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Half decent 4-1/2 inch angle grinder under $100

jdmstr

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http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010DHFTK/?tag=atomicindus08-20


I'm looking for a nice angle grinder under $100 for light grinding and cutting (mostly bolts) not looking for the best just something decent with a paddle switch that can grind and run cut off wheels to cut off old stuck bolts ect.

I was looking at this Makita, what do you guys think? Or any reccomendations in my price range would be appreciated as i am a novice to angle grinders.
 
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Grigg

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I found 2 hardly used Metabo grinders for one price on ebay well less than $100 each, and they're the best electric grinders I've ever used.

You can do a lot better than "half decent" for under 100 if you look for something "used"
 

48RON54

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^^^^ agreed, I picked up a used dewalt one for like $30 at a swap meet. Since I don't use it 8 to 10 hours a day or anything like that, I expect I'll be in the ground long before it will.
 

lotsoftools

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http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010DHFTK/?tag=atomicindus08-20


I'm looking for a nice angle grinder under $100 for light grinding and cutting (mostly bolts) not looking for the best just something decent with a paddle switch that can grind and run cut off wheels to cut off old stuck bolts ect.

I was looking at this Makita, what do you guys think? Or any reccomendations in my price range would be appreciated as i am a novice to angle grinders.

I have that exact grinder and it works great for my use (probably 3-4 hours of grinding a week). I also know a metal artist who owns the same one. She probably uses it about 4 hours every day with no problems.
 

Kirbot

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I've had good luck with Dewalt, but it's such a simple tool, I'd be really surprised if you would see much difference in any of the name brands.
 

zkling

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I've had a dewalt for years ~$50-60, have showed it no mercy, yet it still keeps going. Mean while a friend of mine keeps replacing his HF grinder at least once a year. :headscrat

At that price point you are right on the border of a lower end Metabo which are really nice. Although if you don't plan on using it all that much I'd advise a ~$50-60 unit and then spend the rest on a some quality wheels, those will add up fast.

I will add this though, if you have never used a paddle switch on a grinder before you may want to try before you buy. They can be a bit inconvenient at times, especially for cutoff operations. :beer:

tractor supply had these on blow out sale

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006NKRYHS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

20.00 each I bought 7

:scared: I take it somebody doesn't like changing wheels?
 
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Packard V8

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The DeWalt has been fine for occasional use, albeit without a paddle switch. Noisy *******, though.

Which are the quietest electrics?

jack vines
 

zkling

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The DeWalt has been fine for occasional use, albeit without a paddle switch. Noisy *******, though.

Which are the quietest electrics?

jack vines

Jack, check your gear case it may just need some fresh grease. When mine gets a little shaky and loud, time for some fresh grease then all is well. :thumbup: The metabos are the smoothest I have used, but they were top of the line models and I wasn't paying for them so.... They wern't night and day above the dewalt, but if I was going to use one 5 days a week for a few hours each day it would be worth the investment.
 

rice rocket

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My DeWalt switch failed after 20 hours of use, not sure which model but it was $60 or so.

I have a Makita now, pretty basic 6 amp model that I paid $80 for, and it keeps on truckin'.
 

LG63

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I have the GA4534 which is also a paddle switch and has a relatively small barrel for easy handling. It's 6 amp and plenty powerful for everything I do. The case that comes with the 9557 would be of no value to me, I can't imagine storing a grinder in a case.
 

tshetter

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Jack, check your gear case it may just need some fresh grease. When mine gets a little shaky and loud, time for some fresh grease then all is well. :thumbup: The metabos are the smoothest I have used, but they were top of the line models and I wasn't paying for them so.... They wern't night and day above the dewalt, but if I was going to use one 5 days a week for a few hours each day it would be worth the investment.

I was just thinking about this the other day when I was cutting up some scrap. My Dewalt 10A grinder is probably 10yrs old now and I have never greased/cleaned the gearbox out.

What type of grease would be used?

