Recommend a angle grinder? Metal work

[PoorOwner]

I am shopping for a better grinder than my craftsman 4.5"

I am grinding down weld beads for cosemetics and I think 2 grinders for different attachment could come in handy.

I am ok with another 4.5" angle grinder.. The paddle switches are the nice ones to get right? I am thinking bosch 1810PS what do you think..? But it's almost $100. I am not a pro, I bet it's much nicer to use than my craftsman though, metal guard toolless adjust, paddle switch, ball bearing etc.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005RHPK/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Any other recommendations? Thanks



BTW I bought these grinding and flapper wheels too long ago with 7/8" arbor and it won't fit my craftsman only 5/8" arbor I think.. what are these made for? I think the bosch is also 5/8" arbor

 

[Roospike]

DeWalt 9amp to 12 amp 4 1/2" grinder . About $80.-$100.

I do a lot of heavy metal fabrication and it takes a good 9+ amps to do the job . My 9 amp 4 1/2" grinder will run a knotted wire cup from 3" - 6" no problem ( as does my 12 amp) It take a good grinder with some nuts to run a knotted wire cup and these units i have had almost 3 years .

I run:
cutting wheels
grinding wheels
knotted wire cups
flat knotted wire wheels
flap disc

 

[Roospike]

Bosch 1810PS 4-1/2" Angle Grinder

Specifications
Rating: 120 V AC
Amperage: 7.5
No-load RPM: 11,000
Wheel Size: 4-1/2"
Arbor Size: 5/8"-11
Length: 11-1/4"
Weight: 4.3 lbs

I would look a little bit bigger whatever brand you go with.
at least 9 amp -12 amp

 

[ba614]

Milwaukee ... the more amps the more power ... I have 31 yrs in the pipewelding construction trade ... in my experience you can't go wrong with Milwaukee power tools ... they can take alot of abuse and keep on going ...

Nothing wrong with Bosch either ... it's a top of the line tool ... just go with the most amps you can afford

 

[Uncle Buck]

Metabo, best out there, wish I owned one!

 

[l_bilyk]

http://www.heavydutytools.net/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=58

^fair price for a really nice grinder
the bosch and metabo are good too
i have a dewalt and i can't say i'm super pleased with it

 

[PAToyota]

I'd recommend one with a "paddle" switch like the Dewalt below as opposed to a side switch - much easier to use with welding gloves on and such.

 

[cc_rider]

I have a Makita I'm very happy with. I bought it to cut out some concrete (detailing the corners after using a big diamond saw), and it worked flawlessly. The switch is on top and is a lock-on type, not a trigger.

If you're going to be using it a LOT, you should consider an air grinder also.

c.

 

[PoorOwner]

Kind of down to this dewalt 10 amp and bosch 1810? I am looking for a paddle switch style for safety followed by power. The bosch runs off DC from a welder but it will be long before I get such a (nice) welder. Bosch has ball bearings I don't know if that means require less amps for similiar power or not.

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000BM...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=278240301&pf_rd_i=507846

 

[the intimidator]

Right now I am running a old black n decker 4.5" grinder spec say's 8 amps and new mastercraft 4.5" grinder it came with the wheels It say's 10 amps but it is no better then the old B&D infact it has boged down more times in the month I have had it then all the years I have used the Black n Decker Like I said it came with the grinding wheels so I am not going to complain lol I am wanting to pick up a 5 inch 12 amp+ grinder for heavy work running cup's and cutting concrete I am looking at the Milwaukee and Makitia Most of the dewalts I have seen are all plastic not something I want to be holding together the gears with a wheel spinning at 11,000 rpms together

 

[boiler7904]

Kind of down to this dewalt 10 amp and bosch 1810? I am looking for a paddle switch style for safety followed by power. The bosch runs off DC from a welder but it will be long before I get such a (nice) welder. Bosch has ball bearings I don't know if that means require less amps for similiar power or not.

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000BM...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=278240301&pf_rd_i=507846

I bought that DeWalt earlier this year to cut tumbled marble tile with a dry diamond blade. Even with all of the dust in the motor (vacuumed or blown with compressed air throughout the project) from making about 600 cuts in tile, no complaints except for one minor issue. The trigger lock doesn't work real well. This may or may not be an issue for you.

The amazon sale price is the same as Lowe's regular price. Used a 10% off coupon to get it for $72 before using giftcards. Not bad.

