4 1/2" angle grinder

[Jeff May]

OK, I'm sure this has been discussed before, but here goes.
I'm in the market for a new 4 1/2" angle grinder.
Right now I'm looking at the DeWalts, Makitas, and Milwaukees.
I'd like to here everyone's preference, likes, dislikes etc.
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Corsair4360]

Just make sure that the grinder can handle the 1/8" thick wheels which are the best thing for cutting steel that I have ever seen. My 15+ year old black and decker does not handle them, my new milwaukee does just fine. The new on/off switch on my milwaukee is a PITA, I suspect it is another OHSA mandated monstrosity

 

[dutchgray]

Any of the pro level brands will be fine, they are so cheap its not worth buying a cheap brand one, the switches are all a bit of a pain unless you spend a bit more and get one with a paddle, I have a Makita and a Hitachi but really just pick a brand you like or whichever you can get a deal on.

 

[readhead]

Is this for work or home? We buy 4 1/2" grinders by the case. The best we have used are Hilti hands down. We are using Milwaukee right now but we are getting the same crack in all the metal heads. Probably go back to Hilti. The main thing to look for is a metal gearbox. We have Hilti's that are two years old. We feel lucky if we get 6-8 months out of others. We had a batch of De Walts that would fail after two weeks. Keep in mind that we use them all day six days a week.

 

[LS3]

Take a look at Metabo grinders. They have always been tough and have worked well for me.

 

[elronin]

I have the Makita 9557NB 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder Link its worked great so far. I did get it for free when I purchased a large Makita HR2475 1-Inch D-Handle SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Link for $170 with tax for both which was not a bad price.

 

[justin1795]

We use all dewalts at work. Only had one go bad so far. They also started buying metabos and people seem to really like them

 

[Ign]

Is this for work or home? We buy 4 1/2" grinders by the case. The best we have used are Hilti hands down. We are using Milwaukee right now but we are getting the same crack in all the metal heads. Probably go back to Hilti. The main thing to look for is a metal gearbox. We have Hilti's that are two years old. We feel lucky if we get 6-8 months out of others. We had a batch of De Walts that would fail after two weeks. Keep in mind that we use them all day six days a week.

Which Milwaukees? Do you have a model number? Just curious, I haven't purchased a new Milwaukee angle grinder in ~6 years and they've been heavily re-designed since. Have you warrantied them?

 

[readhead]

Don't have a number. the shop foreman deals with the tools and keeps me up to date.
I would have to have a full time person to deal with warranties for the tools we wear out. Wouldn't be worth it. We do our own tool repair and we save up the broken ones for parts until we run out and move to the next supplier.
I have heard good things about Metabo but have not tried them yet. We are constantly weighing cost vs life. We used to rent all our tools from Hilti until the economy went south. It was a good deal when we had 50 guys breaking tools every day. Hilti would send replacements, no questions asked. That doesn't sound right. Hilti makes very good tools and I don't want it to sound like they were easy to break.

 

[A29]

All my name brand grinders are shot but at least the horrible freight ones are still going

 

[38Chevy454]

Paddle switch is much better than the side switch. Other than that my Dewalts are still doing good, I have older paddle and newer side switch. Use the paddle one about 2x more. I also feel the paddle is safer, let go and power is cut; the side switch let go and grinder is still powered.

 

[Falcon67]

Harbor Freight - $10. The shield might be a "metric 4 1/2" but one good Norton grade flap wheel will cause it to self adjust. The slide switch can be a bit of a hassle but otherwise it rips. I have another one but I forget the brand. Been saving it for when the HF unit dies. Haven't seen the spare in a couple of years, hope I remember where I put it.

 

[cnk]

I picked up a Milwaukee M18 Fuel 4.5/5" angle grinder the other day. It's a paddle switch unit. Haven't had a chance to use it yet, just mounted up a metal grinding disc to it over the weekend. Got it as part of a deal HD was having where you buy 2 M18 Fuel bare tools and you get a battery/charger starter pack for free.

 

[billspit]

I have an older model from Sears that has been great. If i needed to replace it I would probably look at Makita first.

I need a 7" grinder to redo my trailer, but hate to spend the money they cost.

 

[Wylaco]

Dewalt! We sell hundreds a year along with their wheels. Dewalt is discontinuing the D28402, rumor on the street is they are going to get blown out by a lot of shops here pretty soon.

 

[Jackfre]

Paddle switch is much better than the side switch. Other than that my Dewalts are still doing good, I have older paddle and newer side switch. Use the paddle one about 2x more. I also feel the paddle is safer, let go and power is cut; the side switch let go and grinder is still powered.

