Best all around paddle switch, M18 FUEL, angle grinder?

[MeUseDinoBone2Hammer]

I need an all purpose angle grinder. 4.5 and/or 5" wheel compatible. Paddle switch. I'm locked in by the balls with M18, so spare me the temptation to let flow any latent Metabo/Fein snobbery.

I definitely want a FUEL rated grinder. I was shocked after coming up with all these requirements that there's actually still a number of choices to be made. I don't know if braking matters to me, I suppose I'm indifferent but if it makes it "better" that's great. Within the confines of the grinder universe that I'm finally left with, money is no object, I don't care about saving a few $ to forgo anything among these contenders.

Speaking of which, lets introduce the contenders:

A) 2882 - M18 FUEL™ 4-1/2" / 5" Braking Grinder w/ ONE-KEY™ Paddle Switch, No Lock




B) 2880 - M18 FUEL™ 4-1/2" / 5" Grinder Paddle Switch, No-Lock






C) 2888 - M18 FUEL™ 4-1/2" / 5" Variable Speed Braking Grinder, Paddle Switch No-Lock





D) 2886 - M18 FUEL™ 5" Flathead Braking Grinder, Paddle Switch No-Lock





E) 2980 - M18 FUEL™ 4-1/2” - 6” Braking Grinder


I'm really interested in knowing what is great about the flat head and variable speed grinders vs the others. But all in all, not considering the cost, which would you go with? Dare I say, which is the BEST? I'm not even sure I quite know what's different between some of them. Wasn't expecting so many choices.

 

[1320]

I have the last two on your list and like them both. The 5" replaced my older 2780 and it seems more powerful and the smaller nose definitely helps get it into more places. The 6" is plenty powerful enough for anything I've done with it so far. I can bear down as hard as i can with a 40 grit flap disk and not stall the grinder.

I will say that I believe having HO batteries and a Fuel grinder is a necessity to have a reasonable experience with Milwaukee cordless grinders. If you use a 2680 non Fuel grinder with an XC3.0 battery, you'll definitely walk away thinking that "cordless grinders ****."

The braking function of the grinders doesn't seem like a big deal at first. It didn't to me few years ago when i got the 6" braking grinder. A few days ago, I used a 4-1/2" Fuel non braking grinder and I must have gotten really used to mine having a brake, because I thought to myself "Is this thing ever going to stop?"

Edited to add -

The difference between the first two should just be the One Key capability. I've never had any One Key stiff, so I can't speak to it, but it's never been appealing to me.

It's possible the variable speed grinder is pretty much just a 2880 with variable speed. I can't say I've thought to myself whilst using a grinder that I wished it was variable speed like that, but I don't think I've ever used one, so maybe I don't know what I'm missing.

 

[engineer2]

I have Makita, but my rec is to get one with a paddle switch and variable speed.
I use mine a lot and have found I use low speed more often than high speed. Sometimes you need finesse over brute power.
A nice feature of these modern grinders with brakes is anti-kickback. If it senses a bind, the motor will stop instantly.

 

[dnschmidt]

Flap discs should be used at about 6000 rpm and for that reason I like variable speed grinders. This is a good article explaining why: https://www.lehighvalleyabrasives.com/content/developments-in-abrasives.html

 

[tyyost]

I have the 2880, bought it close to its release. I also still have the original non fuel 4 1/2, and agree, it is not a way to entice people into cordless grinders. Mine lives with a cutoff wheel, but is often passed over.

I guess best is defined by your intent. I have several corded grinders. When one come out, they all come out. I have 4 1/2“ through 6”. I think 5” is my sweet spot. On my 6” the guard is unwieldy in tight spots, and good consumables aren’t readily available locally. Like most here, I buy extra stuff online, but when your in a project 6” stuff just isn’t here unless I pay the big bucks at the LWS.

I have run angle grinders for over 30 years and never needed variable speed on units under 7”-9”. If you see that as a plus then buy the 2888; it can’t hurt to have it. I’m intrigued by the flathead, they look interesting for sure, but issues I run into with size I only see them helping in 1 out of 10 so I’d pass there too.

 

[oldwino]

I have the 2880 and ampretty happy with It. It would replace a corded grinder but for remote work it definitely does the job.
I’m intrigued with the 2886 as the low profile head could be an advantage in tight areas

 

[jonshonda]

I would imagine the flat head means compromises were made in the design, otherwise there would be more of them. I have a grinder for almost every attachment. Cutoff/grinding wheel/cup brush/wire wheel, and the only tools I would want a brake on are the cup brush, and maybe the wire wheel as you HAVE to wait for them to stop spinning before you set them down. Well, either that or you use your workbench as a brake. haha

I would also really only see the variable speed being nice on the cup brush or wire wheel applications where you don't want the grinder spinning like a college ******* molly.

 

[tarbellb]

C


Vari speed
Brushless
and breaking is a killer combo

 

[boom_bap]

If you are going to do any heavy grinding get a coorded grinder from any quality brand. 6 inch for a lot of grinding, 4.5 for deburring, blend, and surface prep.

