Harbor Freight Drill Master 4.5 Angle Grinder

[Fender1325]

Im learning to weld on my own with my Hobart Handler 140 (love this after the failure of my harbor freight cheap one). I have a dewalt 4.5" 7 amp angle grinder and was thinking itd be nice to have a second one so I dont have to always change from grinder, flapwheel, or cutter as much.

As luck would have it I found a coupon in a magazine for $10 for the harbor freight drill master 4.5" angle grinder. I figured what the heck, as a second. It comes with an extra set of brushes. I can tell its built cheaply but I actually cant complain. Has less power than the dewalt, and the threaded part where you slide the flapdisk, grinder, cutter over is just a little longer than the dewalt. Its a bit long to use the flapdisk without hitting the metal IMO (I could see some spots where I touched the metal with it) - so Im just going to leave the grinder disk on it. For 10 bucks, and as an extra angle grinder Im happy.

Heres a box I made out of 16 gauge and flux core wire. (You can tell its amatuer as heck but im learning).

 

[Fender1325]

Another pic

 

[Fender1325]

I meant to ask - what kind of respirator should I get? Had some black boogers after grinding this box down and realized I should be wearing one.

 

[Onefastgsx]

I've had 4 of them myself. Nice to keep around to have when I'm going to be hard on one but don't want to screw up my milwaukee. They are pretty cheaply made bit you really can't beat them for $10

 

[Askme42]

I've had 4 of them myself. Nice to keep around to have when I'm going to be hard on one but don't want to screw up my milwaukee. They are pretty cheaply made bit you really can't beat them for $10

I've never had one hold up to me being rough on it. Occasional grinding Yep work fine. Burned up 2 building a heavy duty bumper and decided it was time to upgrade.

 

[SARG]

I've got six ... four still in the box. The other two have held up for two seasons so far.

 

[sberry]

The Walmart BD 7750 is a much better grinder but its 30$ its as good as the 100$ units and shares some of the same parts while having a better cord and brushes.

 

[mossyboy6]

I've never had one hold up to me being rough on it. Occasional grinding Yep work fine. Burned up 2 building a heavy duty bumper and decided it was time to upgrade.

Lol, I burned up two of them working on a bumper as well.
I still have a few, I have a wire wheel on one, and a fine flap disc on the other. I use them for light duty only.

As for a respirator, a 3M 6503QL, paired with some pink p100 filters.

 

[Ign]

^^ x2 on the 3M respirator.

Gave up on super cheap angle grinders a long time ago and never regretted it. A better unit will last you far longer, even decades. They run smoother, make better power, less fatigue and don't sound like a box of rocks during use. They'll even have a little resale value if you choose.

I've got Ridgids, Milwaukees, Metabos, even a PC but the Drill Masta stuff I wouldn't use if it were free.

 

[Engine]

I started out with a couple of the little HF grinders but they are dead now. On one, the handle broke and the guard wouldn't stay tight. The other made such a terrible grinding sound inside the gear housing (even after adding more grease) that I had to toss it. Both always vibrated so bad that my hand would be tingling after just a few minutes use.

Here are a couple of fairly good, low priced ones that I have used for a few years:


Porter-Cable PC750AG Bosch 1380SLIM

 

[Fender1325]

I really like the way that porter cable feels in the hands - i almost bought that but went with the dewalt instead. The HF is just my second

 

[Mustang1167]

Another vote for getting yourself a good one. I have a makita and Milwaukee and I like them both. I burnt up two hf grinders on a small project and said never again. I actually packed up all my hf power tools and returned them (I had a warranty).

 

[k1rodeoboater]

I've burned up 4 HF heavy duty grinders. I'm waiting for a deal I can't refuse on some nicer ones, or for my last one or two to die and force my hand to buy a new one. They worked well when I was living somewhat close to a HF, but now that I live across town from one it's not worth it anymore.

 

[DynaGlide]

Im learning to weld on my own with my Hobart Handler 140 (love this after the failure of my harbor freight cheap one). I have a dewalt 4.5" 7 amp angle grinder and was thinking itd be nice to have a second one so I dont have to always change from grinder, flapwheel, or cutter as much.

