Opinions on a decent 4.5" angle grinder
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American Locomotive
Well-known member
Makita, Metabo, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Bosch, Fein, Hitachi and others all make a great 4.5" grinder.
For occasional use, just pick whichever tool is your favorite color.
For occasional use, just pick whichever tool is your favorite color.
lakeroadster
Well-known member
Makita...
I've had the same one since the late 1990's. Replaced the brushes once about 9 years ago.
And it's been well used.
I've had the same one since the late 1990's. Replaced the brushes once about 9 years ago.
And it's been well used.
kctyphoon
Banned
Assuming your looking for a corded model correct.. pretty much any big name brand will be fine.
Dewalt.... the professional series (I think it's the D28114 , but I have to look, not sure thge current pro models..)... they have two size or 3... it's heavy duty... but some how I just end up with the HF ones at hand every time. the Dewalt its smoother than the HF, not as much vibration at hand.... the Craftsman ones is the least fav... along with the Drill Master branded ones from HF.. it sucked. I also have the Ridgid ones also good. Probably other name brands are good... but those are ones with personal experience. Cause I have them...
rusty_ratchet
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I have a Metabo W9-115 and have been really happy with it. The W9-115 is an 8.5 A grinder. I see the 7A version is pretty inexpensive on Amazon right now.
IndyGarage
Well-known member
I have about 15 grinders, about 12 of them are 4 1/2. I think I have some of Harbour Freight, Dewault, Porter Cable, Milwaukee, Makita, Metabo, Hitachi and Bosch.
For occasional DIY use any of them, including Harbor Freight will do fine.
Harbor Freight or cheap chinese grinders are OK. They are a little down on power, they are noisy and vibrate and sooner or later the switch or wiring will fail, but they can be used for real work and they are dirt cheap.
The best cheap grinder I've found is the Porter Cable long tail grinder for $39.99. Those things will take a ton of abuse.
Dewault is the worst of the name brands - I have two of their professional ones, and although they are some of the most powerful motors, they get real hot when you work them hard, and blow the breakers every time. Bosch are noisy and vibrate badly and get hot also.
Milwaukee, Hitachi and Makita are all very good. Makita is the smoothest running of all, and they are very well built and tough. The only problem with them is they are shaped fairly crudely compared to some of the others.
The best grinder of all is Metabo - also the most expensive - they take a lot of abuse. They are nearly as smooth at Makita, and they have great features and switches.
For occasional DIY use any of them, including Harbor Freight will do fine.
Harbor Freight or cheap chinese grinders are OK. They are a little down on power, they are noisy and vibrate and sooner or later the switch or wiring will fail, but they can be used for real work and they are dirt cheap.
The best cheap grinder I've found is the Porter Cable long tail grinder for $39.99. Those things will take a ton of abuse.
Dewault is the worst of the name brands - I have two of their professional ones, and although they are some of the most powerful motors, they get real hot when you work them hard, and blow the breakers every time. Bosch are noisy and vibrate badly and get hot also.
Milwaukee, Hitachi and Makita are all very good. Makita is the smoothest running of all, and they are very well built and tough. The only problem with them is they are shaped fairly crudely compared to some of the others.
The best grinder of all is Metabo - also the most expensive - they take a lot of abuse. They are nearly as smooth at Makita, and they have great features and switches.
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crazyjim30
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Hilti is the gold standard for professionals. Speaking of gold, you're gonna need some to afford one. Metabo is a great brand and darn near apprentice proof.
Milwaukee is a good brand, as well. Try to buy a used older unit, as their newer models are a little flakey.
DeWalt is the only brand where I just hate it. I'm not ashamed. It's a color this. I feel like I'm holding a banana. Yeah, it's petty.
I can't speak to the quality of other brands, as I've only used what I've mentioned.
*caveat* This applies to corded grinders only. I've never used any of the cordless versions.
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Milwaukee is a good brand, as well. Try to buy a used older unit, as their newer models are a little flakey.
DeWalt is the only brand where I just hate it. I'm not ashamed. It's a color this. I feel like I'm holding a banana. Yeah, it's petty.
I can't speak to the quality of other brands, as I've only used what I've mentioned.
*caveat* This applies to corded grinders only. I've never used any of the cordless versions.
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Ign
Well-known member
They're all decent. Just get whatever floats your boat. I prefer a paddle switch on corded.
