Corded angle grinder?

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Hey guys. I'm looking for some help on an angle grinder purchase. I do automotive work, so that's probably the heaviest this grinder will be used. But i'll probably use cut off wheels, grinding disks, flap wheels and wire wheels. What amperage do I use? If I hadn't asked here I would have probably just bought the biggest one lol, but with power comes size, and if the thing will cut my driveway in half and I only need it to cut smaller things, it's wasted money and the size may hinder what I can use it on. I know it won't be engine bay work sized, which I may also purchase a corded die grinder, but for now, I think an angle grinder would work. My next issue is brand. I'm leaning towards Milwaukee but knowing nothing about angle grinders, ive got no clue on which brands are better performance and durability wise.

 

[sberry]

Start with the BD from Walmart.

 

[stihlntime]

Metabo,buy once save money. It will last for years. Second choice would be Milwaukee.

 

[Wamsutta]

Hey guys. I'm looking for some help on an angle grinder purchase.

Which size diameter discs do you want to use?

 

[04chase]

i like the makita 4.5 inch grinder. you can buy a 2 pack for about 100 bucks and they are great. Trying out the new site jet.com has 15 off your first order, max $30 discount but has good pricing. saw a commercial on tv so i gave it a try.

 

[bcradio]

Hey guys. I'm looking for some help on an angle grinder purchase. I do automotive work, so that's probably the heaviest this grinder will be used. But i'll probably use cut off wheels, grinding disks, flap wheels and wire wheels. What amperage do I use? If I hadn't asked here I would have probably just bought the biggest one lol, but with power comes size, and if the thing will cut my driveway in half and I only need it to cut smaller things, it's wasted money and the size may hinder what I can use it on. I know it won't be engine bay work sized, which I may also purchase a corded die grinder, but for now, I think an angle grinder would work. My next issue is brand. I'm leaning towards Milwaukee but knowing nothing about angle grinders, ive got no clue on which brands are better performance and durability wise.

I think you vastly over-estimate the abilities of these things.

I would get a couple of the ones from wal-mart like sberry suggests. However I'm not sure what you'll use them for with automotive work unless you're demoing cars or doing extensive body work. For general use they are great.

 

[Roberts210]

I just got a Milwaukee angle grinder--4.5 inches. It is great. This is my first angle grinder I don't know why I put off so long getting one.

 

[flyingblind]

I bought one from harbor freight about 10 years ago for 15 dollars on sale and I abuse it for hours at a time sometimes (bad welder). It is finally dying so I am considering a PORTER-CABLE PC60TPAG 7-Amp 4-1/2-Inch for 43 bucks to replace it. Start with a cheap one, but the cheaper the louder it will be.

 

[johndeereman]

dewalt 4.5'' cheap and durable.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Are they not really a tool that needs to be quality. I see "cheap" and "Walmart" in here lol. I saw a review of someone who bought a 13 amp Milwaukee, but I won't be doing crazy work like that. Cutting bolts both on and off the vehicle, maybe bearing races. Most things on cars aren't thick enough to need a ton of power, but I usually go one model up from whatever it is that I need so I know it will do what I need and a bit more. As far as an angle grinder is concerned, I don't know what amperage to buy, I know torque, I don't know DC motors.

 

[flyingblind]

Are they not really a tool that needs to be quality. I see "cheap" and "Walmart" in here lol. I saw a review of someone who bought a 13 amp Milwaukee, but I won't be doing crazy work like that. Cutting bolts both on and off the vehicle, maybe bearing races. Most things on cars aren't thick enough to need a ton of power, but I usually go one model up from whatever it is that I need so I know it will do what I need and a bit more. As far as an angle grinder is concerned, I don't know what amperage to buy, I know torque, I don't know DC motors.

The old harbor freight I have is 4.5 amps and I cut, grind and sand with it. That should be enough for most jobs in any auto shop.

 

[Wamsutta]

I can't help you unless you tell me which size discs you're going to use.

 

[drewvdw]

Honestly, a good die grinder will be better for what you're describing. Very rarely go I reach for my angle grinder instead of a die grinder. I prefer pneumatic as well, but it depends on if that's an option for you. Die grinders are just so much more versatile.

 

[dodge610]

Check out the ryobi 6.5 amp angle grinder just picked one up the first o this past week at HD. Its got the handle that rotates 90 degree and pretty powerful little grinder. Also check out the review that Jimbos garage does on it on you tube. I am more than happy with mine.

 

[cashishift]

i have a corded 4.5 bosch rat tail 1821 grinder and a 7" Dewalt

both work great, got the dewalt on clearance

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I can't help you unless you tell me which size discs you're going to use.

I guess I also don't know about that. I've used many angle grinders before, but it's been a tool of "its the only one here, I have to use it" type of thing. I see most are 4.5-5". I would imagine in that range would be plenty big. What do they range from?

 

[lightning02]

i have a makita and like it alot. very well built.

 

[sberry]

Some will run on DC but they are AC. Amps get a lot of press but a man can only hold arms up for so long and the ones we mention will tire a guy out. In this class a hobby/auto type wants a 4 1/2. It's not a fussy tool and made in so many models it's confusing and meant to be.