All of these eat batteries from what I've heard. Great for small/short work, but otherwise you'll be chasing down chargers. Other than base 7 amp grinders 4.5 inchers anything else is going to be 15/20 amps, which means short battery times.

 

[dnschmidt]

They do eat batteries but not as badly as some assume. I have what amounts to an unlimited number of batteries and chargers so it doesn't affect me at all but I am surprised as how far these Fuel grinders can go with the 21700 cell batteries.

 

[infinite97]

Pretty sure mine is the 2880. I just got it a month or two ago, I use it for small jobs when I don’t want to start my welder generator or run my PTO for die grinders. I still keep my wired metabo 4.5” grinder for big jobs

 

[daithi]

I have the last two on your list and like them both. The 5" replaced my older 2780 and it seems more powerful and the smaller nose definitely helps get it into more places. The 6" is plenty powerful enough for anything I've done with it so far. I can bear down as hard as i can with a 40 grit flap disk and not stall the grinder.

I will say that I believe having HO batteries and a Fuel grinder is a necessity to have a reasonable experience with Milwaukee cordless grinders. If you use a 2680 non Fuel grinder with an XC3.0 battery, you'll definitely walk away thinking that "cordless grinders ****."

The braking function of the grinders doesn't seem like a big deal at first. It didn't to me few years ago when i got the 6" braking grinder. A few days ago, I used a 4-1/2" Fuel non braking grinder and I must have gotten really used to mine having a brake, because I thought to myself "Is this thing ever going to stop?"

Edited to add -

The difference between the first two should just be the One Key capability. I've never had any One Key stiff, so I can't speak to it, but it's never been appealing to me.

It's possible the variable speed grinder is pretty much just a 2880 with variable speed. I can't say I've thought to myself whilst using a grinder that I wished it was variable speed like that, but I don't think I've ever used one, so maybe I don't know what I'm missing.

I realise I'm bumping an old thread but, the 2880 and 2980 are both on some sort of sale at the moment and I can't find a lot of direct comparisons between them other than this discussion.

If you could only have 1 cordless grinder would you go with the 2980? If you were using 100% 4.5" discs is it bulky or anything being designed for up to 6" capacity? It seems noticeably bigger and heavier than the 2880 based on the specs on Milwaukee website (although they're kind of weird, could be some mistakes there)

 

[dnschmidt]

The advantage of the 6" is cutting. If you do a lot of cutting with cutting discs they are the way to go as the discs last far longer.

 

[Rusted Nut]

Are you going to be grinding on something for some length of time? If so, you may want a lock on switch. I have the 2888 variable speed M18, I like it. The variable speed is really nice for finishing welds off. I have two corded grinders so I don't need a lock on switch; the Milwaukee paddle switch is really nice to use. Chews through batteries pretty quickly when using a cut-off disk though.

 

[dnschmidt]

For a very long time Milwaukee made a corded angle grinder that had a really nice paddle switch along with a lock on button on the back of the grinder. I have at least two of them and really like them. This is the best of both worlds. The longer you have to grind the more you want the lock on switch. For short bursts you can' beat the paddle switch. If one of their cordless models that's paddle switched has a lock on function that's the one.

 

[1320]

I realise I'm bumping an old thread but, the 2880 and 2980 are both on some sort of sale at the moment and I can't find a lot of direct comparisons between them other than this discussion.

If you could only have 1 cordless grinder would you go with the 2980? If you were using 100% 4.5" discs is it bulky or anything being designed for up to 6" capacity? It seems noticeably bigger and heavier than the 2880 based on the specs on Milwaukee website (although they're kind of weird, could be some mistakes there)

It's hard to say, but I think the answer is probably no.

The more power the 6" grinder provides has (at least for me) typically more to do with how long something takes to do vs the 5" ability to fit into smaller spaces.

In terms of grinding, the brake is nice, but not necessary, larger grinding wheels are nice, but not necessary, and sometimes a detriment. As dnschmidt, said, cutting is probably where it matters the most.

If I could only have one, I'd probably have the 5".

 

[daithi]

The advantage of the 6" is cutting. If you do a lot of cutting with cutting discs they are the way to go as the discs last far longer.

Work provides nearly unlimited 4-1/2" disks so lasting longer is kind of moot

Are you going to be grinding on something for some length of time? If so, you may want a lock on switch. I have the 2888 variable speed M18, I like it. The variable speed is really nice for finishing welds off. I have two corded grinders so I don't need a lock on switch; the Milwaukee paddle switch is really nice to use. Chews through batteries pretty quickly when using a cut-off disk though.

Have a corded grinder with lock as well. Cordless will be for pain in the *** jobs where I don't want to fight a cord or field jobs

It's hard to say, but I think the answer is probably no.

The more power the 6" grinder provides has (at least for me) typically more to do with how long something takes to do vs the 5" ability to fit into smaller spaces.

In terms of grinding, the brake is nice, but not necessary, larger grinding wheels are nice, but not necessary, and sometimes a detriment. As dnschmidt, said, cutting is probably where it matters the most.

If I could only have one, I'd probably have the 5".

I was leaning towards the 2880 anyway. It's on sale 30% off ($200 CAD) vs the 2980 which is full price ($330) with a free battery