IR Die Grinder, which one?

[76scoutman]

I need to upgrade my el-cheapo die grinder and since I have a Sears gift card I'm going to put it to good use.

My question, is the difference between the $50 die grinders and the $100 grinders worth the cost? Is the IR composite 1/3 hp that much better than the IR import 1/4hp?

The three IR grinders that are available are...

Option one $55 (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00918809000P?vName=Tools&cName=Compressors+%26+Air+Tools&sName=Automotive+Air+Tools)

Option 2 $50 (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00915109000P?vName=Tools&cName=Compressors+%26+Air+Tools&sName=Automotive+Air+Tools)

Option 3 $100 (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00919561000P?vName=Tools&cName=Compressors+%26+Air+Tools&sName=Automotive+Air+Tools)

[yota_kid]

My vote is for either 2 or 3, your hand wont get as cold if you have to use if for long periods of time.

[D60]

I've got several IR die grinders. None of them have disappointed me. Most recently I bought option #2 on a killer sale from Sears awhile back.

Anyway IR does not consider this one of their top end grinders, but I really like it. It strikes me as smooth, which I suppose is psychological due to the fact that it's one of the quietest die grinders I've used. They don't even market it as quiet, so I dunno what that's about, but I find it enjoyable to use. Ergonomics are great and it still seems to have as much power as any other average "shadetree" die grinder.

I suspect if you used it hard everyday in a professional environment it'd start to sound sickly but at that point you should be looking at industrial grade such as Master Power, IR Cyclone, Patco, etc

Also I should mention it doesn't seem Craftsman has yet gone uber-China cheap on their air tools. If you see a Craftsman die grinder you like I don't think you'd be disappointed. I've had one of their straight die grinders (metal body, no composite) for years I swear is a Chicago Pneumatic and it's quite powerful.

[Sroufe7]

Here is a good deal if you want the $100 you listed from Sears...

Ebay Link (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/IR-Composite-Straight-Die-Grinder-Kit-W-Carbide-Burrs_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ63693QQihZ002QQit emZ120343978779QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW)

[Sroufe7]

Ebay Link 2 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Straight-Die-Grinder-Kit-Carbide-Burrs-IRC-3108K_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el12 47QQcategoryZ63693QQihZ017QQitemZ270282901671QQrdZ 1QQsspagenameZWD1V)