Well I did it-- X lock angle grinder

[Hohn]

Not only my first cordless grinder, but X lock to boot. (I'm on the teal tribe ecosystem, so...)

Looks like the X lock units are selling a bit cheaper because people aren't sure what to make of it, but at the same time, X lock seems to be growing in popularity with the people who buy and use a lot of grinders and wheels. I do think X lock is the future of small angle grinders the way SDS was revolutionary for rotary hammers.
Even something little stands out.

With X lock you have no arbor nut and so the net surface area of abrasive is larger for the same size grinder wheel. Not a huge factor for most of us, but for heavy users it could be.

Looks like even Pferd is supporting X lock so one of the key requirements for me is satisfied.

We'll get some time on this new little Makita and see what it's like in real world use.
EDIT TO ADD: One reason I went X lock with this cordless is that the entire "well, I have20 grinders" isn't true for me and certainly I don't have multiple CORDLESS grinders. Since this will be my only cordless and I suspect it will get a lot of preference due to convenience, it amplifies the value that the X lock system creates with faster changes.

For corded work, yes I have multiple grinders like most of you do. But for cordless, I'll just have this one.

 

[shakenfake]

Well I know what my next grinder purchase will be.

It is annoying there are no corded x locks. I have Makita batteries so no big deal I guess.

 

[Hohn]

Well I know what my next grinder purchase will be.

It is annoying there are no corded x locks. I have Makita batteries so no big deal I guess.

I can see corded X lock coming soon. There simply too many cases where you need continuous use of a grinder to ignore corded grinders.
I'm wondering if X lock while move up to the 7" or 9" class also.

 

[JradM]

I like the x lock concept, but I don't like being locked into only a couple disc brand. I suspect that is true for many people. If they could have made a grinder that could use either style, I bet adoption would have skyrocketed.

Plus I think many people, myself included, just have a few angle grinders and reach for a another one when switching from wheels, flap discs, wires or grits, etc.

 

[Hohn]

I like the x lock concept, but I don't like being locked into only a couple disc brand. I suspect that is true for many people. If they could have made a grinder that could use either style, I bet adoption would have skyrocketed.

Plus I think many people, myself included, just have a few angle grinders and reach for a another one when switching from wheels, flap discs, wires or grits, etc.

I don't like that idea either, which is why I wanted to be sure that several top abrasive makers were supporting it before I took the plunge.

Here's a partial list of companies already making X lock wheels:


My local Home Depot has Makita and Diablo X locks also.

So this is hardly a high-risk undertaking.
When and if Metabo joins the party on X lock, I think it's inevitable that everyone else makes them too.

As it is now, I think X lock is already here to stay. It does seem to be "SDS for angle grinders"

 

[dnschmidt]

I don't. I very seldom change wheels on an angle grinder since I have over twenty of them. Each dedicated to a purpose. One six inch for cutting, many 5 inch for wire wheels, hard rocks, Walter Mill Scale removal disc one for each grit of flap disc a couple for fiber discs. I'm got going to give up the ability to buy abrasives from anybody and be locked into X-lock. I don't think I'm alone in this opinion.

 

[readhead]

Having been in the sheet metal and steel fab business for almost fifty years it seems like that is a non problem that didn't need a solution. I and almost everyone I know either throw away the wrench or have a box of brand new ones.

 

[GaryM909]

X-lock might be good for someone starting out buying their first grinder and doing a quick change from disc to wire wheel or whatever but most people that have a couple grinders or more are already stocked up on consumables. Obviously there is no mix and match with X-lock or the usual style.

 

[JradM]

To be clear, even though I'm not rushing out to buy an X-lock grinder, I also agree it's a good idea.

If all grinders were X-lock and someone came out with a threaded arbor - obviously x-lock would win that fight.

It looks like more brands are supporting X-lock than I thought. That's a good sign. Still, just the fact that I can get discs from different brands isn't quite what I meant (even though that's what I said - I realize I moved the goalposts, but it's not what I was thinking about when I said that).

I had in mind how I can go to my local hardware, farm supply, tool store, etc. and the selection will be much broader for traditional grinders. If I'm just after a deal, odds are cutting discs from some brand will be on sale. If they carry flap discs in a variety of grits, or special surface prep discs, they're all going to be for threaded arbor grinders.

I bet in some industries the X-lock is killer. Even if the discs are slightly more, the quick change ability might cut down labor costs.

 

[egdede]

I have me a bosch corded x locklike this:

https://www.amazon.com/BOSCH-5-X-LOCK-Variable-Speed/dp/B07WHC86RC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Dave455]

Well I know what my next grinder purchase will be.

It is annoying there are no corded x locks. I have Makita batteries so no big deal I guess.

Bosch offer corded X Lock grinders.

 

[Dave455]

I have me a bosch corded x locklike this:

https://www.amazon.com/BOSCH-5-X-LOCK-Variable-Speed/dp/B07WHC86RC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Beat me to it!

 

[Spud McGee]

I don't. I very seldom change wheels on an angle grinder since I have over twenty of them. Each dedicated to a purpose. One six inch for cutting, many 5 inch for wire wheels, hard rocks, Walter Mill Scale removal disc one for each grit of flap disc a couple for fiber discs. I'm got going to give up the ability to buy abrasives from anybody and be locked into X-lock. I don't think I'm alone in this opinion.

Yep. It only took 1 welding project before I got tired of swapping different types of wheels on my one angle grinder. And the M18 battery one, even with the largest battery, did not last long enough.

I ended up buying several cheap HF ones with AC cords as well as a corded milwaukee one to go my my battery powered one. Angle grinders are one of those tools you can get away with buying cheap ones, cause even the cheap ones get the job done well.

 

[Hohn]

Angle grinders are one of those tools that's just so useful that you end up with a half dozen of them and leave them fitted with a particular attachment for which they're well suited.
It's the same reason most of us probably have 3 or 4 angle die grinders, even multiple ones with Roloc pads on them, and nothing is easier to change than Roloc.


Heck, I'm just a home gamer and I have two Hitachi 4.5s, and a hitachi 7".

I'll be adding this makita cordless X lock and likely an SJS2 15a little fella to boot.

 

[RMERR]

X-lock might be good for someone starting out buying their first grinder and doing a quick change from disc to wire wheel or whatever but most people that have a couple grinders or more are already stocked up on consumables. Obviously there is no mix and match with X-lock or the usual style.

Agree with GaryM909. I've already got a ton of discs. I have 4 Makitas each with a different disc/wheel. Seems to me it's just as easy to pick up another tool with the disc I need already on it, as it is to swap discs. Also it's pretty common that I'm bouncing back and forth between discs, I feel like I'd be constantly swapping, even if it's relatively easy, I'd rather just pick up the other grinder.

 

[Hohn]

Agree with GaryM909. I've already got a ton of discs. I have 4 Makitas each with a different disc/wheel. Seems to me it's just as easy to pick up another tool with the disc I need already on it, as it is to swap discs. Also it's pretty common that I'm bouncing back and forth between discs, I feel like I'd be constantly swapping, even if it's relatively easy, I'd rather just pick up the other grinder.

This guy "New York Reloads". I like it.

 

[shakenfake]

To the people saying “Oh psh quick change is dumb I just have X amount of grinders for the wheels I need”:

Easily the worst argument in the entire world. Are you listening to yourself? When ratchets came out 100 years ago I bet people also said “Oh well hm good sir that is an interesting idea but it will never fly. I can just as easily pick up a different wrench! I can carry around 25 wrenches instead of 1 ratchet and 25 sockets.”

I’m also guessing you don’t like having only one grinder because it is too slow to swap wheels. Well there you go…

Look I’m no pro, but I can’t imagine any mobile guy wants to carry around three grinders either.


Just some thoughts from an armchair grinder.

 

[shakenfake]

Also that Bosch corded X-Lock is Backwards compatible from what I am reading.

 

[Hohn]

Also that Bosch corded X-Lock is Backwards compatible from what I am reading.

X lock accessories work on standard arbors. But an x-lock grinder cannot use regular arbor accessories.




This pic is showing the x lock wheels on a regular arbor. You won't find a pic of a regular wheel on an X lock arbor.

 

[readhead]

When we are out on a job with several guys and most of them carry their own grinders and I am providing the discs the guy that shows up with an X-lock will be out of luck. I'm buying consumables by the case and I am not going to stock two types.

I have no axe to grind with X-lock. With enough time it will probably take over the market.

 

[shakenfake]

@Hohn For some reason I read that as there was an arbor you could put in the x-lock. No idea why I read it like that.

 

[Hohn]

When we are out on a job with several guys and most of them carry their own grinders and I am providing the discs the guy that shows up with an X-lock will be out of luck. I'm buying consumables by the case and I am not going to stock two types.

I have no axe to grind with X-lock. With enough time it will probably take over the market.

I'm sure you aren't alone. X lock may eventually take over, but it's not going to happen overnight.

 

[neophyte]

I'm sure you aren't alone. X lock may eventually take over, but it's not going to happen overnight.

This.
It will probably be like Jigsaw blades, where there were the original Lesto/Scintilla blades, then U-shank or universal shank blades, then the Bosch T-shank blades, with weird blade types like Makita and Porter cable blades.
Nowadays, the Bosch T-shank blade has essentially taken over the market, but U-shanks used to be fairly standard, and the Porter Cable blades hung around, till Porter Cable finally started using T-shank blades after decades of their weird proprietary system.

The X-Lock system doesn’t look bad, but a screw treaded arbor will likely continue being needed for weird or specialty attachments, and possibly for home made accessories like shrinking discs.

 

[tarbellb]

I can change disc faster on my standard grinder


until the X consumables get cheaper then std you won't see me switching

 

[readhead]

I was an early adopter of the Bosch T shank jig saw blade because it actually solved a problem. That was forty years ago. I'm no Ludite but the X-lock seems like a marketing ploy to me. I still have that Bosch jig saw and they improved it by getting rid if the special long screwdriver you had to have to change the blades. Now that system is pretty much the standard.

 

[engineer2]

X-Lock came out a month after I bought my first cordless grinder. I the spirit of GJ, I'll just need to buy more grinders.

 

[Tactile]

Ive been running a Bosch X-Lock for over 12 months, I will never go back...EVER! Once you use one where you need multiple disk types to do a job, you will get it.

 

[neophyte]

Ive been running a Bosch X-Lock for over 12 months, I will never go back...EVER! Once you use one where you need multiple disk types to do a job, you will get it.

Do the blades balance as well as traditional round threaded arbor accessories ?

 

[Hohn]

I was an early adopter of the Bosch T shank jig saw blade because it actually solved a problem. That was forty years ago. I'm no Ludite but the X-lock seems like a marketing ploy to me. I still have that Bosch jig saw and they improved it by getting rid if the special long screwdriver you had to have to change the blades. Now that system is pretty much the standard.

The only major power tool I own that is Bosch is the excellent 1690 jigsaw. For years it was far and away the best jigsaw made. Bosch might still have that title for all I know.

T shanks are indeed a smarter mousetrap.

 

[Hohn]

Short review since it arrived and I put it through its paces a bit. For clarity, I received and ordered the XAG26Z (z indicating bare tool since I have a mess of batteries and chargers already).

First start you notice 1) it’s super quiet, 2) it has next to no start up kick, although it has a little. The braking function stops the wheel in about two seconds. This alone will add a LOT of productivity.

I put on the grinding guard and grinding wheel and did some test grinds on 1.5” angle I have here. Then I swapped on the cutting guard and cutting wheel and did cutting tests.

When grinding, it has enough power with the included 5” wheel that it required me to push so hard my hands really hurt to get it to stall. Suffice it to say, at any amount of force that I can physically sustain as a user, the grinder has enough torque with a 5” standard grinding wheel.

It was switching to the cutting wheel and guard that really highlighted something special about this tool. Not only can you change the wheel SUPER fast because of X lock, but you can replace the GUARD AND WHEEL BOTH in under 10 seconds. The Guard is entirely tool free and is super easy to install, lock to different positions, and remove. This is true of both the cutting and grinding guards.

I made two test cuts on 1.5” 3/16 angle. Not the thinnest angle around and takes a bit to get through. As expected, it’s not going to set any speed records. But it never stalled nor quit, was very easy to control with one hand (using included cutting disc, not a pferd like I’d normally run).

You can definitely tell there’s some kind of constant speed circuitry kicking in extra power when the speed falls a little. That said, under load the speed drops to where I could see a corded grinder in the 9-10 amp range putting several thousand RPM on this thing and beating it in a pure speed race.

The weight and balance make this easily one-hand useful, which is pretty important to me. It’s a paddle switch lock-off design, which I prefer for cordless. (I like to be able to lock-on a corded tool I will use for longer runs of harder work, and in a cordless tool where I won’t do that, lock on is a needless safety risk).

With a grand total of maybe 5 minutes of use, I’m happy with it. It’s super convenient and yet it’s useful. The superior guarding and brake make it much safer than any of my other grinders to boot.

This is easily my first-grab grinder choice now, since most of what I need a grinder to do is a quick slag cleanup with a knotted wire disc or a quick cleanup grind lasting just a couple seconds.

I hate having to take back all the badmouthing I did of cordless grinders and of X lock. Taken together, it’s a heck of a compelling package.

10/10 would definitely buy another. But with X lock, I don’t need to!

