Looking for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

[Greco]

Hi. I'm looking to buy my first angle grinder (a 115mm one), it's not for a heavy use, but i want to have something better than black & decker.

The other day i went to the toolshop and i saw the metabo, makita, milwaukee and bosch (i also saw the fein grinder, beautiful but too expensive ).

I understand that metabo is the best of those brands, this is my first option. but, what's your opinion?
and what about the other metabo grinders? the cheaper ones, like this

Thanks

 

[RedneckWelder]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

Im of the opinion that Metabo makes a nice grinder but overpriced...Id go with just about any brand thats a step above the bottom feeders, they are all pretty decent and work good.

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[ezzzzzzz]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

Metabo. One and done.

 

[e30bradley]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

I have a bosch, I've been using it very often and hard for a few years and it works like it did day one.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

I like my Dewalt. Works great.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BM6BMI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[383 240z]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

I've got a Craftsman Pro here in the shop, I've been using it about 8 years has never given me an issue, and I use it TONS Something like $80 if I remember right. If it died today, I'd buy another one. Keith

 

[Todd.Brock]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

Metabo , would be on the list if I used one a lot... hF works for me in this dept....15 bucks.

 

[CWP1616L]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

I prefer Bosch for right angle grinders.

 

[Monte]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

Hi. I'm looking to buy my first angle grinder (a 115mm one), it's not for a heavy use, but i want to have something better than black & decker.

The other day i went to the toolshop and i saw the metabo, makita, milwaukee and bosch (i also saw the fein grinder, beautiful but too expensive ).

I understand that metabo is the best of those brands, this is my first option. but, what's your opinion?
and what about the other metabo grinders? the cheaper ones, like this

Thanks

Your first option is made right here in Germany your second option in China.
Your first option also comes with a dust protected "Metabo Marathon" motor, toolless adjustable guard, a clutch, anti vib handle, more power and torque. It´s basically the "fully loaded" model and the other one the cheaper but also lighter and slimmer standard entry level model without extras. The german model is like a Mercedes S-Class the cheaper one like a VW escarabajo

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/m0eDag_Ad9E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[CWP1616L]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

Your first option is made right here in Germany your second option in China.

It's looking like the low-end line of Metabo grinders are made in China:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=207939&highlight=metabo

 

[HMCFab9]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

Milwaukee has one on sale for $69 right now. I might get one.
Metabo is supposed to be good also.

 

[Monte]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

It's looking like the low-end line of Metabo grinders are made in China:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=207939&highlight=metabo

yes the cheapest ones. However the grinders which come in this design are made in Germany:

 

[CWP1616L]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

yes the cheapest ones. However the grinders which come in this design are made in Germany:

It's the 6 inch Metabo that I'd probably get if I was to buy a Metabo and I assume that model is made in Germany.

The main thing I like about my Bosch besides the smoothness is the thumb actuated slide switch on the left side of the body; it's in a perfect location for convenient operation.

 

[Tinner]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

The German made Metabos are hard to beat. I've been using one at work every day for the past two years, zero maintenance and it still runs like a dream.

 

[IndyGarage]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

I've never had a Metabo - I'll take others opinion that they are the best.

Of the ones I do have Hitachi, Makita, Bosch, Harbour Freight, Porter Cable, Milwaukee and a cheap one that said Kawasaki on it.

I got the Kawasaki for $19.99 off the clearance rack at Target - it worked exactly 1 time before the switch broke - I would not recommend one of them.

The HF one I had worked for about 5 years before the switch gave out - It was low on power, but was pretty rugged and worked fine.

The Bosch ones I have are not my favorite - they are noisy, not smooth, not all that powerful, but they do have a nice thin barrel on them and the side switch described above.

I have two Hitachi's - I love my big Hitachi 7 inch grinder - soft start, smooth and lots of power. The smaller one is almost identical to Makita.

The Makitas I have are very smooth with good power, but the barrel grip is big and the switch is not my favorite.

I have an older Milwaukee that has great power, but it has the same big barrel as the Makita.

