Small angle grinder question

[Jamie4127]

Picking up a 4 1/2 angle grinder to do small grinder/cutting jobs on my racecar. I'm looking at a dewalt for $69 and a milwaukee for $59. The specs are pretty close, probably something I won't notice. Bigger question is which power switch/button do you guys prefer? One has a paddle switch (dewalt) and the other I think has a switch (milwaukee) and is smaller.

What do you guys prefer? Thanks!!

 

[crewchief888]

you're gonna hear a lot of opinions on the paddle vs slide switch...

i prefer the slide switch. all 4 of my electric (garage) grinders, 2 orange HF, a dewalt & a hitachi have slide switches.

my air grinder (work) has a paddle type

for me it's more about how the grinder feels in my hand than anything else.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I've had both and the answer is really what do you prefer.

The slide switch one I had would stay on when you let go of the switch. This is handy in that your hands won't get as fatigued using it on larger jobs. But the con is that when it gets stuck in your shirt you have to unplug it to stop it. Ask me how I know.

Now I have the paddle switch. You let go it shuts off. Much safer but inconvenient in certain spaces and the aforementioned occasional fatigue on big jobs.

 

[Doug Arthurs]

paddle is my preference

 

[jeeper46]

Another vote for a paddle switch

 

[Pipe_guy]

The paddle switch is much safer if that means anything to you.


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[Mustang1167]

All my grinders have switches. With that said if I needed another I'd probably buy a paddle. I have two makitas and a Milwaukee...don't buy a makita. I've had 3 makitas total and on all three the blade locking button has popped off. They are still usable but just makes it a pain.

 

[Jamie4127]

Awesome, thanks! I will check both of them out in person.

 

[sberry]

I actually like paddles but use slides. Get the cheaper one if there isn't much difference and then get another or similar in short order. B&D has one similar and the Hi end HF,,, ha is probably about the same. Lets you share some work between 2 units, they last 2x as long and less wheel changing is a benefit.

 

[md21722]

If you have a huge air compressor then a 4.5" air angle grinder is the way to go. They are small and lightweight and stop faster than an electric. I have a bunch of them, one each for flap, grinding, cutoff, wire wheel, ... Don't forget the personal protective equipment (PPE). Full face shield w/ safety glasses or at least a full face shield. When cutting stuff can fly up under safety glasses alone and can wedge into your eye ball. A $13 full face shield is cheaper and less painful. A respirator is a good idea too especially if cutting a bunch of metal. I bought a Makita electric and it was defective out of the box. Ran, but was out of balance. Paddle switch for safety but a lot of folks seem to use the side switches and remove the guards.

 

[notlob]

Paddle switch is much safer. I used to prefer slide switches on angle grinders, and have scars to prove it.

 

[Scout Driver]

Sounds like either grinder will do well for you. I have the DeWalt and am pleased.

As far as the switch or paddle...... Either try to borrow one of each style or go visit some friends where you can try each style. To me, that is the best way for you to decide which meets your needs the best.

Scott

 

[NitroGarage]

Look on ebay for a used Metabo

 

[Tim37]

I actually like paddles but use slides. Get the cheaper one if there isn't much difference and then get another or similar in short order. B&D has one similar and the Hi end HF,,, ha is probably about the same. Lets you share some work between 2 units, they last 2x as long and less wheel changing is a benefit.

I have one of the hf one day I had a stroke a genius, so I took it to work thinking I would burn it up and get the company to buy me a "good one" that was two years ago dam thing still hasn't given up the ghost.

Edit: this isn't a endorsements for the hf they don't have near the torque as a DeWalt but they are cheap and will get the job done

Btw I like switches but some companies require paddles

 

[Superbec]

If I ever have to buy another grinder it would be Metabo or blue Bosch , also buy 2 of them one for cutting and one for grinding , so you don't have to change discs all the time .

 

[Tatsuya]

Paddle switch is "safer" but I don't like them. A grinder that is uncomfortable to use, *****. With a slide switch you can hold it differently for small or more precise tasks. Especially when you have a small item you're using a flap disc on. I can hold the item in one hand and a grinder in the other. That would **** with a paddle switch. Also sometimes i like to choke up and hold it closer to the guard. Cant do that with a paddle switch.

It's all personal preference and application really.