 

[sberry]

They all went to China and are rebadged anyway and the 30$ one and the 100 one are similar and share most of the same parts. I like the BD better than the Milwaukee. It's not perfect but a guy gets used to it and they out lasted yellow by a long shot, the plastic cord is much better.

 

[astroracer]

Harbor Freight is as good a place to buy these as any. I have a Bosch, a Metabo and about a half dozen of the cheap HF grinders and will reach for any one of them. I TOTALLY abuse these things and I use the HF ones for all of the dirty work I do, especially cleaning old frames of rust and crud, and I have never killed one. One is close but it still works. The HF Drill Master brand has served me well and they have a nice trigger switch which is a lot handier then most of the click on styles.
Poo-Poo all you want but these work great and for 10 or 12 dollars you can't can't argue the price.
Mark

 

[finn]

I've got a WalMart Skill, Bosch, Makita, Harbor Freight, Metabo, and Milwaukee.

Of these brands, I like the Makita and Bosch.

Don't overthink this. Unless you grind welds 8 hours a day for a living pretty much any quality brand will work.

Invest in a couple of cheap diamond wheels. They are very useful.

I find it convenient to have a couple of grinders on hand set up with different disks and grinding wheels.

 

[TMcCay]

I just picked up a two pack of the Makitas at my home depot for 75 out the door. 7.5 amp, 4.5 ". Great little grinders that will do anything that you should need.

 

[BaMaDuDe87]

I say go to Lowes or Home Depot and handle a few and see which one fits in your hand the best. Also, which on/off switch style you like the best. Anything around the 6 AMP 4-1/2" range will be more than fine for your needs, which most will be.

Ergonomics will be the big difference worth noting here.

 

[Monte]

if you want quality....you could check this one out. From Fein. This one is good too ! Both have a slim housing and are easy to handle. Professional german made quality at a good price. Should last a while !

 

[rick carpenter]

Try to make sure whichever one you get will be comfortable to hold in your hands and you like the switch. My DeWalt has a rock on/push off switch that is a pain rocking on sometimes.

 

[redm18]

I have 3 of the Harbor Freight grinders two of the red ones and one black one. The red ones are nicer but the black one seems to work. Its nice to have a bunch of them so you don't have to go changing attachments. With angle grinders I would either go cheap or go nice and German however I don't know that there is a ton of advantage in going in between.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I'm in the Milwaukee camp. My family tried em all in the pipeline welding business and had the best luck with them. I have 3 in my shop. 2 with paddle switches and one with a slider.

This is your basic unit, but has a slider switch, which can be a bit dangerous especially with a wire wheel or cutoff. Use the handle, hang on, and all is well. 7 amp. I use this one for flap wheel all the time. A little underpowered for heavy stock removal.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-7-Amp-Corded-4-1-2-in-Small-Angle-Grinder-6130-33/202101584

This one is 11 amp, with a paddle. A little safer IMO for cutoff wheels and wire wheels. It will have decent power to spin them also. IMO this one is best all around.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-11-Amp-4-1-2-in-Angle-Grinder-6146-30/202932655

I'd see if your HD has them in stock and go fondle them. See what you think.

 

[Boilerhouse]

I have a 30 year old 4 inch Makita grinder. Probably the toughest tool I own.

 

[MrGiggles]

For automotive use, you'll be better suited with a set of die grinders. You'll hardly use a corded one, just get a HF model to have for those odd jobs.

Get a straight 1/4 collet air die grinder, and another 90*. Get some grinding stones, a couple wire wheels, and a roloc adapter with bristles and scotch brite pads. Sanding disks are nice to have as well. Get a cut off tool too, with a few cutting disks. Astro pneumatic has great stuff for the money, although I've had good luck with the cheapies from HF.

An extended 90" cut off tool is very handy as well.

 

[Wamsutta]

I guess I also don't know about that. I've used many angle grinders before, but it's been a tool of "its the only one here, I have to use it" type of thing. I see most are 4.5-5". I would imagine in that range would be plenty big. What do they range from?

They range from 4.5 to 9 inch. The larger the diameter of the disc, the more even you'll be able to keep the material you're grinding. I have a 4.5 inch Bosch, but I use a 5 inch disc with a 5 inch guard most of the time.

A 4.5 disc gets too small real quick with just a little bit of use. Knowing what I know now, I would have bought a 6 inch Bosch. You still get the small body of a 4.5 inch grinder, but you have the larger disc to help keep your material flat and even.

One more thing: I hate trigger switches! I much prefer the thumb switch on the left side of the grinder.

 

[Greg85mcss]

I have the Milwaukee & it's pretty bad ***. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the suggestions here. I'd classify dewalt as the line where pricey ones start. I haven't heard either way about the bosch but have their bench grinder & it runs like a top after at least a decade


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[sberry]

My fave "feel" grinder is the is/was the old BD 2750, same unit as the DW402. The Cheap Daily version 7750 is a cousin and shares some parts, some are better. The 402 cost hundred bucks but didn't last, brushes sheet all of a sudden. Turns out the thirty dollar unit lasts a lot longer.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

I've got a Craftsman Industrial grinder worked well over the years only problem is a sticky trigger. It was my dads and I think he bought it in the 80s or 90s I can't remember. If I had to buy a new one I'd maybe look into a Makita or maybe Dewalt I don't know.