Lets talk electric angle grinders

[Deadsquiggles]

I looked and there was nothing that answered my questions. I'm in the market for an 4 1/2" electric angle grinder. Just need something for light metal working, cutting up to 1/4" steel, grinding off surface rust so it would need to be the 5/8"-11 spindle to use twisted knot wire wheels and cup wire wheels. Plus grinding wheels.

Last company I worked for bought these: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200396513_200396513
in bulk and they worked pretty well. I'm wondering if there's anything good for the money.

So, what grinders do y'all have and why do you like them?

 

[firebox40dash5]

Damn, $170 for a grinder? (Coming from a guy who spent way more than is sensible on plenty of tools)

I've never given a ton of thought to a regular old 5" grinder, just avoided the bottom of the barrel like HF. Currently my corded grinder is a Bosch that my dad got a 2-pack of from Lowes or HD for like $60. I mean, if it were one of my primary tools and making me money, or had a specific need for an extra-powerful one, I'm sure I'd upgrade, but for occasional use whatever <$100 one fot my needs has always done the job.

Even when I was mechanicing, my brushless cordless grinder saw probably 80% of the use since I was prepping a single job most times and needed it for maybe 5-10 minutes... more expensive, but no cord to worry about (or drag out and put away). That's also a good bit of why I never felt the urge to go big on my corded one, it was just for times I needed more *** or more runtime than the cordless had.

 

[Monte]

Metabo

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... My all time favorite is the Dewalt, DW402, which became, 'n is tolerable, the DW28402,....

Donno if they still sell 'em,... ain't needed one in awhile,.....

Love the paddle switch,.....

 

[tarbellb]

Are you sure you searched...... theres gotta be at least 50 grinder titled threads on here.
Most asking the same questions you are, what grinder will do grinder like task.

That being said I will fed the trolls/novices-

Any 4.5" grinder will do what your asking, any. Anything smaller then a 4.5", ie 4" will have a smaller spindle.

Only real questions to ask about a grinder:

_ how much $
_ what type of switch (slide or paddle)
_ soft start
_ variable speed
_ (german or chinese)

Those bottom three come into play with more expensive models.

 

[PT Doc]

I have a Metabo rebadged Ridgid grinder and it feels great in the hand and is not too heavy.

 

[Deadsquiggles]

So a decent branded grinder from somewhere other than China seems best. Where would I find metabo?

 

[AceofSpad3s]

So a decent branded grinder from somewhere other than China seems best.

Good luck finding something one not from china, I am not familiar with coo on angle grinders but in general the vast majority of power tools are made in china. I heard that this black and decker angle grinder works really good and has outlasted other more expensive grinders, and that those are thrown in yellow cases and sold as dewalts. There is a thread on these a couple days ago I think. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000077CPU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If I need a grinder I will buy one of them, but grinders scare me and that guy that nearly cut of his **** is not helping me feel any safer.

 

[neophyte]

Good luck finding something one not from china, I am not familiar with coo on angle grinders but in general the vast majority of power tools are made in china. I heard that this black and decker angle grinder works really good and has outlasted other more expensive grinders, and that those are thrown in yellow cases and sold as dewalts. There is a thread on these a couple days ago I think. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000077CPU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If I need a grinder I will buy one of them, but grinders scare me and that guy that nearly cut of his **** is not helping me feel any safer.

Fein, Metabo, and Flex all make some angle grinders models in Germany.

All the Fein Grinders are German made.

Flex makes their high end grinders in Germany, but the low cost models are likely made in Asia.

Metabo makes their higher end grinders in Germany. I'm not sure if the lower cost models are made in China or not.

Makita may have been assembling some of their angle grinders in the USA. I believe some other high end models may have been assembled or manufactured in the UK.

Suhner makes their angle grinders and other power tools in Germany.

Hilti may still make some of their higher priced grinders in Germany or Liechtenstein. If you have a local Hilti store it would probably be better to check since Hilti switched a lot of their lower cost power tool production to China.

 

[Deadsquiggles]

Lowes has the D28402W on sale for $74. Is it worth it?

