Comparing 3" Cut Off grinders

[JimR]

I never thought much about these tools till my DeVilbiss started to have a shot bearing sound emitting from it on sunday. I need to have one of these around all the time for my work. I ran out to HD yesterdayand picked up a Husky for $40.00. Today I hooked it up to use it. The speed is 500 rpm's lower than the Devilbiss. I figured this is minor. The new Husky cut off tool is ball-less. My worn out, bearing grinding, DeVilbiss has more guts than this brand new Husky. I couldn't even put pressure on the wheel as it would stall right out. So this afternoon I run back to HD and return it. HD only carry's this tool in the Husky line. Lowe's is my next stop on the list and only a few miles away. Lowe's carries the Kobalt brand. It's $5.00 more than the Husky and appears to be a much better made unit. I tried this one out a few minutes ago. It is 2500 rpm's less than the Devilbiss grinder. No problem with that I sayas 20,000 rpm's shoulkd be fast enough. I was right too. This grinder cuts metal as good as the old DeVilbiss and has balls. Now here is the comparison of the three grinders.

My DeVilbiss has a fixed metal blade guard that can be moved by unloosing the large nut. That is a real PITA. The air flow outlet is out the back which I have always hated. You need to wrap a rag around the grinder anytime you oil it or get your arm, sleeve or shirt oiled for free. DeVilbiss no longer makes this grinder. The new model uses a 1/4 collet and adapters for the cut off wheel. The blade guard is now plastic and pops onto the front of the grinder. I would not reccommend this unit for heavy use due to what I consider to be a lousy blade guard. DeVilbiss has a one year warranty.

Husky has a friction type adjustable plastic blade guard. I would not want to drop this tool on the blade guard on my cement floor. I didn't notice this when I bought it either. It in my opinion is a bad feature. This tool stalls with the slighest amount of pressure put onto the cut off wheel. The air flow outlet is out the backside like the DeVilbiss and you will get an oil bath after oiling like the one above. Husky has a one year warranty

Kobalt has a click style metal blade guard. This is a very nice feature (smart idea Kobalt) The best feature is the air flow outlet on the back end. It is on a collar at the rear of the tool. The air exits at a 90 degree angle to the tool. Yes, finally
a smart company that thinks when they make a tool. The collar is adjustable for 360 degrees. This tool takes my vote as
a smart design and well thought out tool. Kudo's to Kobalt for making a tool with a three year warranty also.

I hope this info helps out anyone looking for one of these cut off tools.

 

[Hutchman]

Good review Jim. I wonder who actually manufactures the Husky and Kobalt tools? Hutch

 

[JimR]

Thanks Hutchman,

Here is what I found out on the web. The Husky is made in the USA and the Kobalt is made in China. I just found an error on the Kobalt box. The box states that this tool free spins at 18,000 rpm's. The tool has a sticker on it that states 20,000 rpm's. The Husky had a 22,000 rpm sticker on the tool. HD's website says 23,000. Here is the info on the Husky. What shocks me is that the Husky is rated at more HP than the Kobalt. The Husky is rated at 2/3 hp. The Kobalt is rated at .5 hp. The Kobalt walks all over the Husky in power.

Made in the USA, this Husky air tool has been designed to cut through bolts, steel rods, pipe and other materials up to 3/4 In. in thickness. With a powerful 2/3 horsepower motor and 23,000 RPM, it supplies a fast and easy cut. The rear exhaust directs air away from the work surface and the clear guard not only protects but gives the operator an unobstructed view. The tip style throttle mechanism offers variable speed control and comes equipped with a safety lock-off lever to prevent accidental starts and injury. 2-7/8 In. x 1/16 In. x 3/8 In. wheel size, 23,000 RPM, 1-2/3 Lbs., 1/4 In. NPT air inlet, 4 CFM average air consumption, 0.6 HP. Full ball bearing construction, adjustable shield and die casting housing. For use with 3 In. wheels. Use Cut-Off Wheels rated at Tool RPM or Lower.

• Provides 23,000 RPM for fast cutting
• 2/3 Horsepower motor
• Avg. 4 CFM at 90 PSI
• Ergonomically designed rubber handle grip for increased comfort and control
• Full Ball bearing construction
• Die Cast Aluminum Housing
• Safety Lever prevents accidental starts

Internet/Catalog #100029025
Store In-Stock SKU # 666629

The Kobalt specs are as follows
Free Speed 18,000 +- 10% (stickered at 20,000 on the tool)
Power .5 hp
Metal turnable guard
Composite two tone housing
Rear exhaust deflector
Consumption of 3 cfm at 90psi

One other notable discovery that I made was that the nosie level of the Kobalt is well below the DeVilbiss and Husky.

 

[Melensdad]

Jim, if I may add, I have a Craftsman 3" cut off tool, it sounds a lot like the Husky? I honestly don't know the specs on it but if the air compressor is not fully loaded when I start the tool it runs out of steam quickly and the cutting blade will simply stop under load. It is my first and only air cut off tool so I didn't know what to expect, but I have not been pleased with its performance.

 

[JimR]

Jim, if I may add, I have a Craftsman 3" cut off tool, it sounds a lot like the Husky? I honestly don't know the specs on it but if the air compressor is not fully loaded when I start the tool it runs out of steam quickly and the cutting blade will simply stop under load. It is my first and only air cut off tool so I didn't know what to expect, but I have not been pleased with its performance.

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the info. I'll see if I can find the specs on it sometime today.

 

[JimR]

Bob, I could not find the Sears cut off tool on their website.

I also missed another item on the Kobalt tool. There is a ring at the back with 4 adjustment settings to control the air flow to the tool.

 

[OhioTC18]

Here is the Craftsman unit

 

[JimR]

Here is the Craftsman unit

Thanks, I couldn't find any Specs on it. It just keeps loading and never shows up when you click on the tab for specs. That is not the same Husky that I bought the other day.

 

[OhioTC18]

Very sparse on the specs...............

Product Overview:
Item Weight 1.75 lbs.

General Features:
Arbor Size 3/8 in.
Compressor, Auto:

Tool Air Inlet Size 1/4 in.
Tool Min. Hose Size 3/8 in.

Tank:
Recommended Air Pressure 90 psi

Motor-Engine:
SCFM Use At 90 psi 4.0 SCFM
Speed Range RPM 20000 rpm

 

[JimR]

Very sparse on the specs...............

Product Overview:
Item Weight 1.75 lbs.

General Features:
Arbor Size 3/8 in.
Compressor, Auto:

Tool Air Inlet Size 1/4 in.
Tool Min. Hose Size 3/8 in.

Tank:
Recommended Air Pressure 90 psi

Motor-Engine:
SCFM Use At 90 psi 4.0 SCFM
Speed Range RPM 20000 rpm

How did you get that to come up? It wouldn't open for me.

The specs appear to be the norm for the others I looked at.

 

[OhioTC18]

Jim,
I used the link I posted here and clicked on the spec tab..........dunno why it wouldn't work for you

 

[JimR]

Jim,
I used the link I posted here and clicked on the spec tab..........dunno why it wouldn't work for you

I tried that at least three tmes and was left in loading limbo. Maybe it is Netscape?