Need a new 4.5" angle grinder

[03protege]

So I just burnt up this chi-com special after about a year of duty.

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/grinders-buffers/4-1-2-half-inch-angle-grinder-95578.html

I was using a stripper disc to remove paint of all things and about 20 minutes later it stopped working, not even that hot either.

So now I am in the market, I currently have a 7" Harbor Freight that I am very pleased with and handles all my heavy grinding fine. I mainly use my 4.5" with stripper discs and sandpaper flap discs and occasional detail grinding.

Anyone have any recommendations? I was looking at the Dewalts but am open to anything really. Would like to stay under $100, closer to $50 would be nicer.

 

[shoturtle]

get a good one from metabo or bosch. They make some of the best grinder out there.

 

[b-body-bob]

After reading horror stories about those things getting away from users and letting the blood flow, I wouldn't buy any that doesn't have a paddle handle.

I have a china fright special right now, but when it fails I think I'm going to go with a DeWalt.

 

[TreePointer]

If you do some searching you should be able to find a DeWalt 10 amp angle grinder (D28402K) with case for $89-99. I got one from Amazon.com about 6 months ago and I've been happy with it.

The 7 amp models may be found for even less, of course.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

I went through tons of those... I just picked up a Makita 4.5 paddle switch grinder from Home Depot, $57 price match (Google Shopping search) $80.00 in store. I was going to get a Metabo, but in the rare event it fails I figured it would be a PIA to warranty. Makita is 3 year in store warranty.

 

[shoturtle]

I like this one, I just recently got it to replace a 12 year old bosch. Been happen with the metabo so far.
http://www.cpometabo.com/metabo-600...p-angle-grinder/mtbn600263420,default,pd.html

 

[allinon72]

I have a 10 amp Bosch from that Lowes twin pack deal a while back.

 

[haveissues]

I got one of these as well as the corresponding 5/6 inch and I like it a lot.

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...-angle-grinder-w-lock-on/p-1837080-c-9075.htm

 

[pault28]

Menards sells some made in Germany Bosch 1810ps ones that are roughly 80 or 90 bucks. I liked it so much I bought a second one so I can leave a cutoff wheel on one and flap disc mounted on the second. There is a cheaper "slim" one which is china made ate bards too. Trust me, you will not be disappointed with this grinder.

 

[Mike007]

Porter Cable goes for around $40 at Lowes. Obviously it's not made in the US at that price. But they aren't bad.

 

[wellpoison]

if your not using it heavily i would suggest the craftsman evolv. mine has worked great on my first project with it, turning a small piece of railroad track into an anvil. cant beat it for 33.99 at work we have a metabo and a bosch. they are both good. the bosch is a little lighter but the metabo takes more beating.

 

[03protege]

Wow thanks you for the responses everyone.

My next question would be do I need a 10 amp motor for sanding/stripping discs?

Eventually I would like to have two 4.5" grinders to cut down on having to swap discs.

The one I just burnt up was claimed to be 4.3 and did leave a little do be desired on sanding.

And I think ordering one is out of the question as I was in the middle of a job(well a few jobs to be specific) and would really like to finish them over the weekend.

 

[03protege]

I went through tons of those... I just picked up a Makita 4.5 paddle switch grinder from Home Depot, $57 price match (Google Shopping search) $80.00 in store. I was going to get a Metabo, but in the rare event it fails I figured it would be a PIA to warranty. Makita is 3 year in store warranty.

Did you find another actual store for them to price match or just an "E-tailer"

 

[shovel]

I'm going to go against the grain a little here. I'm a Dewalt guy. I love my Dewalt tools. Saying that, I've burned up two Dewalt grinders. At $79-99 each, there are better buys out there. Right now I'm using a couple of HF and a couple of B&D that I bought on clearance from Home Depot. I picked up a 2-pack of the Bosch, but I dont like the handle placement. I have 4 grinders out at a time; two with grinding discs, on with a wire wheel and one with a cutting disc. I have several backups if those fail. By the way, I havn't had one of the orange HF burn up yet, but had them break from falling off a welding table. I know the paddle switches are safer, but doing odd position grinding and cutting, I prefer the slide switch. I'd shop around for a good deal and see what is out there. You should be able to buy several grinders for what one Dewalt would set you back.

 

[crewchief888]

i have 2 HF orange 4 1/2" grinders

dewalt <> $50 on sale at HD
hitachi $40 on sale @ lowes came with a case and 5 extra wheels
CM pro freebie

they all been used hard over the past 5 years or so.
the HF grinders have a lot more vibration than any of the others.

hit your fav big box store and choose the one that fits your hands the best.