My workhorse 4 1/2 inch grinders are cheap ones made by Porter Cable. They were $39.99 each. They have a rat tail and a finger switch. I would say they are less smooth and noisier than some of the others, but the ergnomics are way better and the power is pretty good. I didn't think they would last a week, but I've had one of them 2 years and it looks like it went to war. I mostly run a big rope wire cup on it and it just keeps on digging. I don't think any of the others on that I've described, with the exception of the 7 inch Hitachi, could take the same abuse.

For anything less than a production shop, hose PC's are a bargain.

 

[dr_clyde]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

I have 2 metabo grinders, a 6 inch and a 7 inch. I also have a metabo tube sander. They are top shelf grinders. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase another. In fact I plan to. I use these daily in a fabrication shop environment.

I also have an old 4 1/2" hitachi that just won't quit. Don't know how the new ones hold up.

At my old shop, I had a 6" metabo fitted with a cutoff wheel and two 4 1/2" dewalt grinders, one with a stone and one with a fiber disc. They are excellent for the money. Don't have the horsepower of the metabo, but are sized right for one handed quick grinds.

My buddy, also a welder, swears by Milwaukee tools. He has a pair of grinders that have been rebuilt once or twice they get used so much. Also a good choice.

I was at the Fabtech trade show last week, and almost all the abrasive booths were using metabo grinders to demo their product.

 

[GoodEnough]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

$38 at Sears. Prob. under $30 on sale.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-c3-4-1-2-in-angle-grinder/p-00934407000P

 

[Lasu]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

There are a lot of good angle grinders available. With a thick / medium / small handle,slim and compact etc.

other features , what you need?

I bought two of these milwaukee angle grinders , when the wurth (fein 1200w) died.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I have a Metabo and will continue to buy only Metabo. Other grinders work fine, but a Metabo is just nicer to use......Snap On vs. Craftsman; both work it just depends on if the marginal difference is worth it to you.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

I have 3-4 Metabo grinders of various sizes. All purchased used from Ebay. If you can afford it I would recommend getting one, especially if it will be your only grinder. They are very powerful and the quick change feature makes swapping disks quick and easy. No looking for the POS wrench to get the nut off.

 

[The Ratchet Man]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

The main thing I like about my Bosch besides the smoothness is the thumb actuated slide switch on the left side of the body; it's in a perfect location for convenient operation.

Unless your left handed...then its in the worst location ever.

 

[Greco]

I don't know about the craftsman/snap-on power tools, but i have used some craftsman hand tools, and they are excellent. However, here in Argentina it's almost impossible to get craftsman/snapon.
Ok, you're convincing me, i think i'll get the metabo, the german one of course.

Thanks for the opinions.

 

[Greco]

I have 3-4 Metabo grinders of various sizes. All purchased used from Ebay. If you can afford it I would recommend getting one, especially if it will be your only grinder. They are very powerful and the quick change feature makes swapping disks quick and easy. No looking for the POS wrench to get the nut off.

Yeah,i know it works fine, but i always had something with the pin spanner, thats one of the reasons why i looked for the metabo/fein.

 

[FMC]

walters were my go to but are expensive, metabo is made by the same company that makes walters, of the 4 4.5'' ones I have that were in use hours a day for years the replacement parts have been, brushes, sliding switches and cords, tried a milwaukee once, head gear,armature, field windings all under warranty, retailer was so fed up he gave me 2 matabo's in exchange

 

[CWP1616L]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

Unless your left handed...then its in the worst location ever.

You gotta point.

 

[stage20]

i like the makita 4" 7.5 amp model with switch. not a fan of the paddles for the work i do. i have all dewalt tools and this is one of two makita tools i own. i think my dewalt actually has more power, but the way the fan on the motor is setup, the dewalt can throw dust at you on some projects. the makita doesnt.

 

[carbon]

I had a $29.99 HF model. It worked ok for a year, then it died. I then bought a metabo 680, which is no longer made, and it was much stronger and had a nice thin grip even though it was at the bottom of Metabo's lineup. Closeout now at $60. It's really good at more detail-like work.

But I really like paddle switch grinders; my HF unit was a paddle switch one. Sidenote: I've caught the side-switch 680 in my shirt. It stalled after it wrapped itself in the cloth and I was glad it wasn't any more powerful — I walked away unscathed.