I have exactly the opposite opinion on the paddle vs thumb switch. Yes, the paddle is safer as it shuts down when you release the paddle, but a lot of my grinding/cutting is in position and I need to turn it on get it into position and do my thing with it. Yes, care must be taken. I've had a Metabo since the mid-80's yes, I'm only a hobbyist but even with all its rattles it keeps going. I've moved it along with myself to senior citizen status and dedicated it to wire wheels only. I recently picked up a 12 or 13 amp Makita that I like a lot. It was pricey, but it is excellent for my grinding welds and cut-off wheels. Whichever manuf you go with, check their amperage specs. Amps and $ go in direct proportion, but the higher amp units get the job done. Not much pisses me off more than a grinder that stalls just go to Makita's site and compare the many units specs. You will see what I mean.

 

[cshades]

I have both a makita and a dewalt. I just bought 2 new makitas this weekend because they are a lot easier to install a cut off wheel than my dewalt. So I am going to install a grinding wheel on one and a cut off wheel on the other so i don't have to keep changing wheels in the middle of a project. just my 2 cents

 

[Chaz]

Metabo... hands down. I've had 4 Dewalts, 2 Makitas, and a Milwaukee.

 

[LS3]

I have exactly the opposite opinion on the paddle vs thumb switch. Yes, the paddle is safer as it shuts down when you release the paddle, but a lot of my grinding/cutting is in position and I need to turn it on get it into position and do my thing with it.

Im with Jackfre, i prefer the side switch. Paddle switches restrict movement in tight places and awkward positions. Just personal preference though.

 

[owenst7]

I have a 10 amp Milwaukee and a 7 amp Metabo right now. The Milwaukee has a lot of power and I've had it for a couple years, but it will wear you out it your using it for a couple hours at a time since its so heavy. I just picked up that Metabo to have something lighter for easier stuff. It was on sale for like $60 at my local welding supplier. I have had decent luck with all the name brands over the years as long as they werent the cheap ones. I think they all pretty much have gheir budget models to sell to homeowners at the box stores. I'm curious how this Metabo will hold up being that it was so much cheaper than they normally are.

With any of them, the side switches scare me. I only use ones that release when you let go.

 

[wnstwolf]

I have one with wire wheel and one with cutter wheel and a grinder on the third. Of the three by far the most use is the metebo with cut off wheel and it is rock solid never an issue over 10 years old with a hard life of car tear down on it

Milwaukee has the wire wheel and hate the attachment process the wheel will sometimes over tighten and jamb and had to get back off. The grinder is a desalt and that thing has seen better days. Dodd did not last long and the plug end was cheap.

 

[stage20]

i have several i use at work and home. i love my dewalt for home use. its got more power than similar priced makita. i swear its easier on my hand for grinding and cutting at home.
BUT i lay tile for a living and the dewalt will throw dust and chips right in my face. i use makita and makita only for work. the fan on the motor for the makita doesnt exhaust air like the dewalt. not near as much dust in my face.

depends on what im doing. if im upside down in a bind, i use my crappy orange hf. i can stall it if it gets *******. all the higher amp quality models i have will kick back on you which is not a good thing sometimes.

 

[ZRX61]

Paddle switch is much better than the side switch. Other than that my Dewalts are still doing good, I have older paddle and newer side switch. Use the paddle one about 2x more. I also feel the paddle is safer, let go and power is cut; the side switch let go and grinder is still powered.

Twice I've picked up my paddle switch Dewalts & accidently turned them on. Both times I buzzed my left arm lightly with the grinding disc...

 

[fabjunkie]

I've been running these $30 Ryobi's for years. I've got a few of them so I don't have to change between cut off wheel/flap discs/wire brush. I also have had good luck with the thin cut off wheels and flap discs from Harbor Freight.

 

[rburke65]

I have 2 HF and a Milwaukee. I like the paddle switch on the Milwaukee.mtheone HF didn't lasttoo long but the original one I bought, that puppy keeps n rolling along.

 

[Riverside]

I like Makita grinders. I've had several, plus several other brands. Makitas tend to be comfortable to hold and a little lighter than other brands with similar amperage. A heavy grinder will definitely wear you out more quickly, if you are doing a lot of grinding, or holding the grinder in awkward positions.

 

[TattooedGunner]

I have a cheap HF one and an 18v Makita cordless one. I picked up the HF one for $10 and got the makita for $25 on clearance with no battery at Home Depot. I already have 2 makita batteries so I was good there. I figure for $35 I ain't doing too bad.

Once the HF one craps out on me I'll probably break down and buy a good one but so far I've been lucky.

 

[dewalt378g]

I believe not mentioned so far is Fein. I have a Fein and it's an absolute pleasure to use. Like everyone is mentioning, Metabo, I have as well. It's an older model and pretty beat up, but I just can't kill it. Had an older model DeWalt 402 and it was great while it lasted.....spindle bearing went and it just screams in pain all the time. It is now retired.