 

[Matt018]

Hitachi is a great one.

 

[03protege]

I'm going to go against the grain a little here. I'm a Dewalt guy. I love my Dewalt tools. Saying that, I've burned up two Dewalt grinders. At $79-99 each, there are better buys out there. Right now I'm using a couple of HF and a couple of B&D that I bought on clearance from Home Depot. I picked up a 2-pack of the Bosch, but I dont like the handle placement. I have 4 grinders out at a time; two with grinding discs, on with a wire wheel and one with a cutting disc. I have several backups if those fail. By the way, I havn't had one of the orange HF burn up yet, but had them break from falling off a welding table. I know the paddle switches are safer, but doing odd position grinding and cutting, I prefer the slide switch. I'd shop around for a good deal and see what is out there. You should be able to buy several grinders for what one Dewalt would set you back.

I have noticed the orange ones (now red) are built a little tougher, I've had a 4" orange model for about 2 years and it was my sole grinder for some time and has held up quite nicely.

You also listed the other conundrum which is 1 quality grinder equals about 3-5 crappy grinders.

 

[03protege]

the HF grinders have a lot more vibration than any of the others.

That is good insight, while typing the op my arms felt numb from the 20-30 minute period I was using the damn thing.

 

[Monte]

this is a good one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Porter-Cabl...244?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19ba7f3cec

or bid here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1380-Slim-4...113&pid=100011&prg=1005&rk=2&sd=230777908836&

or this Metabo for 109.-
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Metabo-W8-1...063?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2b7a7977

 

[TreePointer]

I've actually been wearing my chainsaw antivibration gloves when using grinders. It really helps.

 

[GarageEnvy]

I have 3 of the Makitas and they've been good. I had a 4" Makita that I burned up cutting stucco. That should probably qualify as tool abuse. I've got them set up with cutting, grinding and wire wheels. They were all under $100. Two have paddle switches.

 

[jrlp]

I'm in the market for a new one or two. I have been buying the 2 for $100 dewalts, and one 10A dewalt I've had for about 2 years. Most of the time they last 4-5 months.

I'm stuck between the new Milwaukee 4.5/5" 13A ones, or the dewalt HD 5" one. You can run 5" discs or 4.5" discs in a 5", but not the other way around.

I use the 2/100 dewalts setup with 1 for zip or flap disc, 1 for knot cup or wire wheel, then the 10A+ ones with grinding discs only. Then I have my 7" setup with grind/cut discs.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to just end up buying 2 of the milwaukee 5" ones, because a weldor/fabricator without a grinder can't do much!

 

[e30bradley]

Bosch!

 

[shoturtle]

this is a good one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Porter-Cabl...244?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19ba7f3cec

or bid here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1380-Slim-4...113&pid=100011&prg=1005&rk=2&sd=230777908836&

or this Metabo for 109.-
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Metabo-W8-1...063?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2b7a7977

I have the metabo w8 125 quick now, and they are really good grinders. Well worth the money.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Did you find another actual store for them to price match or just an "E-tailer"

Yeah, I purchased it in the store. I just showed them the price on my phone and they instantly honored it. I will be back for more in the near future.

 

[sberry]

The very best grinder made today for the money is the B&D from Walmart, 30$, good power and brutally tough, outlasted a couple DeWalts. Its actually the same chassis. I would really rather have a paddle but it isnt a deal breaker, I have a couple flavors on the benchbut about 90% the Wally is the go to unit. I just replacedone I suspect all the wrong is the switch, 5 years on the bench of a welding shop, daily use. At 30$ don't worry about repair. Cost me 50cents a month to beat the **** out of it, Ran 300$ worth of grinding wheels thru the thing.

 

[BD1]

I would go for the Metabo variable speed model. Check Amazon for prices. They have some awesome deals.http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0027IQGPG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[shoturtle]

Op is looking to stay below 100. The w14 are the really expensive line from metabo.

 

[Mikefromcny]

I went through tons of those... I just picked up a Makita 4.5 paddle switch grinder from Home Depot, $57 price match (Google Shopping search) $80.00 in store. I was going to get a Metabo, but in the rare event it fails I figured it would be a PIA to warranty. Makita is 3 year in store warranty.

I bought one last year too. It replaced a craftsman professional that got cooked wire wheeling a bobcat bucket. So far so good, motor never gets warm.

 

[ilovevocs]

I want to echo what was said above about Metabo. Just be certain to execute and return the warranty card. I don't know if its still this way, but at one time if you didn't do it your warranty was null and void. We use allot of Metabo products in our construction Busniess and they are solid tools. I use them personally at home in the garage as well and my personal grinder is over 10 years old. Commercially we see excellent service life out of them as well.

