Angle grinder, M18 or corded

[FigureItOut]

I smoked my old cheap angle grinder and need a new one fairly soon. Bad timing, as the tool budget is blown so I'm looking for bang for the buck. Even so, I'm leaning towards M18 cordless. Cordless would be really nice, but I could live without it if I wouldn't get the needed power.

Is a cordless grinder best reserved as a second grinder or will it suffice for a primary? Are the $50-$70 grinders suitable or am I gonna want to step to the $100 price range anyway?

Usage: home only, currently teaching myself welding and light fabrication. Have a project planned in the near future to cut the sides off my utility trailer and redo them.

So, wanting the elusive cheap but good coupled with the ubiquitous impulse to add to my M18 collection, what say you?

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[CJM8515]

I have a makita thats done anything ive asked it, 6amp I believe from home depot. The cordless ones are nice but eat batteries quick.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

You will regret using a cordless one. AFAIK they still have ****** battery life, unless you need to be able to grind stuff off the grid then there is not much of a point.

 

[one9gt]

Go corded ... A Milwaukee 11 amp only cost $80 and you won't have to worry about battery life


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[NUTTSGT]

As a primary grinder, I'd want corded, other wise, when you need it or are using it, the batteries will be dead.

Find a name brand for a decent price and then check your local HD to see if they carry the same model for more money. If it's more and in stock, you can ask for a price match and 10%. When I wanted a second grinder, I found a Dewalt at TSC for a good price, went to HD, price matched plus ten percent off.

I also have a 18V Dewalt grinder and it comes in handy. It generally goes where I don't want to drag a cord, like cutting a steel post in the neighbors yard. They are nice but I believe they have their place.

 

[metaldad]

I smoked my old cheap angle grinder and need a new one fairly soon.
Usage: home only, currently teaching myself welding and light fabrication. Have a project planned in the near future to cut the sides off my utility trailer

what say you?

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a little pricey, but, a metabo we14-150 with 6'' super slicer discs is a cant lose option. grinder has a clutch, helpful if the disc gets caught.

 

[Superbec]

currently teaching myself welding and light fabrication. Have a project planned in the near future to cut the sides off my utility trailer and redo them.

for any fab work you need 2 grinders , one with cut off wheel and one with a grinding wheel of choice , that is if you don't want to change from one disc to another the hole day///

I would get at least one with variable speed, will help with finishing stainless work, especially if you welded on it.

I would get metabo or bosch (blue) ( i know it may have some blemishes on the aluminium part LOL ) they will probably last a lifetime , maybe change a cord (even that's easy on metabos)

Any grinder you get open the gearbox right away and get some good grease inside .

I would get the m18 as third , cordless is very handy sometimes

 

[Monte]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ICNQ0V0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[winlinmac]

Great Find Monte!

 

[FigureItOut]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ICNQ0V0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Hey cool, I wouldn't have thought a Fein would be in my price range. I was looking at the 8.5 amp Bosch for a few bucks less. With the Bosch, evidently you need to buy a second guard in order to use with both grinding wheels and cut-off discs, that doesn't seem to be the case with any others.

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[tarmy]

View attachment 547044

Get three...you will find it handy. One for flap wheel, one for cut off and one for grinding wheel.

These are all dewalt paddle grip...don't get a switchable one...eventually you will leave it on...set it down...and it won't end well.

Get the more pwerful type...about 80 buck...they last forever. I added 20' cords so I don't need extensions and can reach more places...

 

[Voi]

I occasionally carry a friends Dewalt 20V angle grinder with me when I hike for some of the trail maintenance I do.

I've never checked the amp-hour rating on the two batteries I take but they're pretty slim so I assume they're at least close to the smallest size in the 20V Max lineup.

I can go through a battery very quickly. I've never kept track but it can't be more than five minutes.

It's useful enough for me that a cordless angle grinder is on my wish list but I'd have to get something brushless like the Fuel with a high amp-hour battery. Still, my assumption is it wouldn't be a go to grinder for shop work.

 

[FigureItOut]

Yeah I'm pretty well convinced to go corded. I'm not too awfully worried about battery life, I have five 5AH batteries, but there may come a time that's enough.
I think I'll hit the box stores today and handle a few. Barring a really good clearance on something nice I'll order that Fein Monty linked to. I need more German power tools in my life.