Had you been looking for a grinder about 4 to 6 weeks ago, Home Depot had a deal where 2 Bosch grinders and 2 Bosch diamond blades were $80. Made me seriously consider returning my DeWalt.

 

[bmwpower]

I have a Makita I'm very happy with. I bought it to cut out some concrete (detailing the corners after using a big diamond saw), and it worked flawlessly. The switch is on top and is a lock-on type, not a trigger.

If you're going to be using it a LOT, you should consider an air grinder also.

c.

I bought a Makita, too. Mine is a 4 inch. It was cheaper...$60 I think from Depot?

 

[Flathead Youngin']

I have about 6 dewalts.....I usually buy them at swap meets. I keep a flapper wheel, stone, cup brush, round brush on one......

I have a metabo. I think it is a better quality pc, however, I don't really car for the switch location on mine. It is up on top and controlled by your thumb......I'm sure they have different models....

My neighbor has a Milwaukee....very smooth and precise...

Just about any of the upper brands will suit your needs; bosch, dewalt, milwaukee, metabo, etc..

 

[l_bilyk]

I bought that DeWalt earlier this year to cut tumbled marble tile with a dry diamond blade. Even with all of the dust in the motor (vacuumed or blown with compressed air throughout the project) from making about 600 cuts in tile, no complaints except for one minor issue. The trigger lock doesn't work real well. This may or may not be an issue for you.

The amazon sale price is the same as Lowe's regular price. Used a 10% off coupon to get it for $72 before using giftcards. Not bad.

Had you been looking for a grinder about 4 to 6 weeks ago, Home Depot had a deal where 2 Bosch grinders and 2 Bosch diamond blades were $80. Made me seriously consider returning my DeWalt.

I experienced just the opposite. I was cutting tile with an older dewalt grinder, I think DW400 but i'm not sure and the switch got filled up with dust and stopped working.

I agree on the trigger lock... it's ****.

 

[l_bilyk]

Oh yeah one thing to consider... the makita is variable speed. AFAIK it's the only grinder out there with variable speed

Not sure if it's a useful feature since I have never owned a variable speed grinder

 

[ba614]

I'd recommend one with a "paddle" switch like the Dewalt below as opposed to a side switch - much easier to use with welding gloves on and such.

To me a grinder with a paddle switch is a safety hazard ... it's too easy to turn on ... set it down on something and it can start up ... lay it on it's back on a fab table and start wrasseling something around and the next thing you know you or something hits the switch and it takes off on you

I'm suprised OSHA hasn't outlawed them

 

[kartracer55]

I primarily use metabo's and they are awesome. Smooth and I cant seem to bog them down at all, but then again I dont do any really heavy grinding (there is a 9inch milwaukee which Im a bit intimidated by for the heavy stuff). I would say go with a paddle switch because as PAToyota metioned, those little switches are hard to manipulate with some heavy welding gloves on. The Metabo's seem to have a nice shape to them and the ones I use get ABUSED.... used in a votech welding shop all day and for night classes too. They now have a 3 year warranty on them.

 

[boiler7904]

BA614-

I don't know about other grinders, but the DeWalt D28402K has a safety that must be depressed before you can use the trigger to start the tool. It's also pretty hard to use the trigger lock (at least it is on the one I have).

 

[Roospike]

To me a grinder with a paddle switch is a safety hazard ... it's too easy to turn on ... set it down on something and it can start up ... lay it on it's back on a fab table and start wrasseling something around and the next thing you know you or something hits the switch and it takes off on you

I'm suprised OSHA hasn't outlawed them

You must not of use one before ?

The paddle switch has a safety as does air tools with this kinds if switch.
Also an angle grinder should always be placed on it back on the table and not disc side down. ( unless one hangs up a grinder when not in use )
you have to flip the safty switch to depress the paddle .

This would be why its not an issue with OSHA .

 

[PAToyota]

I'm suprised OSHA hasn't outlawed them

As others have said, you must never have used one. No different from the safety switch on air tools. No more chance of accidentally switching it on than just about any other tool.

