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Tools for grinding down welds...

Posted: 30 Mar 2012, 11:59
by 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
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2
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Another option is a die grinder (either straight or angled?) with a 50mm 40 grit Roloc disk.
3
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4
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Another option is a die grinder with a carbide burr bit.
5
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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.

Re: Tools for grinding down welds...

Posted: 30 Mar 2012, 12:32
by 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 :rofl

Re: Tools for grinding down welds...

Posted: 30 Mar 2012, 15:00
by boatbuilder
metalmick8y wrote: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 :ok
oh and learn to be neat and you wont have much to grind away
mm :rofl

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

Re: Tools for grinding down welds...

Posted: 30 Mar 2012, 16:17
by 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 :ok

Re: Tools for grinding down welds...

Posted: 30 Mar 2012, 17:12
by 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 :ok

James

Re: Tools for grinding down welds...

Posted: 30 Mar 2012, 17:15
by Plasticman
he aint got no screwfix james :rofl
mm

Re: Tools for grinding down welds...

Posted: 30 Mar 2012, 18:24
by fidget
metalmick8y wrote:he aint got no screwfix james :rofl
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 :rofl

James

Re: Tools for grinding down welds...

Posted: 30 Mar 2012, 19:21
by 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 :rofl )

Re: Tools for grinding down welds...

Posted: 30 Mar 2012, 19:27
by 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

Re: Tools for grinding down welds...

Posted: 30 Mar 2012, 19:27
by 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. :D

Re: Tools for grinding down welds...

Posted: 30 Mar 2012, 19:37
by 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;

Re: Tools for grinding down welds...

Posted: 30 Mar 2012, 20:35
by fidget
I got my powerfile from folkstonestonefixings off ebay, only paid £36 plus fiver postage, but if you got wind :rofl the air file is better.

james

Re: Tools for grinding down welds...

Posted: 31 Mar 2012, 05:01
by New Kentish Campers
metalmick8y wrote: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 :rofl :rofl
oh and learn to be neat and you wont have much to grind away
mm :rofl

Re: Tools for grinding down welds...

Posted: 16 Apr 2012, 14:40
by boatbuilder
Just got one of these in the post today...looking forward to trying it out on some welds :D ... It's a Makita 9032 filing sander.
First impressions are really good.

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