Grinder Question

[Coach James]

I am looking to buy another angle grinder as I broke one of my HF ones today. I was using it to remove paint from my mom's steel porch railing. After about 20 minutes, my hands, fingers and arms were feeling the effects of the vibration.

My questions is do more expensive grinders vibrate less? I have used a Hitachi and Makita and I don't remember the vibration being as bad. I like the ~$20 price of the HF red ones, but would be willing to pay more if the vibration was noticeably less.

Thanks
Coach

 

[ItsNemo]

Yes, and some have dampened handles to further easy the vibrations.

 

[Shootinok]

Vibrate less - my opinion is YES
Watch Craigslist
I found a dewalt for $25 - it is great!
I see an occasional metabo but they got fast if they're priced low so keep your eyes open.

Right now I have an older porter cable and the dewalt. Neither seem to vibrate much to me.

If you buy used; Make sure they have the guards.

 

[exmaxima1]

Variable speed models help as well, as some tools (like large cup brushes) don't like top speed. I bought the variable speed model Bosch that HD sells (made in Germany) and it runs smooth.

 

[Fender1325]

I had my arms hurt for days after using a cheap dewalt model. I returned it and bought a metabo because of the bearings and handle. In Europe they have safety standards for minimal vibration for guys/gals who have to use them all day in their trade.

That being said would I buy it again? Im not sure. Maybe I do less angle grinder work, or maybe I'm used to it now. I have a Milwaukee I use more times than not. The problem with the metabo is I bought a larger model, still 4.5-5" but heavier duty motor I think 11 or 12 amps and it's heavier overall. I do use it for cutting as it has a nice emergency shutoff feature if the blade gets pinched. Happened to me once and I'm glad I had it. Stopped in the blink of an eye.

The Milwaukee is noisier and less smooth but it's lighter. Maybe a 7 amp model? I grab that more times than not for quick jobs. I think all you need is that for most sanding jobs. Spend some money on some quality flapdiscs (not Lowe's or home depot).

 

[American Locomotive]

Every cheap grinder I've used always seems to vibrate. I suspect the arbor or gearbox just isn't rigid enough.

I personally really like the Bosch, Makita and Hitachi grinders. Not a huge fan of the DeWalt grinders.

 

[Ign]

OMG yes better grinders vibrate less. I’ve been saying this for years but everybody here buys based solely on price.

Also consider weight and grip size. Generally heavier will “self-dampen” better but depending upon type of work and position of work too much weight may cause similar fatigue. Grip size is way more important - too large and it really tends to stress your forearms - think trying to do pull-ups on a bar 2.5” OD vs 1.125” OD

 

[dutchgray]

I have always found Makita's grinders to be very smooth, I'm not doing the same work now but I have used grinders all day for weeks at a time and the Makita is the nicest to use for me.

 

[dnschmidt]

Only two brands of grinders in my shop: METABO and Makita. The reason for this is that they don't kill my hands like cheap grinders do.

 

[Wamsutta]

My questions is do more expensive grinders vibrate less?

My Bosch 1375A has no vibration. Zero.

I'll be getting the 6 inch version next time though.

 

[crewchief888]

my 2 "better" grinders are a dewalt and a hitachi.
both have much less vibration than the old orange HF grinders...

 

[sberry]

The super cheap HF is hit or miss. You can buy a decent grinder for as little as 30$ and is basically the same thing as a DeWalt which is a different color sold in a different store.

 

[Coach James]

Well, I narrowed my choices down to one the following:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TWVESA/?tag=atomicindus08-20


or

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004SUOU/?tag=atomicindus08-20


I mentioned this to my wife and she said: "Didn't your blue one break a few months ago?". That was a 4" Makita I inherited from my dad. I said yes it did. She said "Since you're down two of them, just get both".

So I did, both got here yesterday. I should be using them Monday.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[tarbellb]

Would love to hear some feedback on these, as both are from respected brands but at the bottom of their lineup. Wondering if they will feel like the better versions or more like a cheaper grinder?

 

[American Locomotive]

I have the same Bosch (or one close to it at least). It's smooth, with enough power, but the switch is infuriating.

 

[xela456]

Pistol grips really help for vibration too. Seems like the farther you in get your hands from the disc the better it is. If you bought your current grinder at harbor freight your not going to like the price tag of a nice grinder. Bottom dollar on a middle of the road dewalt new is about 90-100 bucks

 

[SMKS]

For paint and rust removal I like a variable speed angle grinder.

 

[Packard V8]

It seems everyone has assumed the only grinders are the little guys. For larger jobs, think a larger grinder. The additional mass of the big boys will dampen vibration coming back from the workpiece through the wheel or brush.

