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

[crash325]

Yesterday I got a new Ryobi 4.5" grinder. $44. & Change. Would have gone for a better (more costly), but was not feeling very rich.

I have quite a few Ryobi tools, some almost 20 years old. I have never been completely happy with any of them. At the same time Ive never had 1 of them quit working.

The good points on this grinder, 3 position rotating handle, not a big deal, but kind of handy. 3 Screw holes for side handle, some I looked at only had 2. No tool shield adjustment, common these days, it's very tight and hard to position, will loosen up in time?? Came with a Flap Wheel, Grinding wheel,, brass wire brush, nice case, long cord and the spanner Wrench stores in handle, maybe even I can keep track of it. It does run very smooth.

Not so good, motor only 5.5 amps and a little weak, motor and gear head get warm very quickly. I cut about 4.5' of 1/8 mild steel, it was pretty hot by the time I was done. A little later I wire brushed the lip on the tank cutoff and it did a fine job there, not much power needed.

I could live with the weakness, but the heating up bothers me. May take it back and move up to something better.

See my thread on new Roller & Sheep's Foot build.For

 

[k0ua]

I have that same Ryobi, got it for Christmas, though "ah junk" at first, but in using it for a while, I kinda like it. for the reasons you stated.. I usually keep the flap wheel in it and cut with the Makita. seems to work fine and with the handle adjustable it is comfortable. I am gonna keep mine

James K0UA

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...No tool shield adjustment, common these days, it's very tight and hard to position, will loosen up in time??

Any grinder I get receives a tool shield adjustment first thing before I ever even power the thing up. I have a whole pile of never used tool shields if someone wants them.

 

[psj12]

That could sure be true as far as I know, but I've never seen one or known anyone who had a Metabo.

I have a Metabo and it is pretty much bullet proof. I also have a couple of Harbor Freight 4.5 inch orange $19 specials. I figured I would use them till they drop but they just keep going and going. Same for the HF orange 7.5 inch.

 

[weldermike]

I have same grinder, thought it was a piece of junk at first. Bearing made noise right out of the box. I beat the living daylights out of that thing for almost 5yrs, every single day, with the same overheat problem. Had to wear one welding glove to use it since I take the handles off all of my small grinders. The brushes just recentley took a crap, but ill change them and who knows how much longer it could last. Oh I bought a rigid from home depot once and I cooked it on first job, that one was $109.

 

[boxygen]

I have had the same experience with Ryobi. Didnt expect much from it but it actually exceeded my expectations and lasted 4-5 years. I now have two Makita's and another Ryobi. The Ryobi always has the wire wheel in it.

 

[Stampeder]

I have a Bosch. It's over 5 years old and I too beat the crap out of it. I have put on a six inch wire brush and got the thing so hot I couldn't hold it.
I have ground my way through more grinding disks that I can count. The bearings in the head have made noise since day one and that hasn't changed or affected the tool in over 5 years.
It's not the greatest tool for balance and I hate where the on/off switch is located, but I will definitely by another one so I can have a wire brush on one and a cut off disk on the other.
Anything that takes the kind of beating this thing has is worth it in my books.
It just works, what can be better than that?:thumbsup:

 

[twoone]

We have two one with the brush on it and a wheel on the other.

 

[JerryK]

I have a 7" Metabo. Ran thru tons of 7" cutting disks and grinding disks .... a really great tool.

 

[crash325]

After a couple of hours with the new Ryobi a new short coming has showed up. The threaded shaft is 1 thread shorter than most others. It's not long enough to put a sanding disk on. The shield was so hard to adjust that it is now gone.

Have not made up my mind "Keep or Return". Next time I go to town, will take it along. Check out some that are better and make up my mind then.

Sure glad the old Porter Cable is still working.

After today's frustrations 4 will be the min. number that I will have. 5 is a better number.