I wanted a real powerhouse with all the bells and whistles too, so I looked at the WEPBA14-125 Quick. Holy cow is it awesome! I was worried that the non-lockable (deadman) paddle-switch would tire my hands out constantly holding it "on", but those clever Germans have figured out different way of pivoting the switch so that isn't a problem.

It's got this awesome brake on it that stops the spinning in 2-3 seconds. I love that I can just set it down quick and not worry about it taking off. It's got a bunch of features, take a look. I can't slow it down at all. 12 amps. Spendy, but it's nice.

 

[humanbeingexpert]

Bought the german metabo shown above and lovin it, great tool for many uses

 

[Greco]

Well, finally i got my metabo. It was a little expensive (about u$s 160), but i like it.
I haven't tried it yet, i took my time to read the instructions, so i'll try it tomorrow, but it looks pretty good.

But.. there's something i dind't like about it, not the grinder but the warranty. I asked the seller about it and the three years extended warranty and told me that it was for the whole world except latin america. That's unfair, i'm a little dissapointed, maybe i'll write to metabo about this.
However, i still like the grinder

 

[Banjorear]

Re: Lookinf for my first angle grinder. Metabo?

I have a bosch, I've been using it very often and hard for a few years and it works like it did day one.

Same here. I've used this hard. Not only for metal but with a diamond blade used to cut rock while laying down 26 tons of stone for a dry stack retaining wall. Worked great and was around $50.

 

[bobcatdan]

Any of the better name grinders are fine. I have a 4" made in Japan makita and I love the little thing. I also have a 4 1/2" metabo I bought new for stupid cheap. I haven't really played with yet, just sits there looking pretty next to the made in the USA metabo saw all.

 

[stage20]

3.9a is not all that powerful unless the metabo uses its power efficiently?

 

[ilovevocs]

For what it's worth in the past 15 years I have only had one Metabo grinder **** out. I was abusing it too. I had a polishing wheel on it, and plugged the air ports next to the motor with excremental from the buffer pad. The magic white smoke came out and it was toast. I don't think you'll ever use the three year warranty if you use the tool properly. Personally I wouldn't waste my time with a query to the company.


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[Greco]

3.9a is not all that powerful unless the metabo uses its power efficiently?

emmm...i dont know. This are the specs
http://www.metabo.com/Product-catalogue-handheld-powertools.24048+M5e1b89695d0.0.html

Can someone explain this?

 

[-->]

But.. there's something i dind't like about it, not the grinder but the warranty. I asked the seller about it and the three years extended warranty and told me that it was for the whole world except latin america. That's unfair, i'm a little dissapointed, maybe i'll write to metabo about this.
However, i still like the grinder

Id be surprised if you needed the warranty. I still have my dads and its been going strong for almost 25 years. This is with it being used EVERY DAY on welding jobs. Less now with me so 7 or 8 of those years its been used a little less. It still works without a hiccough though.

 

[Greco]

I have just tryed it. It work very good, the anti-vibration grip really its a great feature.
It's not the most powerfull grinder, but it's very well made, just what i have been looking for.
The quick change works fine to, but i have a cuestion. When i want to change a disc i have to press the lock button before it stops, but when i press the button and it don't fit at the first time i think it could do some demage to the quick change system. thats fine? should i press the button stronger? am i doing it wrong?

 

[Monte]

with the right timing it should work...maybe wait a second longer before pressing the button.

btw. congratulation on your new Metabo !

 

[955point9cummins]

I love my ridgid grinder. It's compact and has never let me down. I think I paid 90 or so for it.

 

[neophyte]

emmm...i dont know. This are the specs
http://www.metabo.com/Product-catalogue-handheld-powertools.24048+M5e1b89695d0.0.html

Can someone explain this?

Rated power input 850 W
Rated power output 520 W

850 Watts would be about 7 Amps.


I wouldn't worry about the motor amperage. I have the impression some companies bump tool amperage specs to make their tools seem more powerful. Fein motors routinely have low amperage ratings, but are used to drive the same cutting heads in some cases as higher wattage motors from other companies. Metabo may have designed a similar type of high efficiency motor.

I believe the difference in input and output wattage can give you an estimate of motor efficiency.

 

[tat36]

it's low amps because it's 230v.if it was 120v it will be 7.1 amps according to my ohms law app.
I have the same model for 2 years and it's been good.