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)

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.

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.

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)

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