Angle Grinders: Paddle Switch vs Slide Switch

[williaty]

It's new angle grinder time for me. I've been looking around at them for a while and I've narrowed most of it down (size, power, weight, etc). The one thing still plaguing me is wither I should get a slide switch or a paddle switch.

The paddle switch seems safer to me. If something goes wrong and I drop it, it'll turn off. Sure, it has a lot of momentum to get rid of before it stops, but at least there's no more energy being added to the mess.

The slide switch seems more convenient in that I can move my hands around on the grinder without having to worry about keeping the switch depressed.

Thoughts?

 

[shampoop]

The slide switch on mine feels like it would disengage if dropped. It's "spring loaded" and takes very little pressure to disengage.

 

[Outlawmws]

I hate the spring loaded thumb operated slide switch grinders. If I use them much, my thumbnail separates and gets sore as hell.

Having said that, the Paddle switch is NOT safer, as you can lean on it and set the grinder off. (Been there, done that) A safer design would be to have something extend so at least on a flat surface, the wheel guard and the extension would keep the paddle from being activated. Something on the "work surface" could still activate the paddle however.

Both of those things considered, I'll still take the Paddle switch...

 

[Steevo]

My DeWalt has a paddle, but you have to push a little safety lever before the paddle can be depressed. Not possible to accidentally turn it on by leaning on it, grabbing it, etc.
That said, I like my old Craftsman unit because of it's slide switch that you don't have to hold on.

 

[StevePgh]

My air grinder (can't recall the brand, 5 years old purchased at a big box retailer) has a paddle switch with a metal leaf spring part in the middle of it that prevents it from being depressed by accident. I've found it to be easy enough to intentionally trigger one-handed, yet hard enough that I haven't had it engage when I didn't want it to. I don't like the spring switches (for same reasons as earlier poster). I'd take a better look at how the paddle switch is implemented across the models you are looking at.

 

[filtered]

I like the thumb switch myself. Gives me more options for hand position, which comes in handy when cutting bits off from tight spaces.

 

[z28snksknr]

My 6" grinder has a trigger switch (like a gun) with a lock button. Since I'm left handed, I accidentally hit the lock button a lot and get caught off guard when I let go of the trigger and the grinder still runs. Having said that, I prefer not having to hold a trigger for extended periods of time. On a smaller 4" or 4.5" grinder that will do short / small jobs, I like the spring return triggers.

 

[machine_punk]

I personally prefer the slide switch, but the slide switch on my grinder will stay 'on,' until I specifically move it to the off position. I like to be able to turn the tool off before I set the tool down. Most paddle switches cover a majority of the tool body...it is hard to find a place to hold the tool safely to let it run down, before you set it down on the bench. I find with paddle switches on other tools, it is hard to let go of the tool and set it down on the bench, without accidentally starting the tool up again. I suppose if you have a bracket to hold the grinder, and it lets the grinder spin safely, then I've prefer paddle switches.

Just my preference.

 

[Monte]

The safest grinders:

www.feingrinders.com

 

[Harvey Melvin Richards]

My Milwaukee has a paddle switch, but there is also a switch lock on it. So if it's locked it will stay on if you drop it.

 

[bad_idea]

i work in ship repair. osha requires all of our grinders to have a paddle switch. i can tell you from experience the slide switches are a safety hazard. cleaning welds with a wire wheel the grinder skipped, bounced up and caught in my t-shirt! i couldn't flick the switch off because it was covered by my shirt. here i am trying to ****** the cord out of the wall while pulling this grinder away from my chest. that was an unpleasant experience. there were 4 plugs in that outlet (a double gang outlet), i pulled the right one on the 3rd try. this was at home btw.

 

[devildog101]

As far as safety goes an argument can be made for either one. In the end the safest one is the one you use correctly. I personnaly have always liked the padle or trigger grinders. (I own 3 padle & 2 trigger). I feel more comfortable with them. Go with what is comfortable & use it safely and you can't go wrong.

 

[chris fresh]

trigger style only for me

 

[bad_idea]

As far as safety goes an argument can be made for either one.

without starting an argument, I would like to know how you consider a paddle switch to be a safety issue?

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I own both types, at work it's paddle switches only. I don't mind either type really, but I think the DeWalt has the edge for comfort and safety. If I had my wishes come true, I'd like to see Metabo guts in a DeWalt housing with a Skil cord (I don't know why, but the cheapest of the "good" brands has the best cord life). Throw in some Norton consumables and I'm good to go.

 

[Major Ramifications]

I strongly prefer the paddle type over the slide, but I've never used a trigger type on a grinder.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

The triggers are really nice to use intermittently, but they tend to cause stiff/sore trigger fingers after a while of constant use.

 

[metaldad]

slide switch. Metabo, 6'', great with a cutting wheel. has a clutch when you bind, electronics that wont start the tool, with the switch in the 'on' position, when you plug it in. i have several, as do my co workers. have had most, if not all. they are the best. and, with a 5/8/11 thread, nutted wire and grinding wheels can be used

 

[devildog101]

without starting an argument, I would like to know how you consider a paddle switch to be a safety issue?

I did not mean the paddle is a safety issue. To clarify, I mean that you can argue the benefits of either one as has already been done earlier in the thread. My point is that the type of grinder is not as important as the proper operation by the user.

 

[DonkDonk]

I like the paddle switch on my indestructible Hitachi. The trigger on my Porter Cable is not terrible for short uses. The switch on my Metabo is fine.

IMO Sait & Metabo consumables dominate Norton (pretty much everyone for that matter) in every way.

 

[ed_v]

I like the Makita's with the paddle switch. I have never once triggered it accidentally.

Ed

 

[bad_idea]

I did not mean the paddle is a safety issue. To clarify, I mean that you can argue the benefits of either one as has already been done earlier in the thread. My point is that the type of grinder is not as important as the proper operation by the user.

gotcha. i agree wholeheartedly that proper operation is a valuable part of the 'grinder operation'!

 

[TozziWelding]

All my grinders are trigger/paddle switch. I can't stand the slide switch ones, and I use a grinder everyday.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Paddle switches are usually on 4,4.5, 5 inch grinders. I have a Milwaukee older 4.5 grinder that the paddles switch takes a lot of pressure to hold on, pain to use. The newer Milwaukee 4.5 has safety paddle switch and works great, stays on with little pressure and cannot be turned without depressing the safety. The 7 and 9" grinders/buffers that I have both have longer handles with trigger switches, the weight of the tool keeps me from using them enough to get my trigger finger sore, I use the 4.5" five or ten times as often as the larger grinders. I have a Makita with locking on slide switch, don't think its as safe. I notice some catalogs listing cutter disks for small grinders that say not Makita because of the locking on switch.

 

[fflintstone]

paddle only

 

[fitz11]

I like the paddle most of the time but there are some situations where a thumb switch makes the job easier

 

[dittle fart around]

My next grinder will be a paddle switch. I've still got the scares from the last time my shirt was sucked into the wire cup brush.

 

[greasemonkey44]

im very careful and respectful of grinders; been around them a long time
i prefer switches; im usually reaching in somewhere to cut something; or i want both hands in the best grip to get the best cuts for surface grinding its a wash ive used both
now that tozzi has recommended a paddle ill try to get my next one with that