Suhner is very good if you stay away from the entry level grinder thats made in China. The higher spec tools are superb but really only value for money for industrial use as they are very expensive.
Opinions on a decent 4.5" angle grinder
- Thread starter bumblebee
- Start date
Suhner is very good if you stay away from the entry level grinder thats made in China. The higher spec tools are superb but really only value for money for industrial use as they are very expensive.
Hytekrednek
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2015
- Messages
- 373
I have 2 Metabo grinders and they are great, very reliable. One is the standard 4.5'', the other is the 5'' flat head, compact head model "forget the official name".
If I need another grinder, I will not hesitate buying Metabo again, but I may also look at Fein.
If I need another grinder, I will not hesitate buying Metabo again, but I may also look at Fein.
American Locomotive
Well-known member
Huh? I've used a ton of cheap grinders, and the all ****. The guards are finicky and cheap, the motors and gearboxes are way louder and they vibrate so much more. The cheap PVC/Vinyl cords they have are super stiff and start to crack and fall apart after a few years (especially if you use them in the cold a lot).
I'll take a premium Makita/Metabo/Bosch grinder with a proper real rubber cord any day.
driz
Well-known member
I agree. I once had several HF that actually lasted well back in the 90s . Then along came one after another that died from almost new brush burn up and especially switch failure. No more of that nonsense even at $25 apiece. The only HF I have these days is a big 9 inch that gets used little which is likely why its still working.
Its just a better deal to get a Milwaukee, Makita or Dewalt when on sale someplace across the net. Hit those sales I call the Dad Holidays. Fathers Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day ect. Also Black Friday , right after Xmas. Grab em cheap when you can
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
sberry
Banned
I am in the welding business for 40 years, have used a hundred different grinders, owned a couple dozen. Owned some a long time. How many have you used? Owned tools long enough that rubber rotted off almost every rubber one I ever have.
You might be able to tell me something about a circular saw or a belt sander I dont know, but grinders are a different matter. Bought them new, fixxed them rescued from the junk. As I mention, not talking about a 9$ hf unit.
Rabid Badger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2018
- Messages
- 1,338
This is why recommendations have to vary by use case. You use your grinders to clean up material and smooth out the occasional weld (though after 40 years, probably not very often). You don't put much heat into the motors or much stress on the bearings and in a heated shop you don't have to worry about PVC cords freezing into corkscrews.
Someone working outdoors, making heavy cuts and removing a lot of material benefits from higher power, automatic load compensation, vibration damping and the overall higher quality of more expensive units. Also, in the field cords tend to fail from damage before they have a chance to rot, so the flexibility of rubber trumps the longevity of PVC.
Rubber cords tend not to hook around stuff and generally don't get in the way as much. How long have you owned a tool before the rubber rots off? I've been abusing my dewalt grinder for at least a decade and the rubber cord is still fine.
These days I use the makita 18v brushless grinders, typically one with a cutting disc, one with an abrasive disc, they work really well and no cord getting in the way.
These days I use the makita 18v brushless grinders, typically one with a cutting disc, one with an abrasive disc, they work really well and no cord getting in the way.
h~moto
Well-known member
I will not own an angle grinder that does not have a safety clutch feature. I own older Metabo grinders and my newer grinder is a Walter.
sberry
Banned
I always got to wonder,,, if I use something every day and it works well for me why iy wouldnt for the next guy,, especially a hobby type with minimal or no experience. Even assuming he would have to replace a 30$ grinder after some time is this really a deal breaker, is the fear of loss so hi that he should spend multiples of this just in case?
One poster is somewhat correct, while its true that I use a grinder about every day its been a while since I used 2 wheels in a day, when I did the bd worked fine and modt people cant hold arms up that long anyway. It's been 30 years since I owned a 9 inch too.
But,, we are talking to a guy asks whats decent, this hints he doesnt have one. I would also suspect that a lot of guys couldnt tell the difference in them with a blindfold on. Same for a lot of other **** people are highly opinionated on, pop, beer, many tools. If it didnt have a label wouldnt know.
While there is some difference and I like some features better its not all that much a deal breaker. I dont care for the feel of some Milwaukee, some love them, I like a paddle over a slider but I can get used to it.