For those of us who like the 7" - 9" grinders, the used prices are right because it seems few today understand there are jobs which require some beef. I've recently picked up two Black & Decker Wildcats for $20 each. I really didn't need them, as the first one I bought is still going strong after more than forty years. They have an aluminum housing, are a bit heavier, make a bit more noise, but less vibration than the plastic housing Makita I picked up for a friend of mine for $75. After trying the B&D, he's using it.

jack vines

jack vines

 

[American Locomotive]

I have an old B&D Industrial 7"/9" grinder. It's the same as the Wildcat, but predates the Wildcat branding. It's a bit of a brute, but when you need to hog metal away, nothing else comes close. I cut through a 2" solid-steel hardened axle shaft like a 4.5" grinder would through a piece of 1/2" rebar.

But different tools to do different things. I wouldn't use the 9" grinder to clean up something made out of 18 gauge sheet metal.

 

[Wamsutta]

Well, I narrowed my choices down to one the following:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TWVESA/?tag=atomicindus08-20


or

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004SUOU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Good choices; they're both left side slide switches.
I haven't used that Makita model, but as I mentioned, I have the Bosch 1375A model. Very nice grinder.

 

[tym]

I have a Bosch single speed I got from Lowe's. They seem to go on sale now and then, so if you don't need one right away, you might score a deal.

 

[Finky198]

I have a pretty broad line up in 4.5”, 5”
In order of Vibration the least to most
1. IR pneumatic grinder. Very little vibe
2. Hilti
3. Older dewalts (3x)
4. Ryobi ( it shakes like a wet dog.
I had a chance to buy a few more for $ 10 and passed on them)

I’d imagine the bosch, newer dewalt, are probably in the same category as the Hilti ( I have their smallest grinder its well made, but not much diff then any of the major competitors mid-high teir)
at the same time it not as nice as a metabo or my pneumatic...

I also have 3x 7” black and decker industrial grinders they are beasts. I get them for free or very cheap and clean them up and they work forever. Being all metal they are heavy but vibrate very little compared to their smaller counter parts...

 

[KnurledNut]

My go-to grinder is a 6" Metabo. Small enough AND big enough if that makes any sense.
The vibration is the least of any grinder i have ever used.
They are pricey, but IMO worth it.

 

[DGersic]

I have a Porter Cable here, no vibration I’ve ever noticed, with grinding wheels, cutting disks, flap wheels, or wire brushes.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Ign]

It should also be noted that quality abrasives tend to run more true. I’ve had new HF wheels that you literally couldn’t keep in contact w the work — they’d just skip off. Plus the cheap HF wheels are slow to remove material.

Pony up for some Sait wheels, they’ll last longer and work faster. There’s a variety from “normal” to “hard” wheels so chat w a LWS. While you’re there grab some .040-.045” cut-offs. The cheap 1/16th wheels cut like a butter knife in steel

 

[Packard V8]

I have an old B&D Industrial 7"/9" grinder. It's the same as the Wildcat, but predates the Wildcat branding. It's a bit of a brute, but when you need to hog metal away, nothing else comes close. I cut through a 2" solid-steel hardened axle shaft like a 4.5" grinder would through a piece of 1/2" rebar.

But different tools to do different things. I wouldn't use the 9" grinder to clean up something made out of 18 gauge sheet metal.

Agree and said similar; the 4.5" grinders have wide application and everyone needs at least one of those. Pushing them beyond capacity is hard on the machine and the operator.

A bit OT, but a friend was building a trailer and needed some help cleaning up the welds and knocking off the mill scale, so I brought over my Wildcat. I started down one side with it and he started down the other side with his HF 4.5". About a quarter of the way, he smoked it, took it back to HF and got another, made it another quarter and smoked that one. By that time, I had finished my side and the the other half of his side. The right tool for the job is always more fun to use, even if it's a bit larger.

Bottom line - even the best 4.5" grinder has it's limits.

I also have 3x 7” black and decker industrial grinders they are beasts. I get them for free or very cheap and clean them up and they work forever. Being all metal they are heavy but vibrate very little compared to their smaller counter parts...

Snce they're so cheap nowadays, I'd recommend picking up a good 9" when it comes along. You won't use it every day or even every month, but sometimes it's the right machine for the job.

jack vines

 

[Coach James]

Grinder Update:

I used the Makita today to cut some bolts during some renovation in a bathroom. Felt like zero vibration. No comparison to my HF grinders. If the Bosch is as good, buying those two will be money very well spent.

Thanks for the opinions guys.

Coach