Corded angle grinder reccomendation

[Showkey]

Did a mission trip 4 years back to Caribbean island to built “homes”. They sent a container ahead with tools and supplies. 8 HF grinders were included ( not my choice) primarily used to cut rebar. Even the locals helpers said.......not this sheeet again........5 were dead in the first week. When we left 4 weeks later 2 were still working.

So yes, there’s a false economy when buying, shipping, using tools when supplies are very limited and hack saw with a dull blade is the alternative.

 

[liliysdad]

I disagree totally. What is it that you expect for $20??? Obviously, the Harbor Freight angle grinders are not the highest quality tool on planet Earth. But they work just fine and for people like myself who seldom to use an angle grinder, they are more than adequate. I have had the two Harbor Freight angle grinders for a few years now and if they both burned up tomorrow I will have more than gotten my money's worth from them. Actually, if I had used a Harbor Freight $20 angle grinder one time on a project I probably would have gotten my money's worth out of it. In my opinion, for tools that are used rarely, having the most expensive tool out there is not necessarily in your best financial interest. If you are going to use the tool all day every day, different story.

For $20, I expect junk if I buy a new grinder for that. For the same money, however, you can buy a quality tool on the used market, and that tool will last longer and work better.

Perhaps the disconnect for me, however, is the idea that a grinder is a "once in a blue moon" tool. I am not a professional welder, or even a decent amateur, but I use a grinder several times a week. I have a number of grinders, each set up differently so I don't have to waste time and effort changing them out. I cannot imagine a home shop where a grinder isn't as vital a tool as a circular saw or a pair of pliers.

 

[American Locomotive]

Thanks brother you just saved me ten hours of searching. I currently hate using grinders and think I need a top end one to make it more pleasant. This gives me a direct path. Lovin gj right now

That's the biggest difference between HF grinders and something like a Metabo or a Makita, or any other high end grinder.

The high-end grinders have better machined gears, so they're quieter. The bodies are more rigid and screwed together better, so they vibrate less. All of the shafts and spinny bits are machined true, greatly reducing vibration. They often come with anti-vibration handles which greatly reduces operator fatigue.

 

[sberry]

Sometimes. Lots of the parts in some of the models are the same, cheaper or more costly. It's what I like so well about the BD,, 30$ and basically the same grinder as the 100$ Dewalt,, maybe better, I like the brushed and the cord better on the cheaper model.
Reason for some of this,,, they sell more yellow ones and it cost so much to make it cheaper to save a dollar when you can get 70 more easier by changing the cord and the box it comes in, put it in a different store.

 

[sberry]

I have ran some side by side, the 7750, orssnge way outlast the 2750 cousin or the 402.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

I disagree totally. What is it that you expect for $20??? Obviously, the Harbor Freight angle grinders are not the highest quality tool on planet Earth. But they work just fine and for people like myself who seldom to use an angle grinder, they are more than adequate. I have had the two Harbor Freight angle grinders for a few years now and if they both burned up tomorrow I will have more than gotten my money's worth from them. Actually, if I had used a Harbor Freight $20 angle grinder one time on a project I probably would have gotten my money's worth out of it. In my opinion, for tools that are used rarely, having the most expensive tool out there is not necessarily in your best financial interest. If you are going to use the tool all day every day, different story.

Except you don't. Because what you said isn't all that far off from what I said. They're ok for the occasional use. But I automatically assume when someone makes this a thread like this, they are looking to step up past that, especially when they use it enough to not want to change disks.


I'm ok with not getting all of my money's worth out of a tool. Whatever man bought this Black and Decker 7" grinder back in the 40s didn't. Neither will my dad. Probably neither will I. Maybe the insulation will have fallen off the windings and it will be time for the bin by the time it's 130 years old and I pass it on.

 

[gunguy]

I like a paddle switch on my cutoff wheel. That way when it launches into a low earth orbit after being pinched, it'll at least try to shut off before it splits me open like a hot dog.

Milwaukee is my game, but I don't think it really matters.

Me too. Specifically purchased a DeWalt for this feature.

Jim

 

[vssjim]

I have two US made Milwaukee's a Craftsman Industrial/ Black and Decker made US grinder and a Siuox labeled Hitachi Japan made grinder and never had any problems from any of them. I really don't see the HF stuff being worth even buying. Buy a good quality tool and move forward.

 

[pizza]

Metabo has like 6 different features available on their grinders, and you end up paying roughly $40 for each feature. Their lowest end grinders with no extra features are around $60, and the high end ones will all the features are around $300.

Its indicated in the model number of the grinder:

...

thank you. that was a very nice post.

i've wanted a metabo for a while, but i didn't understand their offerings.

i bookmarked your post for when i eventually get a second grinder.

 

[Tinner]

Metabo WP9-115 Quick. I have one and we use them and the previous model at work. Rarely need any thing other than brushes. A wonderful tool.

 

[Gurp]

Another vote for the HF 10 buck special.
I have one I've had for 6 years at least.
a few others added in since then. only killed 2 so far. (paint dust cleaning old motorcycle tanks)

 

[Super Mech]

I have 3 HF grinders. One blue one about 25 years old, a red/orange Heavy duty version a good 13 years old, and a Drill Master that about 8 years old. The first two have been worked to death and keep running. The last one has much less use but runs fine. Would I like a quieter and smoother grinder? Yes, but for the peanuts I paid these things have been great.
They owe me nothing. When one fails I’ll step up to an entry level DeWalt.

