5" Angle Grinder

[Shield Arc]

The best grinder I ever seen for really leaning on is the Black & Decker Wild Cat. I understand DeWalt has taken over the name now. Still not a bad grinder. Far has the 4 1/2" grinder I don't give them much thought. I use them until the smoke gets loose, then buy another one.

 

[4570Man]

I have an old metal bodied black&decker like shield arc posted. That thing is probably 20 old and still going strong.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I had a B&D Wildcat once but it got taken in a divorce so I never bothered to replace it till I bought a 7" elcheapo at Harbor Freight. I don't use it much but when I do, I put on a 9" blade and it handles it well with no stalling. It will sure move some metal in a hurry with that 9" blade. I think the only difference between the HF 7" and the 9" is the size of the guard. I have several of the 4.5" from HF and have never had any trouble with them. I have them from the $9 (I got from my brother in law) to the $30 one with the paddle switch and they all work well but just like any brand, if you stall them, they will overheat. I don't use my 4.5" grinders for heavy grinding anyway so I never have that problem.

 

[Big Barn]

My big B&D I use only for polishing now. No matter how I position my workpiece height, reposition my posture etc grinding still bugs my back.
I attribute it to old age but realistically I need to learn to weld better ;D
Terry

Edit: hmmm can't seem to be able to post pic...

 

[EddieWalker]

I never noticed 5 inch grinders before and had no idea they existed. Are the disks readily available? Do they cost close to what 4.5 inch disks cost?

I have two 4.5 inch Makita grinders. I've had quite a few other brands and they all died rather quickly. If these ever die on me, I'll replace them with the same brand. Makita has been very good to me.

 

[bigtiller]

I have a cut-off wheel on an air die-grinder and a couple small grinders for sanding and brushing, and a 4.5" 11 amp Milwaukee. I thought maybe the 5"-13 amp grinders disk tip-speed might be a little faster but it sounds like it may be just heaver and bulkier. That is why I was asking. It looks like the 5" averages about $20 more than the 4.5 so that is not a problem.

I guess I will stick with the 4.5 for the next one...... are 5 grinders enough? :laughing:

 

[bcp]

For years now I have had several of the HF xx222 and xx223 (easy to remember numbers ) grinders. All work as good as new. A neighbor borrowed one with a wire cup brush and cleaned up the entire metal roof of a 14x60 mobile home. It still runs fine.

Bruce

 

[dragoneggs]

I have three HF 4.5in grinders. The first thing I do is pull the head off and throw a blob of grease inside. They come almost dry.

 

[Big Barn]

I have three HF 4.5in grinders. The first thing I do is pull the head off and throw a blob of grease inside. They come almost dry.

My "heavy duty" Milwaulkeee came like that...

Terry

 

[LD1]

I have a cut-off wheel on an air die-grinder and a couple small grinders for sanding and brushing, and a 4.5" 11 amp Milwaukee. I thought maybe the 5"-13 amp grinders disk tip-speed might be a little faster but it sounds like it may be just heaver and bulkier. That is why I was asking. It looks like the 5" averages about $20 more than the 4.5 so that is not a problem.

I guess I will stick with the 4.5 for the next one...... are 5 grinders enough? :laughing:

All the 5" grinders I have used are not heavier and bulkier than a good 4.5" grinder.

Big advantage is cutoff discs and stones last longer. more meat in them