As luck would have it I found a coupon in a magazine for $10 for the harbor freight drill master 4.5" angle grinder. I figured what the heck, as a second. It comes with an extra set of brushes. I can tell its built cheaply but I actually cant complain. Has less power than the dewalt, and the threaded part where you slide the flapdisk, grinder, cutter over is just a little longer than the dewalt. Its a bit long to use the flapdisk without hitting the metal IMO (I could see some spots where I touched the metal with it) - so Im just going to leave the grinder disk on it. For 10 bucks, and as an extra angle grinder Im happy.

Heres a box I made out of 16 gauge and flux core wire. (You can tell its amatuer as heck but im learning).[emoji106]

If you wouldn't mind sharing your work space and how you've approached this is appreciate it. I'm considering teaching myself as well but haven't taken the plunge.

 

[BLACK DEATH]

Does this HF grinder come with the fittings to make it a cut off tool, using the thin 4.5" cut off discs? I'd buy one to keep a cut off disc on it. I hate changing discs out all the time.

Also where is this $10 coupon at for this grinder?

 

[gungatim]

Does this HF grinder come with the fittings to make it a cut off tool, using the thin 4.5" cut off discs? I'd buy one to keep a cut off disc on it. I hate changing discs out all the time.

Also where is this $10 coupon at for this grinder?

check the HF coupon thread in the hot deals section, or just about any car/motorcycle/woodworking/etc. magazine has HF coupons every month, as well as at the stores, in the Sunday paper, and on their website if you sign up.

I've got 3 of the cheapo grinders, a craftsman, and a broken makita. for the money, those little grinders are a good value. I've never worn one out, but did break one throwing it across the shop in a fit of anger...if they make noise, take it apart, grease it, and check the lash on the gears. I've had to adjust the little 90 degree air grinders for that very reason, sometimes the workers press the gear on too far and there is too much clearance...

 

[bcradio]

HF grinders are fine for low to moderate use. Don't listen to all the others telling you that you need a top end grinder for here and there. If you start using it more down the road and decide it's time for a better one then you can get one when you see fit.

 

[BLACK DEATH]

Ok but do they come with the adapter for a cut off disc?

 

[Fender1325]

Ok but do they come with the adapter for a cut off disc?

Not sure what you mean by adapter but yes a cut off disk fits like any other 4.5" accessory. Grinders, flapdisks, etc.

 

[kctyphoon]

wish i knew how to weld, or had a good reason to learn.. i went with the next model up grinder at hf.. stays in the truck at work just in case, and this way its not expensive if its gets lost or beroken.. i did add more grease to the head after i bought it..

 

[Fender1325]

If you wouldn't mind sharing your work space and how you've approached this is appreciate it. I'm considering teaching myself as well but haven't taken the plunge.

Go for it! Its not hard to get started. Basically I bought the sheet metal from lowes, cut the sides with the cut off wheel and an angle grinder, set them up to 90 degrees with corner 90 degree magnets from harbor freight, tack welded them, removed the magnets, then welded a little here and there, moving around to keep heat and warpage down, then grinded and flapdisked everything.

Lessons learned from this box: the metal has to be clean clean clean, and the gaps need to be tiny.

I bought the $100 harbor freight welder and practiced for 3 days before it died at which point I researched for a week and got the Hobart handler 140. Much easier to learn with a machine that has a steady feed speed, and this one will also do flux core AND gas for when I get good enough to do patch panels on my cadillac. They also run off standard household outlets.

Lots of how to on youtube. From there just buy a sheet of metal and practice running beads. Running long beads will warp the hell out of it but its ok just for practice sake.

 

[crewchief888]

i have a couple of the older HF orange grinders.
1 cord replacement, other than that they've been holding up fine for the past 7 years.

they shake & vibrate a lot more than my dewalt or hitachi, but for $10 i wont complain.

FWIW
lowes has a hitachi grinder kit, reg price $40, usally on sale a couple times a year for $30.
comes with a blow molded case, and 5 grinding wheels.

 

[DynaGlide]

Go for it! Its not hard to get started. Basically I bought the sheet metal from lowes, cut the sides with the cut off wheel and an angle grinder, set them up to 90 degrees with corner 90 degree magnets from harbor freight, tack welded them, removed the magnets, then welded a little here and there, moving around to keep heat and warpage down, then grinded and flapdisked everything.

Lessons learned from this box: the metal has to be clean clean clean, and the gaps need to be tiny.

I bought the $100 harbor freight welder and practiced for 3 days before it died at which point I researched for a week and got the Hobart handler 140. Much easier to learn with a machine that has a steady feed speed, and this one will also do flux core AND gas for when I get good enough to do patch panels on my cadillac. They also run off standard household outlets.

