3" cutoff tool

[md21722]

I think we've all seen them from $10 on up, the 3" cutoff tool similar to

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...i_sku=154384&gclid=COLC7b-Bq8oCFQaJaQodY0oNQQ

I am wondering what uses they have. I find that I rarely if ever use mine. I am wondering if others have/use them. Seems mostly redundant if you have a 4.5" angle grinder and a cutoff wheel for it.

 

[xcm]

I use one daily to cut off excess arb copper lines.... ammong other things. Sure its not for hours on end, but it does get used.

Sometimes the tools we rarely use, are those that save us the most. Dont get me wrong, im not an air cutoff tool salesman, if you dont want yours, whatevs, but they do get used from time to time.

For example, werent you asking about extended reach air die grinders the other day? Same deal, you wont need it erryday, but when you, itll be your favorite tool of the day, and then you'll be glad you bought it.

 

[md21722]

Come to think of it, the last time I used it was to shorten a copper discharge line on an air compressor. It was handier than a pipe cutter. I haven't had a need for the extended angle grinder yet. A lot depends on what type of work you are doing.

 

[xcm]

A lot depends on what type of work you are doing.

Exactly! the cutoff tool shines in tight spaces. Places where a 4.5" electric angle grinder is a downright liability should it bind up, you can blip the trigger on an air cutoff tool. Once that electric grinder starts spinning, itll do a lot of damage, but ive taken glances to the hands with air grinders that didnt even puncture my rubber glove... yet it cuts what i need just fine.

In comparison, the air cuttoff tools are much quicker accelerating, and stall out easier than an electric 4.5" grinder, which can be desireable...

 

[md21722]

I really like my pneumatic 4.5" angle grinders... Part of that is because I had a bum electric Makita from new, but the air ones are smaller, lighter, cooler running, less operator fatigue, can be stalled without tool damage, and stop faster after you let off, take less room in the tool box, ... about the only downside is the staggering amount of air they use. The spec sheet says 37 SCFM which when you live in Colorado and air compressors are downrated for altitude translates into a hefty compressor, 10HP+.