This is what prompted the search for cheaper. My fave is the DeWalt 402 or similar, its the old bd 2750 but we got tired of the durability and they overheat and smoke the armature. I tried some others pretty much by accident, found out we liked them as good and in some sense better.
I dont have a golden arm, I can live with little **** that doesnt cause grief, its important they work, reliable and have suffecient power. Being cheap is a huge benifit, can keep extra or spare, dont have to try to fix expensive problems and parts, dont need to replace cords.
Spent 1500/2grand on grinders in 20 years, then spent 90 the next 10.
One poster is somewhat correct, while its true that I use a grinder about every day its been a while since I used 2 wheels in a day, when I did the bd worked fine and modt people cant hold arms up that long anyway. It's been 30 years since I owned a 9 inch too.
But,, we are talking to a guy asks whats decent, this hints he doesnt have one. I would also suspect that a lot of guys couldnt tell the difference in them with a blindfold on. Same for a lot of other **** people are highly opinionated on, pop, beer, many tools. If it didnt have a label wouldnt know.
While there is some difference and I like some features better its not all that much a deal breaker. I dont care for the feel of some Milwaukee, some love them, I like a paddle over a slider but I can get used to it.
This is what prompted the search for cheaper. My fave is the DeWalt 402 or similar, its the old bd 2750 but we got tired of the durability and they overheat and smoke the armature. I tried some others pretty much by accident, found out we liked them as good and in some sense better.
I dont have a golden arm, I can live with little **** that doesnt cause grief, its important they work, reliable and have suffecient power. Being cheap is a huge benifit, can keep extra or spare, dont have to try to fix expensive problems and parts, dont need to replace cords.
Spent 1500/2grand on grinders in 20 years, then spent 90 the next 10.
sberry
Banned
I had put the cheap ones still in box behind the seats in pickups and as a spare on the service truck. Never used them. Finally did a job in some remote place and was surprised at how well it worked and commented to my helper,,, wonder how long it will last.
So, the one riding the bench took a dump, I said, lets try this other thing. It worked well enough, so well we soon forgot about it. 4 or 5 years later it stops, I was going to toss it as I had bought a new one still in box and the helper says,,, let me take a look. Came back in 10 minutes with a fixed switch, said its a 1 shot deal though and we ran it another year or 2 and it finally dump the armature as I recall. The next ones went a couple years or so, the 1 I am primarily using now is at least 2, maybe 3.
The original poster asked,,, decent, these are decent to good. He doesn't sound like a guy coming here gonna brutalize the tool and run the **** out of it grinding oilfield tanks.
They are not so brutally powerful they are dangerous, never burned one up. There are probably other models in this class as good, I settled on these. Most of my experience has been on premium brand prior to this so I am not familiar with the others.
So, the one riding the bench took a dump, I said, lets try this other thing. It worked well enough, so well we soon forgot about it. 4 or 5 years later it stops, I was going to toss it as I had bought a new one still in box and the helper says,,, let me take a look. Came back in 10 minutes with a fixed switch, said its a 1 shot deal though and we ran it another year or 2 and it finally dump the armature as I recall. The next ones went a couple years or so, the 1 I am primarily using now is at least 2, maybe 3.
The original poster asked,,, decent, these are decent to good. He doesn't sound like a guy coming here gonna brutalize the tool and run the **** out of it grinding oilfield tanks.
They are not so brutally powerful they are dangerous, never burned one up. There are probably other models in this class as good, I settled on these. Most of my experience has been on premium brand prior to this so I am not familiar with the others.
GaryM909
Well-known member
I like the Makita 9005b grinders for price, durability, and ease of fixing. I have 8 of them. I always put a 6" guard on and start with 6" discs. When they wear down I reuse the smaller discs on a cordless Makita grinder. I also use the Dewalt 5/6" rat tail grinders. I like them because of the smaller body but they are a pain to repair- 3 different sizes of torx to get into them, internal brushes and not as durable as the Makitas. I use a 1/8 grinding disc, zip, wire wheel, and flap disc on each plus a couple spares. Right now the Makitas are stuffed in a drawer.
finn
Well-known member
I have a HF, Bosch, Mikita, Metabo, Skill, and Milwaukee corded grinder. All seem about the same, except the noisy, vibrating HF. My favorite, ergonomically, was an older Skill that I cannot get parts for. Think it needs a switch.
