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Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

Yep pretty much. I only use 36 grit for the 3M fibre discs 987c though, so I'm just picking all sorts of stuff up before this inflation thing gets any worse. I kinda regret not deciding on adding more airflow, even though I don't need it. I still don't know what to put on the Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (my Iron Maiden nickname for the one that doesn't have anything on it).

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

Septuplets!
Congratulations. Fiber reinforced sanding discs? Different grits?
Back up to the back up?
Just curious...

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

I promise these are the last two!


Even though they're in pretty good shape, I removed the push-lock buttons and put in a few drops (3-4) of Amsoil 75w-140 gear oil in there to not have to worry about it later on.

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

You cant throttle it down for a 3 to keep up, it will simply keep running lower and lower. You could throttle it to last longer from a charge.

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

Originally Posted by ToolFanGeoff

Oscar, that is a very fine brood of Quints you have there!
As a fellow grinder fan, could you share your grinder disk logic?
I am guessing you have five tethered for a reason.
Like Lis2323 I keep several at my bench(es). different sizes, 2" to 9" diameter.
Different power - battery, corded, Air.
Different attachments, wire wheel - knotted, cup, straight wire..
Hard grinding disks of different grits and materials. Flap disks of different grits. Sanding disks of different grits with different stiffness backing pads.
Drum sanding attachments... I live a lot of chaos with my grinders.
Oscar, you put a lot of thought into your tools, what are your thoughts?
Anyone else have some insight?

Thank you, and I hope this is not too far off topic.
When you upgrade your compressor, let us know what you did - I am still interested.
Geoff

Geoff,

Such deep and profound questions you ask. It's all good.

Well I think it's obvious that I really liked the 1st 3M grinder, hence why he had to get siblings to play with. My grinder logic for that quintuplet set is as follows: I asked myself which abrasives/attachments I use most. In no particular order:

• ¼" hard grinding disc
• flap disc
• cut off wheel
• ⅛" grinding disc
• knotted wire wheel

I do use a small, I think it's 3", cup knotted wheel, but not so much that I would need it on one permanently (I have it on one of my cheapie Ryobi swivel rat-tail corded grinders). Although, I have been using the flat fiber discs 987c's with backing pads more and more often, so I will end up putting on that attachment to another 3M grinder (there's two more that I have that are not pictured here yet ) I do have drum sanding attachments, small cut-off wheels, file belt sanders, and such, but I have those on other die grinders that I bought before I discovered the awesomeness of the 3M stuff. I think eventually I'll replace most of my stuff with the heavy duty 3M counterpart if I can find them at a decent price pre-owned. As for my compressor, I don't think I want to decommission my current set-up yet. I've got nearly 50 CFM available for minimal investment. If I do ever upgrade, I'm thinking I will simply buy a 7.5HP variable-speed rotary-screw cabinet to add onto my current Polar Air compressor. Speaking of compressors, I need to order a soft-starter for mine. I think it will reduced operating costs a little bit; kick-starting a 10HP 1-phase motor eats up juice!

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

Oscar, that is a very fine brood of Quints you have there!
As a fellow grinder fan, could you share your grinder disk logic?
I am guessing you have five tethered for a reason.
Like Lis2323 I keep several at my bench(es). different sizes, 2" to 9" diameter.
Different power - battery, corded, Air.
Different attachments, wire wheel - knotted, cup, straight wire..
Hard grinding disks of different grits and materials. Flap disks of different grits. Sanding disks of different grits with different stiffness backing pads.
Drum sanding attachments... I live a lot of chaos with my grinders.
Oscar, you put a lot of thought into your tools, what are your thoughts?
Anyone else have some insight?

Thank you, and I hope this is not too far off topic.
When you upgrade your compressor, let us know what you did - I am still interested.
Geoff

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

My finish is 24 grit .
I did one time buy 36 grit and it was to slow 🐌.

I think 16 grit would be faster but finish would look ruff .

If some said I want finder finish no problem you need hire a painter that is his job.

Dave

Originally Posted by whtbaron

So now you need a custom made glove that would allow you to hold a grinder with each finger... the Edward Scissorhands of the grinder world...

