Why 4 and 4.5 grinders
- Thread starter bchee
- Start date
The 4" is physically a little smaller. Does anyone make a 4" in electric besides Makita?
My review of a Harbor Freight 4" angle grinder...
http://shopngarage.com/2010/08/4-air-angle-grinder/
My review of a Harbor Freight 4" angle grinder...
http://shopngarage.com/2010/08/4-air-angle-grinder/
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I mean, why does it exist?
Why not 4", 6", 8" grinders?
Instead they have 4", 4.5" and 7".
HF has a 4" electric grinder
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-angle-grinder-91222.html
Why not 4", 6", 8" grinders?
Instead they have 4", 4.5" and 7".
HF has a 4" electric grinder
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-angle-grinder-91222.html
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
There is also a 9 inch grinder. Look at some 7 inch grinders at the amount of clearance around some of the guards, to allow a 9 inch wheel. Even says so on some grinders.
up_in_the_air
Well-known member
no you cant use 4" discs on 4.5" grinders the arbors are different size.
travisd
Well-known member
I just got thru using a 4" mortar-joint disc on my 4.5" Craftsman grinder.. worked perfectly fine, no issues with fit, etc.
shotgunfatcat
Well-known member
get one of dem der A-daptor kits.
alex71
Well-known member
most 4" discs have a 3/8 or 1/2 arbor hole, whereas most 4.5 and up discs have a 7/8 arbor hole. Not always, but the vast majority of the time.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
You can get 5" grinders too!
mooman
Well-known member
Just to confuse things, you can also get a 6" grinder as well.
http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?ID=316443
http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?ID=316443
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sberry
Banned
I like 4 1/2, like the bigger center hole and larger wheels, the 4 inch were targeted at homeowner types for the most part. They normally don't have the power of larger units.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
mooman
Well-known member
I don't think you're missing much.
rsanter
Well-known member
when I was working for balck&decker
the automotive grinders were marked 4" and the indistrial were marked 4.5"
they were the same exact unit with the same guard included and the same RPM
Im sure it has something to do with some historical standard BS
and they make grinders in 4" 4.5" 5" 7" 9"
bob
the automotive grinders were marked 4" and the indistrial were marked 4.5"
they were the same exact unit with the same guard included and the same RPM
Im sure it has something to do with some historical standard BS
and they make grinders in 4" 4.5" 5" 7" 9"
bob
caper
Well-known member
I like the 4.5".When the wheels from my 7" get worn down they get used on the 4.5".
78Bird
Well-known member
4.5" Is the standard for small handheld grinders, and there tends to be more stuff for them.
tool_enthusiast
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Bringing this thread up once again. Seems no one has really answered the question as to why there are 4 inch and 4.5 inch grinders around. Maybe 4 inch used to be the early models, and now the industry has gone to 4.5 inch? I see no reason to have a 4 inch angle grinder especially when some 4 inch discs can fit on 4.5 inch models. So what really is the purpose to have a 4 versus 4.5 I wonder?
TOOL MASTER
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because thats what different companies do to make you buy their wheels..stick with 7/8 arbor and you can't go wrong....
TOOL MASTER
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till you have to grind in between something 4 1/4" apart..lol...
DrunkSmurf
Well-known member
...lol
Until he says use an old 5" wheel thats around 4" .
I've mainly stayed with 4.5" (7/8 arbor) for the same reason's TOOL MASTER mentions. Things just seem to be more readily available for them at about any store.
tool_enthusiast
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...lol
Until he says use an old 5" wheel thats around 4" .
I've mainly stayed with 4.5" (7/8 arbor) for the same reason's TOOL MASTER mentions. Things just seem to be more readily available for them at about any store.
So from a functionality standpoint, seems a 4.5 inch grinder doesn't have any advantage over a 4 inch model other than it's easier to find grinding wheels for 4.5 inch models. That seems to be the answer here.
I got my first 4 inch grinder when I needed more power than my Dremel tool.
I use them primarily to cut metal and sharpen chisels, knives, shovels and hatchets ect. It is light enough to control for easy sharpening without burning the metal. I have no problem finding wheels for it.
I use them primarily to cut metal and sharpen chisels, knives, shovels and hatchets ect. It is light enough to control for easy sharpening without burning the metal. I have no problem finding wheels for it.