I noticed the 2-packs of Ridgids were back in my HD at $79. Likely not up in your country though
I noticed the 2-packs of Ridgids were back in my HD at $79. Likely not up in your country though
DFB
Well-known member
Ya really just peruse some online web site place like ACME Tool I'm sure you will find enough to options and some good price deals 
I have used a few different Makita's, a Dewalt, Milwaukee and Craftsman Industrial
Side switch/paddle switch depends what you want to do mostly. I don't do a lot of heavy grinding and all mine have been slide lock switch up to now but seriously considering a paddle switch model with instant braking,
I have used a few different Makita's, a Dewalt, Milwaukee and Craftsman Industrial
Side switch/paddle switch depends what you want to do mostly. I don't do a lot of heavy grinding and all mine have been slide lock switch up to now but seriously considering a paddle switch model with instant braking,
Tennessee Cattleman
Well-known member
Metabo makes some nice angle grinders, but you will likely have to pay $25-$50 more than your set price to get a new one, however I think it would be money well spent. If I wanted to buy new and keep it under $100 it would likely be a DeWalt, Bosch or Makita.
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sberry
Banned
Black and Decker to start with, 30$ at Wally and have seen them for 20. when you see 20 buy a couple 3 or so. I think the better HT unit at 25$ or so may be good. There are now several sub 50$ units that are pretty good.
trackwelder
Well-known member
A metabo would serve you well. I have well over 40 grinders in all sizes and the metabo grinders are my favorite.
James-W
Well-known member
My thinking is that if the tool is for occasional and short term use only, then pretty much any brand will suffice. If you will be using the tool on a regular basis for an extended period of time, then it will matter quite a bit what brand of tool you get.
Codejack
Banned
I got this one on sale for $10:
https://www.harborfreight.com/4-12-in-43-amp-angle-grinder-60625.html
I was out using it today to get some rust off of an old bar clamp; not the heaviest use in the world, but it worked great.
I have some rust spots to grind off of a body panel, and might need to weld in a new piece of metal, so I would use it to grind the welds down.
I got some cutting wheels for it, but I don't really intend to do more than maybe square off some holes in sheet metal with it.
https://www.harborfreight.com/4-12-in-43-amp-angle-grinder-60625.html
I was out using it today to get some rust off of an old bar clamp; not the heaviest use in the world, but it worked great.
I have some rust spots to grind off of a body panel, and might need to weld in a new piece of metal, so I would use it to grind the welds down.
I got some cutting wheels for it, but I don't really intend to do more than maybe square off some holes in sheet metal with it.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Make sure you get one with the slide switch on the left side.
mbshop
Well-known member
I bought a kawasaki branded grinder at our local orchard supply store on sale for under 20 bucks at least 4 years ago. So far it has done just fine in my home shop. Suggest on any of the cheap stuff to take them apart and lube them.
toplessHO
Well-known member
over 30 yrs ago I bought a recon industrial model B&D at the B&D store.
Paid $45 for it then which was a lot for a tool,let alone a once used one.
Ive had this thing so hot from grinding concrete with a cup stone that I had to wear welders gloves with cotton gloves inside of them. All Ive done is replace the rubber cord
which with age began to crack at the outer insulation. Wont find one like it today,has a paddle switch that has no interlock,and can be made to lock in the on position.If you can find a gently used one get it.
Paid $45 for it then which was a lot for a tool,let alone a once used one.
Ive had this thing so hot from grinding concrete with a cup stone that I had to wear welders gloves with cotton gloves inside of them. All Ive done is replace the rubber cord
which with age began to crack at the outer insulation. Wont find one like it today,has a paddle switch that has no interlock,and can be made to lock in the on position.If you can find a gently used one get it.
strength_and_power
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My current line up includes :
Metabo has served me well for dressing welds with a flap wheel. I use a Makita with a knotted wire wheel for final weld prep. It is a bit smaller and easy to use one handed. My Milwaukee has either a 7" wire wheel or a 6" cut off wheel ( guard removed obviously).
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Metabo has served me well for dressing welds with a flap wheel. I use a Makita with a knotted wire wheel for final weld prep. It is a bit smaller and easy to use one handed. My Milwaukee has either a 7" wire wheel or a 6" cut off wheel ( guard removed obviously).
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WittHay
Well-known member
Local tool store used to sell 2-packs of Bosch, Makita and Milwaukee grinders for $100cad I think they are $60 to $65 each now. I had good luck with cheap blue Ryobi's from Home Depot. Anything above the $30 specials from Canadian Tire or Princess Auto will work
I got this one on sale for $10:
https://www.harborfreight.com/4-12-in-43-amp-angle-grinder-60625.html
.......
That is the one I mentioned.... IT SUCKED .... vibrated all the cartilage in your finger joints loose after a little use... more like 30 minutes of grinding or less.
