6" angle grinders

[alan camby]

Another 6" angle grinder thread.

I don't have a 6" grinder for cut-off duty and I am going crazy fast without one.

Which is the easiest German Grinder to get parts for?

I have a Fein, that I did love, and the electronics board seems to have burnt out.
It does the soft start and gets up to speed then shuts off.
electronic board is $66 and $10 to ship. Grinder was $150 and I am not sure if I want to buy the part. Why did it go out after 4 years of light home use. I wonder if I could bypass the board and forget about the soft start? Why buy another board that could go out quickly and have no warranty. I was told that there is no warranty on the electronic boards.

I am also considering a cordless but the 6" cordless are very expensive.
Really liked the 9 foot cord on my Fein.

I have never burnt up a cheap grinder yet this German grinder failed quick. I bet it only has 4 hours of total use.

Do Metabo's and Bosch's have reasonably prices parts that are easily found in the USA? Should I just get a Dewalt that I know I can easily get parts for? I like the soft start but it is not worth the board burning out and costing $76

 

[anndel]

Metabo but haven't had the need for parts yet other than cutting disks. I use Metabo disks sometimes but mostly Walter.

 

[PhysicsDude]

I have the Makita variable speed 6" grinder, and I love it. Fantastic tool, except I wish it had a paddle handle. Made in USA. You can find them for <$100 on ebay if you're patient enough, although new they're typically $~170.

The "control board" which manages the variable speed and soft start is $60, although its solid state and I believe rarely fails.

https://www.ereplacementparts.com/makita-9566cv-cut-off-angle-grinder-parts-c-97_173_1531.html

 

[Wamsutta]

They are all easy to get parts for. Bosch would be my first choice if I was buying one because my 4.5'' (model 1375A) has been awesome. I prefer the slide lock switch on the left side. I detest paddle switches.

 

[alan camby]

They are all easy to get parts for. Bosch would be my first choice if I was buying one because my 4.5'' (model 1375A) has been awesome. I prefer the slide lock switch on the left side. I detest paddle switches.

My fein was a pain to find parts for.
I had to call Fein to get a parts diagram.

I do prefer the locking side switches.

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[dnschmidt]

Makita referenced above is quite good. The Metabo 6" that lacks all of the electronic nonsense is the industry standard. I have both and both are great. If it's German they're going to bang you in the can for parts it's part of the culture (think MB and BMW). Makita parts are very likely much cheaper than Metabo or Fine parts both of which are cheap compared to Festool parts.

 

[KM223]

I just bought a Metabo WEPBA 17-150 and it’s a beastly thing! I can’t comment on parts price as I haven’t had it long but I can say the cheap grinders never lasted me long at all.

 

[MJD1]

I have and have had several metaboz in 6" and 4.5". Cords have been about the only issue that I considered repairable. Burnt a few up, but that was after many years of hard use and hundreds of discs.

 

[GaryM909]

I switched from using the Makita 9005b with a 6" guard to the Dewalt 5/6" rat tail grinders just because they are easier to handle. Both have trigger locks even though most job sites I go on require me to remove them.I keep a couple that still have them. The makita is easier to change the brushes and cords though.

 

[tarbellb]

Whats the difference between a 6" and 5/4.5" grinder, amps?

I also have a 5" or 6" Fein, couple actually, and have beat on them pretty hard with no issues. Sounds like you got unlucky.

But I have a Metabo 5" variable speed and a new Brushless Hitachi 5" corded variable speed that I love.

Unless you are running 6" wire cups, diamond wheels, or other HD attachments I would highly recommend the Hitachi G12VE brushless grinder. It is a pleasure to use.

If you are just looking for a workhorse, forgo the electronics and just a get a rat tail.

Here is a post I put about my Fein/Metabo/Hitachi/ etc... https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7098863#post7098863

 

[Lelandwelds]

I switched from using the Makita 9005b .

Great grinder. I still have several.

If you are just looking for a workhorse, forgo the electronics and just a get a rat tail.

I guess I have been out of welding for too long. What the heck is a rat tail?

 

[alan camby]

Great grinder. I still have several.



I guess I have been out of welding for too long. What the heck is a rat tail?

Rear handle instead of holding onto motor.

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[GaryM909]

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/711AwrvJUuL._SY355_.jpg
Nice slim body that you can hold on to

 

[Tennessee Cattleman]

Metabo makes very nice angle grinders, I have a Metabo 5" WEPBA 17-125 QUICK.

 

[alan camby]

I just ordered the Metabo WE 15-150. Hopefully it lives a long life.

 

[alan camby]

Grinder came in today.
Only two things right away I like better on the old Fein.

Cord length is 13ft vs 8ft.

Concerned that the quick spindle might be more vulnerable to damage with the notched threads on the spindle.

Seems nice besides those two concerns. The cord is 14 gauge on Metabo vs 16 gauge in the Fein. I think the cord strain relief, at the grinder, is a little cheap on the Metabo.

Fein spins at 8500 and Metabo at 9600.
So maybe it will cut a little faster. 13 amps vs 13.5 on Metabo.