Sick Puppy
Well-known member
So if someone was looking at buying an angle grinder, having no experience in using one, the 4.5" or 5" is a more versatile one to buy? I'm holding off until I can get some more experience with power tools, but knowledge is a useful/dangerous thing! lol
sberry
Banned
4 inch is for girls,,, but 4 1/2 is pretty much a standard with everyone making several models of it. 5 inch becoming a bit more popular.
oh, but you can.
sberry
Banned
I spose you could but,,, why? And yes there is a difference in the arbor, 4 inch is 5/8 and the 4 1/2 is 7/8. Most of the 4 do not have the motor power. Since this is a new buyer obviously if it was me buying another grinder I would march right down to walmart and for around 30$ get a unit. This is about the best small grinder I have used considering the cost. We beat one a year just to see, finally the switch gave out, we repair it in about 10 mins and when it goes again it hits the dump.
But I suspect a guy asking this question could never wear one out. I got a couple the b&d ones, great power and although I prefer a paddle switch these are passable.
But I suspect a guy asking this question could never wear one out. I got a couple the b&d ones, great power and although I prefer a paddle switch these are passable.
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I needed a 4 1/2 on a weekend. My local hdwe store was out, but had 4 inch. My dewalt has an arbor nut that flips over to accommodate both sizes. One side is flat (for the 4 inch), the other side has a rim/ridge that fits in the larger diameter wheel (sort of like a built-in bushing). I was just making the comment that you CAN. Given the choice- i use a 4 1/2, but in case of emergency a 4 inch will work, at least on mine, it will. I've used both wheels and have yet to bog it down (9 amp motor), but then again, i don't make a living with it.
BTW-Cute kid!
.
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Major Ramifications
Well-known member
The 5" is not very common here in the States.
The 5" (125mm) and 4,5" (115mm) are all you can find over here. The 4" (100mm) models were discontinued several years ago. The only 4" grinders sold from german companies you can find in asian countries.
The 4.5" and 5" grinders both come with a M14 spindle over here so it makes sense to buy a 5" grinder because you can use 5" and 4.5" discs while if you buy a 4.5" grinder you only can use 4.5" discs. Result is a higher cutting depth and only a few cents more costs for a 1 cm bigger disc.
Weps
Well-known member
i think a variable speed 4.5 or maybe a compact 5 is a good way to go for a first grinder. in my experience the 5s are slightly more powerful, beefier, and heavier. unless i needed that all the time, i'd rather go to a 7 or 9 for big cutting and grinding jobs and have the smaller 4.5 first grinder for regular stuff. in the states, 5/8x11 is a common 4.5 size and you'll also find wire cups, wheels, brushes, etc. with this and i'd want it on a 5 as well. with enough power you can also run a pad and sanding discs on either.
my suggestion would be a high quality variable speed 4.5 or 5 to start. add a 7 or 9 later for heavy duty stuff. and a cordless 4.5 lithium ion to cover the spread. having a backup 4.5 so you wouldn't have to change between cut off, grinding wheel, brushes, etc. as often is handy too.
my suggestion would be a high quality variable speed 4.5 or 5 to start. add a 7 or 9 later for heavy duty stuff. and a cordless 4.5 lithium ion to cover the spread. having a backup 4.5 so you wouldn't have to change between cut off, grinding wheel, brushes, etc. as often is handy too.
csp
Well-known member
I accidentally bought 4" cutoff wheels that have a 7/8" arbor at Horrible Fright. I have both sizes, but usally use cutoff wheels exclusively on the 4" Makita.
billybudge
Well-known member
Why do they make 2 grinders that are so similar in size?
4" and 4.5"
Hi, I have some of each, the 4 inch grinder, is very populer in the bodyshop as most 4 inch grinders are very light with no grip handle and narrow bodied, great for getting in tight places, to cut or grind, the 4.5 inch is also populer as very often they have a slightly higher power rating to 4 inch, and make them good for grinding , again in tight places, also in the UK 4.5 discs and normally the cheapest to buy, I use the stainless steel cutters 4.5 Inox discs and get them at trade for 30p each, but again the bodyshop likes these also with sanding pads and polish mop heads,
cheers
ibedayank
Well-known member
don't forget the 12 inch... thats a mans grinder