So really I just want one. What do you guys suggest? Looking for a 4 1/2", 6 or 7amp or so...really it won't get a ton of use but I want something that will hold up. Amazon has good deals on DeWalt, Makita and Bosch. Whaddayathink?
I "need" an angle grinder...
- Thread starter Mike83
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chad s
Well-known member
If you want to buy the best, buy it once, and enjoy every bit of it, get a Metabo with the quick change wheel retainer. I've had mine for a year now, and its great.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
For someone who just "wants" one and will not use it for hours on end everyday, you m,ight want to try one of the orange ones from HF.
Yeah, I know... it's a Harbor Freight tool and all, but I have three or four of them (with different wheels and discs) and they all have lasted quite well under my relatively light abuse...
Yeah, I know... it's a Harbor Freight tool and all, but I have three or four of them (with different wheels and discs) and they all have lasted quite well under my relatively light abuse...
Uncle Buck
Banned
I do not own the HF one, but I have heard so many give it praise that would be what I would suggest!
eschoendorff
Well-known member
I do not own the HF one, but I have heard so many give it praise that would be what I would suggest!
just use it for what it is and when it breaks, go get another one.
I know some of guys praise the HF orange grinder, I had good luck using a flapper wheel on it, but last week I put a grinding wheel on it and try to grind something really small and everytime I apply pressure I can visually see it slow down. It's not enough juice to remove significant materal, but to grind off some paint or just slightly shave something it might be ok ... but it is light enough for light jobs and I can hold it with one hand if I need without worrying the thing flying out of my hand because it is too powerful.
I will be shopping for a bigger one (more amps) soon.
I will be shopping for a bigger one (more amps) soon.
Uncle Buck
Banned
For as cheap as they are a guy today would almost be foolish not at least give them a try, in particular since they have gotten so much good press on the board.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
IMHO, I wouldn't mess with a grinder under 9 amps. Ihave a 9 amp and always wish I had got more.
fourfeathers
Well-known member
Lowes has their last Milwaukees on sale, as well as their generic Taskforce for cheap. For a good one, I like my Metabo quick change also, though I believe that you can buy a similar retrofit settup for a diff grinder. For occasional use, I like my Dewalt 18 volt.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
I like the DeWalts. Personally, i've never needed a quick change, i've never done much grinding with one, mostly cutting. They're good, they last.
JeepsAreBuilt
Well-known member
If you want to try a HF angle grinder.. look at the amp ratings.. they vary. I think I got a 5" HF grinder with a good amp rating and use the 4.5" disc and it has been pretty good. I do remind myself to let the grinder cool off every once in a while.. cuz thats what will kill the grinder, too much continuous usage.
1320stang
Well-known member
I'd go Metabo, I don't have one, I have a metal headed Dewalt that's given me years of good service, the only thing I've had to do is replace the cord. I probably use my 4 1/2" grinder with a wire cup brush more than any tool I own. I use it to remove pain, rust, skin.....
PAToyota
Well-known member
I've had a Makita grinder for at least sixteen years now - used and abused and still going (fairly) strong. The only complaint is that I have to get around to replacing the switch as it won't stay on - you have to hold the switch on to keep it on.
Last week I picked up another Makita at Costco for $59.99. It has a paddle-type switch, five grinding wheels, carrying case, and a diamond blade. This one here: Makita 4.5 Inch Grinder
Hopefully I can get around to fixing the switch on the old one, but having two will allow me to not have to switch from grinding wheel to cutoff or wire brush or whatever quite so much.
Last week I picked up another Makita at Costco for $59.99. It has a paddle-type switch, five grinding wheels, carrying case, and a diamond blade. This one here: Makita 4.5 Inch Grinder
Hopefully I can get around to fixing the switch on the old one, but having two will allow me to not have to switch from grinding wheel to cutoff or wire brush or whatever quite so much.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
x2. I REALLY want to demote my 9amp Dewalt to wire wheel duty, since it seems to do alright for that, and get a 14 amp Metabo for grinding duty.
boiler7904
Well-known member
I bought a DeWalt 28402K a year ago February for about $70. First grinder I've had. Makes me wonder how I did some things without one before I had it. Used it to make 600 cuts in limestone and travertine for my kitchen backsplash last year. Now I'm using it to clean up edges on concrete retaining wall blocks and pavers in the backyard. Next project is prepping metal patio furniture for new paint.
I'd go with more than 6 or 7 amps. Mines 10 and seems a little weak sometimes. Variable speed might be helpful. Decide if you want a slide switch or a paddle switch. The DeWalt paddle switch has a weird safety mechanism that you have a press before you can start the tool but you eventually get used to it. Fit in your hand is one of the intangibles with a grinder that will make you love or hate the tool. Other than that, as long as you stick with a known brand you'll be fine. It seems like someone runs a big sale on grinders every spring. Back around march, you could get 2 bosch grinders and 2 diamond blades for $100 at Home Depot. Ran the same deal a year ago after the money back guarantee time was up on my DeWalt. Hate it when that happens.
I'd go with more than 6 or 7 amps. Mines 10 and seems a little weak sometimes. Variable speed might be helpful. Decide if you want a slide switch or a paddle switch. The DeWalt paddle switch has a weird safety mechanism that you have a press before you can start the tool but you eventually get used to it. Fit in your hand is one of the intangibles with a grinder that will make you love or hate the tool. Other than that, as long as you stick with a known brand you'll be fine. It seems like someone runs a big sale on grinders every spring. Back around march, you could get 2 bosch grinders and 2 diamond blades for $100 at Home Depot. Ran the same deal a year ago after the money back guarantee time was up on my DeWalt. Hate it when that happens.
