Angle grinder suggestions

[331CID]

I'm looking for a good angle grinder, probably four and a half inch. I have an 18v dewalt xrp that works good but I'm tired of switching batteries. I've been thinking about a porter cable from lowes for 30 bucks. Ill be using it mainly for welding projects (just flux core stuff).


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[Wamsutta]

I have a Bosch 4.5 inch and if I was to ever need another small angle grinder, I'd buy another Bosch. The only thing I might do different is get the 6 inch model next time.

 

[southalabama]

I've got a dewalt and it has served me well. If I were using it all day long I'd get a metabo. My nieces fiancé does industrial construction and I like to pick his brain for the equipment and tools they use. They use metabos. They don't even call them grinders they use the brand name as the name. Like when people use Kleenex as a name for tissue paper

 

[RedneckWelder]

The $40 Porter Cable from Lowes is a good grinder, I really like mine. I don't know about the cheaper $30 one, it feels a bit cheaper but could be good. Dunno.

 

[Jswain]

I have a cheapy $30 Skil that I just bought to replace my burned out B&D that I have had for probably 6 years of fairly heavy use. They are made by bosch and very nice to handle and use. I've only had it for about a month now so I can't comment about the longevity but I've used it for two fairly heavy duty jobs(3-4 days each) cutting 3/16" metal, prepping with a knotted wire wheel, and cleaning/grinding welds with no so much as a hiccup. So in my mind it has paid for itself already

 

[zcbauer89]

I have a Dewalt, and I have used it hard for about 6 years, and it has held up well. My second choice would be Milwaukee.

 

[G-force]

I have a six year old variable speed Metabo that I have put through hell and it keeps begging for more. One of, if not my best and most used tool.

 

[healing]

Dewalt and makita have served me well.

 

[ZRX61]

I have 2 Dewalts, no issues.

 

[catalytic]

I have used a lot of angle grinders in all sizes. My favorites in 4-5" size by far are:

Metabo (with paddle switch option). Nothing comes close in terms of build quality...All cast aluminum front end and no plastic or nylon drive components. 3yr warranty (i've never needed it)

Milwaukee (with paddle switch). Not quite as burly as the metabo, but 5 yr warranty, and they've been great about taking them back and rebuilding them after I burn them out with heavy abuse.

Some people hate the paddle switch at first because it's harder to use one handed. The first time a wire wheel catches your t-shirt and climbs to your face, you change your mind...

 

[ZRX61]

Some people hate the paddle switch at first because it's harder to use one handed. The first time a wire wheel catches your t-shirt and climbs to your face, you change your mind...

One downside to paddle switches is accidently turning the power on when you pick them up.

 

[Marvelicious]

I spent over a decade in heavy industrial steel work, so I've burned up my share of grinders on the job. I'd vote for either A) the Metabo - expensive, but it'll be with you for ever (southalabama is right: on a jobsite, we refer to them by name), or B) the cheapest thing on the shelf that you can stand the feel of. Seriously, if you're using these things hard, anything short of the Metabo is a disposable tool. I've burned up DeWalts, Makitas, Boschs, you name it. At home, I use the thing as little as possible - I hate that noise if I'm not getting paid - and the cheapie Skil has performed admirably, but I never have a situation where it runs long enough to get hot.

 

[BK13]

Seriously, if you're using these things hard, anything short of the Metabo is a disposable tool. I've burned up DeWalts, Makitas, Boschs, you name it.

Not trying to be a smartass... ever tried a Fein?

 

[Marvelicious]

No, I'll admit that is a new one on me. I'd never even heard of them, but a quick check on Google shows they seem to have a solid rep. I'm noticing a theme here: zee Germans build zee gut grinders!

 

[durallymax]

Metabo, grinders are their specialty. Make sure you do your homework though because they do have a few chinese models. They are cheap looking and easy to spot.

You can get a simple 8amp one with standard switch for $110 or so which is not bad for a Made in Germany Metabo. It will still have the nice gaurd and everything. They also have the quick feature option on some which might make you cringe but you just press the lock button in while the disc is slowing down to break the nut loose, no tools needed.

One thing to consider is that all of the Metabos(at least German ones) have a slip clutch which is nice to have and makes the grinder much safer as it will not kick back. Tends to help prevent shattered cutoff wheels too. In fact since switching to Metabo grinders and their slicer cutoff wheels I can't say any of us have broken one and weve gone through a few hundred.

Last I looked milwaukee and dewalt were just under $100 so its well worth the money to spend a couple dollars more for the Metabo. It will outlive you.

