4 1/2" Angle Grinders - How Many??

[Spudland_Dave]

I bought the 18V grinder because it came with 2 batteries. I needed new batteries, and the grinder kit wasn't that much more than batteries alone.

The grinder takes a lot of juice, so the batteries don't last very long. I use the 110V whenever possible.

Thanks Bob, you confirmed my suspicions...

 

[mxg342]

I have two or three dewalts, one old metabo, and a few HF's in 4-1/2" grinders. I have a craftsman professional 7" for the big grinding operations.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Three is a good number for me. I have one with a skinny wheel, one with a grinding wheel, and one as a backup. When I'm done fabricating, I switch to a flap disc and a wire wheel to prep for paint.

I've tried them all from the cheapest Homier Tools one off the gypsy tool truck to Milwaukee. The best $/hr. I've found is to get the mid-range HF one and replace as needed. I buy a new one about once a year meaning that mine last about 3 years.

I fact, I burned up another one last night. Why do they put the vent holes right on the handle where it's too easy to block them with a glove while using the grinder.

 

[EddieWalker]

I sure feel foolish reading this thread.

I have two Makita 4 1/2 inch grinders. I bought the one when my DeWalt burned out and I keep it in a five gallon bucket with all my disks. When I need a different disk, I change it to what I need.

About two years ago, I bought a Makita 7 1/4 inch saw that came with another Makita 4 1/2 inch grinder just like the one I already have. It's still in the box, sitting on my shelf. I thought I'd wait until the one I use died on me and then I'd use the other one. It never occured to me to put a different disk on it and have two grinders available. DUH

Eddie

 

[JCByrd24]

Three is the magic number for me as well. Cutting disc, grinding disc, and flap wheel. The wire wheel I've got vibrates a ton and so I use it as little as possible. All 4-1/2". For cheapies I recommend Ryobi, it's the smoothes and quietest of mine. The others are B&D and Northern (Chicago?) Tool, both are fine too. These have all been around a while now so I don't have much motivation to go to an expensive one next time.

 

[crash325]

I sure feel foolish reading this thread.

I have two Makita 4 1/2 inch grinders. I bought the one when my DeWalt burned out and I keep it in a five gallon bucket with all my disks. When I need a different disk, I change it to what I need.

About two years ago, I bought a Makita 7 1/4 inch saw that came with another Makita 4 1/2 inch grinder just like the one I already have. It's still in the box, sitting on my shelf. I thought I'd wait until the one I use died on me and then I'd use the other one. It never occured to me to put a different disk on it and have two grinders available. DUH

Eddie

Eddie, you should have run out put a wheel of some kind on the other 1. Then with great pride, say "2 is all I need". :laughing:

Some said something about the Porter Cable being weak. Mine has never lacked for power and I load it pretty heavy. It has often been run (abused) until it got so hot I could not touch the head.

See Picture :ashamed:
Even now it had enough power to jerk its self out of my hands and mash my fingers. Wire brushing this AM, when it got away from me. Yes I had gloves on, or may be missing body parts. It sure felt good after it quit hurting.

 

[glc24]

Metabo is #1,there are no others,and their "Quick" tool quick change is second to none!:thumbsup:

Greg

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have a 20 year old Drill master, a 5 year old Harbor Freight orange model and a 3 year old Dewalt that I found nearly new at a pawn shop. They all work just fine.

 

[dstig1]

I have 2 now (4.5") and wish I had 3 or probably 4. I picked up the second one at Northern on sale for cheap. The other one is the Makita that came with my cutoff saw. I will pick up more cheapos as the opportunity presents. Changing wheels is a PITA with the need to reconfigure guards, different bits, different wrenches for each, etc.

 

[CurlyDave]

I have two Makita 4.5" grinders, and both in CA and OR, just about every subcontractor I have hired uses Makitas. The tile people had 2 or 3, and the granite counter people had about 5, all Makita.

They may not be absolutely top of the line, but they sure are "good enough" and they last and last.