best grinder for welding prep?

[Spike00513]

How do you pick a grinder to use for welding prep?
(1/4" steel)

Cordless seems better to not run out of battery
but as for which model, brand, etc. I'm not sure
I'm guessing 4.5/5" is ideal to still be manueverable

 

[GeoBruin]

The best grinder is multiple grinders. Trust me I thought it was crazy too but once I started running multiple, I never looked back.

I have a couple corded dewalt's with a grinding wheel and a strip disc and a cordless dewalt with a flap wheel. Occasionally I swap a wire wheel on to one of the corded models (need another grinder)

Unless you go for one of the big heavy duty (Flexvolt etc.) cordless grinders, you can really bog a cordless grinder down and blow through batteries quickly. They're also heavy and unwieldy. I recommend corded for that reason and there are deals that pop up where you can get 2 grinders for like 75 bucks.

 

[PugetDude]

I have a bunch of corded 4.5" angle grinders -3 Bosch Slim, A Porter Cable, A DeWalt, a new-in-the bag Milwaukee and and old orange HF that I have been trying to assassinate for close to 20 years. (Also a 18V Ryobi cordless, which rarely gets used- it's unwieldy and battery life is an issue)

Love the Bosch grinders, (I can use them one-handed) ad have them set up with a grinding disc, a flap disc and a cutoff wheel, hate the Porter Cable (paddle switch has failed twice) , the Dewalt is OK, but bulky, haven't had a chance to try the Milwaukee yet. The HF is what I use for cutting concrete, brick, block, tile stone, etc. It sounds like a gravel truck overturning on the freeway, but just keeps on going- it's never even been lubed.

 

[rsanter]

I have 6 corded grinders and 2 cordless.
Sometimes I think I need a couple more.

 

[Spike00513]

I hear this one works lol, $20 before coupon

https://www.harborfreight.com/corded-4-12-in-5-amp-angle-grinder-60372.html

 

[ZRX61]

What disc is that? Kinda looks similar to the deburring wheel on my bench grinder.

 

[Don1357]

I have abused the living **** out of my old porter cable 4 1/2" corded angle grinder, and I mean that wholeheartedly. I took the guard off and run 7" thin kerf cutting wheels, flap wheels, stone cutting wheels, you name it.

I don't know if the new ones are as good as the old ones but for $30-something at home depot is not much of a risk.

 

[John T]

What disc is that? Kinda looks similar to the deburring wheel on my bench grinder.

Looks like a Norton wheel.

 

[Doug Arthurs]

I would avoid cheap grinders. I found they vibrate too much at after a large project my handles would still be vibrating hours later. IMO stick with Dewalt, Milwaukee or Makita just pick your favorite color. I do have at least 6 grinders. Mostly corded the only battery one I have is an older Dewalt 18v which was not very impressive but was good for a small job at a customers location.

 

[Kscardsfan]

More is better. I set up each one with a different wheel and grab them as I need them.

 

[bdbecker]

I hear this one works lol, $20 before coupon

https://www.harborfreight.com/corded-4-12-in-5-amp-angle-grinder-60372.html

I would avoid cheap grinders. I found they vibrate too much at after a large project my handles would still be vibrating hours later...

Totally agree. As someone who owns several of those HF grinders, while they do work and are not a bad deal for what you spend, they are not fun to use for long periods of time. If anything, you could get a couple of good grinders to have setup with your main discs, and have a couple of HF grinders for the lower use discs. Grinders are fairly tough and you will more than likely use it for quite some time - spending just a little more for a better quality tool is going to be worth it in the long run.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

Cordless have there place but corded name brand with a trigger is the way to go in the shop with lots of grinding to do. I hear good things about the ryobi https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-7-5-Amp-4-5-in-Corded-Angle-Grinder-AG454/300225302
I have a Milwaukee with a paddle switch i got used. Got it hot a few times and still going strong but the big handle hurts my hands

 

[Cheepbeer]

I have 6 corded grinders and 2 cordless.
Sometimes I think I need a couple more.

Hey!! Me too!

 

[Thescreensavers]

I hear this one works lol, $20 before coupon

If you have to buy HF,Id go for their "new" Bauer line of powertools. They are usually significantly better than the stuff they put out years ago.

