angle grinder

[marak]

Was curious what the Metabo cost nowadays: $130, made in Germany (owned for 8 years). Not variable speed, which is why I really like my 6" Makita $171, which also accepts 4.5" discs (owned for 7 years). These are my go-to grinders. I would hate to not have half a dozen HF ones at the ready. For $15 to $20 each, I'd almost stick one in the kitchen drawer with the screwdrivers.

 

[toplessHO]

around 35 yrs ago I bought a Black n Decker that was factory reconditioned
from the Black and Decker repair shop.$40.
I was grinding concrete with it and it was getting so hot I was wearing welding gloves.
A few years later it quit. I bought new brushes and replaced the cord,good as new.
Did I mention its made in USA?Probably the last thing B&D made here before DeWalt bought them.
I misplaced the B&D so bought a Metabo,Ilke features of each.
Now I needed a portable one so bought the 24v Kobalt on sale for $90.
If I have power nearby I will still pick up the old B&D.
Ive seen the B&Ds on ebay for $25 used so that would be a good choice too.
There is no Nanny switch on the B&D,Metabo is easy to defeat and can be left on,
so keep your wits about you.
Homey Depot sells Milwaukee wire wheels that are made in USA too.

 

[cherrybomb]

Makita corded variable speed gets my vote

 

[Bradc1989]

I’ll give my experience with cheap grinders. I’ve had a wal mart brand and a kobalt. These are the only cheap grinders I’ve ever used and the only ones to have ever bit me. Yes I ran them with no guards(lesson learned). On 2 seperate occasions they kicked back with brand new flappy wheels on them. One got me on the side of the finger and one in between knuckles . The one on the finger went to the bone and the one between knuckles to the cartilage, in a micro second. Lots of blood both times. I now own a dewalt and the other two went in the trash. In the 15ish years I’ve been in my profession I’ve never had a dewalt or Milwaukee even threaten to kick back.

 

[dchawk81]

The fact you thought it was generic is why the Metabo I.P. is so valuable. Pass me the Kleenex?

Or maybe why it's not?

 

[engineer2]

I’ve been in my profession I’ve never had a dewalt or Milwaukee even threaten to kick back

My Makita battery powered one has electronic anti-kickback. Didn't know it had that feature until it bound up the blade demoing tile.
I wonder if any corded models have that.

 

[dnschmidt]

Black and Decker Industrial was as good as it gets back in the day. Now B&D means Walmart garbage. What a shame. I have some old corded B&D Holeguns that still work as good as new. They were just as good as Milwaukee or Metabo Germany.

 

[dchawk81]

OP has plenty of answers to make a decision. Deep dives into minutiae make threads interesting. OP may not need or want anything more than a HF grinder, but other people read these threads and may get some information out of it.

Forums aren't strictly for answering questions. It's a discussion about ideas and concepts as well, and it being a public board makes it so when you're responding to a thread, you are responding to more than the OP, you're responding to all future readers who may have an interest in the post topic.

You should reread how the thread actually went down, particularly your initial responses to my original contribution.

Bashing Hitachi Metabo because it's not German or industrial grade isn't a discussion about an idea or concept. It's just bashing.

Especially when Harbor Freight is on the OP's radar.

 

[Bockscar]

I have bought two from HF, one is still going strong. The other died after 3rd or 4th use.
It is a crapshoot on them.

My understanding is that they either **** out right away or last forever

 

[corn chip]

My understanding is that they either **** out right away or last forever

i find it hard to believe they last forever. not after watching a vid of how poor qaulity the internals are

 

[dr_clyde]

You should reread how the thread actually went down, particularly your initial responses to my original contribution.

Bashing Hitachi Metabo because it's not German or industrial grade isn't a discussion about an idea or concept. It's just bashing.

Especially when Harbor Freight is on the OP's radar.

I’m entitled to my opinion. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t make it valid.

I think what Hitachi did with Metabo is disgusting and low, and I’ll say it whenever I get the opportunity. I don’t really care if you think it’s “bashing”.

If OP wants to spend $20 or whatever on a HF grinder it doesn’t affect me at all. But I feel like the topic of grinders warrants the discussion of the differences between HPT and actual Metabo grinders. Maybe YOU don’t care, maybe OP doesn’t care, but SOMEONE might read this thread who does care. More people read these threads than post.

