Hyper Tough Angle Grinder

[Scout3918]

Walmart has this angle grinder for $20.00.

Anyone had any experience with it? It will probably get used about once every 3-4 months small projects. I will probably use a wire brush on it more than cutting wheel.

thanks

 

[sberry]

Try it. I have been using BD now for years. The cords last longer, never had to repair one, fixed a couple minor issues on 1 or 2 and keep NIB for spares. They lasted as long or longer than the yellow ones. Yellow cost 100 and the cord rots off, brushes go south and ruin them. The cheap ones are 30 and can be had for as little as 20 on sale. They are different than the 10$ HF one. Some of them are sold under higher cost branding, just a different color jacket.
The Menards osc saw was like that, their uber cheap one is not the same, the 40$ one look and feel identical to the 100$ one, looks like it came from the same line and it came with a bunch of blades. Some of the higher cost units may be different but the DeWalt and the Rigid as well as the Performax looked identical.

 

[Scout3918]

I think I will buy one just to try out.

I do have a B&D that I've had about 20 years. its done great for what I do. I figured it my need replaced soon. It probably quit right when I need it most, so a back up be good.

 

[IndyGarage]

Those $20 Chinese grinders might last for 6 minutes or 60 hours of use.

I had one which I used occasionally with a flap wheel for about 5 years and it was OK on power, vibrated and made noise, but they are all noisy. The switch finally gave out.

I bought a replacement $20 grinder and it lasted exactly 2 minutes before the plastic switch mechanism broke in a way that was impossible to fix. I had bought it out of an "all sales final" rack, so I cut the cord off it and threw it into my useful junk bin and bought a better grinder.

 

[scubadoober]

It is hard to beat the 6.2 amp hitachi even comes with a carrying case and five rocks (throw these away). In my opinion the best of the "cheap" grinders.

 

[Doug Arthurs]

To me an angle grinder is all about the vibration. If you are using one for long periods of time and it vibrates too much my hands and wrist start getting sore. If she runs smooth then the price point is pretty good.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

I used to work at a welding shop as a labourer and the Makitas we used were put through hell and kept asking for more. I used to sand and grind for 10 hours at a time. I would wake up in the morning with my right index finger locked tight into position from holding the trigger so long each day. This is one of the reasons why I have to laugh when I get the annual ergonomics survey at my current job. HR has no idea what some of us have done to make a living.

 

[IndyGarage]

It is hard to beat the 6.2 amp hitachi even comes with a carrying case and five rocks (throw these away). In my opinion the best of the "cheap" grinders.

Yes, I have a couple of those, they are pretty good. Believe it or not the cheap Porter Cables are really good too. Makita and Metabo are the best, in my opinion - it's hard to kill either one.

 

[ItsNemo]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006NKRYHS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SUOU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002OTDIH2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

When you can get name brand grinders at regular price for $50 or less, I'm not sure why you'd buy anything else.

Check Home Depot/Lowes flyers too, they often have 2 packs of grinders for $80-100.

 

[scubadoober]

Yes, I have a couple of those, they are pretty good. Believe it or not the cheap Porter Cables are really good too. Makita and Metabo are the best, in my opinion - it's hard to kill either one.

Agreed, metabo is my go to and not much more than a big box name brand.

 

[Engine]

I think I will buy one just to try out.

I do have a B&D that I've had about 20 years. its done great for what I do. I figured it my need replaced soon. It probably quit right when I need it most, so a back up be good.

I've had a few B&D tools and they seem to be really good for the price. Right now Walmart has a deal on this:

$24.99

BLACK+DECKER™ BDEG400 6AMP 4.5” Angle Grinder

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Those $20 Chinese grinders might last for 6 minutes or 60 hours of use.

I had one which I used occasionally with a flap wheel for about 5 years and it was OK on power, vibrated and made noise, but they are all noisy. The switch finally gave out.

I bought a replacement $20 grinder and it lasted exactly 2 minutes before the plastic switch mechanism broke in a way that was impossible to fix. I had bought it out of an "all sales final" rack, so I cut the cord off it and threw it into my useful junk bin and bought a better grinder.

Based on humorous tool tales exchanged among family, friends, and co-workers, I would have to agree with Your general concept. Seems you either get a bargain, or You get what You pay for. They may be suitable for less demanding occasional use; but My Son bought one that lasted less than two minutes. I call those tools a **** shoot.

They are designed and marketed to sell for a low price. Whether shopping at Wal-Freight or Harbor-Mart; The same retail price is being targeted.

$20 at Wal-Mart will buy two pair of blue jeans or an angle grinder. I have four angle grinders; so I will pass on the grinder and enjoy the upcoming tool tales of praise or smoking disaster for that particular Hyper-Tough model.

 

[Greeny]

My wife just bought me a pair of jeans from Wal-Mart. They are tight in the crotch and thighs, loose around the waist, and too short at the ankles.
I wish she had gotten a grinder instead.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

My wife just bought me a pair of jeans from Wal-Mart. They are tight in the crotch and thighs, loose around the waist, and too short at the ankles.
I wish she had gotten a grinder instead.

For the $10 She spent; She and Her Lady Friends are most likely laughing their asses off at the gag gift She bought You.

