Opinions needed for a die grinder. Strickly for the use of port and polishing heads. Needs to be electric. Any ideas?

 

When I did my iron heads years ago, I used a small air powered Mac die grinder. You'll also need at least a 5hp air compressor to keep up with the tool although a smaller compressor will still work. An electric die grinder can be used but they're heavy and they heat up from constant use.

You'll need carbide bits, some stones and cartridge roles with an arbor

 

I used a cheesy one from princess auto, $70. It'd be equivalent to a harbor freight unit there.
Most electric die grinders don't have speed control, so you have to build one of your own. Search on here to find out how.
But yea, air powered is far far far superior, but buying a $700 air compressor and wiring up the garage for 240V wasn't an option for me either..

 

just use like a roto zip with its attatchments for grinding or a dremel. dremels are nice, especially when you have the flex hose.

 

I burnt up a dremel years ago. They're made for hobbies, not head work.

 

A dremel is ok for final cleanup or something. I used one to clean up a bit between the valve seat and the chamber wall.
They don't do the brunt of the work though, it'd take FOREVER. Like an unrealistic amount of time, not even worth considering.

 

Harbour freight die grinder $39US.

Harbor Freight USA
10296 FAIRVIEW AVE.
BOISE, ID 83704

 

One of those will work but they're a lot heavier than an air powered one. After porting heads for 10 hours, you'll notice a difference.

 

I throughly done 2 sets of heads with a harbor frieght die grinder. I also spent 20$ for their "rotory tool speed controler" too, that's a steal. I actually paid 29.99 for the grinder in the store. These die-grinders are good quality, dont let the price fool you. At one point out of anger i 2-handed grabbed my grinder by the chuck end and slammed it into the table a few times (broke through grinding my machined iron l98's and was pissed to say the least) and it still works flawlessly.

The weight of it isnt really an issue you should be taking breaks anyhow to aviod what i said i done to my l98's before. An air grinder is much louder and goes way too fast for 90% of the work, and also is much more difficult to control by comparision. I've used both air and electric and can honestly say i'd use the electric over the air anytime.

 

For those in Canada that are interested, Princess Auto has the electric die grinders on sale again for $55(can).
The 13w Florecent work lights $17(can) are nice too for porting. Even have a 120v electrical receptical to plug in the die grinder into the handle.

 

I used the Harbor Freight $29 electric die grinder with the $20 variable controller and it worked fine. One word of caution, no matter what brand you get - make sure that chuck is tight! Stop every 10 minutes and retighten. Mine worked loose, and the carbide cutter went flying at 25000 rpms - no telling where it went after it cut through the trees and over the rooftops! I'm just glad it didn't go through my head first!

 

doom86, Do you have a part number for that variable speed controller?

 

If doom doesn't answer, you can always grab a foot pedal from a sewing machine. I was just tearing one apart the other day for use as a speed controller on the sewing machine motor. Anyway, cut and splice the wires and you'll have a foot controlled variable speed for it - very nice feature.

 

i heard you can use a variable speed fan switch too.

 

i just ported my patriot 195cc heads and HSR intake with a 8$ harbor freight air mini grinder... came with stones as a kit lol. best $$ i ever spent. i used carbide bits to make out the material and stones to smooth em out. just so u kno harbor frieght doesnt have carbide bits in stores, its an online or shipped item only... i was pissed lol.