 

[dchawk81]

I’m entitled to my opinion. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t make it valid.

I think what Hitachi did with Metabo is disgusting and low, and I’ll say it whenever I get the opportunity. I don’t really care if you think it’s “bashing”.

If OP wants to spend $20 or whatever on a HF grinder it doesn’t affect me at all. But I feel like the topic of grinders warrants the discussion of the differences between HPT and actual Metabo grinders. Maybe YOU don’t care, maybe OP doesn’t care, but SOMEONE might read this thread who does care. More people read these threads than post.

That's fine but ripping a brand calling it a POS is not the intellectual discussion you tried to make it out to be.

A lot of people don't actually care about brands and don't paint all products by one company with the same brush.

Metabo meant nothing to me when I bought it, so that name was not a factor. I didn't assume it was a godly industrial brand because I never heard of it before, and I'm not recommending it on that basis nor did I ever imply it.

So maybe refrain from tearing into people for simply recommending a product they're content with in the future.

 

[rlitman]

My Makita battery powered one has electronic anti-kickback. Didn't know it had that feature until it bound up the blade demoing tile.
I wonder if any corded models have that.

Yes. My older Metabo has a slip clutch, My Feins all have electronic anti-kickback. It's a feature found in most better corded models at this time, but not in the cheap ****. And yes, I would not consider a grinder without it (a point I made above).

As for battery tools, that's an inherent feature in all of them. Not necessarily for operator protection, but it's a side benefit of the over-current limiter protecting the batteries.

 

[dr_clyde]

That's fine but ripping a brand calling it a POS is not the intellectual discussion you tried to make it out to be.

A lot of people don't actually care about brands and don't paint all products by one company with the same brush.

Metabo meant nothing to me when I bought it, so that name was not a factor. I didn't assume it was a godly industrial brand because I never heard of it before, and I'm not recommending it on that basis nor did I ever imply it.

So maybe refrain from tearing into people for simply recommending a product they're content with in the future.

Nah. I’ll keep doing what I feel is appropriate.

If I think something is a POS, I’ll say it. I’m glad you like yours, that’s fine. I’m still entitled to my thoughts.

That’s the cool part about forums. I can have my opinions.

 

[KenC]

Cutting brick (or any other concrete like product) with a 4.5" grinder *****, it's slow and your face is right down in it. If you do more than 2-3 bricks a day with it, get a proper concrete saw.

Rebar I always cut with an abrasive chop saw too, same reason, grinder is just annoying to use.

Actually, a grinder for cutting anything EXCEPT when the grinder is the only tool that will physically fit *****...don't use grinders for cutting, use grinders for grinding!

I just can't wrap my head around the idea of carrying a 20ft piece of rebar to a stationary tool to clip of a little piece. Much more convenient to use a handheld tool at the point of need. That's where battery tools shine IMO.

 

[billconner]

I just can't wrap my head around the idea of carrying a 20ft piece of rebar to a stationary tool to clip of a little piece. Much more convenient to use a handheld tool at the point of need. That's where battery tools shine IMO.

I think so too. Cut it where it lies upon delivery. Majority is in 20' pieces for footing anyways.

 

[ItsNemo]

I just can't wrap my head around the idea of carrying a 20ft piece of rebar to a stationary tool to clip of a little piece. Much more convenient to use a handheld tool at the point of need. That's where battery tools shine IMO.

Then get a cordless rod cutter...a grinder is basically the worst tool for cutting.

 

[Greeny]

I've had a 9.99 HF grinder for several years. It has run all day on many occasions. Absolutely no complaints, especially at the price paid. I actually bought two at that price, expecting to replace the first one quickly when it died. It never died. Now I use both of them so I don't have to change discs when I need two kinds of grinding/sanding done.

 

[corn chip]

skip to where he takes them apart and you can see why HF is $20 and metabo germany is over $100.