 

[dr_clyde]

If you want a couple inexpensive grinders, the 4.5" paddle switch dewalts are pretty good for the money. I think they're like $60 or so. They're small enough to hold comfortably in one hand for basic grinding and deburring tasks. The cord connection is the weakest spot, they will fail after about a year or so of daily use and will need the cord replaced.

We run Metabo for all our "good" grinders. 6" capacity, paddle switch and the highest amperage rating they sell.

We also have 2 or 3 cordless Metabo grinders that get used CONSTANTLY and are excellent for what they are.

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

I probably have a dozen 4.5” grinders floating around the shop. The $50-60 makita or dewalt last a long time and are easy to handle. When i go out on a job i usually carry 3 - one with a cutoff wheel, one with a grinding wheel and one with a flap disc or knotted wire wheel. It saves alot of time to just grab the grinder with the proper wheel instead of swapping them every 30 seconds.

 

[jg4660]

My older version of the $20 harborfreight grinder is still going strong after countless hours of use and abuse. its powerful and smooth, as good as any expensive name brand IMO.when it finally does die i'll buy another one.

 

[pepi]

Hate a paddle switch, limits the use. Will suggest a variable speed. Very helpful in many ways, consumables will last longer.

 

[toolin' around]

I have multiple grinders as well... my two go-to’s are the Milwaukee M18 4 1/2” with a flap wheel, and M12 RA Die Grinder with a course Roloc pad... I have another cordless with a fine cutting disc and a pneumatic RA sander. I also regularly use the 3/8x13 (cordless) and 1/2x18 (corded) band files. A couple of other corded grinders with various wheels.

I hate having to stop and change wheels, though best thing I ever did was to fit tool-less arbor nuts on all my grinders and replaced those flat pressed wrenches with stubbies for the die grinders.

If I could only have one tool, it would be the M18 grinder... but I’m now finding the M12 die grinder hard to live without!


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[DeeKay]

For grinding all day long (or at least for a long time) I think rat tail grinders are easier on your hands and fingers but limit you to two hand use unless you're a beast.
Like everyone else pointed out, multiple grinders are your best bet. I think I'm up to 4 grinders and could still use more.

Cordless is great for remote work or for a quick job, but they tear through batteries in a hurry.

 

[AFSOC]

Fully agree with all who have recommended 4-1/2 grinder as the 'standard' for weld prep. The flexibility and capability of a 4-1/2 angle grinder take care of 90+% of prep tasks.

The configuration of the angle grinder is personal preference. I prefer retaining the wheel guard and handle for safety reasons. I also prefer a paddle switch for safety's sake as well. Guards on the more inexpensive grinders require some disassembly to rotate them out of the way, I suspect that reason perpetuates permanent removal by some users.

As far as Grinding stone, cup brush, knotted wheel, flap disk, etc, you'll find that there's better choices for painted surfaces, rusted surfaces, mill scale, etc, etc. The most convenient and time efficient plan is to have multiple grinders. I have three, one with a grinding stone, one with flap disk and one with a cup brush. I wish I had two more, I'd set up one with a cutting disk and the other with a scotchbrite type finishing wheel.

 

[eaglefan1]

I hear this one works lol, $20 before coupon

https://www.harborfreight.com/corded-4-12-in-5-amp-angle-grinder-60372.html

I "Had" that grinder, POS like everything else I bought from them, just my opinion.

Metabo is the best one Ive used, on the job site. They got absolutely abused, thrown in the gang box, dropped off of scaffold, used as hammers and they kept working. You know how guys are with tools that's not theirs, they don't care at all.
We always removed the guard, seemed always in the way. As for wheels for welding prep, regular grinding wheel and a flapper wheel to get it "Right".

 

[Spike00513]

I could only find 3 to compare that all fit within the criteria (4.5", corded, trigger, etc.)
I wonder which is best...

DeWalt 43116, $140

Milwaukee 6121-30, $130

Ryobi AG454, $50

 

[Ign]

I have 6 corded grinders and 2 cordless.
Sometimes I think I need a couple more.

