Anybody out there got a good electric die grinder they could recommend? Im looking for something with a pencil attchment and possibly under three hundred bucks. Thanks Guys

 

Makita 1/4 inch Electric die grinder. Just about bullet proof and good warranty.

 

I port with a Dremel...

The trick with porting the iron well is to use GOOD burrs and don't port dry. It takes under a minute to start a bridge port with my Dremel, a good mini-burr, and a little bit of water. (Yep, I use water)

No matter what you get, variable speed is a must IMO. It sucks trying to port aluminum with a device that only knows off, and 20,000rpm.

 

i like the dremel on the irons, it works really well actually. on the rotor housings we've got a 1 speed 20,000 rpm electric, which works, but it sucks....

 

To most it may suck but when you take the time to gain mastery of the tool...I would not trade this for anything. So far I have not had issues with this one tool in close to 10 years. It only has about 70 engines on it.

 

I'd suggest using a Dremel for porting as well.

I have a Jepson 1/4" electric die grinder which I quite enjoy, but in the past few years I have done all port work with a Dremel and wouldn't go back to the die grinder. The Dremel is just so much more compact and easier to handle.

Here's a demonstration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1Gy5sVMK3o

 

Makita long shaft die grinder the best i ever used , lasted 20yrs, using it at least 2-3 times a week, some times on poerting work 2-3hrs at a time .

most grindes go out when not held properly, and it bounces around in the hole, bends the shaft and never good again.

and i have used many die grinders.

 

the electric one would be nicer if had a couple speeds, really fast = kind of tricky, but i find the dremel doesn't cut the rotor housing very well.

 

Thanks for the input guys. Its given me a few things to consider.

peejay: how do you port with water?

 

Consider a Foredom. You can get several attachements. The Makita I had sucked *****. The coupler went south, and it was either on or off. I had to get a $150.00 rheostat to make it MORE useful and able to be thottled. I have a Dremel to do the water jackets , but it is waaaay to small to do any serious porting. REally, I don't count the hours it takes to port as productive, but more necesary. I like to get the rough shape fast and easily. I have had great equipment, but have had more value from cheap old Harbor freight air die grinders. I have a compressor on 3 phase so it's cheaper and more controllable to use air. In three and a half years of moderate work I have gone through 1- 1/4" die grinder and I got 4 of them on sale for $4.99 each with a coupon.
The Makita was $127.99 and it lasted 2 years.

GD

 

gawdodirt: Thanks thats what I had in mind!

 

be a man, use your teeth!

 

Honestly, the latest porting that I've done started with a 2 1/2" hole saw!!! Time is $$$.

Porting with a Dremel? Man, that takes patience! Must have your own flow bench!

GD

 

i think the hole saw is the right move, actually. so far the ONLY downside to the PP is noise. mine is all corked up, and the power curve is a lot like a stock FD, i could tow with it.