need 4 1/2" angle grinder:new h.freight or used something else

[1982fxr]

i need an electric 4 1/2" grinder for home use, nothing heavy. The H.freight "heavy duty" is like $15 with a coupon, or would I be better off going on craigslist to try finding a used one---and if so, what should I look for?

I don't want to repeat my skil bench grinder debacle, but $15 for junk is easier to swallow than $55. They're all imports anymore, right? Need something that will run with a wire wheel on it

 

[kartracer55]

I don't think I'd lump a 15$ HF grinder in the bunch with say an entry level DeWalt @~$60 or so.

You can try it, but I feel like you need a grinder with some serious power if you want to run a cup brush.

 

[Kaervak]

Well, I have two of the cheapo 4.5" Drill Master angle grinders they sell. http://www.harborfreight.com/4-1-2-half-inch-angle-grinder-95578.html

Got them each for $10 after coupon. They both work perfectly fine, aren't horribly loud like I was expecting either. The second one I bought vibrates a lot more than the first one, but for $10 it's not the end of the world. They work just fine with a wire wheel brush too. I actually bought the second one to use with just a wire wheel brush so I wasn't swapping cutting/grinding discs all the time.

 

[Monte]

You already had bad luck with a cheap bench grinder (even from a brand name company !!) and now you want to buy a $15.- angle grinder from harbour freight ?

 

[crewchief888]

i have a couple of the older orange grinders from HF, they do vibrate a bit, but have been chugging along for 4 years or so.

also have a dewalt and a hitachi.

hitachi is a good grinder for the $39 sale price.
even came with a blow molded case, and 5 wheels.

 

[lotsoftools]

I'll tell you what, the $20 HF grinder I bought about 9 years ago is still alive and kicking. I use it daily at school, it has been dropped a few times and it just won't quit. I bought a Makita to replace it, but so far I haven't used the new one but a few times.
We sell quite a few Dewalt and Metabo grinders at work. The customers who buy them are replacing them every 1-2 months. I don't think it has so much to do with the quality of the tool, but the abuse they're put through.
I think the most important thing is how you treat them. If you're throwing them down or using them as a hammer (seen that with my own eyes), they just won't last as long.

 

[SIDECAR BOB]

bout a harbor freight one just to use with a wire brish, hated to spend more since I felt I was abusing it with the wire wheel, stupid little thing just wont die, just keeps spinning away. and at 10 bucks or so even if I replace it more often ZI don't realy fel to bad

 

[1982fxr]

You already had bad luck with a cheap bench grinder (even from a brand name company !!) and now you want to buy a $15.- angle grinder from harbour freight ?

I don't ''want'' to, but considering I'm just a hobbyist on a budget, I have to consider it. If it's a total ************* I can still take it back. I would expect the name brand stuff to be better, but then again it's all from china anymore (as far as I know).

I've got maybe $25 to spend on one, so it's HF or a used something else. Now, if someone were to come along and say "it's worth you're wait to seek out one of these style from such and such manufacturer...they're indestructible..." I would be listening.

 

[paranoid56]

after owning a few good brand names i think i still have one of them. the HF ones have all lasted the same amount of time as the good one. right now i have 1 good one left and 5 HF ones. each one has a different thing attached to it. buy when they at 9.99 each and dont look back. at 10 bucks a pice you can just toss them and get another when it dies

 

[carbon]

I bought a red HF one a couple years ago. Immediately, before first use, opened it up and spread the 'grease' (fish goop?) around, as I read lack of proper greasing is a big reason why they fail. I dunno, but it's still going strong.

EDIT: They changed the color. It's this blue one now. Paddle switch is goooood to have.

 

[91bronc300]

I have two 4.5 angle grinders, a red HF and a Makita. The Makita is more ergonomic and balanced and has a thermal overload breaker but the Makita and HF both run smooth and have about the same power. I don't think the HF is junk.

 

[Jim Stabe]

I use 4 1/2" grinders a lot and have 5 or 6 of them, the oldest is well over 10 years old. All are various flavors of HF all the way from the blue Drillmaster cheapies to the paddle switch model. I have never had a problem with any of them and they all have plenty of power. My favorite is the paddle switch only because the slider switch is a little less convenient to use. I had a Makita before I bought my first HF and it only lasted a couple years. So do you get a lot higher quality by paying two or three times as much for the "name brands"? I don't think so.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Check eBay for refurb name brand units.

Several years ago, I bought a refurb Craftsman Commercial 4 1/2" grinder for about $20. It's a beast.

 

[ishiboo]

I rarely need an angle grinder, I've had the $10 HF version for the last two years or so. I do not use HF discs.

It's been beat on and borrowed out and no issues. About 8 months ago, I bought the Bosch 2-pack from Lowes when it went on sale, but they're both just sitting in my toolbox until the HF dies

It's the el-cheapo Drill Master too, not the $5-higher version.

 

[AB6DO]

I have been using Harbor Freight 4 1/2 inch grinders for 15 years. Over the years I have collected about 6 of them for convince of not having to change the tool. I have yet to have one fail. My original Makita 4 1/2 inch grinder died about 5 years ago. I just trashed the Makita and never looked back. The HF grinders have enough power to run any tool I have attached to one.

 

[Philbert]

I still have my B&D Pro 4 1/2" Grinder, it's like about 20 years old now. I haven't used it much in the last ten though. Now that I'm no longer in the
trades a lot of my tools have been parked in the shed. But I still go in there
and oil them up every now and then. Just keepin them ready when I got that project to do at the house.

 

[AB6DO]

I have been using Harbor Freight 4 1/2 inch grinders for 15 years. Over the years I have collected about 6 of them for convince of not having to change the tool. I have yet to have one fail. My original Makita 4 1/2 inch grinder died about 5 years ago. I just trashed the Makita and never looked back. The HF grinders have enough power to run any tool I have attached to one.

 

[boro_boy70]

About 8 months ago, I bought the Bosch 2-pack from Lowes when it went on sale, but they're both just sitting in my toolbox until the HF dies

I bought the same Bosch deal, but my orange HF cheapie just keeps going strong. Had it 3-4 years now and it still runs like a top, can't go wrong for less than $20.(forgot what I paid for the thing)

 

[eljefino]

Had a local surplus store china-special last eight years of infrequent use until I overheated the motor and the windings let the smoke out. That was worth the $10 to watch.

Got a northern tools one, the right angle gearbox thing failed fairly quickly. Still have both sitting in a dusty corner in case I want to make one from two. They say "oil" the gearbox but that spins so fast I don't see it sticking around.

HF $10 model is my third and doing fine.

 

[monster1]

i need an electric 4 1/2" grinder for home use, nothing heavy. The H.freight "heavy duty" is like $15 with a coupon, or would I be better off going on craigslist to try finding a used one---and if so, what should I look for?

I don't want to repeat my skil bench grinder debacle, but $15 for junk is easier to swallow than $55. They're all imports anymore, right? Need something that will run with a wire wheel on it

They are all made in the same place but the difference is in the quality control. I buy my power tools from HD and never had a bad tool out of the box. My neighbor buys the hf equivalent which often looks exactly the same except for color, and he constantly has to return stuff.

 

[805gregg]

I wouldn't buy a $15 grinder, but I do have a very nice Milwaukee 4.5" that will out last me and my 21 year old son.

 

[fflintstone]

If you are going the HF route buy the more expensive 6 amp paddle switch model. It is worth the extra $10.

Or spend $50 and buy a used Metabo or an older USA Milwaukee.