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[ez-duzit]

Monte--great find!

 

[Rich.]

How do milwaukees corded grinders compare to Fein?

 

[FigureItOut]

How do milwaukees corded grinders compare to Fein?

I couldn't say on that, but going on reputation the Fein will be an excellent choice. I went and handled a few and honestly only the highest price Milwaukee had that "feel" to it that. You know, that feeling you get from certain high quality tools that they WANT to get things done. Even the Bosch I looked at didn't impress me much, but this is after I watched some videos about the Fein and was already infatuated.

Anyway, I ordered it. I hate waiting.

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[crewchief888]

one of the better "values" i found was the hitachi corded model at lowes.

come with a blow molded case, (if you like cased tools), and 5 grinding wheels.

i think the reg price is $49, on sale for approx $40.

i have beaten mine up pretty bad over the last 5 or 6 years, and it hasnt stopped yet.

also have a dewalt, & 2 HF orange, in the garage a CM pro in the shop at work, 18v milwaukee fuel in my service truck, and a blue point air grinder in my truck.

 

[bobcatdan]

Every shop I ever worked at had a shop supplied DeWalt 4 1/2". They all took a serious beating from everyone and never flinched. If I didn't have an older bullet proof 4" makita and 4 1/2" metabo I bought because at $25 it was too hard to pass up new in the box, I'd but a DeWalt.

 

[Blazinzuk]

Just about any grinder is fine if you know how to use it. Don't load it super heavy. I have been using dewalt for a long time but then again I run at least 10 amp.

I consider grinders consumable. They are gonna wear out. Get what you can afford upgrade later.

 

[ez-duzit]

Just about any grinder is fine if you know how to use it...

Actually there are some dogs. The small made-in-China Bosch does not provide enough finger room between the body and wheel. The HF I wouldn't buy at any price.

 

[fourjeepin]

I have a corded USA Milwaukee, corded Ridgid and cordless 18v Dewalt. I rarely use the Dewalt due to the lack of power and short run time. All are paddle switched except the Ridgid and like tarmstrong, I highly recommend them.

 

[Monte]

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N2zR3a02KPI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[FigureItOut]

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N2zR3a02KPI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I'd seen that. It's a very convincing marketing video. I also saw this video which I thought was worth sharing for a chuckle.

Watch the minute between 3:00 and 4:00 as he cautions against off-brand discs, demonstrates how he was hurt practically begging for it, then blames the grinder. It's a reflection on the tool for sure, just not the grinder.

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[rockinacummins]

Another vote for a corded one here. Even for just using a wire wheel to clean flux off of welds, my cordless only lasts about an hour (DeWalt)

 

[Pardigital]

4 1/2" model here - looks like the same specs, but 1/2" smaller disc size than the previous mentioned model. It's $99 at Amazon.

 

[sberry]

Chief tested the Hitatchi at 50 and that's a deal. 30$ at Wal-Mart's gets a deal too.

 

[evintho]

I use a cordless Milwaukee M18 for work and love it! But, I am on the road and I need cordless. For home use it's a simple corded Craftsman 4-1/2" angle grinder. I bought it 6 years ago at the Black Friday sale. I do lots of metal fabrication and it works just fine. For $25 when it finally goes out, I'll go get another one! A lot of guys use the HF unit. Same price. Should last for a couple of years. At that price just think of them as disposable grinders!

 

[Tenex]

My father bought the HF 4 1/2" grinder and we managed to burn out the armature in less than 6 uses trying to sharpen some lawn mower blades. He bought a Dewalt immediately after and it's never flinched performing the same task.

 

[ADSR]

M18 fuel here and I love it! No cored to trip me up.

 

[FigureItOut]

M18 fuel here and I love it! No cored to trip me up.

If and when I decide I need multiples, I'll get the M18 I think. I can think of stuff I've done where a cordless grinder would've made for a better day.

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[TK-421]

Definitely corded for a primary, especially if it's corded or cordless, but not both. You'll blow through battery packs with a cordless, and those battery packs just add a ton onto the tool purchase price. Get a nice corded and a quality extension cord and you'll be able to go all day without worry.