Reviving this thread because I'm looking for a compact, variable speed, straight grinder as well. The only one I've found is the Metabo GE710.
Any thoughts on this model?
There are other companies that currently produce Variable speed die grinders that are similar, but it varies depending on were you're located.
There's the Bosch DG355LCE.
http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=DG355LCE#specs
There's the Makita GD0800C.
http://www.makitatools.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?Name=GD0800C
There's the previously mentioned Suhner USC25R.
http://www.suhner-abrasive-expert.c...a/free_docs/US_eletric_grinders_polishers.pdf
There;'s also the Pferd UGER 11/330 SI, which as
Monte pointed out is manufactured by Suhner.
http://www.pferdusa.com/products/209b/209b01/209b010101P.html
And the Pferd UGER 5/250 SI, which appears to be the Pferd re-brand of the Suhner USC25R.
http://www.pferdusa.com/products/209b/209b01/209b010201P.html
Dewalt, Fein, Milwaukee, and Makita, all produce single speed die grinders as well, for the US market.
In Europe there's the Flex H-1127-VE. It used to be sold in the USA when Flex was partnered with Porter Cable, but it no longer is.
http://www.flex-tools.com/gb/Produkte/Geradschleifer/H_1127_VE/index.php
There's the Rupes AR-38EN.
http://rupestool.com/p/us/en/0245505404193
There's the Sparky MKL 800CES Plus.
http://sparky.eu/powertools/multifunctional-tools/straight-grinders/mkl-800ces-plus.html
And there's the Sparky MKL 710CE.
http://sparky.eu/powertools/multifunctional-tools/straight-grinders/mkl-710ce.html
And the Sparky MKL 550E.
http://sparky.eu/powertools/multifunctional-tools/straight-grinders/mkl-550e.html
There's the Milwaukee DGL 30 E. This is not sold in the USA.
http://www.milwaukeetool.co.uk/tools/corded/metalworking/die-grinders/dgl-30-e/
And there's the Perles HSG 18E.
http://www.perles.com/default-76,398.html
The only one of the Die Grinders I've mentioned that I've used is the Flex. It's a nice grinder, but the housing is a bit wide for my hands. I haven't used it enough to say anything about its durability, but my understanding is the Flex tools were manufactured for industrial use. If you're in the USA or Canada, thee older Porter Cable period tools have turned up on Ebay, but only occasionally.
Bosch might be a good brand, they've always been known to build solid tools of this type.
Otherwise you probably can't go wrong with the Metabo.
If I had to buy another Die Grinder I personally might go with a Suhner mainly due to the slimmer motor housing. Unfortunately the Suhners cost two or three times what some of the others do.