Black and Decker angle grinder

[Sanny81]

Stopped in local Kmart and saw this

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000077CPU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

For $25 (after clearance and additional 25% off). With points I can get it for about $15-20. Is it even worth picking up for that price?

 

[mires]

At that price, I would say so. There isn't much to an angle grinder. If I needed one, I'd buy it.

 

[Ign]

Paging sberry....

 

[Parrothead]

Paging sberry....

Yep, where is sberry? He's right though, I picked one up because of his recommendation and it works well. I think I paid $20 from Menards on sale.

 

[CJM8515]

I got one of them from wallyworld years ago cause I forgot mine and needed it for a job. Its been I think 10 years now and it hasnt quite and I abused it to hell. Its not the smoothest running, but it has no issues and its never overheated like the harbor freight ones I heard about.

 

[Vantastic]

I don't have any new grinders but if I was going to buy one I'd make sure the guard was movable without any tool.

 

[zkling]

For limited use it would probably be just fine. For heavy use, cup brushes and the like, I'd go with a higher amp unit with a side switch. I have a preference to dewalts for the $/performance.

Paging sberry....

I think that might be the one he loves.

 

[Sanny81]

Yeah I mean I wouldn't be using it for a few hours everyday, just when I need it here and there. One job I was thinking I could use it for would be to get a crack in my concrete sidewalk ready to be repaired.

 

[LordPsychon]

Yeah I mean I wouldn't be using it for a few hours everyday, just when I need it here and there. One job I was thinking I could use it for would be to get a crack in my concrete sidewalk ready to be repaired.

I think your B&D grinder with a good wet/dry blade should be able to cut it (pun intended) If you needed to smooth concrete with say a diamond cup, you'd need more amperage.

 

[sberry]

I have a preference to dewalts for the $/performance

You should risk a small fortune and try one. That's my point about this unit. Its dam near as good as any grinder I have ran and the cost makes it a super deal. Its outlasted several DeWalts inthe same class it shares parts with. They rebadge this unit yellow and raise the price to 99$ and everyone gushes over it.
The cord and plastic last so long. A yellow one looks shabby in a month, these don't look far from new in a few years and the cheap plastic cord is better than any rubber one they ever made.

 

[sberry]

They don't cheap this unit for this market, its plucked off the line and has this jacket. Its heavy and feels like the real deal.

 

[Sanny81]

They don't cheap this unit for this market, its plucked off the line and has this jacket. Its heavy and feels like the real deal.

Yeah the weight I noticed when I was handling the box in store yesterday, it felt nice. Going back today, there was one left I hope it's still there.

 

[sberry]

I have heard good things about a couple of the cheap grinder models but this is the only one wih the weight and its really the only one we tested. Its outlasted all the good ones by a long shot. It works good enuf that if you tossed it in a gang box no one would give it a second thought after a week.
Someone said they found one of the circ saw models was real good and somewhere there is a drill motor that goes in to a white box or off with a different price point and brand label.
I use mine daily, don't favor it and has thousands of cycles, never need repair for under 30$, comes with a wheel.

 

[zkling]

You should risk a small fortune and try one. That's my point about this unit. Its dam near as good as any grinder I have ran and the cost makes it a super deal. Its outlasted several DeWalts inthe same class it shares parts with. They rebadge this unit yellow and raise the price to 99$ and everyone gushes over it.
The cord and plastic last so long. A yellow one looks shabby in a month, these don't look far from new in a few years and the cheap plastic cord is better than any rubber one they ever made.

If I ever have the NEED for a new one I shall. The only one I bought new was years ago, and it just won't die. A little grease here and there it runs great, cup brushes and all. The other 3 are the paddle type all purchased used for $5-$10 each. One even in the case. Used it today in fact tuning up the mowers.

My first angle grinder ever was when I was around 12, biglots special for $10, boy did that thing shake rattle and roll.

 

[sberry]

The cheap HF isn't very good. I have seen a few make it, just as many fail right out of the box. Angle grinders are a staple here, kind of like a circ saw to a framer and that's what brought the search on. They were being made in China anyway so we went looking and figured why pay more.
The main problem I had was overheating, usually in a hurry and on occasion simply burnt one up or the brushes wore before we caught it and even if we did it was repair and parts which don't hang out on every shelf.
I like the DeWalt 402 which was the old BD2750. It has a super "feel" and my preference is paddle but I got used to the slide.
I am on my second 7750 on the bench. The first one went years and finally gave up the switvch and for giggles my guy took it apart in about 10 mins had it back and it ran another couple yrs and it went south again. I was in a hurry and just replaced it, was really curious if the armature would fit the old ones?
I have a box of them, not really in a race to repair any since I finally found an easier cheaper solution and added only 1 to the box in nearly 10 yrs now.
They must have come up with better brush scheme while trying to cheapen them? We ran one 4x as long and the brushes are about half worn when the switch tanked.

 

[Sanny81]

I was able to pick it up from Kmart. Got it for $25, my points were for online only apparently. I fired it up and it feels nice and now I'm dying to use it. Probably gonna sharpen my mower blades as my first use. I guess this model is considered a "throwaway" tool?...do they not sell replacement parts or is it just not worth the time to replace brushes and other stuff vs just buying a new one?

 

[sberry]

You wont have to replace brushes. This should well outlast a hobby or part timer or maintenance type.

 

[bcradio]

If I ever have the NEED for a new one I shall. The only one I bought new was years ago, and it just won't die. A little grease here and there it runs great, cup brushes and all. The other 3 are the paddle type all purchased used for $5-$10 each. One even in the case. Used it today in fact tuning up the mowers.

My first angle grinder ever was when I was around 12, biglots special for $10, boy did that thing shake rattle and roll.

Pardon the ignorance, but where do you grease angle grinders? I've heard it mentioned elsewhere on here but not sure where and how you do it.

 

[sberry]

I never had head problems the failures I had were brush related and situational overheat. Got PO or something and took it out on a grinder hahaha but they got the heat and power right on the one we been using. I never grease.

 

[sberry]

The OP is going to like this tool. He wont have anything to compare it to but he aint missing much.

 

[LordPsychon]

I have a $29 PC that isn't too different from the B&D and it works great, I only use it to cut tile (not its original intent but with the right blade it does terrific work).

 

[steel 35]

I guess this model is considered a "throwaway" tool?...do they not sell replacement parts or is it just not worth the time to replace brushes and other stuff vs just buying a new one?

I still have my 30 year old throw away! Up to three now. They are cheap, when you find all the things you can put on it that's what's going to get ya.