 

[claymont]

You can buy a whole bunch of these for the price of some of the brand names. The grinders got a ninety day warranty, if you get a good one, you should know within that period, if not, take if back, get another one or your money back. If you get a years use out of it, that's not too bad for the price. The refinery I worked bought Metabo almost exclusively, and there was a big pile of broken ones at the tool room. I like Metabo and own a couple, but they're not indestructible.

So I just burnt up this chi-com special after about a year of duty.

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/grinders-buffers/4-1-2-half-inch-angle-grinder-95578.html

I was using a stripper disc to remove paint of all things and about 20 minutes later it stopped working, not even that hot either.

So now I am in the market, I currently have a 7" Harbor Freight that I am very pleased with and handles all my heavy grinding fine. I mainly use my 4.5" with stripper discs and sandpaper flap discs and occasional detail grinding.

Anyone have any recommendations? I was looking at the Dewalts but am open to anything really. Would like to stay under $100, closer to $50 would be nicer.

 

[jeffk14]

So I just burnt up this chi-com special after about a year of duty.

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/grinders-buffers/4-1-2-half-inch-angle-grinder-95578.html

I was using a stripper disc to remove paint of all things and about 20 minutes later it stopped working, not even that hot either.

So now I am in the market, I currently have a 7" Harbor Freight that I am very pleased with and handles all my heavy grinding fine. I mainly use my 4.5" with stripper discs and sandpaper flap discs and occasional detail grinding.

Anyone have any recommendations? I was looking at the Dewalts but am open to anything really. Would like to stay under $100, closer to $50 would be nicer.

I recommend this chi-com special;
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-...duty-4-1-2-half-inch-angle-grinder-91223.html
I have two of them. Night and day difference between it and the black HF one.

PS: FWIW, anything remotely affordable is probably going to be from China. I have a Porter Cable that is only slightly nicer than my HF model. It was twice as much $$ and still from China.

 

[Stuey]

Wow thanks you for the responses everyone.

My next question would be do I need a 10 amp motor for sanding/stripping discs?

Eventually I would like to have two 4.5" grinders to cut down on having to swap discs.

The one I just burnt up was claimed to be 4.3 and did leave a little do be desired on sanding.

And I think ordering one is out of the question as I was in the middle of a job(well a few jobs to be specific) and would really like to finish them over the weekend.

Lowes currently has a special on Bosch units - buy one for $60 or two for $100. Something like that - buy 2 get $10 off each. These aren't top of the line Bosch units, but seem to be popular.

 

[03protege]

Thanks for the input everyone. I picked up another HF one to last me the weekend and plan on buying a nice one during the week when I have some more time to look through all of them.

 

[KinzeMech]

Angle grinders are a tool that take a lot of punishment. Especially if you are a less patient operator. If you have air power available, and your usage pattern is one that works an angle grinder hard, I'd look to a pneumatic one. They'll tolerate more hard usage than electric ones.

If not, dewalt makes a 10 amp one that I recommend. I've used one where a makita, and a black & decker have previously been burnt up.

I do have a HF angle grinder I keep around for light duty usage. It came with a spare set of brushes. Any chance your new unit is the same as the old one, and the old one just needed brushes?

 

[O_M_Jeep]

This is the one I have, $80 and worth every penny, and comes with an awesome form fit aluminum case, 5 years and mine still hasnt worn out so much as a brush yet.

Makita Diamond edition

 

[Monte]

 

[bart1]

I used a DeWalt for years. Worked fine, but the plastic housing got messed up and DW couldn't get me another. I can still use it, but it's hard to change disks. Got a slim Bosch now and it's okay. If I get ready to buy another, I hope to get a Metabo.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I've smoked tons of grinders over the years, and I've found that it happens to all of them regardless of cost, COO, corporate parent, opinions of owners, or anything else.

That said, the Metabo was probably the best performing of all of them. The cheap Skil was the longest lived, the Bosch was the most tempermental, the DeWalts survived the most abuse, and the Makita had the best feel.

I've gotten now where I'd rather have half a dozen Harbor Freight cheapos than one "name brand" grinder around the house. I am kind of screwed at work due to the momentary switch requirement (got a couple of DeWalts in the gangbox). The "DrillMaster" variants from HF are actually pretty good machines, and are approaching the Skil for longevity.

 

[SonOfOC]

At the smaller 4.5 size. Makita hands down. My guys cut granite and tile 5 days a week. The Makita outlast them all.