- Thread starter
- #121
Talked to Cody today. He's going to need a 4.5" disc grinder and a bunch of blades. I have 3 grinders, but blades are $$ here. Lots cheaper at Harbor freight. Anyone coming up who could make a pickup for this weekend??
Prescott "metro" cruisers.
- Thread starter Brian Macgyver
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If this is for the Luke bumper and he wants to grind it smooth, I wouldn't want to do it with a 4" grinder. For the first passes I would get the coarsest of wheel available and run it with at least a powerful 7" grinder. My weapon of choice is a 4hp grinder, matching 4 grit wheel and a 80 cfm air source to run it!
Cantinero
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I'm partial to Metabo, they make a very good product.
Just my dos centavos.
Just my dos centavos.
I still have to cut the rear frame section off. Isn't that done with the 4.5" grinder?
Where is the new plasma cutter. I heard that is pretty easy, and you don't wear through cut-off wheels.
- Thread starter
- #126
It's a tough decision. Let's think about it.
4.5" disc grinder @ $14.99-$19.99, 10-pack of cut-off wheels for $6.99, Safety glasses for $2.99. Or I could buy a plasma cutter for $2000.00. What to do...
I'll go with the grinder!
Still, the grinder costs a lot more here at Home Depot than it does at Harbor Freight. Even the cutoff wheels are at 4 times the cost. It isn't a lot of $ but would always be better to save money for lunch or beer! If anyone is traveling and can make a stop, post up!
I have three grinders and plenty of grinding wheels. Sanding discs are better from Home Depot. But I used up all of my cut wheels tearing down a house and am out of stock on them.
4.5" disc grinder @ $14.99-$19.99, 10-pack of cut-off wheels for $6.99, Safety glasses for $2.99. Or I could buy a plasma cutter for $2000.00. What to do...
I'll go with the grinder!
Still, the grinder costs a lot more here at Home Depot than it does at Harbor Freight. Even the cutoff wheels are at 4 times the cost. It isn't a lot of $ but would always be better to save money for lunch or beer! If anyone is traveling and can make a stop, post up!
I have three grinders and plenty of grinding wheels. Sanding discs are better from Home Depot. But I used up all of my cut wheels tearing down a house and am out of stock on them.
just lemme know what kind of wheels or whatever you need Brian, I'll pick some up either at the Welding Shop off 2nd st or Home Depot or somethin...
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Probably the "best" tool would be a sawzall.
I would get the coarsest disks available (most times 24 grit) for trimming/fitting the parts and knocking the welds down to almost flat. If your planning on grinding the welds smooth, knock them down with the course wheel, smooth/blend with a flap wheel (I used a 40 grit), then smooth with a D/A, body sander with 80 grit paper. This worked well for us.
The kits don't need much trimming to fit, so I don't see a plasma being of much use in the build. It can be done with a small grinder and their handy in some tight areas, but for most of the work on the kit, a bigger grinder will get the work done quicker and net a smoother finish.
There is a big difference in wheel quality, lesser wheels tend to load up, rub metal off, better wheels driven by higher power tools, stay "sharper" cutting much more metal, much quicker. Easy for me to say, having some buddy's in the biz, I get most of my abrasives for free, but some of the higher end stuff rocks!
Grinding is my least favorite part of the build, so a few bucks spent on good wheels is worth it to me.I rarely work on electric tools, but many of my customers use them. Their experience is that the Dewalts have about the best cost/availably/performance ratio. For a 4" grinder the DW402, (now replaced by the DW802) is my favorite, if your stuck using electric (stuff).
Hmm....will these work?
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Yes, but, plug in tools would be faster.
Well, the welder and grinder work...
My beginning welds were a bit sloppy at first...and I was having so much fun playing with the tools that I managed to wear out a 60 grit (I think) flap wheel...I dunno if thats normal or if I just used it too much too fast...either way theyre pretty cheap to get more of so I'm not too worried.
I didn't know if the gas cans are supposed to go in this way or sideways...but they fit both ways...so I guess I can throw them in whichever way I want once the bumper is done.
I would have went with the regular plug in tools ($100 sawzall and $50 grinder compared to double that for the cordless) - but apparently my girlfriend never got the MUD-wife memo.
Everytime I see something expensive for the truck or garage...I say its too much and start looking at the cheaper items and then mention the price difference and she practically FORCES me to buy the biggest most expensive tools anyways.
yay!
My beginning welds were a bit sloppy at first...and I was having so much fun playing with the tools that I managed to wear out a 60 grit (I think) flap wheel...I dunno if thats normal or if I just used it too much too fast...either way theyre pretty cheap to get more of so I'm not too worried.
I didn't know if the gas cans are supposed to go in this way or sideways...but they fit both ways...so I guess I can throw them in whichever way I want once the bumper is done.
I would have went with the regular plug in tools ($100 sawzall and $50 grinder compared to double that for the cordless) - but apparently my girlfriend never got the MUD-wife memo.
Everytime I see something expensive for the truck or garage...I say its too much and start looking at the cheaper items and then mention the price difference and she practically FORCES me to buy the biggest most expensive tools anyways.
yay!
She got a sister?
Cantinero
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If that's the case then check these out. Metabo grinders are all I use in our shop for metal work. IMHO they are well worth the money spent and I would stack them up against any other grinder on the market.
- Thread starter
- #134
Personally, I try to avoid changing blades when fabing. I just line up three disc grinders on the welding bench. In build phase, they have a cut wheel, a grinding wheel, and a wire wheel. For finishing, I have a grinding wheel, a sanding wheel (24 grit) and a fine flap wheel. I have plenty of 4.5" disc grinders and lots of power outlets. Why should I change blades?
My bench grinders are similar. I have two of them. One has medium and fine wheels. The other has a course wheel and a wire wheel. I do not change grinding wheels. It is faster to change grinders.
