angle grinders??

[moparfreak]

Hey guys, i'm pretty new to this forum....

I'm looking to get a 4.5" angle grinder pretty soon to do some body work on my car.

I don't want to get the $19.99 chinese junk, but don't want to really spend more than $60-$70 dollars. What's a good model, dewalt, makita, craftsman? It's just for some basic bodywork and cleaning up a few welds, nothing that ********.

What do you guys have and what's your experiences w/ them?

Thanks,
Adam

 

[Satatic]

Man i donno, i seem to burn them all up anyway so I buy the chinese junk.

 

[rodnok1]

I have had a Craftsman Industrial grinder for over 15 years now, 5.5 amps, not the biggest but it works great.

 

[428]

Grinders

I've had good luck with most name brands. Never used the off brands. Milwaukee is my brand of choice but I've used Dewalt and B & D with no probelms.

Small grinders come several ways, with lock on switch on the side, a hold on side switch or hold on switch underneath. Underneath switch seem easier to use and turns off when you release the switch but has safety issues. Always set the grinder down with disc up to prevent it from coming on by accident.

Side switch stays on until you turn it off which is good and bad but you don't have to worry about accidently turning it on.

Side hold on switch will give you hand cramps after a while if you use it alot.

I used to run a fab department and most of us preferred the underneath switch and I think Bosch and Mikita were side switched back then, the side switched ones I had to have a new switch put in a few times.

 

[1ownerT]

Black & Decker and Dewalt are now the same. At one time B&D made Craftsman might still, they are all good light duty grinders. They will last many years with moderate use.
For about double your budget, there is a company called Metabo they make some real nice grinders. The 4-1/2" I have has a clutch in case you get it in a jam, also the motor and gears are better balanced. It is a much smoother running grinder, if you use it alot, it is a lot easier on your hands and wrist. If you use your grinder a lot and can swing the extra cash you will be much happier at the end of the day.

http://www.tools-plus.com/metw7-115qpromo.html

 

[jstbecauz]

Makita is my choice cause they have been with me for years now. Dewalt is nice too.

 

[Elroy]

I understand your looking for something that is not junk and don't want to spend a small fortune on it. Miwaukee is what I have but there are better ones. If you want the BEST 4 1/2" grinder made: Metabo is the brand to pick. But then again it will run you well over a $100.

 

[krooser]

I've got a 20 something year old B&D that works fine and a newer DeWalt that is also OK.

If you buy the Chinese junk, buy a wholesale lot on ebay...they should be about $3.00 each in a case of 12...

 

[Fast Orange]

My favorite is the Milwaukee,but lately I've bought a couple of the $49 DeWalts from Home Cheapo.They aren't as powerful as the Milwaukee,but for light grinding and sanding,they're fine.If you're going to grind 8 hours a day,go with the Milwaukee.If use will be light duty,get the DeWalt.
The side switched Makitas ****.In daily use,I've burnt up 3 of them and never fried a Milwaukee.

George

 

[gb387]

I just bought a dewalt... really like it. This one has the "flap" switch on the bottom, IMO they are an easier switch to use. There are lost of good ones out there.

 

[kartracer55]

Metabos are usually regarded as tops, but liek was mentioned, theya re really expensive. Milwaukee or dewalt Id say. Keep in mind, the 50$ dewalt wont be (and isnt) as nice as the 100$ one... you get what you pay for.

Jim

 

[Luke73]

I have had my Craftsman Professional for about 6 years and still going strong. Granted I use it mostly on weekends, but it is great for what I need it to do. I also have the cheap one from Enco. Keep the grinding wheel on it.

Luke

 

[l_bilyk]

I have a chinese junk grinder. The case is ugly as hell but it seems to be fairly sturdy. It even came with extra brushes! I had a dewalt before but it crapped out on me

 

[kartracer55]

My engine builder has aquite the thoery... buy cheap, buy 2 and when it breaks therow it away. lol


Jim

 

[l_bilyk]

It's not a bad theory... at least as far as hand grinders go

I apid about 80 dollars for the dewalt, and 20 for this POS I have right now. But i bet anything 4 of these crappy grinders will outlast 1 dewalt.

 

[Jay H 237]

I have a 9 year old Milwaukee that I've never had any problems with.

At work we have a Makita. It runs good except it has the side switch that others have mentioned and it likes to shut off and you have to keep hitting the switch on.

