9" Grinder comparison

[Miarka]

So I see that Metabo and Bosch both make a similar 9" grinder.
However the Bosch does not seem to be available for American 110v.

Here are the two:

Metabo W26-230
http://www.metabo.us/Product-catalog-handheld-powertools.23980+M5db7cd936ca.0.html

Bosch GWS 26-230 LVI Professional
http://www.bosch-professional.com/m...77/28205/large-angle-grinders/gws-26-230-lvi/

between the two I am thinking I would go with the Bosch since it has some nice features including the kick back stop and that both handles are very vibration resistant .
However, Because I cannot find a Bosch GWS 26-230 LVI Professional that is compatible with american receptacles I'm considering getting the
Bosch 1994-6
http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=1994-6

it's got slightly less power than the Metabo W26-230 ,but from the descriptions I've found it seems more comfortable during extended use. Also it has a much better looking price.

Any thoughts out there?

 

[MJD1]

Milwaukee makes a grinder in 7-9" with the adjustable rear handle as well. I got mine from northern tool. Smooth and plenty of power.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I have two of the Milwaukees and they are definitely a "man's tool." About five minutes and I'm done for a while--but boy do I get a lot done in that five minutes.

 

[theoldwizard1]

DeWalt DWE4519.

When you are building a 70+' boat out of steel, you will do a lot of grinding. Watch this video (it will start at 6:48).

 

[Packard V8]

FWIW, I've used the Bosch, Black & Decker, Skil and Milwaukee. There's not a lot to choose between them. All require a man to run them for very long. All of them will eat you up if you get tired/careless.

jack vines

 

[Miarka]

I'm building a steel I-beam/H-beam frame for my house and will probably have a lot of chamfering of 1/2" steel.
The Metabo has more horsepower, torque, and three mounting positions for the handle.
However, the Bosch 1994-6 is lighter and seems to have more vibration dampening qualities....

has anyone use the Metabo W26-230?
http://www.metabo.us/Product-catalog...cd936ca.0.html

 

[Zeke]

I have two of the Milwaukees and they are definitely a "man's tool." About five minutes and I'm done for a while--but boy do I get a lot done in that five minutes.

Try out an old Sioux.

 

[Cope]

Try out an old Sioux.

You're really showing your age! They used to make a good pneumatic impact too.

 

[Monte]

The Metabo has a anti vibration main and side handle too.

 

[Miarka]

So basically the question between the two is:

More power resulting in less time working but possibly less comfort...
or
Possibly marginally more comfort but slightly longer time working...

 

[Miarka]

The Metabo has a anti vibration main and side handle too.

but how does the main handle vibration compare to the Bosch's?
any significant difference?

Also, is the Metabo worth the difference in price?
the lowest prices I've found were $199 for the Bosch and $288 for the Metabo

 

[Monte]

but how does the main handle vibration compare to the Bosch's?
any significant difference?

Also, is the Metabo worth the difference in price?
the lowest prices I've found were $199 for the Bosch and $288 for the Metabo

i dunno about the differences in vibration... but 199,- is a very alluring price so i think i would take the Bosch.

 

[Miarka]

i dunno about the differences in vibration... but 199,- is a very alluring price so i think i would take the Bosch.

I am leaning towards the Bosch for the same reason.

But the great reputation/longevity of Metabo grinders is still keeping me from making a decision.
The Metabo is 4.7hp while the Bosch is 4hp

Has anyone found the three position handle mounting(available on Metabo) to be a deciding factor when purchasing?

Would be great if I could test these side by side...

 

[Miarka]

Page 30 in this catalog has more detailed specs for the Metabo
http://www.metabo.us/fileadmin/metabo/_countries/us__com_/pdf/Catalog/Metabo_Catalog_2015-2016.pdf

However I cannot find detailed specs for the Bosh 1994-6.
For example, how much torque does the bosch have?
The Metabo has 159 inch lbs.

Anything out there with more Torque than this Metabo?

 

[AbbySomeone]

DWE4599N. Anti vibration, 2 stage clutch, overload protection, and dust ejection. Probably a little pricier than the Bosch but a better unit

Between the metabo and the Bosch, buy the Bosch. bosch makes a great large angle grinder

 

[AbbySomeone]

I am leaning towards the Bosch for the same reason.

But the great reputation/longevity of Metabo grinders is still keeping me from making a decision.
The Metabo is 4.7hp while the Bosch is 4hp

Has anyone found the three position handle mounting(available on Metabo) to be a deciding factor when purchasing?

Would be great if I could test these side by side...

price does not imply quality, though many believe it does. Metabo are fine grinders (their small angle grinders specifically) but most industrial users discover very quickly that they last just as long as a Bosch or a DeWalt or a Makita, so why spend twice as much

Don't take my word for it, visit any large shipyard that buys angle grinders by the pallet. Note what brand they are. If the metabo did last longer it would be a no brainer for them

Metabo does a great job with specialty metalworking tools and they also did a great job with pushing the clutch feature of their grinders, which 20 years ago was cutting edge and allowed them to spec entry into many industrial sites. That clutch feature is offered by several other manufacturers as well nowadays. Their warranty support in this country is rather suspect as well. I think Fastenal takes their repairs, they are a large metabo distributor, I think the largest in the us.

