Thread: Why you need an air micro die grinder

I was beaten to the punch by GTVi. I tried to post this morning on this subject but gave up after waiting ages for the page to load. GTVi did a better job than I would have anyway.

One thing I want to point out is that in my case it reqires much more tension on the nut to tighten the air grinder collet. I did a rough runout check with a DI and at first found the shaft was loose in the collet still despite doing it up quite tight. Maybe something jamming the slots in the collet. Runout for both the original and the dremel was too close to pick any difference. About 0.001 in about 1 inch out from the collet. The shaft stayed at 0.001 in when pushed each way so this would be bearing movement.

I had a look at the moulded plastic tray the die grinder comes in and mine does not have a spot for an extra collet.

Rob I think the brass ones you ordered will be an improvement on the aluminium ones. I have some reservations about the softness given that they are not exactly the right shape.

Dean

After thinking long and hard about it I finally bought a set of brass collets too. It is a big investment after all.

Dean

Originally Posted by nearnexus

1 SET OF 4X Brass Collet Fits Dremel Rotary Tools Include 1mm 1 6mm 2 3mm 3 2mm | eBay

Rob

Perfect! Ordered a set.

I'd expect brass to be more durable than AL in this scenario.

Cheers,
Bill

How can they even post them at that price?? Let alone make them.

Please let us know how they go when they turn up.

Ew

Hi All,
My air grinder purchased from Melbourne Tools just arrived. It only has one collet chuck in it,the 3mm one. When I get a chance I will give it a run, it looks OK.
Bob

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

After a fruitless search at Bunnings and being a cheap skate , I bought a budget grinder from "Melbourne Tools" - Grinding Stones AIR DIE Grinder Wrenches Tool Combi SET ALL Grinding KIT | eBay

I notice that the CTC 4 bearing model comes with both a 2 and a 3mm collet. I imagine the Melbourne special is accompanied by a lone 3mm. Now here's the thing, I have a Grobet USA catalogue, 24 pages of which are devoted to jeweller's burs BUT they are 2.4 mm (3/32") shanked. Quality German and Swiss burs are available on Ebay but again smaller shanked - Setting Burs FIG413 Jewelers Burs Stone Setting Jewelry BUR SET 024 050 12 Piece | eBay

Has anyone had a go at making a miniscule collet for one of these grinders?

BT

ps , Might be an opportunity to put Marcel to work - https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/it...7/#post1683270

Bob
Likewise here.
I have been to Bunnings Dural NSW a number of times & they have not heard of the small grinder.
I do not have a lot of use for one of these units but at the price will follow your suggestion & get one from Melbourne Tools.
Have you got yours yet?
Did it come with only the one collet?
regards
Bruce

Originally Posted by Abratool

Bob
Likewise here.
I have been to Bunnings Dural NSW a number of times & they have not heard of the small grinder.
I do not have a lot of use for one of these units but at the price will follow your suggestion & get one from Melbourne Tools.
Have you got yours yet?
Did it come with only the one collet?
regards
Bruce

Disappointingly I'm still empty handed Bruce. Boomtown is further than Ballina.

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

Disappointingly I'm still empty handed Bruce. Boomtown is further than Ballina.

Bob
Like Boomtown, Ballina is a nice place, spent a lot of time there on holidays with the relos as a young bloke, a lot of years ago. (Say 60)
Lighthouse beach had a good wave, I got washed out to sea there, swam around the headland, to the next northern beach, caught a wave in, without a shark grabbing me.
Krisfarm ( Bob) would know what I am talking about, including good swimming holes at North Creek,
Shores Bay & the wattle stained water at Lennox Head.
Yes Ballina, a nice place.
Getting back to collets for the micro grinder I think the brass ones would be OK for most jobs.
Been to Perth a few times & now with the caravan it would be an easy & interesting trip.
Much easier than sleeping on the ground, camping, as we did a few years back.
regards
Bruce

Abratool
Bruce you have a good memory to remember the Ballina beaches,they are all still good for surfing when the conditions are right. In the last few years we have had a lot of floods that leave a lot of junk floating around, that is not good for surfing. I have just given my grinder a bit of a run after doing the mods that Rob (nearnexus) suggested-thanks Rob. Both mods sure need doing. The grinder ran nice and smooth with very little vibration, I did notice that the supplied mounted points vary in diameter somewhat some only fit into the chuck around 12mm and others slide right in. I will check it out in the morning when the light is better to see what is going on. I just ordered a set of those expensive brass collets as well.
Bob

Originally Posted by krisfarm

Abratool
Bruce you have a good memory to remember the Ballina beaches,they are all still good for surfing when the conditions are right. In the last few years we have had a lot of floods that leave a lot of junk floating around, that is not good for surfing. I have just given my grinder a bit of a run after doing the mods that Rob (nearnexus) suggested-thanks Rob. Both mods sure need doing. The grinder ran nice and smooth with very little vibration, I did notice that the supplied mounted points vary in diameter somewhat some only fit into the chuck around 12mm and others slide right in. I will check it out in the morning when the light is better to see what is going on. I just ordered a set of those expensive brass collets as well.
Bob

There is going to be a shortage of them soon.

Dean

Bob & Bob
I lashed out on the Air Micro Grinder from Melb Tools & also purchased the Brass Collet set.
I reckon this tool could be handy !
regards
Bruce

Originally Posted by Abratool

Bob & Bob
I lashed out on the Air Micro Grinder from Melb Tools & also purchased the Brass Collet set.
I reckon this tool could be handy !
regards
Bruce

Good move.

They are very handy - but you must have the burrs etc.

Rob

Originally Posted by Abratool

Bob & Bob
I lashed out on the Air Micro Grinder from Melb Tools & also purchased the Brass Collet set.
I reckon this tool could be handy !
regards
Bruce

I hope you do better than I have Bruce. Mine was delivered today. The spindle does not turn freely. It feels like there is some foreign matter in the bearings. I have not attempted to run the thing.

I have a dilemma, do I return it to the seller at a cost of $13.40 and endure the 20 minute wait in the line at the post office or do I walk out and throw it in the Sulo bin?

The seller seems to have run out. Must have been a rush on them....
I'll have to find another ebay seller to get one from. I'm sure that will be hard.....

Has the seller said anything about it BT?

Cheers,
Ew