 

[krooser]

Here's your cheap grinders...
http://cgi.ebay.com/WHoLESALE-1-CAS...QcategoryZ45016QQtcZphotoQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Cebby]

Metabos are usually regarded as tops, but liek was mentioned, theya re really expensive. Milwaukee or dewalt Id say. Keep in mind, the 50$ dewalt wont be (and isnt) as nice as the 100$ one... you get what you pay for.

Jim

Metabos are nice quality. Guess who makes the HD Ridgid model - you guessed it: Metabo. Not often you get a Ridgid box that says made in Germany. It's nice but heavy. Only $100 or so.

I have a Makita that I've had forever. Nice and light, so that one gets the 1/16" wheel for cutting. The Metabo is my heavy removal grinder. I need another light one for use as flap beotch.

Yes, changing wheels is overrated.

 

[Rickster]

What are you going to be doing with it? I have two; a cheapo harbor freight model and a B&D model. The HF is lighter in weight and less power but is my choice when I'm using it for longer time periods cleaning undercoating, paint and rust off my Mustang, its lighter weight doesn't tire my arms as much and it has enough power to clear away the debris. The B&D is the heavier and more powerful unit I use for cutting. I bought the B&D as a replacement for a burned out HF model and found it too heavy for working under the car. It has a traditional trigger handle and really requires two hands to be secure. If I had it to do over again I'd get one with a paddle switch that I could securely hold in one hand for cutting. Head over to the home center, Lowes has quite an assortment, and pick them up and handle them one handed. See which ones feel comfortable in your hands and meet your needs.

 

[outlawbob]

I've got 2 dewalts, and they have been used for hundreds of hours, had to replace the cord on one but other than that its grind away.Think they are lioke 49 at lowes or home depot.

 

[kartracer55]

Id also look at bosch, well, rather, Id be interested to see the quality of one. They LOOK nice, and the pricetag isnt exactyl cheap. Never known anybody whos had a problem with bosch stuff.

Jim

 

[eschoendorff]

Never known anybody whos had a problem with bosch stuff.

Jim

I'm in this same category. But for the $$$ you'd spend on teh Bosch unit, I'd get the Ridgid or Milwaukee first...


BTW, there are gonna be some sweet sales after the holidays. Can you wait to make your purchase?

 

[MXtras]

Here's your cheap grinders...
http://cgi.ebay.com/WHoLESALE-1-CAS...QcategoryZ45016QQtcZphotoQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!!!!!!! Complete POS. Garbage. Not worth the cheap, recycled, biodegraded cardboard boxes they come in. Not to mention, the cheap Chinese majic smoke smells like rotten fish - no kidding. Just like these exact grinders.

Scott

 

[krooser]

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!!!!!!! Complete POS. Garbage. Not worth the cheap, recycled, biodegraded cardboard boxes they come in. Not to mention, the cheap Chinese majic smoke smells like rotten fish - no kidding. Just like these exact grinders.

Scott

That's why they are so cheap...however, if you are going to buy cheap, Chinese stuff you might as well get it cheap...these are probably the same as you get at any big box or hardware store for $29.99...

 

[kartracer55]

I'm in this same category. But for the $$$ you'd spend on teh Bosch unit, I'd get the Ridgid or Milwaukee first...


BTW, there are gonna be some sweet sales after the holidays. Can you wait to make your purchase?

Nah, Im not looking for one of these right this minute. I have a 90* air die grinder on my christmas list instead The one problem with grinders is the amount of sparks they throw. I do most of my work in the basement... wood rafters + tons of sparks = no home

lol

Jim

 

[river1]

Id also look at bosch, well, rather, Id be interested to see the quality of one. They LOOK nice, and the pricetag isnt exactyl cheap. Never known anybody whos had a problem with bosch stuff.

Jim

except bosch are now made in china

i'm lookin for a grinder that is made in america or at least a non slave labor country.

later jim

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

My boy was working on his certs for welding and it there class the only one that held up was the DeWalt the good one. he would burn up a cheapo HF in one day actually started on fire. Ed ke6bnl

 

[sberry]

I gave up on DeWalt grinders. For rugged work the brushes dont last, you have to keep an eye on them or it will ruin the armateur. I went to Mill's but havnt run them long enough to see how they last. I like paddle switch. I just bought a B&D from Walmart to throw behind the seat of my pickup, 30$. I am going to get another one and throw on the bench just to see how long it lasts but they seem very well made and have a lot of power. I kind of think that on the cheap end this may be a good way to go. The rest of the cheapies are useless for me.