4.5" Metabo grinder

[rmack898]

I like to have at least three 4.5" grinders in the shop. One with a grinding wheel, one with a cut off wheel, and one with a flap disc.

I had 4 yellow grinders that lasted me quite some time but my son finally abused the last of them to the end of life.

Over the last few years I replaced all my yellow tools with Red ones. I have a M18 grinder and I like it but I needed some new corded grinders for the shop and I just don't care for the red corded 4.5" grinder.

I have always heard how great the Metabo's were but never used one and now that they have merged or been absorbed by Hitachi, I had my doubts about their grinders.

I figured I would try one to see how I like it. I like paddle trigger grinders and I ordered this one
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MY2CJSF/?tag=atomicindus08-20

from Amazon.

Its 9.5 amps and 4.5 pounds. Its just slightly heavier than my old yellow grinders but I really like it so much better. It fits my hands nicely and has all the power I need regardless of what wheel I have on it.

I will be ordering 3 more of these.

 

[csp]

Impressed with the factory reconditioned one purchased from www.bigskytool.com about a year ago. $20 out the door

 

[Paul_The_Builder]

Metabo (German made) and Metabo HPT (Japanese/Chinese made) grinders are totally separate product lines despite their corporate merger.

I absolutely love my Metabo grinders with brake. Its a great safety feature and really speeds up tasks since you don't have to wait for the wheel/disc to stop spinning before putting the grinder down. They're not cheap though... brand new retail price is $200-$300+ per grinder depending on the model.

 

[Steve_P]

The variable speed ones will make you want to use nothing else. Expensive for a grinder, but worth it if you appreciate quality.

 

[Paul_The_Builder]

The variable speed ones will make you want to use nothing else. Expensive for a grinder, but worth it if you appreciate quality.

I'm not a full time metal worker / fabricator...

When do you use lower than full speed on your grinders? I have a variable speed grinder but I've only used it for granite cutting and polishing. I always go full tilt when working on metal. Is this bad practice? Should I be using slower speeds sometimes?

 

[metaleltr]

Metabo (German made) and Metabo HPT (Japanese/Chinese made) grinders are totally separate product lines despite their corporate merger.

I absolutely love my Metabo grinders with brake. Its a great safety feature and really speeds up tasks since you don't have to wait for the wheel/disc to stop spinning before putting the grinder down. They're not cheap though... brand new retail price is $200-$300+ per grinder depending on the model.

Ironically what the OP has purchased it a Metabo HPT (Old Hitachi) not a true metabo grinder.

 

[rmack898]

Ironically what the OP has purchased it a Metabo HPT (Old Hitachi) not a true metabo grinder.

For the price I paid, I knew this was not a German made tool. In fact the COO is Malaysia.

My point in posting was that at the $100 price point, this Hitachi/Metabo tool is so much better than the similarly priced Yellow tool that it replaces.

 

[Hytekrednek]

I have 2 Metabo grinders, both german. One 4.5'' regular with speed nut thingy, the other a 5'' low profile head. I got the lo pro grinder for $50 new, 35 for the other. After using them, I would have paid full price for either if I had too. The low profile head 5'' is my go-to. LOVE it
I want to get one more grinder. I am thinking either a large Metabo or large Makita.

 

[IndyGarage]

Ironically what the OP has purchased it a Metabo HPT (Old Hitachi) not a true metabo grinder.

Metabo HPT is the old Hitachi - Hitachi Power Tool = HPT.

Hitachi makes good grinders, but they are not on the same level as Metabos

For the price I paid, I knew this was not a German made tool. In fact the COO is Malaysia.

My point in posting was that at the $100 price point, this Hitachi/Metabo tool is so much better than the similarly priced Yellow tool that it replaces.

I currently own about 2 dozen grinders - I don't baby them at all. The worst are the cheapo chinese made ones. The worst of the name brand are DeWalt and Bosch. The best are Makita and Metabo. Hitachi is somewhere between those bookends.

 

[American Locomotive]

I've always liked the Hitachi grinders (and yes as mentioned, Metabo HPT = Hitachi, while Metabo = Metabo). Metabo grinders are definitely just about at the top of the pile though.

Some people rave on and on about cheap grinders, and I'll admit they do work just fine. But premium grinders just have so much less vibration and harshness that make them much more enjoyable to use. My fancy-pants $200 brushless corded variable speed DeWalt is a smooth operator, even with giant cup wheels on it. A $30 HF Grinder with same wheel will just about rattle the bones out of your fingers.