Craftsman vs Drillmaster 4.5" handheld grinders

[Tlag]

I noticed that two 4 1/2 inch handheld grinders are on sale this weekend.

The Drillmaster is $9.99 at Harbor Freight.
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-1-2-...e=googlebase&gclid=CNiI3tLM8aMCFZQz5wodoiYS4g

The Craftsman is $29.99 in my newspaper ad, and at the link.
http://www.searsoutlet.com/26437-7-...id=1230&pn=1&ps=10&pid=16479&mode=buyUsedOnly

Is buying the Drillmaster saving $20 or wasting $10?

Is buying the Craftsman wasting $20, or saving $10?


I doubt either is US made. I'm sure I would rather add a Craftsman logo to my garage rather than a Drillmaster logo, but is that just years of advertising, or is there rational justification.

Why not just buy the Drillmaster and then buy quality disks?

 

[Tlag]

Here's another candidate.

The Makita Model # 9557NB! Home Depot, $69.97

http://www.homedepot.com/Makita/h_d...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Another step up, or is it a step up in logo only?

 

[bchee]

I have personal experience with the drillmaster grinder at Harbor Freight.
Still works after 2 grinding discs and about 4 cutting discs.

However, the Craftsman has much higher amps (7.5), while the drillmaster only has 4.2-4.3.

I think $30 for a 7.5amp grinder is pretty good.

Also check the Skil branded grinder at Lowes. I think they have one for $30, but not with 7.5 amps.

 

[Tlag]

Thanks.

Anyone know of a US made grinder?

 

[egdede]

The craftsman is a paddle switch; much safer in the event of an accident. That said, I have had one the HF drill masters for years. Keep a small diamond wheel on it for cutting stucco. It has worked great. But, the slider-switch scares me.

 

[nate379]

No luck here with the HF ones. My Dad bought 2 and I killed them both trying to grind something that would have taken 20 mins with a real grinder.
On one the gearbox got so hot that it melted the paint off it and plastic around it before locking up solid. The other made smoke out of the motor after a few mins and that was it.

Have had good luck with the Skill brand ones they sell at Wal-Mart for $30. I bought one because my expensive grinder crapped out one night (wore out the brushes) and I needed something. I have 3 of them now!

I hate paddle switches with a passion. Slider switch is all I will own.

 

[Monte]

There is no USA made angle grinder anymore because people rather buy $9.99 HF or $29.99 Craftsman grinders.

 

[rayzor32]

depends on how much you'll be using it, If all the time id go with dewalt. If only sometimes the craftsman is a good deal. If hardly ever than HF. The HF one makes one hell of a noise sounds though sounds like its falling apart, I dont use it too often so its good enough, they burn the brushes quickly and they dont have a paddle switch which isnt as safe.

 

[mrholeshot]

I've had a Makita for 8 years and used it professionally for 6+ years. I've been through several hunderd grinding disc and prob a 1000 cutting disc.

 

[mrholeshot]

There is no USA made angle grinder anymore because people rather buy $9.99 HF or $29.99 Craftsman grinders.

Here we go again. It wouldn't make any differance if people were lined up around the block to buy USA made grinders the pencil pushers would still outsorce. MAC tools is a prime example

 

[american lockpicker]

Thanks.

Anyone know of a US made grinder?

Look at granger they have Makitas that are assembled here.

 

[Indy_500]

I love my Craftsman angle grinder from 10 years ago. My grandpa bought it brand new (one of the only new tools he's bought) and didn't use it much so he gave it to me... works great

 

[blueflame6]

A few years back I bought a grinder like your Drillmaster for $9.99 at my local Big Lots for a small job. The very first time I used it on the very first pass the grinder spindle seized up just after a few gear clash noises. Needless to say it scared the living _rap out of me. Of course I returned it and got my money back but I decided to stick with my 35 year old 7"-9" Black and Decker that weighs around 11 pounds.........Made in the U.S.A.

 

[crewchief888]

i have a couple HF orange grinders,(on sale, $9.95) no problems in the last 4 years.
also have a dewalt $49.99 and a hitachi, $ 39.99, both on clearance @ lowes.
for everyday use i'd spend a little more money, for occasional use,( ie: home hobbiest,) the HF would probably serve it's purpose.
seems to me like the HF models either provide good service, or explode the 2nd time they are used.

 

[Ben Iv]

Spend the money and go buy a dewalt for 89 bucks. we use them daily at work and some have lasted 5 years ive replaced the burshes in them multiple times and they keep on going. this is using them daily 50 hrs a week grinding heavy steel.

 

[sberry]

I don't know about the Skil but my pick lately is the B&D at Walmart, 30$ and has very good power. I have used most of them but thought I would put one of these on my bench where use is heavy just to see how long it lasts, so far so good after a couple months. My favorite "feel" grinder is Dewalts 402's but brushes are problematic, same reason we got away from the old B&D 2750's. My last good one was Milwaukee, good enough unit but just don't care much for the feel of the thing. Since most are overseas anyway I looked for cheap and good, in a year we will see how good the Wally world unit is but from a couple reliable accounts they have lasted very well.

 

[sberry]

As for the 9.99 units its a **** shoot, seen as many fail first thing as last any amount of time and usually they don't have the power.

 

[nate379]

Maybe it's B&D I have to. It's whatever line they carry at Wallmart that is orange.

They work almost just as well as my $150 C Man Pro. Only thing is my C Man has enough *** to run 5 and 6" stuff where the Wallmart one doesn't.

 

[DGC15]

I have 3 of the HF orange 4 1/2" grinders, 1 HF Drillmaster and 1 Dewalt. I have a wire brush on the drillmaster and either a grinding wheel or cut off wheel on the others. I have run all of them for 2-3 hours continuously, with no problems. I don't really see and difference between the HF orange ones and the Dewalt.
I have spent more on repairing the Dewalt than the HF costs. Had to replace the switch twice and the brushes once. In my opinion the HF orange grinders are much better than the Drillmaster.