 

[rmsg0040]

Love my metabo with the "quick" feature, the joys of not having to use a pin spanner

 

[Monte]

these Metabo angle grinders are made in germany

Fein grinders like this one are made in germany

Flex grinders in this design are made in germany

several Bosch grinders are also made in germany.
Their imported grinders look similar so you have to look closely
(imported ones are usually in the 700-800 watt range)

These Hiltis are also made in germany
(they do offer chinese entry level imports)

Suhner solely produces in germany:

Pferd angle grinders are made in Germany

most Kress angle grinders are made in germany

Berner offers angle grinders made in germany

BTI offers angle grinders made in germany

Wurth offers angle grinders made in germany

Over here Makita offers UK made grinders and Hitachi offers Irish made grinders. Other european angle grinder manufacturers are Rupes (Italy), Stayer (Spain), Casals (Spain), Felisatti (Spain), Interskol (Russia), Sparky (Bulgaria) and Perles (Slovenia). Bosch "Green" grinders are made in Hungary.

So you can see there is still a large selection of non chinese grinders

 

[Deadsquiggles]

Well I called my dad to see what grinder he has and he just bought a Milwaukee so he's giving me his Dewalt 7 amp. I think the model number is DWE4011. Chinese made But it should work till I decide on a non Chinese made grinder. Now which of the grinders listed has the 5/8"-11 spindle or do all of them have it?

 

[sam.coll]

I like the Makita industrial model grinders, anything with 1100 or 1400 watt motors, have 3 of them as well as 1 Hitachi with a paddle switch.

 

[bigdave39355]

Lowes has the D28402W on sale for $74. Is it worth it?

Fair deal.

They hold up to a roustabout crew so they'll work great for home use.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Well I called my dad to see what grinder he has and he just bought a Milwaukee so he's giving me his Dewalt 7 amp. I think the model number is DWE4011. Chinese made But it should work till I decide on a non Chinese made grinder. Now which of the grinders listed has the 5/8"-11 spindle or do all of them have it?

Just use that one until it shits the bed and then buy a new one of your choice. Just because it is Chinese made does not mean it is going to explode.

 

[Deadsquiggles]

Just use that one until it shits the bed and then buy a new one of your choice. Just because it is Chinese made does not mean it is going to explode.

That's the plan for now. The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't have the paddle switch.

 

[joebachor]

I have a German made metabo, a Chinese made Makita , a Japanese made Makita, and a harbor freight. I abuse all but the harbor freight. I would say that I if I had to buy any of them again I would go with the Japanese Makita. Its the strongest and most straight forward in design,its been burnt, ran over, dropped, and over-worked in general. all I do is keep the head greased and it just keeps going. if you buy one make sure its the Japanese built one .

 

[mrpizza]

I have a HF 9 dollar cheapie that i have abused beyond anything a tool should take. Keeps on working with no issues. Ive had smoke pouring out of it before, keeps on trucking.

The worst i ever did to it was wire wheeling a compressor tank with a knotted wheel. Took a couple hours, but did the job. Im surprised the motor brushes still have any meat on them, but they look great!

 

[rsanter]

I have always sworn by my Dewalt grinders then I bought a Fein and I love it even more than the dewalts.

Bob

 

[RedneckWelder]

$170 for a Dewalt? Jesus...thats insane...

 

[BK13]

I have a 4" Makita, a 4.5"Bosch 'Slim', a 4.5" DeWalt, and a 5" Fein. Yes, the Fein really is that much better. I'm going to be looking for a Metabo one of these days, likely another 4.5" but maybe a big boy, 6" or 7"...

 

[PureLeaf]

I've got a 4.5 dewalt D28110. It does the job. Lasted about 4 years, then the ring gear shredded. Bought a new ring gear and pinion gear as that was partially damaged. Hydraulic pressed the old one off, and the new one on. Good as new for 10 bucks and hopefully lasts another 4 years. Originally I think it cost me about 70 bucks off Amazon

 

[anurag1990]

Bosch angle grinders are my pick. I see them so often at construction sites and they fo a great job perhaps. Personally used Bosch 100 mm ( 4") grinder and loved using it. Price in India is ( converted into equivalent dollars) $35. These are with carbon brushes model. I dont know if brushless model would be available.
Just a question... Why do bosch grinders get so little attention compared to other brands?

 

[sberry]

Lowes has the D28402W on sale for $74. Is it worth it?