Yeah that's low. I have at least ten corded 4.5/5" and 5 cordless.

OP, the best one is really one you find comfortable and you like the form factor. Small bodies are better for one-hand use but power will suffer. High amp ratings ideal for cutting discs. Some you might want a deadman switch, some a slide switch, depending upon the accessory loaded.

Higher dollar grinders tend to run smoother and induce less operator fatigue. Don't think you're clever by buying cheap -- you'll pay it later in doctor co-pays diagnosing vibratory damage to your hands and forearms.

 

[Skin]

Might be worth looking into pneumatics for the 2" baby angle grinders and other tools like a Dynafile. Assuming you have a fairly decent compressor that is.

 

[anndel]

I have a corded Metabo.

 

[cvairwerks]

I catch Graeme Parker, aka The Hoof GP, and noticed that he uses Metabos in his work. Not too much worse than working around and in wet cow **** for power tools. Worth a watch and see what his power tools go thru on a daily basis.

 

[Hal]

After you get enough 4 1/2 inch grinders, get at least one real beast, 7 inch or better yet 9 inch. Use it only for radical metal removal with a really aggressive wheel. You will really appreciate the speed and power, but be really glad you don't have to use it for everything.

 

[dnschmidt]

First, you buy a 5" grinder, so much better than a 4 1/2" when cutting. Secondly, you buy METABO. Life is simpler when you follow the rules. If you need a saber saw you buy Bosch, if you need a Sawzall, drill or impact wrench you buy Milwaukee, Jobsite tablesaw DeWalt, thickness planer Dewalt, routers DeWalt DW625 and DW621 which they brought in from Elu in Europe. Makita two battery 36V stuff especially outdoor power equipment like blowers. GRINDERS METABO. Rules are the rules because over time they have proven to be correct. WHY FIGHT IT!

 

[K13]

I would say none of the ones you showed. You want a barrel handle model. There will be lots of times you need to operate with one hand and you cannot do that with what you have shown.

 

[American Locomotive]

I will also say to invest in a variable speed unit. My DeWalt brushless corded variable speed grinder is the best grinder I've ever had. The variable speed is super useful for saving consumables (especially flapwheels) and gives you more control. Plus this thing has way more power than any 5" grinder I've ever seen. It's almost absurdly powerful.

https://www.dewalt.com/products/pow...-kickback-brake-and-pipeline-cover/dwe43231vs

 

[finn]

I have 8 or ten grinders. The Dewalt Flexvolt is ok for quick jobs, but is a little heavy and bulky so it’s not my favorite for bigger jobs.

I generally prefer the Bosch and Makita over the Milwaukee or Metabo. The HF is at the bottom of the list because it’s rough and loud.

Watch the form factor too. I have a Skill with a long tail, that I picked up years ago from Walmart in an “emergency “. The long tail makes it clumsy for many jobs.

My first grinder, which I still have, was a 9” Craftsman, possibility made by B&D. It’s probably nearly forty years old, but I don’t use it much because I can do too much damage to the workpiece, and myself. The big disc just seems to put too much heat into the work, and it has enough torque and tip speed to hurt you. It sits on the shelf mostly.

 

[tarmy]

The correct answer is....lots of grinders and flap wheels...

 

[DTE]

I like the Dewalt 4012's with flap wheels on them. I just bought a couple fresh ones at Tractor supply for $99

 

[toolin' around]

M18 4 1/2” and M12 RA hang on the wall within easy reach all the time...



Forgot my most go to weld prep grinder... the 72x2”!!! Could never be without that thing!

 

[Jswain]

Whatever you can afford to buy 4x of. Working with just 1 grinder *****, 2 is ok but having 4 with different wheels is what will save you time and make your grinders last a lot longer. Grinding disc, cutoff wheel, knotted wire wheel, and either a flap disc or a resin fibre disc.

Then ya keep a right angle die grinder with a roloc & a straight die grinder with a carbide burr, a DA for final prep and you've covered everything from rust removal / weld prep / weld cleanup / paint prep all without changing wheels lol.

If that means 4 metabo's to you than giver but I've got 4x 29 (CAD) dollar skils and they do just fine. Spend the money you save on better abrasives/wire wheels etc.