 

[IndyGarage]

I have about 15-20 angle grinders - many brands.

Metabo with the quick nut are really good, the high end Metabo even better.

Makita runs about as smooth as Metabo - they both have spiral gears. The 11 amp with soft start and variable speed that someone pointed out above, is a fantastic grinder - right up there with Metabo's best.

Bosch runs rough - the ones I've had have straight cut gears - awful.

Dewalt run hot and burn up.

Milwaukee, Hitachi, Porter Cable - all OK

Don't really care for the cheap chinese ones.

Big 9 inchers are great, but heavy - I have an all metal Makita, a giant heavy Dewalt and a real nice Hitachi

The only one I would tell you to stay away from is the Dewalt with the Paddle in the middle of the handle - That thing is dangerous.

 

[liliysdad]

The paddle trigger Dewalt is my favorite general use grinder...next to the little 4" B&D Industrial that simply will not die. It has an identical paddle trigger.

I just burnt up my Makita 7"/9"...and I will absolutely have to replace it. The big grinders are indispensable for moving metal.

 

[PugetDude]

I have 3 Bosch 1380 Slim 4.5" angle grinders, a Porter Cable with a finicky paddle switch,
a bulky DeWalt that always requires a wrench for disc changes, an old orange HF (that I've been trying to assassinate for almost 20 years), and a Milwaukee 10-amp still new in the bag. (gift).

I like the Bosch grinders the best- smooth, little vibration, plenty of power, discs release without a wrench (wear gloves) and the slim barrel grip allows me to use them one-handed.

Pferd discs for me...

 

[lis2323]

Mostly Makita for me. I like Walters and Metabo also. Milwaukee, not so much.

 

[dnschmidt]

You can't fool me. I see a Hitachi on that wall too.

 

[Lucid Moments]

So I actually went and bought my new grinder yesterday. Went to Home Depot, picked several up to to see how they felt but ended up going with another Dewalt thumb switch model since I have been happy with the one I have that I thought was just like it. They are almost identical. The new one uses an allen wrench for the lock nut/flange nut thingy where the old one uses a two prong spanner.

The allen wrench will not fit in the old lock nut and the spanner will not fit in the new lock nut. WTF were they thinking

 

[American Locomotive]

If the nut is the new "two piece" nut with the spring-loaded doodad, you can actually tighten them and remove them by hand, and they won't slip.

 

[Lucid Moments]

If the nut is the new "two piece" nut with the spring-loaded doodad, you can actually tighten them and remove them by hand, and they won't slip.

It is not.

 

[OGJordan]

I've used a Bosch for about 15 years with no issues, bought a cordless dewalt to keep the cut off wheel on and was surprised how often I grab it instead of the Bosch. But I've got a 6" Fein that is REALLY nice...next 4.5" will be a Fein

 

[oldwino]

9"
Makita (good grinder)
Skil Industrial ( old but really like it. Just won't quit)

5"
Milwaukee Paddle switch (works well but not my favorite)


4 1/2"
Newer Porter Cable ( last resort, sorta OK for cutoff wheel)
Dewalt Paddle switch (good grinder, plenty of power)
Makita paddle switch ( good power, not that confortable in my hands)

4"
Black and Decker Industrial (paddle switch, love this one. Heavy use for years. changed brushes a few times, no other problems)

Bought Milwaukee 18v Fuel yesterday. No report yet.

 

[liliysdad]

4"
Black and Decker Industrial (paddle switch, love this one. Heavy use for years. changed brushes a few times, no other problems)

I have one of these, and I love the little thing. I have had it nearly 20 years, and it keeps on ticking.

 

[dnschmidt]

Damn shame what happened to Black and Decker Industrial. World class tools who's name now is synonymous with total ****. SBD did the same thing with Porter-Cable.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

The models that were B&D Industrial got yellow cases and a name change, DeWalt. They did the same for Elu models.

 

[sberry]

Yes they are yellow and some use part of the same model numbers and some changed. the 2750 is now the 402. Like a lot of stuff anymore a lot of the parts are shared with cheaper models. Its wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy more profitable to sell a yellow grinder at HD than an orange one at Wally at 1/3 the cost. Aint but a couple dollars difference in mfg.
Its one of the reasons I am a fan of the BD 7750, essentially the same tool but last longer. In an effort to make a little bit cheaper they really made it better. The brushes and the cords are better in the cheap model.

 

[GrayEngineer]

I'm a metal fabricator, so I use grinders daily and have used plenty of brands over the years. Metabo ranks at the top of the list for me. After that I feel that the German made Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, and Milwaukee are typically decent grinders. However, the cheap $40 or so specials that these companies sometimes offer are junk. One thing to look for is the amp rating, a 3 or 4 amp grinder is going to be junk and until you are in the 7+ amp they aren't going to last too long. Most of my grinders are in the 9-13.5 amp range for 4.5" discs. One factor that plays a massive role in the longevity of a grinder is making sure not to put too much pressure on them while grinding. If it starts bogging or whining while grinding, it's too much load on it and will burn up the motor in no time. If the abrasives are working well then you won't have to push too hard. I've been using some of my grinders for 10+ years and they are still working perfectly because I take care of them and use them properly.