The one at Walmart, its cousin the 7750 for 30$ is a way better grinder.

 

[crewchief888]

all depends on your budget...

i have a couple orange HF grinders, a CM pro, dewalt, and a hitachi.

IMO the hitachi was the "best bang for the buck"

picked up on sale at lowes for $29.99 comes in a blow molded case and 5 grinding wheels.

 

[Monte]

Just a question... Why do bosch grinders get so little attention compared to other brands?

At least in germany they are very common
Maybe because Dewalt and Milwaukee are american brands and Makita owns a factory in the US too so people prefer these brands. Maybe another reason might be that the competitors are always a buck or two cheaper...

 

[finn]

I've got at least a half dozen grinders. I am trying to wear out my "emergency purchase" $12 HF, but it won't die. The Bosch an Milwaukee are good, but the Makita feels better.

For light, homeowner use, I don't really see much to differentiate the different brands.

 

[afbrian13]

Ive had a $25 no name from Menards for years. Chopped two cars to scrap metal and built tons of stuff with them-no issues.

I buy supplies at HF. Cheap and they're going to get trashed anyway.

I thought I wanted an expensive one but cant justify a reason. Well...a m18 fuel cordless WOULD be handy...

 

[neophyte]

Bosch angle grinders are my pick. I see them so often at construction sites and they fo a great job perhaps. Personally used Bosch 100 mm ( 4") grinder and loved using it. Price in India is ( converted into equivalent dollars) $35. These are with carbon brushes model. I dont know if brushless model would be available.
Just a question... Why do bosch grinders get so little attention compared to other brands?

At least in germany they are very common
Maybe because Dewalt and Milwaukee are american brands and Makita owns a factory in the US too so people prefer these brands. Maybe another reason might be that the competitors are always a buck or two cheaper...

My first angle grinder was a Bosch and it was made in the USA. A bunch of the people I knew also used to own Bosch angle grinders. I would still own and use the grinder if it hadn't been for the ****** toggle safety switch. Unfortunately a lot of different angle grinders use a similar design.

 

[RedRabbit]

My blood runs blue. But in my expierence, Makitas are the best. The Japanese made ones are even nicer.

 

[Dodge]

If you find a grinder that you like but doesn't have the 5/8 spindle, you can buy an adapter to make the wire wheels fit that you want to use. The adapter is only about $2.

I have an older craftsman, a porter gable and a $10 HF. Nothing wrong with the HF cheaper either. I am a hobbyist. I don't use them all day long. The craftsman is over 20 years old.

 

[PelicanPines]

I have 1/2 dozen dewalts. If they die... I will get a few made in Germany.

 

[xtremek]

I've used, abused, and misused my 4 1/2" Dewalt (given to me used) until the bearings failed. And I do mean abused it. I went out and found another just like it. I've kept the old one and I'm going to replace the bearings (at about $15 for the pair) and abuse it some more.

 

[rice rocket]

My switches on the DeWalt failed way before I could get the bearings to fail. Like a few months.

I now have a 10-amp Fein and a 8-amp Makita, and just picked up a 12-amp Metabo. The Metabo runs the smoothest, but it's also has an autobalancer. The Makita is good, but not nearly as smooth as the other two.

Metabo also says the autobalancer extends abrasive life by 120-200% because there's so much less chatter.

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[bucksnort59]

The one at Walmart, its cousin the 7750 for 30$ is a way better grinder.

$25 at KFart
http://www.kmart.com/black-decker-4-1-2-in-small-angle-grinder/p-010W436769460001P

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I have a HF that I got 10 years ago for 7$. Still going, although I use it casually. Just put a new cord on it last week.

Just bought a lightly used, Japanese Makita for 20$.

But the grinder that I've been using the dog s#it out of for more than 25 years is a Chicago Pneumatic air grinder. It doesn't even show signs of needing a rebuild.

 

[TexF18]

Kinda went overkill and bought a metabo grinder. It's really nice.

 

[c-hawk19]

I have a 4 1/2" Dewalt that I have had and used fairly hard for the last 10 years . But I'm thinking I will soon be buying a 6" Metabo since I now have a local dealer.

 

[Deadsquiggles]

What companies are typically Metabo dealers/distributors?