I have the other HF 4.5" 7" and 9" they perform better cuts concrete and metal fine with proper blades.... ... still vibration and loud compare to Dewalt/Bosche 4.5 7" 9" grinders,.... or any other good brand, but just can't beat that HF price..... if you are not heavy usage of it day in and day out... just about most of them are good, it's a expendable tool....... just not that drill master **** either that or I just got a batch with a really unbalanced motor....
the intimidator
Well-known member
I'm using two of the cheap Milwaukee 4.5 grinders right now myself pretty smooth and power is adequate one lives with a 5" cup brush and sees a ton of use no issues yet and the other is between 5" cutting and grinding wheels. Both are being used alot in my shop only complaint with the cup brush is it will heat up rather fast not excessive but enough to notice threw youre gloves I dont think it would be comfortable without gloves on with high load and long run times but its meant for ocassional/light duty uses. I just love the size and feel of these grinders ymmv
driz
Well-known member
This is one of those areas where you just have to stay away from Harbor freight. Are used to use theirs years ago and they lasted fairly well that was back in the 90s. Since then they just seem to all have something go wrong usually in the switch or just smoking the motor. I don't care how cheap they are they just don't last and I know how to use them without burning them up from leaning on them so now I avoid the things even if they're $10.
The last 10 years or so I just buy whichever of the top brands are on sale whenever they ran a really good sale and usually get them for 65 $75. The one thing I insist on now is a paddle switch, no more of those slides for me and those are the ones that usually screw up in my experience. The paddle switches are hard to fine but they're out there they all seem to make them and the best part is when you dismantle that stupid safety toggle switches always easy with those and they're ready for instant action. But whatever you do stay away from Harbor freight and if you got to use them that's the one item that I definitely get a warranty on because you'll be taking them back.
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The last 10 years or so I just buy whichever of the top brands are on sale whenever they ran a really good sale and usually get them for 65 $75. The one thing I insist on now is a paddle switch, no more of those slides for me and those are the ones that usually screw up in my experience. The paddle switches are hard to fine but they're out there they all seem to make them and the best part is when you dismantle that stupid safety toggle switches always easy with those and they're ready for instant action. But whatever you do stay away from Harbor freight and if you got to use them that's the one item that I definitely get a warranty on because you'll be taking them back.
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crewchief888
Well-known member
my advise is for the OP to get "hands on" with several different brands.
to me, some grinders are just too "bulky" if i cant get a good grip on them in all positions i'm just not comfortable.
IMHO i think the hitachi model that lowes sells are the best fit for my hands, ad they are relatively inexpensive. i put mine through hell, and it's still runing 5 years later
to me, some grinders are just too "bulky" if i cant get a good grip on them in all positions i'm just not comfortable.
IMHO i think the hitachi model that lowes sells are the best fit for my hands, ad they are relatively inexpensive. i put mine through hell, and it's still runing 5 years later
sberry
Banned
I would really like variable speed for wire wheels. We use them on air for this reason, you can feather the speed. Electrics are really too fast for a lot of it. I have seen a couple f the 10$ grinders work, seen them fail out of the box. Seems hard to believe one could retail it for that kind of money.
Seems hard to believe anyone would toss ten dollars in the garbage can.
Here's the current " best" It's light, powerful, smooth and about $140. It's bnicer than it's Makita cousin but not sure on longevity. Its a fairly recent model. Germany.
https://www.boschtools.com/ca/en/boschtools-ocs/angle-grinders-1821-31855-p/
https://www.boschtools.com/ca/en/boschtools-ocs/angle-grinders-1821-31855-p/
dutchgray
Well-known member
My preference in 4.5" is Makita, the full size one not the slim model, hate those, damn uncomfortable ridges on it, they do many versions of it, different power levels, variable speed, sjs clutch system etc. But I usually get the same but in 5"
Thanks everybody. From what I took from this thread as long as I bought a brand name of be ok. So I went to home hardware. They had a few to choose from, but I like the color red so I got a Milwaukee. We'll see how it works out.
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Ign
Well-known member
Thank god someone else feels this way.
Stay away from the HF ilk. Vibrates your hands to death (truly can lead to damage of your body, ie hands, tendons, tennis elbow etc) and sounds like a box of rocks. Great for the weekend warrior maybe, not worth it if you plan to use it even most weekends.
But most any brand name you'll be ok....even the basic Porter Cables at TSC ain't horrible. Otherwise Bosch, Makita, Hitachi, Metabo, Milwaukee, DeWalt etc etc etc. It's all about if you like blondes or brunettes, tall or short, hot and crazy or less crazy and not as hot.....
bcradio
Well-known member
sberry
Banned
The better one at HF is rebadged and sold all over, sometimes a different cord or color of plastic and a brand name. Same grinder.
Codejack
Banned
Was it that one:
...or this one?
Those are NOT the same unit at all, despite looking similar and costing the same amount. There's a great breakdown of them on youtube where a guy takes them both apart.
One thing I have seen is that a lot of HF's discs and pads and such are unbalanced, so that might be part of it.
That being said, I'm not planning on using mine to cut concrete or more than sheet metal; it's a $10 grinder, that would be stupid
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Here's a real grinder with the slide switch on the left side:
