Die grinder and bits for porting- it's been a while

[Cruisingram]

Tips, hints or advice on buying a new die grinder to clean up and port match my heads/Manifolds, plus working on the exhaust manifold as well. 40 years ago I bought a giant electric die grinder and ported heads on the daily. Now it's been probably, at least 20 years? Since I did my last job, don't have that die grinder anymore! Anyone have one they really like? I prefer Electric to Air, simply because I don't want to have to worry if I got enough volume out of a compressor to make it happen. Best place to buy bits? Any advice here will be appreciated.

 

[abdywgn]

I have an old Craftsman model that I bought...40(?) years ago. Like it and it worked good last time it was out chewing up metal. If not new, garage/estate sales? sorry, not much help.

 

[dogbreath]

Makita with separate speed control

 

[volaredon]

Not much help im sure (sorry) but air power is much better for something like that

 

[4spdragtop]

These come highly recommended by @Newbomb Turk Killer carbides
https://m.facebook.com/100066611109056/

 

[ch1ll]

I recently bought a Hercules eletric from harbor freight. I haven't used it much, but it's well balanced and light. I believe it's variable speed.

 

[dogbreath]

Problem with air is you'll run out of it long before you run out of electricity

 

[Cruisingram]

Problem with air is you'll run out of it long before you run out of electricity

Especially off grid having to run a power mad compressor LOL.

 

[Cruisingram]

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWE4887N-1-1-2-Inch-Grinder/dp/B00SHAW3VY/?tag=fabo03-20 got this one on the way

 

[ch1ll]

I recently bought a Hercules eletric from harbor freight. I haven't used it much, but it's well balanced and light. I believe it's variable speed.

Just looked at it and it's not variable speed.

 

[ch1ll]

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWE4887N-1-1-2-Inch-Grinder/dp/B00SHAW3VY/?tag=fabo03-20 got this one on the way

I got my Hercules for $70 something and I feel good about that, but I got to admit I like the paddle trigger on the dewalt better, just not for twice the money.

 

[4spdragtop]

I like the thoughts of adding a foot pedal if possible, something like a sb cabinet would have, but variable?

 

[Yote]

Just my observation, which you probably know. With what little I have done, using a lubricant makes using the tool smoother with less grabbing and jumping. I used wd-40 which worked for me. It also keeps the chips from flying so bad.
Yote

 

[Cruisingram]

Just my observation, which you probably know. With what little I have done, using a lubricant makes using the tool smoother with less grabbing and jumping. I used wd-40 which worked for me. It also keeps the chips from flying so bad.
Yote

I have always used vaseline to catch the chips too, really slather it in the intake and exhaust areas, catches most of the metal.

 

[toolmanmike]

Radar and Woody used Bosch and Makita. Electrics are more consistant rpm wise than air grinders. These are my 273 heads

 

[Cruisingram]

Nice! Just got gasket and grinder in, bits coming today!

 

[azaustin]

I’d like to see what people are using nowadays. There used to be a guy in town here who used a big Milwaukee die grinder with abrasive rolls to match and clean up ports. When I was still working on motorcycles I ported dozens and dozens of two-stroke cylinders, and a few four-strokes. I used a CC Specialties rig that was basically a Foredom unit set up for porting. It had a foot pedal and a hanger hook that made it very easy to use. The tool holder was set up with a 1/4” collet that worked will with the various carbide tools that I used, both long and short shank. It was easy on your hand, too. I also had a 1/8” collet adapter for small burrs when I needed them. Beeswax was my favorite lubricant. It would load up my burrs sometimes but that was easily taken care of of with a brass brush. That setup helped pay my way through college and buy my first house. I still have it. The drive cable broke some years ago and CC Specialties was out of business when I tried to get a replacement. The motor never failed and I don’t think I ever replaced the brushes even though it came with a spare set. If anyone knows where I could get a drive cable I’d like to know. It looks just like a speedometer cable. I’d fix it up just for old time’s sake. I also used some pneumatic die grinders like Astro and Florida Pneumatic. They lasted pretty well if you pre-oiled them, but I did wear out the bearings in a few of them. Long shank bits seemed to make them more prone to chattering when worn.