My new favorite is the Flexvolt Dewalt.
My new favorite is the Flexvolt Dewalt.
sberry
Banned
I have a 28 volt that fits my batteries. It is super handy out and about and carry it in my work truck.
trackwelder
Well-known member
I’m not a fan at all of cheap grinders. I bet all together there are over 30 corded grinders from 4” to 9” in my shop scattered everywhere. All of them are premium brands bought at rock bottom prices with the exception of a few metabo. I like the cordless ones for field work. My v28 is still kicking *** along with the 18volt fuel. Even have the new big Milwaukee cordless waiting on deck. I hate spending any real time with a **** grinder in my hand.
driz
Well-known member
My big criteria the last few years is a paddle switch. They are just more natural to mean all respects. Once that tiny and easily removed safety toggle is gone they are great. Grand. For one handing and cleaning up small welds here and there. Between passes ect. I won’t be owning any more of the old style.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
TwoInch
Well-known member
I run dewalt, Hitachi, and a couple harbor freight beaters..
I used too like the paddle switches.. But I moved away from them. A few years ago. I've had them kick on when I didn't want them too on a number of occasions, and didn't like the way they must be gripped, especially in odd angles. Also needing to loosen grip to shut them off. I just went back to switch grinders and like locking the trigger on.
My favorite angle grinders are Hitachis.
Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk
I used too like the paddle switches.. But I moved away from them. A few years ago. I've had them kick on when I didn't want them too on a number of occasions, and didn't like the way they must be gripped, especially in odd angles. Also needing to loosen grip to shut them off. I just went back to switch grinders and like locking the trigger on.
My favorite angle grinders are Hitachis.
Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk
sberry
Banned
Does this sound like a guy gonna beat the **** out of grinders for hours on end? This is a case for starting simple and working up from there. An economical tool is not a big risk. Be different if it was 300$ vs 30. There are a couple other guys on here use some cheaper models that like but I am not familiar with them. The one I am the BD and it's on the shelf in common stores.
One of my buds in the biz on the Hobart forum says,,,, I use those,, don't tell anyone,, ha.
These even look good after use, I think that one is about half as old as he is. A super cheap grinder is lighter and feel a different. They use some of the main parts in this and some of the DeWalt models. It's heavy. A hobby type would have a hard time wearing one out.
Whoops,,, that might be a new one. I have worn about 3 of these out in 10 years, maybe more, still under 100$ for all. No fussing with parts, cords etc.
One of my buds in the biz on the Hobart forum says,,,, I use those,, don't tell anyone,, ha.
These even look good after use, I think that one is about half as old as he is. A super cheap grinder is lighter and feel a different. They use some of the main parts in this and some of the DeWalt models. It's heavy. A hobby type would have a hard time wearing one out.
Whoops,,, that might be a new one. I have worn about 3 of these out in 10 years, maybe more, still under 100$ for all. No fussing with parts, cords etc.
Attachments
Last edited:
sberry
Banned
I actually prefer paddles too but got used to the slide, it's not a deal breaker. I had a cheaper Bosch someone walked off with, I didn't care for it so much but didnt get to see how long it lasted. I have a Milwaukee on the bench but reach for this first. I bought a new Mil and rolled a pipe on it the first week. They may make other models, I have used a couple of the one I have and don't care for the feel, it's a bit ruff and noisy considering the cost. I havnt ran it enough to wear it out.
The first BD from Wally I had lasted a long time. I put it on the bench and told everyone to use it first. I got a bud raves about the Metabos he has, some broke in a box,, I like this as good and have ran them side by side. The soft start of the Met is ok,, but again, not a deal breaker.
Would be totally different if it didn't have enough power, was ruff and didn't last. I would be in line to say get better.
The first BD from Wally I had lasted a long time. I put it on the bench and told everyone to use it first. I got a bud raves about the Metabos he has, some broke in a box,, I like this as good and have ran them side by side. The soft start of the Met is ok,, but again, not a deal breaker.
Would be totally different if it didn't have enough power, was ruff and didn't last. I would be in line to say get better.
Last edited: