Variable speed angle grinder, yes or no ?

[b12]

I'm looking for my first angle grinder and originally thought a variable speed a/g would be better than a single speed, but do I really need variable speed ?

I'd use the a/g to cut off steel (probably 1/4" thickness or less), sand rough metal edges, and wire brush paint from steel.
I'd also sharpen mower blades for my 72" rear mount finish mower (3 big blades) and two 42" deck (3 blades each) from my rider mowers.
and there's probably other jobs I've over looked.

I'm considering either the Makita 9565PCV variable speed
or Metabo WP9-115.

Makita 9565PCV
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005OCF7M0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Metabo WP9-115
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WJOWTKE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

What do you suggest ?
thank you

 

[A**holes Garage]

I have both, plus some Dewalts.
The Metabo is the best all three IMO.
Yes, the 4.5's will cut through 1/4" steel, but it will take some time and some blades. Leave the 1/4" steel for a bigger angle head or a chop saw IMO.

 

[BruceMc]

I've got a couple of fixed-speed Makitas and there have been times I wished I could slow things down a bit. Be able to apply a little more finesse in tight spots. I actually bought a bigger Makita sander for just that reason, but it's also bulky.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I bought my first variable speed recently, and OMG I love it... Yes, being able to slow the speed down is very nice when you need a light touch or to finesse something. Also just depending on the material you are cutting through sometimes going slower makes it much easier.

 

[Fix Until Broke]

Variable speed is really handy for polishing applications so you don't burn through and sometimes wire brushing it is nice to slow it down to make the wire brush last longer or get into a corner without it catching and then proceeding to walk up your leg at full speed.

One really nice feature is a soft start. Friend of mine has a Snap-On cordless angle grinder that has a slow/soft start. You can hold it with one hand, pull the trigger and it does not jump at all, just a nice slow startup. This was really handy for cutting where you can't get both hands on the tool - just line up the blade with the line to cut, pull the trigger and it stays right where it was - no more twisting and jerking around. It was a feature that I'd read about and thought, eh whatever, but once I used it I was sold.

Metabo is very smooth, like all the rotating parts are balanced, gears and bearings are of high quality, minimal vibrations, relatively quiet, etc. I have not used a Makita in 20+ years so can't say on that one.

 

[exmaxima1]

I have Metabo and Bosch variable speed grinders, as well as fixed speed Dewalts. I never use the fixed speed model any more.

 

[metalmagpie]

NO. Off. On. Period.

metalmagpie

 

[Eric29]

I thought about this when I recently bought a Metabo. I thought maybe with a lower speed I could control it better in tight quarters. I ended up buying a fixed speed because of the cost, and because I realized that the lowest speed on a variable speed grinder was still pretty high. I’ve had no trouble at all with the fixed speed in tight spaces. Plus, the Metabo has a clutch so that’s another safety feature I thought might be good to have when working in tight quarters, although I hope I never do anything stupid to engage it.

 

[Badasssapper67]

For my way of use, I've got a 9" Milwaukee, a 4" Makita, an old Makita corded drill with a 3/8" chuck, and one adjustable Dremel with a long whip.
It is AMAZING how much faster the 9" is over the 4", especially with a truncated cone grinding wheel. The 4" mostly on does flapper wheels now for taking off surface rust.
I get all my Dremel inserts from China. It takes a while for them to get here but theyre way cheaper than brand named consumables.