Lots of how to on youtube. From there just buy a sheet of metal and practice running beads. Running long beads will warp the hell out of it but its ok just for practice sake.

Don't you need a welding table as well?

 

[cheechi]

As you become a grownup you are supposed to gain a healthy respect for dangerous things; fire, electricity, gravity. As you start to learn to use tools, a healthy respect for particularly dangerous tools should also be learned; table saw, RAS, angle grinder, presses, etc.

I see no difference between using a genuinely cheap angle grinder and playing with fire. You get a good one, go for it. Me personally, I will stick with a minimum baseline for mine. I own a PC that I consider cheap compared to the rest but compared to that HF one, the PC is a Cadillac.

 

[sac02]

Ras?

 

[cheechi]

radial arm saw

 

[wild cowboy]

remember, you can buy 15 HF grinders for the price of one of those higher end grinders, and it's pretty hard to wear out 15 HF grinders!

I recommend spending the money for high end grinder discs though, you can't put a price on safety!

 

[sberry]

remember, you can buy 15 HF grinders for the price of one of those higher end grinders, and it's pretty hard to wear out 15 HF grinders!

I recommend spending the money for high end grinder discs though, you can't put a price on safety!

A couple companies make a good grinder in the 30 to 50 range. I bought the 7750 for 20 at Menards on super sale and scored a couple for giggles. But the difference between them and HF is that they don't vibe and have a lot of power. The BD is a real grinder and after a few days in the gang box no one would give a second thought to the fact it wasn't 100$.
I am all for the 15 to 1 concept but the reliability suffers at that rate. At 5 to 1 it gets a lot better and comes up to a professional usability to the point we tried to wear it out.

 

[sberry]

HF may have a better one but its not the one you can get for 9.99. That is really hit and miss at best and have seen them faulty out of the box. Even if they are smooth they don't have the working power and duty cycle. In fact the 7750 is the step child of the old Black 2750 industrial and uses the same gearbox and internals from DeWalt but with tougher brushes and a better plastic cord.
The 2750 and later DeWalt 402 are beautiful handling things, love the paddle switchbut I get used to a button and we got several x he service life. The old ones took out the brushes with overload and wear. I did have a switch out after years and even fixed it for a while but the brushes were a thing of beauty when I had it apart. I was wondering if I could cob armature from one to the old 402? I got 3 or 4 and only 1 broke Wallyworld with a switch, 30$ grinder that's been so good its actually tempting to repair. Not so for the others, 100$ ones need cord, brushes and armature just for a start. Not worth it.
I got a couple extra before they quit making it. I got a couple in service now and at the rate they last may never need the spares.

 

[Casey69]

i have a couple of the older HF orange grinders.
1 cord replacement, other than that they've been holding up fine for the past 7 years.

i have the orange one too & have used it for odd jobs. seems to be holding up fine. it was ~$10, with the perpetual sale price & 25% off coupon. iirc, the black ones are cheaper. only thing i don't like about it is the on/off switch. it clicks on & has to be clicked off. my old cman's switch had to be held on & would shut off when you let go.

 

[sberry]

I am all for cheap good tools but the step up to a much better grinder in this case isn't a huge leap. They have so much more power.

 

[pi_guy]

I have had a Milwaukee for 20 years can not kill it.
Bought the hf junk one and I can make the grinding wheel stop where I can not do that on my Milwaukee.
You can buy 10 or 15 pieces of junk for the price of a good one, but think of all the valuable tool space you waste by storing them.
HF tools should be sold like disposable rubber gloves one time use then you toss them.

 

[bcradio]

Ras?

right angle screwdriver

 

[Fender1325]

Don't you need a welding table as well?

Ultimately its helpful yeah. Nothing you cant build yourself. I made the box partially on a concrete slab and some on the work bench. Bulkier high heat stuff like 1/4" plate Id want one. Again - you can build one. Dont feel scared or talk yourself out of it if you genuinely want to do it - its not hard to get the hang of at all. Its like hot gluing something together basically, provided you need to wear proper safety gear. Its not as big a deal as it seems. Go for it!!

 

[Fender1325]

As you become a grownup you are supposed to gain a healthy respect for dangerous things; fire, electricity, gravity. As you start to learn to use tools, a healthy respect for particularly dangerous tools should also be learned; table saw, RAS, angle grinder, presses, etc.