I even follow the pattern with my cordless drills. I have 5 of them, and I rarely change bits or even batteries. If the drill gets weak, I retire it for the day. Just grab the next drill in line! I'll change the battery later, and recharge it.
My bench grinders are similar. I have two of them. One has medium and fine wheels. The other has a course wheel and a wire wheel. I do not change grinding wheels. It is faster to change grinders.
I even follow the pattern with my cordless drills. I have 5 of them, and I rarely change bits or even batteries. If the drill gets weak, I retire it for the day. Just grab the next drill in line! I'll change the battery later, and recharge it.
- Thread starter
- #135
We have gotten off-subject a bit here!
Welding and fabing is fun. But this is a thread about getting trucks and drivers together in Prescott.
The Tempe meet is next week, and so is ours in Prescott. Have we invited anybody to join us? The more the merrier! Call friends and everybody. We may decide this month to move to IHOP for a location. IHOP may be a better place. They have eggs and stuff! Food is good, everybody should have some every day! Those who show get a vote on this move.
On Sunday 13 some of us may go to Stoddard in the afternoon. It is a tame run to the ghost town. We do not know what we will find there. We would like to find a connection to Orme Road from Stoddard.
We will have 1 80 and 1 Montero. Beyond the mining area, we may find trails that could be tame or not. We know the owner of Stoddard rather well. She is a lady who attended Prescott High School 60 years ago, and she has not mellowed at all since then! Her husband's mining partner was Joe Cleator. We all know where that led! She can tell stories!
If you want to join us, call me. 277-6622.
Welding and fabing is fun. But this is a thread about getting trucks and drivers together in Prescott.
The Tempe meet is next week, and so is ours in Prescott. Have we invited anybody to join us? The more the merrier! Call friends and everybody. We may decide this month to move to IHOP for a location. IHOP may be a better place. They have eggs and stuff! Food is good, everybody should have some every day! Those who show get a vote on this move.
On Sunday 13 some of us may go to Stoddard in the afternoon. It is a tame run to the ghost town. We do not know what we will find there. We would like to find a connection to Orme Road from Stoddard.
We will have 1 80 and 1 Montero. Beyond the mining area, we may find trails that could be tame or not. We know the owner of Stoddard rather well. She is a lady who attended Prescott High School 60 years ago, and she has not mellowed at all since then! Her husband's mining partner was Joe Cleator. We all know where that led! She can tell stories!
If you want to join us, call me. 277-6622.
I have to work til noon this Sat. But if I can put in a proxy vote, then count me for moving to ihop.
I have to be up in Oregon (...in the rain, seeing the forecast 
) this weekend for a conference, so I'll miss the meet.
But my vote is also for starting our monthly get-togethers with a hearty (healthy??
) breakfast, before heading out on the trail... Once we have the numbers, IHOP might even set aside a table or two or three for us (since we'll be such big spenders, I'm sure...)
Anyway, have fun Saturday, and I'll see you all in May.
(PS Finally got the rear locker installed... took it out the other day and took another step along the scale of "scarin' the
outta me" obstacles I can tackle with confidence... havin' some fun now!!)
) this weekend for a conference, so I'll miss the meet. But my vote is also for starting our monthly get-togethers with a hearty (healthy??
) breakfast, before heading out on the trail... Once we have the numbers, IHOP might even set aside a table or two or three for us (since we'll be such big spenders, I'm sure...) Anyway, have fun Saturday, and I'll see you all in May.
(PS Finally got the rear locker installed... took it out the other day and took another step along the scale of "scarin' the
outta me" obstacles I can tackle with confidence... havin' some fun now!!)
- Thread starter
- #138
No worries, IHOP is already on-board. The manager is ready to have us park on the north side near Wendy's. I'm working on new invitation cards and such.
We have to meet in the Fry's location once more for those who haven't joined us yet. We can "vote" and then move. Once we move, we may want a sign or something to put at Fry's. Any ideas?
We have to meet in the Fry's location once more for those who haven't joined us yet. We can "vote" and then move. Once we move, we may want a sign or something to put at Fry's. Any ideas?
- Thread starter
- #139
I have had a long series of system problems. I introduced a new computer into my network, and some programs with it. These came with problems and glitches. Please accept my apologies for my absence. My many thanks to Woody for helping and protecting my "good" name. I am back!
- Thread starter
- #140
Now we can get on with biz! I must admit that the April meet was rather anemic, at best. We had a low turn-out. But progress was made. We decided that food is good, and everyone should have some every day. So we decided to start all over at IHOP. They have food! Lots of it!
They also have wireless internet and parking space. We should meet where the food is! IHOP has the food! We can meet and eat.
We have to start distributing invite cards for the meeting place at the IHOP. After all, if we are to meet on a Saturday morning, why would we meet in a place where there is no food? This would make no sense! We all wake up hungry, therefore we need to be fed. If we want to go wheeling, we need to be well nourished. Food is good. Everybody should have some every day.
Our group needs to get better at inviting people to join. We need to be more pro-active. Many LC owners here are still in the soccor-mom mode, or the mode of the kid who inherited the old wagon. We need to help them to realize what they have.
They also have wireless internet and parking space. We should meet where the food is! IHOP has the food! We can meet and eat.
We have to start distributing invite cards for the meeting place at the IHOP. After all, if we are to meet on a Saturday morning, why would we meet in a place where there is no food? This would make no sense! We all wake up hungry, therefore we need to be fed. If we want to go wheeling, we need to be well nourished. Food is good. Everybody should have some every day.
Our group needs to get better at inviting people to join. We need to be more pro-active. Many LC owners here are still in the soccor-mom mode, or the mode of the kid who inherited the old wagon. We need to help them to realize what they have.