Switches are your preference. All have their pros and cons. Use whatever is comfortable for what you're doing. My DeWalt was a paddle. Great for feathering, but you can get tired of holding onto it after a while. The Metabo is a slide switch, always on or always off. The Fein is the tip start which can be annoying sometimes, but the tool is so comfortable to use.

Even if you own multiple grinders, the tool less wheel nut on the Metabo is a great feature and the Feins have a tool less clamping system similar to their multimasters.

+1 on the ultra thin cutting wheels for cutting only. Anything thicker and you're just hogging metal.

 

[stage20]

the new hf with the top rocker swtich i do not like. the older style hf (or any other brand for that matter) with a left side mounted sliding switch will run forever. burn the brushes out and toss a new set in. when the plug wears out toss on a new male end.

i like using these for "****" work. drop, kick, throw. dont care. pick them up at the flea market for 2,3 and 5 bucks most of the time.

 

[owenst7]

Twice I've picked up my paddle switch Dewalts & accidently turned them on. Both times I buzzed my left arm lightly with the grinding disc...

Does yours have a two stage trigger? All the ones I've had require you to pull a tab back with your finger before you can squeeze the paddle. I've never had an issue with accidental engagement, even working up on a ladder and swinging it around by the cord.

 

[Lippyp]

I have a DeWalt thats been great, prior to that I went through a few no name brand ones, killed one in two days of heavy cutting and grinding when I was doing the rocker and floor repairs on my pickup. I do have an ancient Elu 4" grinder that still soldiers on but 4" disks got hard to get so i tend to only use it for wire wheels now.

 

[MN4x4]

I also have 2 HF's and a Milwaukee. Keep a cutting wheel on one, grinding wheel on another, and flap disk on the third.

I gotta say that the HF ones were a great value at less than $20. I'd buy one again in a heartbeat.

 

[stage20]

Does yours have a two stage trigger? All the ones I've had require you to pull a tab back with your finger before you can squeeze the paddle. I've never had an issue with accidental engagement, even working up on a ladder and swinging it around by the cord.

That's where a 2nd grinder comes in handy to modify the first grinder. I'm not sure how the paddle is on a dewalt but I take out the roll pins on the flip trigger on all my air tools like this

 

[backintheday]

Burned through an HF in a few months of just normal garage work. Replaced it with a Milwaukee and it's been going strong for 5 years of normal garage work. I've noticed all welders in the gas field use Makitas, they say they're all that lasts.

 

[Tronyadorable]

35 plus years of Makitas. Tried all the rest.
I still spin a 9 incher I bought in ?? 1984 or so. It looks like it slept in the bottom of the ocean but will still pull an all dayer.......altho I no longer can.
my latest is a GA5020. The brake takes a little getting used to.It also has a clutch so you don't grenade cutting discs(supposedly).I'm sure I'll find out !

 

[elronin]

Harbor Freight - $10. The shield might be a "metric 4 1/2" but one good Norton grade flap wheel will cause it to self adjust. The slide switch can be a bit of a hassle but otherwise it rips. I have another one but I forget the brand. Been saving it for when the HF unit dies. Haven't seen the spare in a couple of years, hope I remember where I put it.

Yea I second that on the HF mine is still going strong, Got the Makita for free can't go wrong with two or three grinders. I have the HF one with a wire brush on it all the time, have the Makita with a grinding wheel, I need a third one for a cut off wheel, then I'll be set.

 

[sberry]

I done this every way yu can, nothing beats the B&D from Walmart for 30$. It uses the same parts as the DeWalts with a better cord. I bought a couple on sale from Menards for 20 as spares, havnt needed one. They are better with better power than the HF, I doubt a car repair type could wear them out. I got one we run over a hundred 1/4 wheels thru it, still works perfect. Feel the weight some time.

 

[BearsFan315]

i was looking to buy myself a 4.5" angle grinder A FEW years back

I got me a Porter Cable, still kicking and not asking ANY questions !!
Porter Cable Options Mine is the PC750AG

I got mine reconditioned here: CPO Outlet for like $35 delivered, worth EVERY CENT. NOT a COMPLAINT or ISSUE...

does not look NEW anymore, gone through 2 antique car restorations, including completely grinding and wire wheelin an entire frame !! Cut plenty of metal pipe and pieces, just recently wire wheeled a few spare 19" steel rims for the '29.

Love the finger trigger, Cruise Control as I call it, pull the trigger, push in the button and grind away... Also love the ability to swap handle 3 places or remove all together, as well as the guide/ shield that spins to various locations, just short of 360 deg so you can see what you are doing. also makes it great for left or right hand handlin. Standard 5/8-11 Spindle for screw on wheels & brushes, comes with the adapters for the thin plates as well.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have a Cman Professional I bought 10 plus years ago and it's still going strong.