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

[bakodiver]

It appears yours is not governed. It appears very similar to an old Chicago Pneumatics I have. I know I assembled one wrong at one point and did not align the ports properly, and it ran poorly if at all. If you have time try to work out the allignment or even try different orientations if you are not sure. Also verify that the vanes were indeed changed when it was "rebuilt". A soap test will tell you if the housing is leaking.
I lived on the west side of Winnipeg, right on the Assiniboine River. Lots of cross country skiing. i live in the tropical Pacific islands now, never going back.

[whtbaron]

Any idea what that weep hole to the front is supposed to do? Let oil move to the gear mechanisms?

[M J D]

Any idea what that weep hole to the front is supposed to do? Let oil move to the gear mechanisms?

I'm not sure what you mean, but it's probably a fitting to grease the gear train.

[whtbaron]

It's not for grease, I can't see it would even let much air born oil into the gears.... maybe a little into the first bearing. If you look at my middle picture, it's drilled right into the top groove of the motor at the far right... on the splined end going to the gear head.

[ronsii]

It's not for grease, I can't see it would even let much air born oil into the gears.... maybe a little into the first bearing. If you look at my middle picture, it's drilled right into the top groove of the motor at the far right... on the splined end going to the gear head.

Without seeing the motor firsthand I can only guess.... is it for a pin access or a drill access for a deeper hole inline with it? or could be like you say a weep hole but designed to weep air pressure so it won't exceed pressures in the next chamber if you get too much air bypassing the first seals???

[whtbaron]

I'm not sure .... the only U tubes I can find are for air impact wrenches and die grinders... and nothing on this old Snap On version. Like I said, it really wasn't what I had expected to find inside.

[ronsii]

Funny you mention impacts I have an old import 1" inline I ripped apart after it was sitting for a year it had 'froze up' impeller vanes rusted in place... so I cleaned it up put it back together and it worked like yours wouldn't even turn... I was kinda mad at that point so I ordered up a new 4000 ft/lb inline and threw it under a cabinet.... after seeing your post the other day I 'almost' grabbed it to rip into it again but was too beat today to even do anything in the shop so it'll have to wait

[whtbaron]

In 1985 a Snap On dealer was quiting, and he had 3 1/2" impacts he had taken in trade for rebuilding and had never gotten around to it. He said there was enough parts in the 3 to make one good one, and sold them to me for $25. I'm still running on the 2nd rebuild from the original parts.

[Lis2323]

In 1985 a Snap On dealer was quiting, and he had 3 1/2" impacts he had taken in trade for rebuilding and had never gotten around to it. He said there was enough parts in the 3 to make one good one, and sold them to me for $25. I'm still running on the 2nd rebuild from the original parts.

That's about the time where I loaded up on Snap-on stuff that the Feds reimbursed half invoice cost back to the buyer for the METRIC program.

I got metric punches , chisels etc AND a half priced roll cab cause I needed more storage for my metric stuff.


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[Mike_L]

You’ll want to add a drop or two into the air inlet each time you use.

If you plan to use a dedicated outlet(s)/branch for air tools then you may consider installing an automatic oiler. Just don’t hook up your paint pot to it. LOL.




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I’m not sure I believe that’s your shop in the picture.

Drops cluttering the floor and sheet goods hastily leaned against a wall and not in a rack.

[Lis2323]

I’m not sure I believe that’s your shop in the picture.

Drops cluttering the floor and sheet goods hastily leaned against a wall and not in a rack.

Professionally staged to make me look like a real weldor type....


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[Oscar]

Nice tool but I would have to invest in a new air compressor to run one, and my Hitachi's have always answered their call to duty for around $125 a piece. I don't buy air tools because unlike your shop, my much to loud air compressor lives only 10' away from my welding table, and I hate to listen to it turning on and off. Good luck with your cool tool and enjoy using that beauty.

Thank you. It's so nice, I just bought another one.

[ronsii]

Thank you. It's so nice, I just bought another one.

Geeeeez!!!!! One for each hand I have a hard enough time using one of the big ones with two hands on it

[Oscar]

Look ma'! Twins!

Also, if you don't mind, where did you purchase and how much?

Stickman, I hadn't seen the question in your edited post. EBay. $200 for the first one, $300 for the 2nd one. Slightly different models, one is the 28826 which is listed as a cut-off tool, but the only thing I can see different is the guard, it has a full semi-circle enclosing the disc, where as the 28824 (which is listed as a grinding tool) has the more traditional open-area on the underside like most any other grinder guard.

[mla2ofus]

I hope moto sees this thread!!

[Oscar]

I hope moto sees this thread!!

I'm not following...

[ronsii]

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

[Oscar]

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).

[motolife313]

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

[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.

[Oscar]

Triplets!

[whtbaron]

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!

[Lis2323]

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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[whtbaron]

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

[Oscar]

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