Tools for grinding down welds...

[boatbuilder]

I'm about to tackle the replacement of a section of my lower front panel and its got me thinking that now might be a good time to invest in some tools for grinding/sanding welds in hard to reach places. Obviously a 115mm grinder and flapwheel will not reach.

I'm torn between a few options and would like some opinions please!
Which would be best for grinding down and linishing the new spot welds on the lower front panel?

One option is a Powerfile, either the Black and Decker one, or an air powered one with a 10mm x 330mm belt.
1

2


Another option is a die grinder (either straight or angled?) with a 50mm 40 grit Roloc disk.
3

4


Another option is a die grinder with a carbide burr bit.
5


Another option is a grinding disk on a 9 inch angle grinder.... but seems like a very crude way of doing it and would probably wreck the panel.

[Plasticman]

2 if you have the air supply
1 if you havent
3 use one anyway with 5
4 not much use
9" trip to hospital
oh and learn to be neat and you wont have much to grind away
mm

[boatbuilder]

2 if you have the air supply
1 if you havent
3 use one anyway with 5
4 not much use
9" trip to hospital
oh and learn to be neat and you wont have much to grind away
mm

Sorry Mike could you clarify what you mean? Can't make sense of da numbers...
I have air by the way.

[Plasticman]

they relate to your photos as you posted them , as in no 2 = second picky and so forth. i was trying to be curt and precise at the same time,
mm

[fidget]

Hi mate

Ive no air , so I got a powerfile same as picture 1. Cant fault it , plus belts are readily available from screwfix

James

[Plasticman]

he aint got no screwfix james
mm

[fidget]

he aint got no screwfix james
mm

My bit of string doesnt stretch any further north than Newcastle, so dont know what you have shop wise in them there foreign lands

James

[boatbuilder]

Thanks for the comments. Yeah, Screwfix don't post stuff to Ireland!

I could get a B&D Powerfile in Argos though for €44... not a bad price!
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/part ... R+FILE.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Or I could get an air powerfile on ebay for around the same money. (I've heard they are better than the electric ones?)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320815629964? ... 1423.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And some good belts on ebay...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400197692548? ... 1423.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So if I had to choose between an air powerfile and a straight die grinder with burrs/roloc discs, I think the air powerfile makes more sense....do you agree? (oh and if you could all chip in and buy it for me that would be great too )

[Plasticman]

i prefer the air and I know you have lots of wind available so go with that, air will outlive lecky and wont burn out , safer bettyer all round, die grinders are also really usefull but given your getting one or t'other then former wins
mm

[jimpainter]

I have a die grinder and its great for getting in those tight areas, however I have still have times where a power file would be better. 6 of one half dozen of the other.

[boatbuilder]

Thanks guys, air powerfile it is.

By the way if anyone is looking for carbide burrs, theres a fella over on the Retrorides forum selling good quality ones for £4 each posted.
http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.c ... ead=120200" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[fidget]

I got my powerfile from folkstonestonefixings off ebay, only paid £36 plus fiver postage, but if you got wind the air file is better.

james

[New Kentish Campers]

2 if you have the air supply
1 if you havent
3 use one anyway with 5
4 not much use
9" trip to hospital
oh and learn to be neat and you wont have much to grind away
mm

[boatbuilder]

Just got one of these in the post today...looking forward to trying it out on some welds ... It's a Makita 9032 filing sander.
First impressions are really good.