4-1/2" grinder vs a 7"

[BLACK DEATH]

I absolutely love my 4-1/2" grinder for cutting steel & for grinding welds etc....
Now what is a 7" grinder good for?
Is it worth owning one?
Is it more for just grinding or can you cut metal with it also?
When i mean cutting, i mean with the correct blade for cuttung metal and still be accurate and not be too heavy. A 7" seems very heavy though and may give fatigue when holding it for a long period of time. A 7" seems it can do more work though. A 4-1/2" gets heavy but it takes a while to do so.

Also wich 4-1/2" grinder would you buy now if you needed another? I have a dewalt and it works well but i may need another one at another place and id rather buy another than lugging it back & forth. Be nice to have a case with it too. I dont think too many come with cases anymore. I have credit at lowes & home depot also on in store items.

 

[lilredex]

I have a 7" Makita that never gets used.....just too heavy. I have a number of 4 1/2 inchers that came from CTC. Pretty hard to beat those $20 specials.

My first 4 1/2" was a B + D and it is still going just fine, it was a lot more than $20 too!

 

[Outlawmws]

the 4-1/2" high speed grinders really killed off the 7 and 9" grinders IMO. Lighter easier to handle and get into tight quarters, and a LOT less fatiguing.

As cutting tool, any grinder leaves a lot to be desired. Lopping off small stuff to rough length is really about all they are good for, and a 4-1/2 will do that just as well.

(I haven't touched my 7" in over 30 years)

 

[BLACK DEATH]

Thats what i was thinking, it may be too heavy to use. Glad i heard it from someone who owns one. Lets see what others say. Also what is ctc?
So wich one to buy in todays market?

 

[Buckgnarly]

Can't beat a 7-9" for clearing LOTS of rust/paint, or removing LOTS of material fast. I've used mine for that, but I don't think I'd ever use on with a cutting wheel...just way to hard to handle for that!

When you have a big job they are great, but as said earlier not at all easy or "comfortable" to use!

 

[Mr.N]

Can't beat a 7-9" for clearing LOTS of rust/paint, or removing LOTS of material fast. I've used mine for that, but I don't think I'd ever use on with a cutting wheel...just way to hard to handle for that!

When you have a big job they are great, but as said earlier not at all easy or "comfortable" to use!

x2, I use my 9" grinder only a couple times a year.

 

[mitusa]

I bought one of the new porter-cable 4 1/2 a week ago. It has a trigger instead of on-off switch and I only gave $39.95. Haven't used it yet, but it speced out as same as makita and others....

Here's one just like mine.....http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EYU8TO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I bought mine at Lowe's....same price.

 

[Outlawmws]

SNIP Also what is ctc?
So wich one to buy in todays market?

"China Tool Corp?

New I have no advise, mine are probably as old as you are...

 

[steel 35]

I have no use for the large grinders my gimpy arms cant handle them anymore because I did dumb things like use them for so long. I like the grinders that have the easy to use trigger that goes off when you set it down wrong....Lots of newer ones have two part switches that can be hard to unlock. (Makita is worth looking at)

 

[Monte]

try Bosch or Metabo

 

[ears]

Some wheels are too heavy or not speed rated for 4 1/2" grinders. I use a 9" with cup wheels and the bigger wire wheels. Hopefully on the flat weight kind of helps then. I keep a cutting disc on a 4".

 

[ncfh]

Wussies

< 120lb girl who heaves a 9" steel case Milwaukee and manages metal surgery with "less than ideal" tools daily. Curious what an ideal tool would be? lol

But yea, unless you're playing with heavy plate and pipe regularly or running a large cup brush there's little need for a big narly grinder in home shop.

 

[Robbie UK]

Only ever use a 4-1/2" grinder these days and I have had remarkable success with the cheap ones too. However, my hands are pretty shot now and I was never blessed with the largest of paws. Having tried a few when the opportunity arose the nice and thin Bosch is at the top of my shopping list. It's just so manageable and less fatiguing than the rest and I cannot imagine using a 7" again.

 

[Kev442]

Can't beat a 7-9" for clearing LOTS of rust/paint, or removing LOTS of material fast. I've used mine for that, but I don't think I'd ever use on with a cutting wheel...just way to hard to handle for that!

When you have a big job they are great, but as said earlier not at all easy or "comfortable" to use!

What he said. I was using a 4 1/2 on something last year and it was gonna take forever. Got out my 7" and was amazed. Went right back to the small one after that, they get into smaller areas (Duh).

 

[demographic]

I have an old Makita 7" grinder that I almost never use and a 4 1/2" De Walt grinder that I use far more often.

The 7" one is a great big numb thing compared to the little one.

 

[plinker]

When building a log house, a 7/9" is very handy to have with a sanding disk.

 

[91bronc300]

(I haven't touched my 7" in over 30 years)

^^^^^^^ *snicker, snicker* ^^^^^^^

If your entire job is pretty much grinding down welds for hours like mine was for awhile as a kid, you would pick a 7 or 9 inch. Otherwise, 4.5 is just more versatile.

 

[Keep]

Thats what i was thinking, it may be too heavy to use. Glad i heard it from someone who owns one. Lets see what others say. Also what is ctc?
So wich one to buy in todays market?

Canadian Tire Corp.

Keep an eye on Home Depot, they put a 2 pack of Makitas on sale from time to time. Very nice grinder.

 

[Monte]

sometimes it´s good to have a larger grinder, for example to cut a car frame

 

[91bronc300]

I like how German words are longer than English sentences.

 

[Monte]

I like how German words are longer than English sentences.