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

So now you need a custom made glove that would allow you to hold a grinder with each finger... the Edward Scissorhands of the grinder world...

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

Looks great set of grinders.

Dave

Originally Posted by Oscar

Quintuplets!

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

Quintuplets!

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

In our type of shop settings a connector doesnt hurt a tool much. Especially where a well designed system only requires 1 at the tool. I was on a power plant with lots of air grind and the hoes were random, just find an air hose near and T in. Never really knew where they came and went and could have lots of splices so they used a big connector with this type of tool.

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

I also use a heavy 74 cfm connector. They make easier now days and would change cept for I have so much stuff and fairly elaborate system. I dont use anything but a straight, I can somehow seem to manage but its not my first spin with these tools either. The automotive back in the day was kind of limited and the H I use works on 3/4 drive and 1/2 hose too. I see the ratings on more compact and easier to use fittings is really hi now. While its nice in theory doesnt mean a lot in this class of tool.

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

Those are super nice. As much as I like them for grinding we use electric on 4 1/2 hard wheel. I do use right angle for cut off and 4 inch wire wheel. They allow for feathering the power. I likely toss the handles in the box where they are in the way for the next decade. I should get along reach 90 like Lis has, had one and wore it out but,,,, I really am not jammed up so much any more. Should have one more straight for pencil type brush.
I have an older IR (I need a chuck collet for,,, I going to get a pic and see if someone has it in a box.
I kind of suspect at some point those 4 hoses will turn in to one with a connector at the tool.

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

quadruplets!

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

I'm a swivel and whip type...





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Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

I like Parker Push-Lok fittings and hose for whips, no clamps or crimp sleeves. I have them on all my air tools.

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

Originally Posted by whtbaron

I never thought about using whip hoses to eliminate the fitting at the tool..... interesting.... thanks!

I mean, there's still a fitting there, albeit quite short. It's just a 1/2" galv NPT adapter that I welded a short section of tube I trimmed up on the lathe to secure the hose onto:



But yea, I love the compactness of air tools, even if they are power hungry by needing a huge compressor. Electricity is cheap. I spend more at Hooter's every month than I do on electricity, so inefficiency be damned. Life is short....enjoy it in all aspects

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

Oooops....my bad.... it was a loong weekend...

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

Originally Posted by whtbaron

I never thought about using whip hoses to eliminate the fitting at the tool..... interesting.... thanks!

You know we're talking about grinders... right?


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Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

Originally Posted by Oscar

Ended up making my own 6ft long whips by cutting lengths from a ½" flexzilla and customizing my own fittings to reduce the coupler/fitting length at the tool inlet end.
Works awesome.

I never thought about using whip hoses to eliminate the fitting at the tool..... interesting.... thanks!

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

Triplets!

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

Ended up making my own 6ft long whips by cutting lengths from a ½" flexzilla and customizing my own fittings to reduce the coupler/fitting length at the tool inlet end.
Works awesome.

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

A guy at work has the 4.5” chief and it is smooth but extremely heavy and the throttle will act like it’s sticking even tho it’s not being pressed but the wheel will still spin

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

Originally Posted by ronsii

He's looking for a die grinder 90 degree... similar but I think he wants to keep a bit more compact.... and wallet friendly


Over in this thread ---> https://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthrea...46#post8803746

oh ok, I see now. Yea those are quite a bit different. For those I usually buy harbor freight, lol. I do have some of their "Chief" line of air tools, and I have to admit, they are really, really nice! They are ultra, ultra smooth. As smooth as those $1200 3M grinders! Not the same level of power of course, but I was pleasantly surprised. Seem to be made by the same place that makes some of the Northern Tool Klutch air tools (the 4½" pneumatic angle grinders are identical).

Re: 3M 1.5HP Air Grinder - The Rolls Royce of air grinders

Originally Posted by Oscar

I'm not following...

He's looking for a die grinder 90 degree... similar but I think he wants to keep a bit more compact.... and wallet friendly


Over in this thread ---> https://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthrea...46#post8803746