If you cant afford new then scan craigslist or ebay but as always with tools make sure you know what you are getting.


The middle one in this picture is what the compact German made angle grinders from Metabo look like. Older models may look different but more recent ones will look like this.

 

[lars]

Another vote for Metabo. I've definitely slipped the clutch on mine cutting concrete.

 

[motorscot]

I have 3 from harbor freight and 1 dewalt. The dewalt is the best, but for the $10-20 each, the HF ones flat work.
Multiple grinders save A LOT of time when you set them up for different work (flap disc, wire, plastic, standard grinder) and don't have to switch things every time you need something else.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-4-1-2-in-Small-Angle-Grinder-D28402W/100401583

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-12-in-angle-grinder-60625.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-1-2-half-inch-nylon-abrasive-wheel-94017.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-1-2-half-inch-grinding-wheel-39677.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-1-2-half-inch-36-grit-flap-disc-67639.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-1-2-half-inch-stainless-steel-knotted-wire-wheel-91282.html

 

[JonnyMac]

Love my bosch. Excellent value. ..

 

[ecotec]

I've got a dewalt and it has served me well. If I were using it all day long I'd get a metabo. My nieces fiancé does industrial construction and I like to pick his brain for the equipment and tools they use. They use metabos. They don't even call them grinders they use the brand name as the name. Like when people use Kleenex as a name for tissue paper

We call them Metabos in Michigan, too. We call zip-ties tie-wraps.

 

[beakie]

been said,but either spend the $$ on a good one. or realize it will be cheap and nearly disposable.

that said, if going cheap, get one that is comfortable to hold onto, one handed too, or however you use it most.
take it out of box, really cheap can = bulky, which *****, I'd spend few bucks more for a smaller "cheap" one.

 

[rshadd]

For my occasional use, the Bosch 1380 slim works like a champ. It's compact to let you get on tight spaces yet it still has plenty of power. I've been pleased with all of my Bosch power tools.





I had a Harbor Freight ginder previously and burned it out in two hours.

 

[NYTurfTech]

Love my 4" Makita. Goin on 12 years old now. still runs like new. I never so much as cleaned the thing.It was pretty inexpensive too ,cant remember what I payed for it.I have a 4.5'' Dewalt as well that's pretty good. The Makita just seems lighter and more maneuverable.

 

[sberry]

I will never buy an expensive grinder again, the BD from Wally works super, has a lot of power and last a long time, it has some of the same core parts as the yellow ones but lasts a lot longer. Its not the same as the cheap HF. Its one of the best grinders I have ever used. They put different jackets on it and price it at 100$. Have seen them in Menards on sale for 20, bought 3 just in case, havnt used them as the old ones still going. I put one on my bench where its a daily driver, its one of my top tool picks.

 

[Davefr]

Get the Porter Cable PC60TPAG. It's one of the only models that's also a cut off tool. (includes the special cut off type guard in addition to the regular guard).

 

[sberry]

I suspect one or 2 of the Bosch models are the same base chassis and the others have different jackets or features and are priced up. The DeWalts come with rubber cord like the Milwaukee which is a pos,,, the cheap plastic outlasts it 5 to 1. I never liked the feel of the Mils, not much for the Bosch either and I finally got used to the slide switch, I like the paddle best and the yellow 402 but they didn't hold up. Found another dead one while looking for something yesterday.

 

[Kracin]

One downside to paddle switches is accidently turning the power on when you pick them up.

unless you are realy trying to, you wont turn them on when picking them up, most have the safetly tab you have to flip the other way to depress the switch anyway.

 

[SMKS]

unless you are realy trying to, you wont turn them on when picking them up, most have the safetly tab you have to flip the other way to depress the switch anyway.

This.

To the OP,

Do you want a paddle switch, thumb switch or trigger switch? Do you want one that comes with adapters to properly mount a cutoff wheel, or just a regular grinding wheel? Some models don't come with the right adapters/guards to properly mount a cutoff wheel.

I went through this recently. I ended up getting a lower-priced Kawasaki (Alltrade) model because I was using it for grinding paint and rust with a wire brush and I needed a trigger switch and adjustable speed.

If you want cheap, there are many good reviews of the various HF models. I think the cheapest $10 one is sometimes criticized as underpowered. Other people like the Black and Decker and Skil models already mentioned in this thread.

I fondled all the different brands before I bought my last one and I found that the Makita paddle switch was the best of the moderately priced models with paddle switches, IMO. If I wanted one with a paddle I'd buy a Makita.

