Short version: I bought two of these in Feb 2018 for use at my business. They're still going strong and work great.
Long version: The HF cheapie die grinders are fine for the guy at home using them once in a blue moon, but they don't hold up at all for regular use. I wanted to get something better than the HF junk but was not willing to spend hundreds for a true "industrial" model. These have fit the bill perfectly.
Both units are primarily used with roloc pads doing general metalwork. One has a 3" roloc and is primarily rough sanding. The other has a 2" roloc with some sanding but is primarily used for deburring and polishing with scotchbrite pads. For how we use them power is never an issue but speed modulation is very important. These have been great for that. Interestingly, the more expensive IR models I considered have multiple reviews complaining about a lack of speed control, but I've had no complaints with this model.
The front exhaust has been a plus for our use. But, I do not have auto-oilers on our shop lines. We just manually add a few drops once in a while (probably far less frequently than we should). They are not used all day every day like a production fab shop, but they definitely see daily use. Honestly though, if you're using a tool for multiple hours every day you should be buying WAY more expensive industrial level air tools.
As others have mentioned, the collets do have a tendency to stick. This hasn't really been an issue for us. We're not changing things that often and when we do they break loose with a tap after loosening the nut sufficiently.
In summary, at this price point I can't imagine a better bang for the buck. They're good quality yet still very affordable. Speed modulation is great. They are compact and light weight. They have a study, solid feel to them, not loose and sloppy like the HF tools. I will definitely buy these again if we need more.
| Brand | Ingersoll Rand |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum |
| Style | 301B - Air Angle Die Grinder |
| Power Source | pneumatic-powered |
| Color | Black |
| Item Weight | 1 Pounds |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 21000 RPM |
| Horsepower | 0.25 hp |
| Manufacturer | Ingersoll Rand |
| Part Number | 301B |
| Item Weight | 1.02 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 5.27 x 1.34 x 2.91 inches |
| Item model number | 301B |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | One Size |
| Thickness | 2 Inches |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Number Of Pieces | 1 |
| Special Features | compact |
| Included Components | Tool, (2) Wrenches, 6mm Collet and Manuals |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty Description | 1-year |
| National Stock Number | 5130-01-624-7467 |