Besides those items they seem comparable.


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[blue duck]

The metabo quick is heavy duty. You'll have no problem with the nut or the threads.

 

[Wamsutta]

This is the one you could've had and missing out on.

 

[bigb56]

What I don't like about Metabo is no switch lock.

 

[Wamsutta]

What I don't like about Metabo is no switch lock.

Are you referring to the paddle switch models?

The slide switch models are supposed to lock on when you slide the switch fully forward and then spring to the off position when you move the switch rearward. At least that's the way my Bosch is.

 

[alan camby]

Are you referring to the paddle switch models?

The slide switch models are supposed to lock on when you slide the switch fully forward and then spring to the off position when you move the switch rearward. At least that's the way my Bosch is.

The Fein and this new Metabo have the locking switch. The Fein is on top and Metabo is on left side.

I don't know about the paddle switches. I really like the simple thumb switches. I like to hold the grinder in all kinds of weird angles for certain jobs. Some positions might be difficult to operate a paddle.
I know a lot of people like that setup though.

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[alan camby]

This is the one you could've had and missing out on.

But what is the model?
Side looks like it shows 125 which would be 4.5"
I wanted a 6" for cutoff wheel duty.
The 4.5" and 5" models are so much cheaper $ than the 6" models.
I had no problem with Bosch and would have bought one if someone had them at a box store.

I looked online at HD, Lowes, and Menards. None of the box stores even sell a compact, non rat tail 6" Grinder. At least in stock at the store. I was at Lowe's and they had no blades, flap wheels, or cutoff wheels in 6".

I had to ordered everything online.

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[Floridaboy]

I use dewalt and metabo 4 1/2 and 7 inch both work good.


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[Wamsutta]

But what is the model?

It's the model AG60-125 six inch. Here are the specs :

High-performance 12.5 Amp 9,300 RPM motor - power and performance demanded by a professional

Electronic clutch - shuts down the motor if the wheel gets into a sudden bind situation

Overload protection - shuts off tool to reduce over heating and motor damage

Constant Response™ circuitry - maintains constant speed under load

Soft start - reduces start-up torque to protect motor

Restart protection - protects against an automatic restart after a power interruption

Directed airflow - diverts dust away from switch and vital components to extend tool life

Removable brush covers - for quick and easy brush replacement

Lock-on/off slide switch - for extended use applications

Two-position vibration control handle - reduces vibration, providing uncompromising user comfort

Service Minder™ brushes - eliminates guesswork, stops tool when preventative maintenance is required

Gear housing rotates 90 degrees - for better ergonomics and control in cutting applications

Ergonomic housing - increases comfort and control for extended usage

Epoxy coated field windings - provides ultimate protection against abrasive dust and metal debris

Toolless adjustable guard - quick guard installation and adjustments

 

[tarbellb]

Seems like the only difference in 4.5 vs 5 vs 6" grinders is the RPMs.

If thats the case, buy a good variable speed grinder that meets your criteria ie switch style, amps, cord length, etc.... and use any attachment you want and adjust the RPMs.

I like my Metabo vari spd and my Fein is fine, but I love my Hitachi.

 

[alan camby]

Re: 6&quot; angle grinders

Seems like the only difference in 4.5 vs 5 vs 6" grinders is the RPMs.

If thats the case, buy a good variable speed grinder that meets your criteria ie switch style, amps, cord length, etc.... and use any attachment you want and adjust the RPMs.

I like my Metabo vari spd and my Fein is fine, but I love my Hitachi.

I don't know how hard it is to find 13.5 amp grinders in 4.5"? Even if you can, I would venture to say that the gear head has a different ratio for the 6" grinders.

I would think that the motors would spin at the same rpm and the final output rpm would be set by the gear head. Sure you could vary the rpm down to the 9k range but you would not have the same power as the same size motor with more gear reduction.

I know most guys take the guards off but I have always used them. You would have to pick up a 6" guard.

The larger the wheel the slower the rpm that they are rated for since the outer surface speed is increased with a larger diameter.

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[Wamsutta]

I tried running a 6 inch disc on my 4.5 inch Bosch grinder. The motor was getting so hot that the epoxy resin that encases the motor windings was starting to melt. That's indicated by the sweet sugary smell that fills the air. The grinder needs the lower gear ratio to run the larger discs.

 

[tarbellb]

That does make sense, more surface area in contact, heavier wheel, all likely mean they need a different gear ratio.

Ive been running 6" x .045" cutting disc on my 4.5" Hitachi at lower rpms (5-6k) and it didnt break a sweat. Also ran some 5-6" flap disc no problem, but was doing light touch up grinding.

I imagine you get a 40 grit 6" flap and try to hog off a lot of material it may tax the grinder? Maybe I will try

 

[The Cobbler]

I don't think its so much gear ratio as it would be motor horsepower, thats why the larger grinders are higher amp draw

 

[tarbellb]

My Hitachi 4.5" is rated at 12amps... its gotta be gear ratio if anything.