I am starting with a grinder. The welder and helmet is going to be a big enough expense. I purchased a number of grinding disc packs and cutting wheel packs for dirt cheap. They are Dewalt branded
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I built my skidplates, rear bumper, roof rack and tons of other fab projects with just a 4.5" angle grinder, 1/2" corded drill, and my 220V welder.
I've had pretty good luck with the harbor freight cut off wheels and flap discs. As long as you avoid any thrust load on a cutoff wheel and only use the edge to cut with, you should be fine. They usually explode when people push them.
I went with a cheap 50 pack for cutting wheels for 25 bucks and free shipping. I haven't sprung for any flapper discs yet. I have never used them personally. I am getting a bench grinder at hb so I will check out the flapper while I am there.
You'll definitely want to get a ton of flap discs to your collection. It'll come in handy to clean up the nastiness that happens from welding! HF is where I get my welding accessories so if you've got one nearby I say hit em up or find em cheaper online somewhere.
I use flap discs but I really like sanding discs. Home Depot carries the Diablo brand and they are sanding discs the size of DVD's. I buy several packs of each grit I think I need. They usually come with the backing disc when you buy the package. Like the flap disc they remove scale and paint just not a ton of material like a grinding disc.
http://www.homedepot.com/s/diablo%25...520disc?NCNI-5
A nice thing about them is that they bend and flex around edges and fillets.
I've had great luck with this bench grinder.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-8-i...G828/204656720
Home depot is a lot closer than hb. Enough to make up the price difference of paying for gas down to harbor freight definitely.
I have been a fan of Rollo discs for removing paint prior to welding and cleaning metal. Not sure how they are on price bulk wise though.
Rollo discs? Do you mean Roloc discs?
https://www.google.com/search?q=roll...c+disc&spell=1
These are actually what I use the most but we were talking about grinders. My favorite and most used tool is my IR301 with Roloc pads and discs, hands down. It does require a compressor though so you'll be in it some more cash wise if you don't have one. I get the best results by using the 3" pads and discs on the 2" disc holder.
The consumables are spendy and there are so many different ones you can buy. I used to buy them on eBay and by the 100 and the prices seemed fair. It's been a couple years since I've last bought and the prices have now gone up a bit so I'm a bit more conservative. I've had best luck with 3M brand and I like the scotchbrite pads as well.
Yep those are the ones! lol. I usually use them with air tools at the hobby shop but seeing as I don't have 300-400 to throw around I am running them with this
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's a lot more powerful than a dremel running at 2 amps and since I am going to be doing mostly small projects I am not worried about overheating it. I have done worse to a dremel and it is still working just fine.
Started getting tools in today. Grinders, cutting discs, flux wire, clamps, and grinding discs all came in the mail today!
Hopefully the wife will let me order the welder and helmet here after black friday/cyber Monday stuff comes out. I really appreciate all the help you guys gave steering me towards a home shop setup. Since the hobby shop is shutting down maybe it will make me a small bit of cash after my welds don't look like nasty metal boogers lol.