 

[Fordman7795]

Love my 4" Makita. Goin on 12 years old now. still runs like new. I never so much as cleaned the thing.It was pretty inexpensive too ,cant remember what I payed for it.I have a 4.5'' Dewalt as well that's pretty good. The Makita just seems lighter and more maneuverable.

Ive had a makita 4.5" for about 12 years as well and it still works great. I also have a couple milwaukees. At work, we have metabos. The only time they stop working it due to abuse (dropped off a roof, ran over etc). For occasional use the cheaper off brand ones are fine.

 

[BK13]

For my occasional use, the Bosch 1380 slim works like a champ. It's compact to let you get on tight spaces yet it still has plenty of power. I've been pleased with all of my Bosch power tools.





I had a Harbor Freight ginder previously and burned it out in two hours.

I told myself I wasn't going to but any more underpowered angle grinders, since I can stall out my DeWalt ~8 amp model pretty easily, but this one has me interested, I play with it frequently when I see one at the store... Otherwise, from here on out I'm buying Metabo or Fein.

 

[McKay]

My guys seam to beat the hell out of grinders. Milwaukee are the only ones that have held up for us. We have broke Dewalt, HF, Bosch, and Makita's. Use Dewalt on mostly everything else especially cordless. I have about 60 guys using dewalt cordless.

 

[Outlander]

You guys obviously need this grinder http://www.lowes.ca/grinders/bosch-45-in-85-amp-paddle-corded-angle-grinder_11409109.html

Timely thread, I'll be in the US later this week and need to grab a new angle grinder (or 2) for my trailer repainting projects this summer. Thanks for the suggestions - the B&D one looks interesting especially if I want a couple. My 20 year old Bosch still works, but I no longer have the thin wrench to properly tighten the wheel.

 

[Monte]

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

and these will be very good too...:
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rE0Nr-rV0fo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[BK13]

You guys obviously need this grinder http://www.lowes.ca/grinders/bosch-45-in-85-amp-paddle-corded-angle-grinder_11409109.html

Just what I need... an $11k grinder that would piss me off every time I use it (paddle switch)...

 

[gdh33]

Been using a Makita 9005b for 15 yrs plus. Not professionally, but it has been a great tool. Would definitely get another Makita. At work we have Milwaukee's.

 

[Jere]

By far the most indestructible grinder I have used is the old aluminum bodied black and deckers. Mostly I use the harbor freight 10 dollar specials I keep two in case one goes out. So far that has only been 2 in 4 years. One was with a massive wire cup that also killed a firestorm home depot grinder that cost 8 times as much. The other just broke its casting at the handle. coincidentally i wanted to finish the second one off in a blaze of smoke. So I put the giant wire cup on it but it just won't die.

always act like the smallest lobster in the grocery store tank

 

[johndeereman]

my vote is first metabo second dewalt i have a 41/2'' of both said brands, i also have a 7'' Milwaukee for real heavy grinding work i have had good luck with all three. i'm looking at picking up a 41/2'' Milwaukee as well.

 

[Monte]

i like these:

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

Metabo for me. I have two of them (4-1/2" quick release) along with a DeWalt, Hitachi, Craftsman Industrial, and 9" Milwaukee.

The Metabo are by far my favorite, comfortable in the hand, powerful, smoother & quieter.

I also had a 4-1/2" Milwaukee that I bought new and returned as it rattled like the gearbox was going to grenade. After that experience I wasn't too excited to try another so I got the Metabo.

 

[catalytic]

unless you are realy trying to, you wont turn them on when picking them up, most have the safetly tab you have to flip the other way to depress the switch anyway.

My Milwaukees have the safety tab, but my Metabo's do not (so you can accidentally start the Metabos).

I have used paddle and non-paddle versions quite a bit, and I hate the non-paddle ones. When a tool is eating your hands, it's really hard to find that little stiff off switch and convince it to slide into the 'off' position (it's even worse when wearing gloves...and angle grinders are one of the few tools I always use with gloves due to the tons of hot grinding dust and wire wheel wires they spit out.)

 

[Outlander]

Holy sh!t, haven't you seen the numerous threads with the exact same information. At least three in the past several weeks. They of course are the same, every manufacturer mentioned, I have this one, I broke this one, Germans are the best, this one's junk....

Doesn't anyone ever try a search first?

Oh by the way what is the best screwdriver, ratchet, impact socket, air compressor ? I thought my 5 year old had ADD.

Nice post, much appreciated.