"Anlaufstrombegrenzung" = initial current limitation

 

[fordcragar]

I would never get rid of my 7" grinder; which I've had for over 30 years. Since I bought a 4 1/2" grinder, it isn't used as much but it is still available when needed. BTW, I have 5) 4 1/2" grinders.

 

[ActAppalled]

I work as an industrial mechanic and probably use a grinder more in a weekend than most people do in a year. I often do large fab jobs, and I still never use our 7" grinder. Every once in a while I'll use one of our large air grinders, but 99% of the time I'm using a 4 1/2" Dewalt.

 

[darkk]

If you think a 7" grinder is too heavy, try grinding a large area of weld or rust with that 4 1/2" grinder, you'll be there forever. Every tool has it's purpose. The 4 1/2" is nice for quick little jobs, but when you really needsome grinding power...break out the big boys.

 

[Monte]

I absolutely love my 4-1/2" grinder for cutting steel & for grinding welds etc....

If you don´t have any projects right now which require a large grinder i would stay with the smaller grinders or buy other necessary tools (circular saw, recip saw etc...) or maybe add another 4 1/2" or 5" grinder or two

 

[Krokodil]

Monte, I don't see a yellow grinder there!

 

[Monte]

Monte, I don't see a yellow grinder there!

oooopppps ! Forgot to buy one
But it is necessary to have a yellow one when you can have a blue, green or orange one ??

 

[Outlawmws]

oooopppps ! Forgot to buy one
But it is necessary to have a yellow one when you can have a blue, green or orange one ??

Yes!

And wait until the "pink" SO crowd get to you!

 

[Krokodil]

So a little bit off topic: I'm also in the market for a new grinder. I currently have a 4.5" ryobi that I could not kill in 7 years. Looking at something with a bit more power and less vibration.

What are the pros and cons of a 4.5" vs a 5"? I think I read somewhere here that the 4.5" is more considered a DIY size and 5" is considered a professional size. Any merits?

 

[NUTTSGT]

I don't think I would even consider buying a large grinder. A 4 1/2 will do everything that I need to get done.

I'd venture to say that the majority of the 7-9" grinders are being used in commercial settings, farm use and serious home fab shops. If you asked the owners of the large grinders, they have probably owned them for a number of years and keep them around since they are already paid for, like any other tool.

 

[bartels_metal_works]

I recently bought a 7" Milwaukee at an auction. Heavy yes, but makes quick work of whatever I am grinding. I am not a pro, but I like to have the tools that make my life easier.

 

[Monte]

Yes!

And wait until the "pink" SO crowd get to you!

But unfortunately they don´t make pink angle grinders

But luckily Hitachi does

So a little bit off topic: I'm also in the market for a new grinder. I currently have a 4.5" ryobi that I could not kill in 7 years. Looking at something with a bit more power and less vibration.

how many amps ? what do you want to spend etc. ?

What are the pros and cons of a 4.5" vs a 5"? I think I read somewhere here that the 4.5" is more considered a DIY size and 5" is considered a professional size. Any merits?

Depends on the location i think, 4.5" grinders are common in asian countries as well as the USA it seems, also for proferssional users, over here for example you´ll mostly find 5" grinders. The benefits of a 5" grinder vs. a 4.5" is that you have a higher cutting depth and have to exchange the discs (grinding wheels...) less often because they are larger. And you can use both discs 5" and 4.5". With a 4.5" you are more limited. So if you already have a 4.5" grinder maybe i would take a 5" grinder. But it also depends on if 5" discs are common and what your tool dealer stocks.

 

[1982fxr]

I bought the HF 4.5" a couple weeks ago. The red 19.99 one w/out the trigger switch. Was just using it this afternoon. I wasn't beating the **** out of it, but I wasn't babyin it---and I can't complain.........so far. I'd probly try to find a used one with more power if i had it to do over again though, strictly out of hate for china

 

[BLACK DEATH]

I only have one but i am gonna buy another one, 4-1/2" wise just dont know which one yet. Id like to have a 7" one incase i ever need it.

 

[Krokodil]

Both 4.5" and 5" disks are common here as well. I'm looking at something with 2000W or so. I'm also willing to pay more for vibration dampening and quick disk changes. I'm just afraid that the 5" will sacrifice some access in corners over the 4.5".

I'll most probably get something from Metabo or Bosch.

 

[dledinger]

Metabo 9".

I think the local salon uses 4 1/2" grinders for ladies' manicures....

 

[Monte]

Both 4.5" and 5" disks are common here as well. I'm looking at something with 2000W or so. I'm also willing to pay more for vibration dampening and quick disk changes. I'm just afraid that the 5" will sacrifice some access in corners over the 4.5".

I'll most probably get something from Metabo or Bosch.

sometimes the gear cases of 4.5" and 5" grinders are similar or even identical.

 

[Alchymist]

Have 4-1/2, 7, and 9 inch grinders. 4-1/2 for tight spots/light grinding. 7 for snagging welds, 9" for when serious metal removal is called for. Ever watch a 1/4" bolt disappear being ground on the end by a 9"er? Fascinating!

 

[CAOS]

I spend probably 4 hours every work shift with a 5" Makita in my hands. I have personally used many different brands/types of angle grinders in my career and always go back to Makita. I personally challenge anyone that I can remove just as much material with a 5" grinder in the same amount of time as a larger one with a lot less fatigue. Its all about technique.

The first thing that should be done with the handle of an angle grinder is throw it in the garbage, way more control and accuracy without it. It makes me cringe every time I see pictures on GJ(internet) of those who do not use the guards on their grinders too.

Not trying to sound full of myself with this post, angle grinders are just the most used tool in my trade.

 

[A_Pmech]

You do know there's help for your condition, right?