 

[dnschmidt]

I think the argument is that calling Hikoki (which was, and in the rest of the world is what Hitachi power tools are called) Metabo HPT is bait and switch. Not surprising as KKR owned both brands and cares only about making as much money as possible from them. If we can fool somebody into thinking they are buying an industrial quality tool for cheap money so much the better. Maybe they will buy us over Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch or DeWalt. Hikoki does make some very good tools for the money (their air operated and cordless nailers are excellent) but I'll never understand why America was singled out as the one place in the world that they had to come up with this deceptive name. THAT'S MY COMPLAINT.

 

[billconner]

Then get a cordless rod cutter...a grinder is basically the worst tool for cutting.

For a 100 cuts in a lifetime and for retiree? I see a few in the $500 range but a lot in the thousands, vs. <$50 for a cheap grinder and a few discs? And I'm less than 50' from a 20 amp outlet.

 

[ItsNemo]

For a 100 cuts in a lifetime and for retiree? I see a few in the $500 range but a lot in the thousands, vs. <$50 for a cheap grinder and a few discs? And I'm less than 50' from a 20 amp outlet.

So you're not cutting enough to make walking back and forth (or just measuring and cutting a bunch at once) a problem then. Heck, you're probably pouring stuff that doesn't even need rebar in it lol and even if it did, it's going to be a 10x10 pad or something where stepping 5 feet out from the middle to a chop saw is no biggy.

 

[marak]

For a 100 cuts in a lifetime and for retiree? I see a few in the $500 range but a lot in the thousands, vs. <$50 for a cheap grinder and a few discs? And I'm less than 50' from a 20 amp outlet.

Not that you were asking, but thought I'd mention that the portable band saws works amazing for cutting rebar. I put off the purchase for a few years, but now that I have one I find it very useful for numerous applications. A hacksaw worked fine, but a shoulder injury disagrees nowadays.

 

[ItsNemo]

Not that you were asking, but thought I'd mention that the portable band saws works amazing for cutting rebar. I put off the purchase for a few years, but now that I have one I find it very useful for numerous applications. A hacksaw worked fine, but a shoulder injury disagrees nowadays.

110% portabands are a better option than a grinder too.

My issue is cutting with a grinder is ****, you can't do things too accurately, you need three hands (two for grinder, one to hold the work), they throw sparks everywhere, and the risk of binding and disks shattering are way too high.

 

[billconner]

So you're not cutting enough to make walking back and forth (or just measuring and cutting a bunch at once) a problem then. Heck, you're probably pouring stuff that doesn't even need rebar in it lol and even if it did, it's going to be a 10x10 pad or something where stepping 5 feet out from the middle to a chop saw is no biggy.

Despite your numerous incorrect assumptions, footing for a 28 x32 garage with block stemwalls reinforced and core filled every 4'.

 

[ItsNemo]

Despite your numerous incorrect assumptions, footing for a 28 x32 garage with block stemwalls reinforced and core filled every 4'.

Still doesn't change the fact that a grinder is the worst tool for the job.

 

[billconner]

Still doesn't change the fact that a grinder is the worst tool for the job.

Not from a cost standpoint. An hour or two with a cheap grinder versus maybe a half hour with a $500-1000 tool? Doesn't make it worst in my view. I haven't made that much per hour since I retired.

And I think a hack saw would be worse.

 

[ItsNemo]

Not from a cost standpoint. An hour or two with a cheap grinder versus maybe a half hour with a $500-1000 tool? Doesn't make it worst in my view. I haven't made that much per hour since I retired.

And I think a hack saw would be worse.

Well, when the grinder wheel lodges in your leg or you catch something on fire or you cut yourself on the sharp edge of the piece...let me know how that worked out for you.

Grinders **** for cutting.

 

[dnschmidt]

Nemo, you're about 45% right. I've used grinders to cut tons of steel but I use Metabo and Makita grinders with clutches and Walter cut off wheels for exactly the reasons you mentioned. Here's a video from Welding Tips and Tricks that shows some interesting results:

 

[Jswain]

If you're going to be scared about getting hurt/killed then you should probably avoid driving your vehicle on public roads.

Leave the guard on, leave the hand grip on, wear a face shield, don't cut metal wearing nothing but your wife's underwear & safety sandals and you should live to see another day friends

 

[ItsNemo]

If you're going to be scared about getting hurt/killed then you should probably avoid driving your vehicle on public roads.