I see no difference between using a genuinely cheap angle grinder and playing with fire. You get a good one, go for it. Me personally, I will stick with a minimum baseline for mine. I own a PC that I consider cheap compared to the rest but compared to that HF one, the PC is a Cadillac.

I agree with you on saws but this 4.5" angle grinder's worst threat is just that the motor dies. The disks mate up and bolt down just like any other grinder. Its a joy to use keeping in mind it (a.) has less power and (b.) it was 10 bucks and will certainly not last the same. I think its a great buy for light duty jobs like grinding small welds and cleaning sheet metal with a flap disk.

I do agree to not cheap out on the cutting/grinding disks. That I would not chance.

 

[Fender1325]

Also - remember guys I have a dewalt. This HF was a cheap second I grabbed. The dewalt will see heavier jobs should need be.

Whoever posted that they could totally stop the wheel you must be working on some nasty material or pushing really hard. I agree theres less power but that didnt stop it from grinding welds.

I'll leave it at this: if you dont own an angle grinder and are looking for a primary use then buy a dewalt, milwaukee, makita, etc. If youre looking for a second one just for light duty and dont want to spend much then I think its fine. Hell even if you do 2 jobs and it breaks thats cheap at $10.

 

[cheechi]

Considering you are going to be grinding some, cutting some, sanding some, etc yes I can see that but let's face it it is a cutting tool with a large part of the blade exposed. Table saws have guards people take off, and you got potentially 170* or more of cutting surface exposed. Same with RAS. Routers & presses have their own inherent life threatening designs. But an angle grinder is a portable, micro version of 'as dangerous as a table saw' type danger when there's a cutting disc.

Yes I know you have a Dewalt but the discussion is more whether we think it's a good idea to get this one as a second. I say no it's not. Others say yes. I think my reason for saying no is more important to you than others reasons for saying yes. Ultimately it's up to you. I will keep my Dewalt, Fein, & PC 4.5's and Bosch 7" and use them with the guards installed. You can do as you like but don't use one of those around me.

 

[Fender1325]

Considering you are going to be grinding some, cutting some, sanding some, etc yes I can see that but let's face it it is a cutting tool with a large part of the blade exposed. Table saws have guards people take off, and you got potentially 170* or more of cutting surface exposed. Same with RAS. Routers & presses have their own inherent life threatening designs. But an angle grinder is a portable, micro version of 'as dangerous as a table saw' type danger when there's a cutting disc.

Yes I know you have a Dewalt but the discussion is more whether we think it's a good idea to get this one as a second. I say no it's not. Others say yes. I think my reason for saying no is more important to you than others reasons for saying yes. Ultimately it's up to you. I will keep my Dewalt, Fein, & PC 4.5's and Bosch 7" and use them with the guards installed. You can do as you like but don't use one of those around me.

Exposed cutting wheel is the same on all of them regardless of brand. I use mine with the guard on as well. I think the risk of breaking a cutoff wheel is the same regardless of brand.

On a side note - why are all my posts lit up green and "reported"? Is someone reporting each post for some idiotic reason or is it lit because I was reported once before?

 

[cheechi]

Right. I'm not saying one brand has more exposed cutter than others. What I'm saying is for a tool that has that much exposed cutter, I would get a nicer brand than an obviously inferior one.

This is unsubstantiated as fact but reasonable suggestion that a better made grinder, or the difference between new/old of the same kind, that a better bearing and mechanism is going to be more stable as it spins at 9k-12k rpms that would make a difference in how likely discs are to shatter or chip.

The green dot is if you are online/visited recently. The report button isn't related it's just next to it.

 

[Fender1325]

Gotcha on the green dot thing thanks. haha. I was like who the hell keeps reporting me!?!

I understand your point of concern although I still kind of disagree. I think ultimately cut off wheel failure is either (a.) a cheap disk which we all agree to avoid or (b.) user error - twisting the tool on an angle when the cut off wheel is too deep into the material to allow that kind of movement.

From the failures/injuries and accidents I've read about online I can only offer this advice: Wear all safety equipment (A face shield is ideal over just glasses), Leave the protective shield on the tool, Keep these things away from clothing while you're working with them (i.e. jeans/pants, sleeves, hoodie strings), dont ever position the grinder so that the wheel is turning towards you, and dont jam the tool into the material or twist it. Let it do the work, take your time and keep clear of that wheel!