Buying a new 4-1/2” grinder

[thooks]

I’m gonna get another 4-1/2” grinder. I have a couple of cheap grinders and a Cordless Ridgid brushless grinder.

I’m about to start a major project in building two smokers out of a 325 gal propane tank.

I had my heart set on a 7” Makita but I feel it is too large and I’ll use it for a bit and wish I had a smaller more nimble unit.

I looked at the 7-1/2 amp and 11 amp Makita and Bosch but I think I’ve settled on the Milwaukee 6142-31 rat tail 11 amp machine. It’s got great reviews.

Any opinions?

I’m not a Dewalt fan.

 

[BD1]

Metabo gets my vote. My first Metabo is 30 plus years old and still going. I have Dewalts too. The Milwaukee Didn't last long at all.
We have Dewalts at work and they hold up ok, not the cheap ones.
IF you plan on using a wire wheel invest in a variable speed. It is safer running it at lower speeds and your wire wheels will last a lot longer. Less wires to remove from clothing too.

 

[MountaineerMiner]

Buy a 5” or 6” unit, the extra depth on cutoff wheels is nice and they come in 11-13 amp flavor without the mass of a 7”-9”. Don’t just take the guard off to run the bigger wheels, you will regret it when it gets ahold of you.

Also consider a variable speed unit. Non-wovens are for real but last and work a lot longer/better at 5,000 rpm than 11,000-13,000. Same goes for flaps and sanding discs imo.

I understand the appeal of a rat tail, paddle switch types make my hands cramp. I don’t have one but it is on the want list.

 

[MountaineerMiner]

BD1 beat me to it on the VS comment. I would take a VS side switch over a fixed speed rat tail fwiw.

 

[Blind1]

It’s a grinder? Pick the name brand/color you prefer/makes you feel best and don’t worry about it....

 

[Rabid Badger]

For grinders I always recommend the USA-built Makitas:

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-GA5020-5-Inch-Grinder-System/dp/B002BA5YNK

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-9565CV-High-Power-Angle-Grinder/dp/B00005Q7BG

Or if you want to get fancy, pick up a Fein. They beat the pants off Metabo and have the best vibration damping of any brand, period.

 

[tarbellb]

Burned up several Milwaukee's lately, all the 4.5" cheapo flavor. They are nothing special.

I agree with MountaineerMiner, a nice 5" or 6" high amp grinder is a much nicer unit then those big 7-9" grinders.

Variable speed is the other big factor when choosing, wire wheels and detail work come to mind as a advantage. Plus consumables life.

Metabo
Fein
Makita
and my personal fav is the corded 4.5" Hitachi Brushless.

Also the German made vs Bosch at HD for <$150.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

For grinders I always recommend the USA-built Makitas:

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-GA5020-5-Inch-Grinder-System/dp/B002BA5YNK

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-9565CV-High-Power-Angle-Grinder/dp/B00005Q7BG

Or if you want to get fancy, pick up a Fein. They beat the pants off Metabo and have the best vibration damping of any brand, period.

I got a Fein 5" grinder. Seemed like there was a huge quality difference between the 4.5" vs. the 5" when I looked at specs and reviews.
Now that I have the 5" I will tell you that it is a beast. But it seems like 5" discs are not nearly as abundant in the marketplace as 4.5". I know I can use the smaller discs, but I sort of like to get the full capability of the tool.

Hope some of that helps.

 

[Rabid Badger]

I got a Fein 5" grinder. Seemed like there was a huge quality difference between the 4.5" vs. the 5" when I looked at specs and reviews.
Now that I have the 5" I will tell you that it is a beast. But it seems like 5" discs are not nearly as abundant in the marketplace as 4.5". I know I can use the smaller discs, but I sort of like to get the full capability of the tool.

Hope some of that helps.

I was in the same boat until I found these:

https://www.amazon.com/Weiler-56118-Wolverine-Cutting-Wheel/dp/B0047JMM5G

 

[MountaineerMiner]

I have not dropped the cash on a fein or metoba, I know they are the industrial gold standard. I have a dewalt 11 amp paddle that I literally can not kill, going 13 years strong, it’s not smooth or ergonomic, but it does not stop! Also running a couple Mikita VS side switches that I love and a pile of cheap grinders (name brands included) that vibrate like hell.

To the guy that said pick a color and be a **** about it, I disagree, there are bad grinders out there; even in yellow, red, blue, and green. I have found HF grinders better than the 7 amp dewalts, those things are rough as a cob.

 

[jkesselr]

Burned up a Milwaukee recently using it with either a grinding wheel or a cut off wheel, I don’t remember which, but it certainly wasn’t a wire wheel for example. Total *************, but the warranty was handled well.

Buy a Metabo and forget about it. They aren’t cheap, but it will be the last grinder you buy.

 

[wkndwarrior29]

If you are into the Milwaukee M18 line up, consider an M18 fuel grinder. It'll fit a 5" cutting disk and you'll appreciate the cordless feature down the road.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[thooks]

Ohhhh Kay....

I appreciate the push to a 5" model. I looked at many yesterday and just didn't go that way.

I know all about Metabo and how great they are. I work in the construction industry and I've talked to all the pipe fitters and welders and seen the Metabos on job sites. I also see them using all brands to grind/flap disc. They generally only use a Metabo for cutting, which would be my primary use also. I'm just not seeing me using it 200 days a year cutting 8-12" pipe/etc.

I've decided on the Makita GA5020.

 

[Rabid Badger]

Ohhhh Kay....

I appreciate the push to a 5" model. I looked at many yesterday and just didn't go that way.

I know all about Metabo and how great they are. I work in the construction industry and I've talked to all the pipe fitters and welders and seen the Metabos on job sites. I also see them using all brands to grind/flap disc. They generally only use a Metabo for cutting, which would be my primary use also. I'm just not seeing me using it 200 days a year cutting 8-12" pipe/etc.

I've decided on the Makita GA5020.

Excellent choice.

 

[uncwstudent]

I've been using Makita and I love it. Not had a single problem with it yet!

 

[thooks]

Follow up-

I’ve been using the Makita GA5020 and love it. So much that I bought another. They are $103 at Amazon right now. I paid $90 for a refurb from CPO for the first one.

Been using Benchmark Abrasive products and they are head and shoulders above any other mass market grinding wheel and cut off wheel. Unreal at how much better and the pricing is ridiculous

 

[toplessHO]

dont know if you caught the thread on my old black and decker but I see a couple good used ones for sale.
I thought about getting one as a back up,but the only back up I need is if one of the kids takes mine(not likely they got to find it first)