Cordless Angle Grinder such as DeWalt 20V Max, Milwaukee Fuel

[nikerret]

Have the cordless 18V angle grinders come far enough to replace the standard corded models?

My uses will be intermittent, likely to sit for a month or two between days used. When used, it would be for moderate grinding and a lot of flap disc applications-very little, if any cutting.

What about for heavy use? Such as cutting, or extensive grinding? Are they good to go, best used to supplement corded, or a waste.

The local farm supply is having their killer DeWalt sale. I'm thinking I need the 20V Max bandsaw, XR reciprocating saw, chop saw, and either a corded grinder or the 20V Max cordless grinder kit.
If I get all this, I'll have five 5.0 AH batteries and two 4.0 AH batteries.

 

[Advan]

I have the Milwaukee non-Fuel. I love it, and can't fathom how I ever got along without it. It certainly eats batteries (at least compared to a drill), but the Fuel version may be better. I love just picking it up for a little zip-cut job or deburring with a flap disc, and not having to worry about the cord. And throwing it in a bag with a few batteries is awesome for small field jobs!

 

[Strouty]

Funny, my V28 grinder that I bought about 10 years ago replaced a corded model for 90% of all the work I do.

 

[Bobcat753]

My 18V Brushless Makita grinder is my go to for small quick jobs. It is super nice especially for when I have to go across the yard to cut something.

 

[IndyGarage]

I have the Makita Brushless 18V - it's OK for intermittent use, and has decent power. It works fine for cleaning up a weld, or getting something ready to weld, but it can't hold a candle to a corded grinder - It'll go about 10-15 minutes max on one of my good batteries.

Sometimes I run a corded grinder for hours at a time under heavy load. No way you can do that with a cordless tool.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I had the original Makita LXT grinder and found it almost worthless. Not much power to begin with, only about 2 minutes of "good" use on a pack, then speed & power went to ****. I suspect that "just need to grind a little more..." helped kill several batteris dead.

I opted for the Fuel when I went Milwaukee, and it's been great. I can get a good 10-15 minutes in with a cutoff or flap. To be fair, I credit the awesomeness with it being brushless, not Milwaukee... IMO that's mandatory. I have a couple corded ones, and can't remember the last time I used them since I left working in an auto shop... and even then I used cordless most of the time.

 

[red94chev]

I love my Makita 18V. I always make sure I have another battery on the charger but the power is good. I just don't like dragging a cord all over the place.

 

[jp828108]

I have a milwaukee fuel. Its nice. It does go through batteries pretty quick. It is nice not dealing with a cord. I still have a dewalt corded to throw in the mix for heavy use.

 

[Voi]

Here's a recent thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=362393