 

[Hohn]

This.
It will probably be like Jigsaw blades, where there were the original Lesto/Scintilla blades, then U-shank or universal shank blades, then the Bosch T-shank blades, with weird blade types like Makita and Porter cable blades.
Nowadays, the Bosch T-shank blade has essentially taken over the market, but U-shanks used to be fairly standard, and the Porter Cable blades hung around, till Porter Cable finally started using T-shank blades after decades of their weird proprietary system.

The X-Lock system doesn’t look bad, but a screw treaded arbor will likely continue being needed for weird or specialty attachments, and possibly for home made accessories like shrinking discs.

There’s already a chinese made adapter to turn X lock into a regular 5/8-11 arbor just so you can continue to run all the “bad idea” accessories like the chain-saw-on-a-disc and such.

 

[JradM]

There’s already a chinese made adapter to turn X lock into a regular 5/8-11 arbor just so you can continue to run all the “bad idea” accessories like the chain-saw-on-a-disc and such.

Ha! I liked that description. I've got one of these BNIB at home:



I bought it on clearance at some point for like $6. I got it home and though "WTF am I doing? I've got a chainsaw."

I've never felt brave enough to actually try it on an angle grinder.

 

[Tactile]

Do the blades balance as well as traditional round threaded arbor accessories ?

I have noticed no difference between the two. Your comment is the first time I've even thought about it actually.

 

[Tactile]

One thing I would encourage people to consider if/when you buy an X-lock machine - have a bit of a think before you buy a heap of flap disks (If you use a lot of them) - take a look at the Bosch's disk backing pads. Bosch claim that their abrasive disks last longer than a flap disk. If this is correct then there would be considerable savings in materials if you changed over to this system. There is a comprehensive range of abrasive disks to fit these flexible backing pads that come in Soft, Medium & Hard for the 125mm disk.

So if the disks last longer and they are half the price of flap disks then it might be worth looking into if you use a heap of this media. Unfortunately I bought a heap of flap disks when I first bought my grinder and I'm not a big user of them so I haven't had a chance to compare the claims yet.

Another thing to consider is the Bosch diamond cutter disc...expensive but they do last waaaaaaay longer than a fiber style cutter. It just means I have to cart less stuff around between jobs on the farm.

 

[neophyte]

There’s already a chinese made adapter to turn X lock into a regular 5/8-11 arbor just so you can continue to run all the “bad idea” accessories like the chain-saw-on-a-disc and such.

I know Australians have a reputation for being “Batsh!t insane”, mainly due to Mel Gibson and Baz Luhrmann films,
But the Arbortech “carving” and cuttings discs are usually very safe, (way safer than blades made from chainsaw segments), and Arbortech even made a special guard to make the angle grinders you run the discs on safer.

 

[Tactile]

I know Australians have a reputation for being “Batsh!t insane”, mainly due to Mel Gibson and Baz Luhrmann films,

Actors and films are for pretenders...I think our special forces achievements in Afghanistan are a more accurate, real-world gauge...

 

[neophyte]

Actors and films are for pretenders...I think our special forces achievements in Afghanistan are a more accurate, real-world gauge...

Lost a war to Emus.

Emu War - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Hohn]

One thing I would encourage people to consider if/when you buy an X-lock machine - have a bit of a think before you buy a heap of flap disks (If you use a lot of them) - take a look at the Bosch's disk backing pads. Bosch claim that their abrasive disks last longer than a flap disk. If this is correct then there would be considerable savings in materials if you changed over to this system. There is a comprehensive range of abrasive disks to fit these flexible backing pads that come in Soft, Medium & Hard for the 125mm disk.

So if the disks last longer and they are half the price of flap disks then it might be worth looking into if you use a heap of this media. Unfortunately I bought a heap of flap disks when I first bought my grinder and I'm not a big user of them so I haven't had a chance to compare the claims yet.

Another thing to consider is the Bosch diamond cutter disc...expensive but they do last waaaaaaay longer than a fiber style cutter. It just means I have to cart less stuff around between jobs on the farm.

I’ve found exactly one advantage to flap discs, and that’s the ability to have some “give” on contours.

But overall I hate them. They never last and cost way too much for what they are.

I’m going to be getting the X lock backer from Bosch to run fiber discs.


And for my non-X-lock grinders, I’ll be converting those to Pferd’s Combi-click system, which I find to be brilliant.

 

[Hohn]

Actors and films are for pretenders...I think our special forces achievements in Afghanistan are a more accurate, real-world gauge...

Aussies take a back seat to no one in bravery or creativity IME. Although after seeing one fellow use a 30-06 to kill feral cats, I have to wonder if overkill isn’t the Aussie way as well.

 

[Tactile]

Lost a war to Emus.

And rabbits, feral cats and cane toads. We won one against cactus tho - prickly pear.