And to the OP, I am not a huge fan of Dewalt in general but my grinder has been used and abused; the sticker on the side has long melted off and there are bubbles in the plastic from getting hot.

I've used it to do some heavy cutting and grinding and have never had it let me down. I was looking at a new 13A Dewalt so I don't have to take the time to change cutting/grinding/wire wheels as often when working.
 

gasgas17

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I have been using a Bosch at work for about 10 years now. We also have that same Makita grinder and there is a noticeable difference to the Bosch. I will be buying another Bosch when I need to replace.
 

DirtRoads

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I've got two of those and have been beating them up for years. Get it and don't look back.
 
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SARG

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HF has the 4.5 inch on sale occasionally for $9.99 and I currently have four of them ........ two still in the box waiting for the others to go bad. Been two years and they are still going strong.
 

theoldwizard1

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You can pick up a name brand one at a garage sale cheap, or look to a refurb.

My Craftsman Industrial refurb cost me $20.
 

tgb

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Don't count out the black and decker just because its cheap, they are some of the most durable around I've had the same one for like 10-12 years, cutting everything from body panels to concrete on a regular basis no issues at all.
 

daparrothead

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I've had my Dewalt for 14 yrs and it has been use & abused and still keeps on going, If this one died on me I would buy another one to replace it.
 

zkling

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I was just thinking about this the other day when I was cutting up some scrap. My Dewalt 10A grinder is probably 10yrs old now and I have never greased/cleaned the gearbox out.

What type of grease would be used?

And to the OP, I am not a huge fan of Dewalt in general but my grinder has been used and abused; the sticker on the side has long melted off and there are bubbles in the plastic from getting hot.

I've used it to do some heavy cutting and grinding and have never had it let me down. I was looking at a new 13A Dewalt so I don't have to take the time to change cutting/grinding/wire wheels as often when working.

I'm not sure what "should" be used, actually I do know but it is crazy expensive for what it is. B&D/Dewalt actually makes a specific grease for the application. I personally just use Lucas Red N' Tacky I think it is called. It is my general purpose shop grease. Have yet to have a problem with it so. :thumbup: Just don't completely stuff the gear case you want just enough to lubricate the gears, but not so much that it is packed full.
 

Engine

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Lowes sells two Bosch grinders that are very good. I have the 6 amp one with the regular switch and it's excellent. Low vibration, plenty of power, and it runs cool. The 8 amp would be enough for most users, I think.

Lowes:

Bosch 4.5-in 8-Amp Paddle Corded Grinder
Item #: 412177
$84.97

======================

Bosch 4-1/2-in 6-Amp Trigger Corded Grinder
Item #: 425386
$69.00
 
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jdmstr

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I have that exact grinder and it works great for my use (probably 3-4 hours of grinding a week). I also know a metal artist who owns the same one. She probably uses it about 4 hours every day with no problems.

Can you run cutoff wheels with it and cut stuck bolts off?
 

archirelic

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http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010DHFTK/?tag=atomicindus08-20


I'm looking for a nice angle grinder under $100 for light grinding and cutting (mostly bolts) not looking for the best just something decent with a paddle switch that can grind and run cut off wheels to cut off old stuck bolts ect.

I was looking at this Makita, what do you guys think? Or any reccomendations in my price range would be appreciated as i am a novice to angle grinders.

I've got to chime in here and say that I'm honestly disappointed with this Makita. I've been using a Black & Decker that's prob. around 7 years old and has never lacked in terms of power. Always reliable and always got the job done.

Well I picked up that Makita kit not too long ago and about a month ago tore into it and started to use it on a project and was surprised at how little power it had compared to my cheapie Wal-Mart Black & Decker that has been put through the ringer. The Makita bogs down when the slightest amount of pressure is applied and just has a general tendency to not do as good of a job as my old one. I used it for that one job and haven't used it since.

Maybe mine is somewhat of a dud? I don't know...but I do know that I expected it to be at least slightly better than what I had been using for all these years and in every aspect, it failed to perform in my opinion.
 

spazegun2213

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HF has the 4.5 inch on sale occasionally for $9.99 and I currently have four of them ........ two still in the box waiting for the others to go bad. Been two years and they are still going strong.