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[Tatsuya]

Also, I have like 5 different angle grinders each suited for different things. Not counting the cordless, my go-to is a 4.5 inch slide switch Dewalt that I got pn eBay for less than $30.

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[Colin Len]

Definitely paddle switch for me.

I have one of the hf one day I had a stroke a genius, so I took it to work thinking I would burn it up and get the company to buy me a "good one" that was two years ago dam thing still hasn't given up the ghost.

Edit: this isn't a endorsements for the hf they don't have near the torque as a DeWalt but they are cheap and will get the job done

Same here. I had a need for one and not much money so I bought the HF one and I've put it through some pretty serious abuse. I don't use it every day or anything but have had multiple projects which required HOURS of constant grinding. During one of these projects the tool started smoking. I figured this was it's end. But it made it through the rest of that job no problem. And it's been used a bunch since then (even for long durations) and it seems to work just like new.

Since then I picked up two Porter Cable grinders since they were on sale at Amazon: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=339401 I haven't had the chance to use either yet. Just figured at this price they were cheaper than an HF and my HF is going to quit at some point.

 

[tarbellb]

See if they will let you fire them up in the store... W/O the attachments obviously.

Your opinion my change quickly once you feel the power on.

And at the risk of looking stupid running them in the store, go through the motions of what you want to do. Holding it in your hand looking at it, and holding to do work are very different things.

 

[WWheeler]

I picked up two of the black 'Drillmaster' 4-1/2 angle grinders from Harbor Freight ~10 years ago for about $8 each with a HF coupon. I just needed them for a small job that required going back and forth between a cutoff and grinding wheels so the two kept me from having to stop for frequent changes. They made their money's worth that weekend, and I've been trying to kill them ever since.

I still keep a cutoff in one - it gets used the most - and a grinding wheel on the other, and more recently - a couple years ago now - I bought yet a third just like them - again, for about $8 - that I keep mounted in a Klutch angle grinder holder with a cut-off so it's a mini chop saw. It's been really handy to give quick repeatable 90 and 45 degree cuts on small stock. To use the holder you would definitely need an angle grinder with a slide switch that can stay on. I've never used one with a paddle.

That gives me three angle grinders ready-to-go for around $25 total, and another ~$25 on the holder. They've done all I've asked of them. I know I've spent many many times that on all the wheels I've used up in them.

 

[larry_g]

I have an older BD with a paddle switch and find that I have to be careful setting it wown or it can turn itself on. I also have a Metabo slide switch machine. I don't make a selection based on the switch alone when I pick one up to use. So no preference there from me.

I do suggest that you pay attention to the spindle size. Some years back when I was shopping I was advised that 5/8-11 is common and some of the metric spindles were harder to find wheels for. I don't know if that applies today or not.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[jeeper46]

I don't know if they are all like this now, but my older HF 4 1/2 " angle grinders had slide switches that stayed on without having to be held on; a new one I got has the same slide switch, but now it has to be held on continuously-if you take your thumb off the switch, it stops. New safety regulation?

 

[vettex2]

vote for slide here

 

[Cope]

I have two DeWalt paddle switch units. I had a Makita slide switch and prefer the paddle.

 

[SMKS]

I personally like the paddle switch design Makita uses.

 

[eyeball]

The ability of an angle grinder to destroy metal and flesh in a blink of an eye should not be underestimated. For just those reasons I don't like anything other than a paddle switch. My favorite is the Dewalt.

 

[L.Cheapo]

If I ever have to buy another grinder it would be Metabo or blue Bosch , also buy 2 of them one for cutting and one for grinding , so you don't have to change discs all the time .

Best advice in the thread. I'll add that if you must change disks, ALWAYS unplug the tool before doing so. All but the smallest ones have enough torque to really ruin your day.

 

[Finky198]

We use about 10 in total all slider switches Except for, 2 my hilti and my ir air grinder. Each has different attachements and it does make things go so much faster. I personally like the switch style, but it take some safety persay as all tools do. When your working for longer periods of time the constant on is a must. For newbies the paddle switch is a great training. I find for quick cuts or overhead work the paddle switch can be a nice added safety feature...


Sometimes taking the guard off may be necessary. We have enough that I have a few dedicated to that purpose, I try to make a habit of using the safest tool for the job at hand...

Eye, hearing, and face protection is just as important if not more than the tool itself...