 

[ba614]

I've used a paddle switch grinder but it has been years ago ... I don't think it was a Dewalt ... I think it was before Dewalt came out with grinders ... our tools are Contractor supplied ... we usually get Milwaukee or Bosch sent out on the jobs and occasionally other brands ... I just remember having one on a job that had a paddle switch that would start up any time it got mashed ... we sent it back to the Contractor for replacement ... it's possible that some fitter rigged it to bypass a safety if it had one ... I want to say it was a Black & Decker but I'm not sure ... I just remember how it would start up if you set it down wrong or leaned against it ... it was dangerous!

I havn't worked in the field in 10 years now so this could have been 15 years ago when I dealt with that grinder ... the safety could have been added after my experience with this paddle switch grinder

We mostly use Milwaukee because they can take so much abuse and keep on working ... you'd be suprised at the way people that don't pay for tools abuse them ... I started buying tools when I was 9 years old and I know the value of good tools ... it made me sick to see the way some people would treat our tools ... I always take good care of tools no matter who paid for them ... I have tools my grandfather bought and he's been dead 40 years

 

[TNToy]

I'd much rather have a paddle-switched one buzz to life for a fraction of a second, than use a side-switch one...

Ever have a side-switched one locked in the 'ON' position kick free, eat halfwway through your welding glove, and then zip across the floor and hide under something heavy?
Pulling it out from under there while it's running flat-out is a religious experience...

(I forget why, but I couldn't unplug it.)

 

[ba614]

yeah I've had'um get away on me too ... it's a religious experience alright

 

[thefairlaneman]

Laugh if you want to,but I got one from harbor freight for less than 20 bucks over 2 years ago and have used it alot with no problems. Plenty of power. I cant see why anyone would need to spend 5 times more unless they just like having :name brands

 

[thefairlaneman]

I have a 3/8 DeWalt varible speed with reverse and used it to put my entire garage together with wood screws, I have droped it alot of times and it still works like new.

 

[-lecroix-]

Laugh if you want to,but I got one from harbor freight for less than 20 bucks over 2 years ago and have used it alot with no problems. Plenty of power. I cant see why anyone would need to spend 5 times more unless they just like having :name brands

Roger that ... I have 4 of them ... plus a $100 DeWalt that never comes out of the cabinet.

 

[Roospike]

Not sure what models of grinders you guys have from Harbor Freight but i have used the orange and blue one from them at a friends shop and they didnt even come close in power to the DeWalt 4 1/2" grinders i have.

I asked my friend how he keeps his grinders in such good shape ............ He said because he never uses them because there low power junk.
He has to keep them in the shop because they are gifts thet were bought for him so he keeps them out on display for when the person that bought them show up.

He keeps his good grinders in there cases.

 

[Roospike]

I just looked them up

the Harbor Freight grinders .........

The orange one is only 4.5 peak amps 570 watts

The blue one is only 3.3 peak amps unknown watts

So these H.F. grinders are not even stated running amps as listed as "PEAK AMPS" is not running power.

My DeWalts are:

9 amp/1000 watts,
12 amp/1700 watts and
15 amp/3084 watts


So I'm not sure how one can compare a Harbor Freight low amp grinder to a "name brand" grinder to have as much power with 1/3 to 1/4 less running amps than a name brand unit.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I have a 4" Makita, don't recall the specs. I also have a 4&1/2" Crafty grinder that was probably a rebadged B&D. Either of the little jobs are fine, but my 9" Makita cannot be beat when it's time to really rock!

 

[-lecroix-]

I just looked them up

the Harbor Freight grinders .........

The orange one is only 4.5 peak amps 570 watts

The blue one is only 3.3 peak amps unknown watts

So these H.F. grinders are not even stated running amps as listed as "PEAK AMPS" is not running power.

My DeWalts are:

9 amp/1000 watts,
12 amp/1700 watts and
15 amp/3084 watts


So I'm not sure how one can compare a Harbor Freight low amp grinder to a "name brand" grinder to have as much power with 1/3 to 1/4 less running amps than a name brand unit.

Dunno ... all I know is my DeWalt sounds like a dying calf in a hail storm after using it for a little over a year ($100+)... my Horror Freight specials ($16.99) are a bit older and are still going strong ... no noise, but they look like hell.

Never noticed a discernible difference in the power. They all do the job that I ask of them.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Dunno ... all I know is my DeWalt sounds like a dying calf in a hail storm after using it for a little over a year ($100+)... my Horror Freight specials ($16.99) are a bit older and are still going strong ... no noise, but they look like hell.

Never noticed a discernible difference in the power. They all do the job that I ask of them.

