RoadTest: RoadTest Open Call
Author: robogary
Creation date:
Evaluation Type: Workshop Tools
Did you receive all parts the manufacturer stated would be included in the package?: True
What other parts do you consider comparable to this product?: dremel , workpro, hardell
What were the biggest problems encountered?: The grinder stalls fairly easy, but it protects itself against a prolonged stall . The USB requires a beefy cell phone charger (not provided) . It doesnt come with a carry bag, and the bit accessories are meager.
Detailed Review:
Road Test Preface:
An essential tool in my workshop is a small high speed grinder. The grinder is often referred to as a Dremel tool, after the popular manufacturer’s name.
When working on home projects, the grinder tool is particularly helpful when fiberglass PCB need cut, routed, drilled, corners rounded, etc. , 3D prints also need trimmed, routed, polished, drilled. Bolts and screws may need cut off. Plastic boxes need drilled, cut, routed, etc.
My corded corded grinder is great for big jobs, but for lighter detail work, the corded grinder tool is bulky, cord clumsy, and can overpower a delicate operation, burn plastic, etc .
A smaller cordless grinder could be really useful on my workbench or in my portable toolbox.
The Multicomp MP011888 cordless mini grinder could be a solution. It is cordless, light, uses all the same bits and cutting accessories as a bigger high speed grinder, and seems an appropriate output torque for workbench size projects.
Road Test Scoring and Evaluation:
Product performed to expecations: 4 of 5 stars - I didnt expect alot of torque for a battery powered device.
It did OK for a 5V USB charged device, it does stall if pushed. The battery itself is 3.6V
USB doesnt mean you can charge with your PCs USB port. You'll need a decent USB phone charger for this grinder.
Alot of cordless grinders are 12V, which means they need a separate charger provided with them.
The grinder body has a contoured comfortable feel and grip.
The price to performance ratio was good: 3 of 5 stars - meh , most 4 V grinders are half the list price.
Most grinder tool kits are more generous with the bit accessories in the kit.
I had to provide my own see thru "grinder tool bag" to keep the grinder, cables, and bit accessories together.
Road Test Details:
Performance Video: sorry it runs 23 minutes, but shows battery life and real time performance with 6 various materials. I wasn't that gentle either.
featuring:
1) Cutting, shaping, drilling an ABS 1/8” black plastic sheet - not a challenge
2) Cutting a fiberglass PCB - great job
3) Cutting a ¼ inch( 6.2 mm ) stainless steel bolt - very challenging
4) Cutting & Shaping a piece of 1/8 inch ( 3.26 mm ) thick lexan industrial plastic sheet - a challenge to cut, but as expected
5) Cutting & Shaping a piece of 3/16 inch ( 9.7 mm ) thick plywood - the grinder does fairly well
6) Cutting 1/16 inch ( 3.26 mm ) steel washer - thick steel washer wins round 1
----- battery died ---
Retry the steel washer cut after a full recharge - grinder does better, but the steel washer is still a mighty challenge
Opening the box:
Out of box experience
√ Operation disabled while charging – good
√ Battery indicator – green, yellow, red LEDs. displays only while in operation – good
√ Battery indicator – red when charging,
√- green LED lit when fully charged , took 2-3 hours from a dead battery using my cell phone Samsung Adaptive quick charger , 9V 1.67 A , 5V 2.0A , matching the instruction manual specification for charging X - green LED when fully charged – never turned green, even after tens of hours charging using a 5V 350mA power supply. Instruction manual recommends a 5V 500mA – 2A power source.
X Motor low output (stall) torque –can stall shaft with bare fingers, can run grinder while pressing lock shaft button