Leave the guard on, leave the hand grip on, wear a face shield, don't cut metal wearing nothing but your wife's underwear & safety sandals and you should live to see another day friends

I use a grinder all the time...heck, I own 6 of them, including a big honkin 7" one. I just use a chop saw or portaband or really any other tool that is better suited to cutting because they work better, faster, cleaner cuts, and yes are much safer.

I have nothing against grinders, I am just saying they are basically the worst tool for cutting stuff.

To use your analogy of driving...a grinder is like using a pickup truck to drive around a track, or a sports car to go off roading. Sure you could technically do either, but they aren't the right tools for the job.

 

[seber]

I have over a dozen. Favorite is Hilti. Followed by Metabo. The one that gets virtually no use is the M18. It's OK for a quick cutoff but for any real use, batteries are just not happening. Real grinding takes time. This is a heavy use tool.

 

[Jswain]

I use a grinder all the time...heck, I own 6 of them, including a big honkin 7" one. I just use a chop saw or portaband or really any other tool that is better suited to cutting because they work better, faster, cleaner cuts, and yes are much safer.

I have nothing against grinders, I am just saying they are basically the worst tool for cutting stuff.

To use your analogy of driving...a grinder is like using a pickup truck to drive around a track, or a sports car to go off roading. Sure you could technically do either, but they aren't the right tools for the job.

I too have many angle grinders, a portaband(I just sold it today if I'm being honest), a 4x6 bandsaw, an abrasive chop saw, a plasma cutter, an air cutoff tool...but you know which one I started with? An angle grinder. If for some unknown circumstance I HAD to only have one...it would be the angle grinder.

I would consider it more like driving to the grocery store....all of those methods^^^^^^ would get you to the grocery store, but for some reason some people think that you can only get to the grocery store in a brand new f350 with a 6inch lift.

 

[sparky 1971]

My oldest grinder is from HF, I have two $20 Performax grinders from Menards as well as an entry level Bosch and a Milwaukee. As far as performance, for what I do, they are all equal.

 

[tyyost]

Well, when the grinder wheel lodges in your leg or you catch something on fire or you cut yourself on the sharp edge of the piece...let me know how that worked out for you.

Grinders **** for cutting.

To me one of the key benefits of grinders is that they are incredibly versatile, one tool can prep welds, chamfer pipe, wire brush off rust and mill scale, cut steel in many thicknesses, tuck point a chimney, cut stone and block, demo or install tile flooring, sand and shape wood, an on and on.

Are they perfect, no, but they are efficient and effective. All the issues you mention are easily addressed with basic safety measures and use of PPE. The tools specific for all of the tasks a home user could use a basic 5” angle grinder for are very expensive, and in some cases work in a similar fashion. (Like a block cutter) There is no free lunch, but a grinder will be a great stand in for many other tools, like a rebar cutter or block saw given the right wheel/accessory and some gloves and glasses.

 

[billconner]

Thanks tyyost. I'm sure for someone regularily cutting rebar and block, there are better tools, but for one small project like mine, with less than one day of work compared to a worker who does it day in and day out, and considering chisels and hacksaws are the only affordable alternative, the grinder makes sense to me. And it seems a cheapy from HF should get me through it.

I assume like most rotating tools, staying out of the line of fire is also a key to safe operation.

 

[GaryM909]

The HF grinder will get you through your project even if it needs to be warrantied. But you might tackle another project next year with no warranty. Odds are the HF grinder will fail when you least expect it whereas a name brand grinder has a better chance getting the job done.

 

[Sumboodie]

3 batteries rotated out steadily or 3 battery charges?

3 batteries that were charged.

 

[billconner]

The HF grinder will get you through your project even if it needs to be warrantied. But you might tackle another project next year with no warranty. Odds are the HF grinder will fail when you least expect it whereas a name brand grinder has a better chance getting the job done.

How many more projects do you think a septuagenarian is good for?

 

[JRC3]

The HF grinder will get you through your project even if it needs to be warrantied. But you might tackle another project next year with no warranty. Odds are the HF grinder will fail when you least expect it whereas a name brand grinder has a better chance getting the job done.

Next year? HF warranty is 90 days...That's this September. LOL