I've had mine for years, and it keeps on ticking. Its easily the best and most useful HF purchase I've ever made. That being said I'm going to go knock on wood now, but I would not hesitate to recommend the 4.5" HF special to anyone.
 

Tejaas

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Dewalt model number D28402W, hands down.

I run 5 of these exclusively and use them daily on a wide array of stuff.

For me, replacing brushes is minimal, and usually done as a preventative instead of a necessity.

Please spend the extra few bucks and make sure you have both a Type 1 AND Type 27 guard... This will let you use whatever wheels you prefer safely... Especially if you use cutoffs!

An angle grinder can easily be the most dangerous tool in the shop... Be safe!



"You Ain't Done Wild & Reckless, Till You've Done It In Texas!"

~Tejaas~
 
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Tejaas

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P.S. And use a full face shield when cutting!

(Or keep your welding helmet down)


"You Ain't Done Wild & Reckless, Till You've Done It In Texas!"

~Tejaas~
 

sloppy

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HF has the 4.5 inch on sale occasionally for $9.99 and I currently have four of them ........ two still in the box waiting for the others to go bad. Been two years and they are still going strong.

Another vote for the HF grinders.

I have had or still have MIlwaukee, Dewalt, Makita, Metambo(was a used purchase nice grinder but not under a $100 new). And they all did the job some a little better then others. But the noisy little HF ones do the same work And for the price you are asking for they will give you the most bang for the buck. Honestly nothing in the sub $100 range is a awesome grinder IMO they are all just cheap beaters...

Currently I have 6 running HF grinders that are dedicated to one task(cutoff, grinder, flap disk, ETC). My original plan was to upgrade when the HF ones die but the turds keep running. At this point if one did die I would go get another HF turd they have proven as reliable as any thing else in the price range..
 

theknurl

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my Bosch 4 1/2" grinder is ~35 years old.....I buy discs by the case, its my go to grinder......its got a 25' cord, it's right behind the '20s Athol vise on the pegboard wall.......

big jobs? the Milwaukee 9" 6,000RPM 16 amp *** kicker hangs off the end of the 10' bench, its got a long cord too:thumbup:
 

warweapon762

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Dec 1, 2013
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I use a Genesis on occasion. They've gone up in price since I bought mine, but they used to be $20.

http://www.amazon.com/Genesis-GAG645-2-Inch-Angle-Grinder/dp/B008CCE7L6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1391692221&sr=8-3&keywords=genesis+grinder

Works great, I thought the plastic housing was going to be complete ****, but its held up to being dropped on concrete floors and stuff. Unfortunately it only has two handle positions, but I can manage without a third but it does make it better for running cut off wheels. It also doesn't get very hot like some of the cheapies do when you run it for extended periods of time.

Overall I'm pretty happy especially for the price!
 

Sharpest

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I used the **** out of HF grinders through most of college because I was a broke-*** and they worked well for the price. With that said, vibration was probably their biggest drawback. After a few hours of grinding, my hands would tingle. Also, the replacement brushes didn't work worth a damn and every time one of them died it was late at night and I was minutes away from finishing a project. I finally invested in a Dewalt and Makita. I hate paddle switches and intend to buy a few more of the Dewalts if they ever go on sale somewhere. I have an OLD Black and Decker 7" grinder that is a ******* beast. I hardly ever use it because its so damn heavy, but when I do it is sure nice to have.
 

shocksandstrutz

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i have a milwaukee, cost 60 just like the dewalts and whatever, i use it moderatly, not in a shop but its not a shelf monkey either......i love the thing, quiet and has some balls behind it
 

fhemm20

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Im a kinda fonda the Dewalts. I had a HF grinder for use at the house, smoked it with about 4 hours of use on it. Went out and bought the heavy duty Dewalt 4 1/2" with the non locking paddle switch. I use Dewalts at work every day and have never had an issue with them either.
 
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