Been looking at everything I could find in the archives & see that Milwaukee & Metabo are highly rated. What are the differences between the two & which size is the most useful for general use. Would there be much difference in quality between the two? Besides grinding off rust, paint, welding slag, etc, what are these useful for?
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Angle grinder questions
- Thread starter SteveU
- Start date
i have a makita 4.5" 6.5 amp. i use for grinding small welds and sanding metal. i abuse it constantly and it keeps on ticking, $80 at homedepot i believe. for go cart frames and small jobs, cant beat it but if i had to use it all day long i would opt for a large grinder, 2 handed model. my experience with a/c powered tools, no difference in milwaukee and makita, lately i feel makita d/c batteries arent as good as they once were, i started buying dewalt cordless drills and have been happier
russlaferrera
Well-known member
With an attachment , you can use it as a mini chop saw.
I bought several cheap HF ones (blue) for ~$10/each. I keep a different type of attachment on each - grinder, cutoff, wirewheel, etc. Less fiddling around when I'm working on something. I haven't burnt one up yet (they do come w/ an extra set of brushes), but this is only occassional garage fab'ing.
BTW, I do have a Hitachi one, but I bought that before I realized how many $10 HF ones I could buy for the same money.
~ricky
BTW, I do have a Hitachi one, but I bought that before I realized how many $10 HF ones I could buy for the same money.
~ricky
OctaneMotorsports
Well-known member
I grabbed a 6A, 4.5" Black & Decker yesterday for $20 Canadian new (like $18 American). Came with the side handle, work gloves, safety glasses, and a grinding wheel all in a nice hard case. I used it to grind off some THICK welds and it completed the task with ease. I've never really liked B&D tools, but I'd be hard pressed to beat this deal.
danski0224
Well-known member
I have a Metabo 4.5" with variable speed and tool-less disc change. The power switch is on top. I like the top mounted switch better than the butterfly switch on the bottom.
It fits my hands nicely and does not have as much vibration as some of the others I have used.
The variable speed is a nice feature, but I found out it will not work off of some generators.
The tool-less arbor is a must have. No wrenches to lose.
With a flapper disc, some trim carpenters use grinders to cope molding. A cutoff wheel is a nice addition for cutting metal. Diamond wheels cut things like stone and tile.
Sometimes a bigger grinder is nice, but then the tool is heavier. The size you need really depends on what you will do with it.
When I bought my Metabo, it was made in Germany. If I couldn't find a non-Chinese grinder today, then I would just get the cheapie HF ones and toss it when it breaks.
It fits my hands nicely and does not have as much vibration as some of the others I have used.
The variable speed is a nice feature, but I found out it will not work off of some generators.
The tool-less arbor is a must have. No wrenches to lose.
With a flapper disc, some trim carpenters use grinders to cope molding. A cutoff wheel is a nice addition for cutting metal. Diamond wheels cut things like stone and tile.
Sometimes a bigger grinder is nice, but then the tool is heavier. The size you need really depends on what you will do with it.
When I bought my Metabo, it was made in Germany. If I couldn't find a non-Chinese grinder today, then I would just get the cheapie HF ones and toss it when it breaks.
This tool is the greatest! It's a full size dremel. I've used it for everything you've mentioned plus some. I don't have to search for the right length bolt anymore, just throw in a longer one and cut off the excess. Used it cut off my leaf springs when replacing them. Slices up exhaust pipes like butter. I have a lighter weight Harbor Freight one for grinding rust so my arms don't tire as fast and a Black & Decker for cutting, works great.
TNToy
Well-known member
For my high powered one for serious work, I've got a Milwaukee with a paddle switch. I like these because the grinder dies if it gets away from you, even if they aren't as ergonomic as the others.
For light stuff, I've got a couple of Orange HF grinders (they last quite a bit longer than the blue ones, and have stronger motors) that I use for cleaning off rust and light grinding duty - like removing paint before welding.
The HF ones I don't mind having a lock-on switch. They have half the power, or less, of a good grinder. So they're much less likely to get away from you. The motor tends to stall instead.
For light stuff, I've got a couple of Orange HF grinders (they last quite a bit longer than the blue ones, and have stronger motors) that I use for cleaning off rust and light grinding duty - like removing paint before welding.
The HF ones I don't mind having a lock-on switch. They have half the power, or less, of a good grinder. So they're much less likely to get away from you. The motor tends to stall instead.