 

[Kev442]

One of the few items where you really pay attention to warranty. The Masterforce I bought has a two year warranty from Menard's. Was on sale for $29.99.
I used the blue $12.99 grinders from HF forever. Bought two of the newer black ones. One melted the brushes right out of their holders. Decided to move on.

 

[jw3]

20yrs ago, I got to my shop early, and sitting on my desk was a new Skil grinder. I looked at my dad and asked where did this come from. He told me he picked it up at Walmart. He thought I might find a use for it. I abused that poor thing. It was one of the last tools he bought before he passed. It lasted for years. I got his 20 bucks out of it for sure. Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bczygan]

$10 with coupon
I have 3
Only get the one with switch on top:

 

[Scout3918]

thanks for all the replies and info.

 

[cmandp]

I had bought two of the above HF grinders to use (first grinders I owned). I gave up on them and bought a Dewalt. They worked okay but the switches went on both, they lacked power for cutting and lots of grinding and they vibrated a lot which isn't good on the hands. It takes less time to cut or grind things with a 1/4" wheel on the Dewalt, it vibrates less and is quieter.

So end of story if its your primary grinder I'd get something nicer, if its just for a second grinder to have a flap wheel on then a cheap grinder is fine I think.

 

[Kev442]

That is the exact HF grinder that melted the brushes after 2 hours. Not worth the gas to go buy anymore, too much of a crapshoot.

 

[Engine]

The vibration of that HF grinder was the worst thing about it. My hand would be tingling and almost numb after using it for a few minutes. Plus, I burned up two of those last year and didn't really use them that much. I should have learned after the first one.

Now I'm using one Bosch small 4.5", two PC rat tail 4.5", and one Bosch 7" grinders. All of them are at least three years old with no problems. I don't run them non-stop, but average a few hours a week actual run time with each.

If I could choose only one, the small bosch would do an all-around good job on most work, at a fair price. It's a light-duty grinder, but majorly better than the HF.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bosch-6-Amp-Corded-4-1-2-in-Small-Angle-Grinder-1375A/100004897

 

[asm154]

I recently bought this Milwaukee & like it so far. Thought I’d mind the thumb switch at the top, but not at all. In fact, I like it better than the pricier paddle switchers. It can toggle on/off or lock on. Haven’t actually had to use the cutoff wheel and really put it to the test yet, but grinding has been smooth. Seems plenty powerful and feels well balanced in the hand.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-7-Amp-Corded-4-1-2-in-Small-Angle-Grinder-6130-33/202101584

 

[Fender1325]

The HF ones I'll say are worth the 10 bucks. Mine lasted me 6 months before it burned a brush. I did like how light it was.

I've noticed, for my own uses, having a lighter angle grinder makes the work easier. Lighter usually equates to a less powerful motor.

I own a metabo and a Milwaukee. The metabo is an 11 amp model IIRC, and the Milwaukee is a 7 amp model IIRC. The metabo is stronger, smoother, and has an emergency shut off if it gets pinched during a cut, however, I reach for my milwaukee more often than not, even though it's noisier and has more vibration - all because it's lighter.

I think the OP will do fine with any name brand run of the mill 7 amp grinder.

 

[IndyGarage]

For those of you recommending name brands - I currently have about 20 angle grinders and have gone through about 15 more in the past few years. I tend to use them real hard, and burn them up.

Here's my best to worst brand listing - best is at the top:

1. Metabo - Strong running, great features, and you can't kill them, expensive - I have 2 of them and will buy more
2. Makita - smoothest running of all, very tough - I have 5 of them - probably best overall value
3. Milwaukee - Tough grinder - I have only had 1, so difficult to compare
4. Hitachi - Good grinder, good value - similar to Makita, not quite as smooth - I have 3
5. Porter Cable - Great Value - tough grinder a little noisy - I have 2
6. Bosch - Noisy, they use straight gears, overheats under load, easy to burn up - I only have 1 left, won't buy anymore
7. DeWault - Run smooth, powerful, prone to overheating and blowing breakers - I have 3 - probably won't buy another
8. China Brands - Harbour Freight, Others - I have a couple that probably still work but I don't use anymore - they are fine for occasional light use - they won't stand up to hard continuous use.

 

[PhysicsDude]

I never saw the appeal of getting a dirt cheap grinder when the name brand grinders are only $50 (makita, bosch, ridgid, dewalt, etc.).

I own a fair amount of HF junk, but Makita grinders seem like a better bang for the buck to me.

Grinding is dangerous and strenuous enough, I don't think its worth being cheap on the tool. Running a grinder really tough and the motor burning out causing you to run back to the store isn't worth saving $30 IMO.

 

[Lhorn]

These are my current go-to for light stuff like flap wheel and cutting disk. The handle that screws into the side are flimsy but the ones from my better grinders fit so no problem. These are a step up from the HF in smoothness and quality. For a few bucks more the extra cost is worth it. I've also got a coup!e of porter cable that I got off a 2for 1 sale last year that I haven't even opened up yet. Imo there are good enough deals out there on sturdier band name grinders that there is no reason to deal with off brands which aren't much cheaper.