Help choosing Metabo 6" grinder

[shamrock12]

Ok, I have an W23-180 (7") on order however I am having a second thought about the size. It will put out alot of torque (124 in. lbs.) which is a bit overkill for my need but the price is similar as their 6" models which has much less torque which is why I ordered it. However I just realized that I won't be able to put larger wire cups because of RPM. The largest knotted wire cup I could put on is 4" and that will get laughed at by this grinder. Not to mention that it would be more difficult to do the work up close because of massive guard behind it. So I might reconsider for an 6" grinder. However I am not sure which model would be a good choice. Here are a couple of them:

W11-150 Quick
29.2 in. lbs.
9,000 RPM
9.6amps
http://www.metabo.us/Product-catalog-handheld-powertools.23980+M5176d4912a6.0.html

WE14-150 Quick
31.0 in. lbs.
9,000 RPM
12.2amps
http://www.metabo.us/Product-catalog-handheld-powertools.23980+M5d1d51a0ca8.0.html

There is only under two inch pounds of difference between these. Would W11-150 be sufficent for moderate grinding with 6" wheel? I am not crazy about the electronics stuff which WE14-150 has. Is there any real advantage of having electronic on board? It probably will cost a bit more than the 7" model but they are compact and thus should be easier to handle which would benefit in some certain situations.

 

[shamrock12]

Okay no replies so far, so I'll just make this simple. Would W11-150 Quick be adequate for grinding with 6" wheel?

 

[tonydanzah]

Wish i could help.

 

[barney rubble]

I've got 4 or 5 Metabos at home that where my sons. He worked construction. I dont think any of them are electronic but cant swear. They are a hell of a tool for my needs and he loved them. 6" all of them.

 

[Zrexxer]

9.6 amps should be adequate for average grinding operations. 12 amps would be nicer but I'm not a huge fan of electronic controls on hard-use portable power tools like angle grinders.

If you're doing a lot of heavy hogging or cutting, I'd go with the bigger motor though.

 

[Merkava_4]

Six inch is the perfect size in my opinion. You get the best of both worlds: The extra coverage of a 6" wheel combined with the compact body of a 5" grinder.

Electronic constant speed grinders will keep the wheel at the same speed no matter how much pressure you put on it. If you've ever used one like that, it's hard to go back to a regular grinder; they are that sweet. The added soft start feature combined with constant speed makes for one helluva smooth operator.

 

[nate379]

I just use 4.5" grinders and put a 5 or 6" wheel on them if I need the larger wheel.

 

[Merkava_4]

You can put 5" wheel on a 4.5" grinder, but putting 6" on it will burn it out. You'll start smelling the sugar sweet smell of the resin on the motor windings melting.

 

[Mike83]

You can put 5" wheel on a 4.5" grinder, but putting 6" on it will burn it out. You'll start smelling the sugar sweet smell of the resin on the motor windings melting.

Sounds delicious.

I mean bad!

 

[Zrexxer]

I just use 4.5" grinders and put a 5 or 6" wheel on them if I need the larger wheel.

Once you've ground through the skin on your hand that grips the grinder - which you will do, because you've removed the guard to put the wrong size wheel on, you'll get over that idea.

 

[Merkava_4]

My grinder is a Bosch 4.5" grinder, but I bought the 5" guard to go on it. I also replaced the stock bearing with a Motion Industries bearing. It's a very smooth grinder. A good electric grinder will sound pretty quiet when running in free air; you can barely hear mine run at full speed in free air.
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[nate379]

I don't think I have used a grinder that did have a guard on it and no problems so far. I have 4 of them, one with a grinder wheel, one with a flap disc, one with a cut off, and one with a cup wire brush.

Once you've ground through the skin on your hand that grips the grinder - which you will do, because you've removed the guard to put the wrong size wheel on, you'll get over that idea.

 

[dieseldodge01]

My dad has four 6" Metabos. None of them have the electonic control on them. But if they work like Merkava_4 says I would buy the second one. I have had no problems with the one we got, other than the ergonomic one is horrible to use, can't lock the trigger in place have to hold the hand switch all the time. Ours need new brushes, we just haven't gotten around to getting any for them. They are great grinders, the W 11-150 has plenty of power for what we use it for.

 

[WVU Tuba Dale]

I have a 6" electronic metabo grinder and it works excellently. As stated before, the soft start and constant speed are awesome. I would never go back to a conventional type again.