON

And NOT the BLUE POINT JUNK -- that's offshore crap for a high price... if you're going to buy offshore junk - just buy a dozen Harbor Freight versions for $9.99 - use 'em and through them away.... along with the American that lost his job.

[jmarsa]

Greg,

I was confused by your post, are you referring to this Snap On model AT118 tool:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/OBJECTS/48300/48266.JPG

--JMarsa

[pacificustoms]

That's a blue point in your photo.

I've lately come to love the 1/2 HP Matco ones. I've got a total of about 6 of them laying on the table. They also have a 135 degree (something close to that at least) which is awesome as well. They make a 1 HP version but I'm yet to find something that needs that powerful of a grinder.

[pacificustoms]

If you're looking for something cheap the husky ones at home depot aren't bad if you don't use it for 6+ hours daily like we do. Home Depot used to exchange them no questions at least 4 or 5 times throughout the 2 year warranty. They look identical to the blue point in the picture and I think they were in the $60 dollar range.

[GregWeld]

That is the BLUE POINT -- it's offshore stuff -- as is all of the Blue Point line -- if you're going to buy that one - then might as well get the dirt cheap stuff... 'cause they're probably made in the same factory.

MATCO has some real nice stuff... but I LOVE my Snap-On tools -- and I know they're ridiculously priced -- but I LOVE them.
:cheers:

[War]

What are you using the tool for? If you are cutting with a cut off wheel then the 1/2" from Matco is the best as Robbie stated. It has good torque but the key is to get good arbors like the ones Matco sales. I have two of the blue points as shown which are imports like Greg stated. I use them to grind welds but that is all I use them for. If you want to use a 2" rol loc and pad I like to use the Matco MT1644 or the blue point variant of this tool for finishing. I also have the Snap On and it is probably the best If you want a tool to do both and don't want an assortment of tools. But remember a good arbor for the cut off wheels not those cheap ones out there.

[jmarsa]

I'll be mostly be using Rolocs for cleaning/deburing and some weld grinding.

I called St. Louis Pneumatic and they provided some distributors in my area. I think I'll buy a low speed and high for the price point of these ($120). And I confirmed that the most units are made in Fenton Missouri not just assembled.

Distributor said he hasn't had a single resturn/complaint.

--JMarsa

[JRouche]

I cant afford the good stuff. And Im not using it for business. But a business needs to have reliable tools so the cost is definitely justified.

For home use I have five ingersoll rand 302 grinders. They arent as much as the good stuff. But I have yet to break one.

I have five so I dont change arbors often. Just grab one and get busy. JR

[GregWeld]

JR ---

Your comment is spot on -- and I said generally the same thing - either "invest" in really good tools -- or buy the cheapest junk - use it up and toss it if it doesn't work.

My only problem is that AMERICA is buying it's way out of jobs and manufacturing... so because I can afford to -- I buy USA made products... and I make it a habit to invest in my hobby... with the knowledge that I'm going to do more than one project in my lifetime. But that is a personal issue and doesn't address the question. That's just "me".

My issue is with "expensive" offshore stuff - like the Blue Point tools that SNAP-ON tools sells - riding their name for the good stuff and using needless markup on offshore stuff. If you're going to buy offshore - then buy the lowest price/best quality. There's not much point in buying the highest price/mediocre quality offshore stuff. IMHO. Everybody has a budget - and they need to use these funds wisely... In the end - you need to do what's right for you.

[JRouche]

My issue is with "expensive" offshore stuff - like the Blue Point tools that SNAP-ON tools sells - riding their name for the good stuff and using needless markup on offshore stuff. If you're going to buy offshore - then buy the lowest price/best quality. There's not much point in buying the highest price/mediocre quality offshore stuff. IMHO. Everybody has a budget - and they need to use these funds wisely... In the end - you need to do what's right for you.

Good point. I also have a few other off-shore angle grinders. And there really is a difference. My IR 302 grinders are made in Japan. I have some super inexpensive grinders from HF that are 19 bucks each. They are the worst of the worst. You have to oil them up regularly not for fear of running them dry and hurting them but because the tolerances are so large the oil is needed to take up all the slop and make them turn.

Then I have a 50 dollar Husky (Home Depot) angle grinder. Its a chinese grinder. But its better than the HF grinder by ten fold. Strong, and dependable. I thrash that thing and it keeps on going. Problems with it? Speed control. But plenty of power.

Id love to use the Snap-On 210R. But at 300 bucks I dont need it. I want it no doubt. But the need isnt there. If I was making money with the tool then the need might be there. But other than that its just a desire and Id be hard pressed to swap out three IR 302 grinders for one 210r grinder. Doesnt make much sense for me. JR

Grinders...

HF
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93088

Husky
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?distance_1=100&checkAvailability.x=0&reload=true&jspStoreDir=hdus&zip=93012&storeZip=91320&rough=Value&storeState=CA&recordId=6662&catalogId=10053&productId=100006095&mode=autoSelectAndSet&langId=-1&storeId=10051&checkAvailability.y=0&storeCity=Thousand+oaks

IR
http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Rand-Heavy-Angle-Grinder/dp/B00004XOST

Blue Point
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?store=snapon-store&item_ID=53576&group_ID=812

Snap-On
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=7265&group_ID=812

Matco
http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/toolcatalog.jsp?cattype=T&cat=2389&page=2