Mine is the orange one. I use it for grinding out weld joints and cutting angle iron and body work. I guess someone doing constant heavy steel fabrication may like the ones costing 5 or 6 times as much knowing it may last 30 years, but for me this requirement isnt an issue...........so I bought a "cheap" grinder.

 

[Flathead Youngin']

I use to us the great big grinders.......

I bought a cheapie one (like the HF ones, etc) The switch broke but it still ran.......I used it that way....the gears went clickity clack.....i was sold on the 4.5 grinders.....I got a decent amount of use from it before it died....

Grandpa and I went to a swap meet/car show. the typical chi-com tool tent was setup....they had the $10 grinders and a nicer looking $20 one.....i bought two of the better ones and so did grandpa....

i stuck a stone on it and it burnt the armature out of it before the stone was done.......grandpa burned both of his up before he finished the cup brush.....i kept my other one in the box, new and sold it to a buddy.....don't know it's fate...

grandpa was determined (he used the big ones and was now sold too...even on the cheapies).....he was at big lots and they had a deal on some cheapies.......he bought like 8 or so for like $10 each....they started dropping like flys in a mustard gas attack.......to the point where he never even opened the other ones.....

since that time, i have bought about 2 new dewalts, 2 used ones and repaired one that my buddy gave me because the gears went bad.......and a metabo.......they are all going strong after about 4 years (who knows what kind of life they had before me).....

i hear of guys that make the cheapies work just fine (great!) but that hasn't been the case for me.....i use my tools hard but i don't abuse them.....

grandpa has since bought a black and decker commercial and a makita.....first thing he said was "man, you can't bog them down...these have some power!" and, i'll bet money, this guy at 82 years old uses his MORE than any of us here that doesn't do it for a living .......i'd bet a pretty good chunch on that......his are still going strong after 4 years too...

 

[ChrisKoz]

Are you all using air, electric or both? I'm looking at picking up a grinder and was thinking air. I was going to try out an HF one just to see how much I use it, so when they came up in this thread, I was picturing the air units, wasn't even thinking about the electric ones.

 

[l_bilyk]

Laugh if you want to,but I got one from harbor freight for less than 20 bucks over 2 years ago and have used it alot with no problems. Plenty of power. I cant see why anyone would need to spend 5 times more unless they just like having :name brands

I partially agree with you.. the difference isn't huge
For the longest time I had an el cheapo grinder, but after using someone elses paddle operated dewalt I decided to switch
I picked up the older model dewalt for 40 dollars new and it came with one of those turbo diamond blades

 

[-lecroix-]

i have both the high dollar and the cheap ... both make sparks & there isn't a hill of beans difference in how they grind.

 

[PAToyota]

Have to give my apologies to ba614. I stopped by both Lowes and Home Depot after church today to pick up a few things and while I was there I wandered down the tool aisle to look at grinders. Although none of the ones I would specifically call a "paddle style switch" did not have a safety - and by "paddle style" I mean one large enough to grip with three or four fingers at least - there were several of different makes that had a trigger on the bottom side of the unit without a safety switch. In all cases, these were smaller switches - a finger or two at most. But I have to agree with ba614 that they are indeed a safety hazard.

Also, looking at the Dewalt website they don't have very good pictures of the paddle switches to determine what style it is - often no picture of the bottom of the unit, even with their 360 degree views.

So I will restate my recommendation for a paddle style switch with a safety lock on it because I feel that is the easiest to use.

 

[TNToy]

Are you all using air, electric or both? I'm looking at picking up a grinder and was thinking air.

Unless you have an 80-plus gallon Quincy or Eaton compressor, you'd better forget about buying an air grinder altogether. They use an astonishing amount of air. My 60-gallon upright probably couldn't keep up with it for more than a minute or two under load.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Unless you have an 80-plus gallon Quincy or Eaton compressor, you'd better forget about buying an air grinder altogether. They use an astonishing amount of air. My 60-gallon upright probably couldn't keep up with it for more than a minute or two under load.

Regardless of the brand, most air grinders are notorious air hogs!

 

[PoorOwner]

I could not resist but picked up a HF one for 40% off price of $17.99
I might still get the dewalt but, this one comes with a 7/8" arbor adapter so I can use the assortment of wheels that I had accidently purchased in this arbor size. but yes it's only 4.8 Amp or so half as powerful as dewalt.