Good luck whatever you buy, I don't think you'd be disappointed with any of them

 

[Miarka]

DWE4599N. Anti vibration, 2 stage clutch, overload protection, and dust ejection. Probably a little pricier than the Bosch but a better unit

Between the metabo and the Bosch, buy the Bosch. bosch makes a great large angle grinder

the review at the bottom of the page in this link says otherwise...
http://www.tylertool.com/bosch-1994...shn1994-6,default,pd.html?cgid=angle-grinders

 

[Miarka]

Don't take my word for it, visit any large shipyard that buys angle grinders by the pallet. Note what brand they are. If the metabo did last longer it would be a no brainer for them

What do most shipyards use nowadays?

 

[AbbySomeone]

the review at the bottom of the page in this link says otherwise...
http://www.tylertool.com/bosch-1994...shn1994-6,default,pd.html?cgid=angle-grinders

The DeWalt has overload protection which will prevent anyone from burning it up in 10 minutes


But, no matter what model grinder it is, some idiot could tear it up. I guarantee it. If you don't bear down on a grinder a simple 6 amp slim fit Bosch will do the trick. Most guys holding a grinder all day tend not to be brainiacs. Also, the quicker their grinder tears up the quicker they can go smoke a cig.

Performance (removal of metal) is achieved by the speed of the abrasive over the material. Bearing down not only destroys your grinder but it also slows you down.

 

[AbbySomeone]

What do most shipyards use nowadays?

Mostly small angle grinders, mostly DeWalt. Large angle grinders I think Bosch still has market share, but I'm not positive on that one. Large angle grinders are going the way of the dodo. No real need for them anymore.

Won't be long until you see 15 amp 4-1/2 grinders. They are already close. LAGs are being relegated to specialty and pipeline applications for the most part

 

[Miarka]

Performance (removal of metal) is achieved by the speed of the abrasive over the material. Bearing down not only destroys your grinder but it also slows you down.

Besides more horsepower, The Metabo W26-230 has higher RPMs than the Bosch.
what is the ideal Speed for grinding Mild steel?

The 4hp Bosch runs at 6,500 RPMs
The 4.7hp Metabo runs at 6,600 RPMs

 

[Miarka]

Also, why does the Bosch weigh 11lbs while the Metabo weighs 16.5?

Seems to me like the Metabo has a larger motor and should be able to do more work.

In the specs I've found, the arbor on the Bosch is 5/8" while the arbor on the Metabo is 7/8".
They both have a 5/8"-11 spindle thread

 

[AbbySomeone]

Besides more horsepower, The Metabo W26-230 has higher RPMs than the Bosch.
what is the ideal Speed for grinding Mild steel?

The 4hp Bosch runs at 6,500 RPMs
The 4.7hp Metabo runs at 6,600 RPMs

You are limited by the abrasive manufacturers here. 9" wheels are typically rated for a max rpm of 6600. Compare that to 4-1/2 which is 10000 plus

My guess is that Boschs lawyers didn't want their grinder spinning at the max allowable rpm. That said you would never notice the difference between 6500 and 6600

 

[Weldor]

Just go for the lightest one. Using a 9" grinder for more than 5 min is a measure of strength.

Will you chamfer these beams on a saw horse or in position?

BTW I primarily use a DeWalt 9"

 

[Miarka]

Just go for the lightest one. Using a 9" grinder for more than 5 min is a measure of strength.

Will you chamfer these beams on a saw horse or in position?

BTW I primarily use a DeWalt 9"

Most work will hopefully be done at ground level.saw horse etc..

I've used chainsaws for hours, is this all that different?
I might be able to get a great deal on the slightly lighter metabo W24-230 which is almost as light as the bosch.
13.6lbs instead of 16.5
the bosch is 11lbs

The reviews on Bosch 9" grinders are mostly great except for a few very bad ones.
Metabos seem to have fewer reviews but are all about equally high.

Still wondering about the usefulness of a three position side handle.
A few Bosch reviews said that it was a downside to the Bosch

 

[MJD1]

If your beveling 1/2" steel you are removing a lot of material .I would come up with a torch or plasma guide and remove almost all off the bevel with that. A stone type wheel, commonly known as a "rock" will remove metal faster than a type 27 wheel. Check out 3M Cubitron discs for insane fast metal removal.

 

[Miarka]

If your beveling 1/2" steel you are removing a lot of material .I would come up with a torch or plasma guide and remove almost all off the bevel with that. A stone type wheel, commonly known as a "rock" will remove metal faster than a type 27 wheel. Check out 3M Cubitron discs for insane fast metal removal.

Any attachments/guides for a Hypertherm powermax 45?
I guess just using a straight edge will do the trick...
Still want a powerful grinder to make great weld surfaces quickly.

already have a few smaller grinders(Makita and a Bosch with speed control).
the Bosch is beginning to whine

 

[MJD1]

The guide sold by hypertherm is good . For beveling a piece of angle with the Vee standing up works good. By using angle with uneven leg heights you can get a different bevel angle. Basically you are tipping the torch at an angle and sliding it along the angle. A piece of 2" x3" angle with the 2" side toward the cut should get your angle of bevel pretty close for a **** joint bevel.

 

[Miarka]

The guide sold by hypertherm is good . For beveling a piece of angle with the Vee standing up works good. By using angle with uneven leg heights you can get a different bevel angle. Basically you are tipping the torch at an angle and sliding it along the angle. A piece of 2" x3" angle with the 2" side toward the cut should get your angle of bevel pretty close for a **** joint bevel.

Thanks! Great idea.

If I get a 9" grinder that runs at 6,500 or 6,600 RPM, will that be compatible with the Norton Norton III grinding wheel(top speed 6,000RPM?)
http://www.righttoolusa.com/p/Norto...8173741.html?gclid=CLrKn5LBh8QCFdgOgQod11EALA
Seems like most 9" grinders are over 6,000 RPM and the 7" are often 8,500

this guy seems to use it on his Dewalt..

...however, just read that the 9" dewalt runs at 5,000 RPMs

guess I answered my own question lol

 

[MJD1]

There are a few videos with the 3m cubitron, Fieldres has one. Pretty much any mid to premium grade abrasive should give good results. Norton, Walther, Flexovit, and Sait all have some good wheels. I prefer to buy from a welding store instead of a farm or box store as they usually have the pro grade stuff. I tend to prefer a 6" grinder since it has more rpm to balance out the wheel diameter. At any rate use your PPE and hang on.

 

[Miarka]

my local welding shop carries almost exclusively Metabo grinder abrasives

 

[2oolhound]

You have to remember the ft per sec when comparing 5, 7, 9" grinding discs. The discs are probably all cut from the same sheets with the same coatings or have the same composition but the ratings have to change due to the fps of the larger discs. Another nice thing about smaller grinders is they get into tighter spaces and further into corners because of the reduced radius.

 

[Miarka]

looks like i'm down to comparing the Metabo W24-230 vs Metabo W26-230

I have found both at significantly lower prices than list/retail.
is the W26-230 worth spending $100 more than for the W24-230?

they seem to be quite close in specs(page 30)
http://www.metabo.us/fileadmin/metabo/_countries/us__com_/pdf/Catalog/Metabo_Catalog_2015-2016.pdf

 

[MJD1]

Looks like a 200 watt and a 3 pound difference. Myself and contractors I have been around used metabo grinders in the 6" size and smaller and Milwaukee or the older black and decker style wildcat for big grinders. I have seen the big metabo ones before on the shelves at stores but never used one. If its built like the smaller ones you should get excellent performance.

 

[Miarka]

Looks like a 200 watt and a 3 pound difference. Myself and contractors I have been around used metabo grinders in the 6" size and smaller and Milwaukee or the older black and decker style wildcat for big grinders. I have seen the big metabo ones before on the shelves at stores but never used one. If its built like the smaller ones you should get excellent performance.

Thank you, this is very encouraging.

The first job for this grinder will be to help me process 3,600feet of W12x26 I-beams for use as beams in a house I'm building. still have to calculate the sizing/dimensions for the 12 posts(probably something like W8x28)..

Anyways, whichever grinder I use will probably be put to the test lol

 

[Monte]

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[2oolhound]

Sounds like your 1st job for the grinder will be out in the open but I know one of the issues I often encounter with grinders is having the body limit my positioning of the grinding disc. If there is a line drawing available that shows the dimensions of the body thickness I'd be considering any extra bulk as a disadvantage.

I have a really old 7" makita and every time I see one of the new ones I start drooling. They've really made improvements in this department over the years.

 

[Miarka]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/swlcgRcb2zc

Wow thanks!

Those are the W22-180's and W23-180's but they don't seem to be available in the US

The W24-180(seems similar...) runs at 8,500RPM while the 9" models run at 6,600RPM
Which is better for mild steel?

From what I've "read" it's usually better to get the 9" since you then have the option to put a 7" wheel on it...

Lighter with higher RPMs adds a new factor to my decision process lol

 

[Miarka]

8,500RPM with a 7" disk vs 6,600RPM with a 9" disk

Which is better for 1/2" mild steel?

 

[BD1]

For the price of new maybe consider craigs list. I bought two Milwaukee 9'',
one was $75.00 with a bunch of wheels and the other was $100.00 with wire wheel and grinding cup wheel. Still running strong !