Coach James
Well-known member
I've got a Hitachi 4.5", 5 amp. ~3 years old and used a fair amount for cutting, grinding, brushing. Has been fine for me.
Looks like there are many good grinders out there. Hold a few at the store, see which feels best for you.
Coach
Looks like there are many good grinders out there. Hold a few at the store, see which feels best for you.
Coach
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
Yes/no/kinda/sorta. Many guys here are happy with the HF grinder. I tried it for 10 minutes, gave up and put a wire brush on it, tried that for 5 minutes, threw the ******* in the garbage. I don't have the time for that ****. If you do one 4" bead every 6 months and have the time to sit and grind it down while you drink your coffee, yeah.
If you're the type of person that does decent size metalworking projects, even occasionally, it'll drive you up a ******** wall.
I stall out my 9 amp Dewalt while grinding. That *couch*5 amp*cough* HF thing wasn't half what the dewalt was. After 10 minutes of use, I couldn't hardly touch the thing. I actually tripped the breaker with it once.
It's the equivalent of dialup internet, IMHO.
The HF grinders are not bad for light work and they will fit in places that a real grinder won't go. If I need to remove metal I use my Bosh 7 1/2" grinder,it's rated at 15 amps and you can't stop it. The cost was about $150 lot's of years ago. I think to be a real garage guy you need both.
Graham08
Well-known member
I have both a Dewalt 4 1/2" 10A and a Dewalt 7" 15A, and 95% of the time I use the 4 1/2". Cutoff wheels, sanding discs, etc. the 4 1/2" is just plain easier to handle and doesn't beat you up as bad as the 7". The 7" comes out when I've got a big job and a lot of real estate to cover, but it takes no prisoners! Anything in its way is getting ground flush...
G1K
Well-known member
Personally I'd go with Bosch
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Yes I bought one of their Task Force ones last week on sale for $20. It is 7 amp and has a paddle switch.
wrigh003
Well-known member
I have a DRILL MASTER brand one from HF. The name made me laugh, I needed a grinder for something (can't remember what) and I had a set of HF tie-downs that I got at an office gift exchange and didn't need, so I traded them in. For the $0 I gave for it, it's been worth every penny. I've only used it to flap-wheel old rusty fenders and hooked up a cutoff wheel once or twice. For my super-occasional use, it's fine.
Try one of those for $14 or whatever, if it works for what you need, great.
Find an old blank-CD spindle and use it to store all your grinder discs. Works like a champ, keeps them together and out of the way.
Try one of those for $14 or whatever, if it works for what you need, great.
Find an old blank-CD spindle and use it to store all your grinder discs. Works like a champ, keeps them together and out of the way.
speed bump
Well-known member
The Metabos seem nice but after doing a fair amount of grinding with one I couldn't tell the difference between it and the Makita or Dewalt of the same size.
fourfeathers
Well-known member
I believe that some of the Ridgids are made by Metabo, but I am just passing along a rumor. The big difference in the Metabo, is the amount of felt vibration.
boiler7904
Well-known member
Metabo did make some of Ridgid's grinders and sanders up until a year or two ago. Now Ridgid is Chiwanese **** just with a longer warranty that may or may not be honored depending on the mood at Ridgid's customer service department when you have a claim.
Uncle Buck
Banned
Also, unless something has changed Rigid power tools are only sold through Horrible Despots and they **** big time!
DarrenF
Well-known member
I have had various Makita angle grinders for the last 20 odd years. Never had a problem with any of them. In fact, all my power tools are Makita now.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
For your purposes, I would definitely NOT recommend the HF. But for others of us who don't use them much, the HF would be a cost-effective way to try the thing out....
Just don't buy a HF grinder and expect it to perform as well as a (insert favorite brand here). But for what they are, the HF ORANGE grinders are actually pretty useful.
Diggers4life
Active member
All of our fabricators at work use Metabo grinders. They run a lot every day, and they last forever. I know one of the guys has had his for almost 9 years. Two weeks ago he decided it was about time to replace the brushes. He took them out, and they were only about half worn.
Got a headache? Good kinda headache, though.
You can go cordless with a 4-1/2" Milwaukee 28 volt cordless, too.
http://www.milwaukeeconnect.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_27_40028_-1_748486_195138_192137
5 Year warranty on all Milwaukee products and the 28 volt Lithium Ion batteries.
Good luck on your search!
JayL
Well-known member
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nissan_crawler
Well-known member
That's tempting if it would all work out...
JayL
Well-known member
If it was 220 volts I'd grab one. Price is very good considering its a Milwaukee. The reviews were ok too.
I found one grinder here in Manila which is similar to this. It's a Black and Decker, English Made. Maybe it's even the same product. 220 Volts and roughly the same price.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/ProductD...reId=10153&productId=40054220&catalogId=12605
I found one grinder here in Manila which is similar to this. It's a Black and Decker, English Made. Maybe it's even the same product. 220 Volts and roughly the same price.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/ProductD...reId=10153&productId=40054220&catalogId=12605
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eschoendorff
Well-known member
I keep forgetting that you are in the Philippines... and that it would mean a different electrical setup for you.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
Well, not trusting the online ordering anymore, I went in to the store and they still had a few left. I ended up with a grinder and 10mm socket for $47. The grinder was marked for $119.99.
Thanks for the tip.
Now when I get my Metabo, I can put the grinding wheels on that, the cutting wheels on the dewalt, and the wire brush on the Milwaukee.
Thanks for the tip.
Now when I get my Metabo, I can put the grinding wheels on that, the cutting wheels on the dewalt, and the wire brush on the Milwaukee.