4.5 grinder recommendation?

[spitter]

Metabo is by far the best grinder I have ever used . I bought a Metabo 14 amp 5 " grinder for my demanding jobs like concrete cutting and grinding .The problem is if you don't have hands as big as andre the giant's holding on to it for lite flap wheel tune ups it get whey to heavy and cumbersome. Plus it will run you about $300 . If you go on the metabo website they have about 75 different grinders in the 4-6" range ratails , lever switches , thumb switch, all 7-14 amp. pretty mind boggling.:confused2: But if you can't find your perfect grinder there it don't exist. Much better than buying what ever they have left on the shelf at the home sh-- hole. :drink:

 

[TractorGuy]

I have a Dewalt DWE4120 9 amp that works well. I prefer a paddle switch. The safety lever on the Dewalt switch took some getting used to but I decided not to disable it.

Prior to that I had a 30 year old Craftsman that nothing would stop. Was a sad day when it finally went up in smoke.

I went through two HF grinders between the Craftsman and Dewalt. Those are junk and I don't have time to be running to the store every time I come up on a task they are not up to. I had the cheapest and then tried the paddle switch model. Both would bog under a load and both burned up pretty quick.

Unlike a previous poster I have been satisfied with HF consumables. Both the grinding wheels and spiral wound wire brushes have held up and performed well for me.

 

[Big Barn]

I'm really disappointed with my Makita cordless. The brushless model might be better.

Same here. Mine is equipped with a flap wheel and relegated to quick touch ups.

The brushless is most likely better like you say but I won’t bother.

 

[radios1]

I have a Dewalt DWE4120 9 amp that works well. I prefer a paddle switch. The safety lever on the Dewalt switch took some getting used to but I decided not to disable it.

Prior to that I had a 30 year old Craftsman that nothing would stop. Was a sad day when it finally went up in smoke.

I went through two HF grinders between the Craftsman and Dewalt. Those are junk and I don't have time to be running to the store every time I come up on a task they are not up to. I had the cheapest and then tried the paddle switch model. Both would bog under a load and both burned up pretty quick.

Unlike a previous poster I have been satisfied with HF consumables. Both the grinding wheels and spiral wound wire brushes have held up and performed well for me.

Craftsman tools are made in China, just like Harborfreight tools are!. most everything is now made in China!. the only thing that changes between brands is the labeling and outside customizations. this is done to save money!.. the first 3 digits of a Craftsman part number signify who it was made for originally.. but STILL made in China!..

 

[EddieWalker]

I've tried a few brands. The old Craftsman from the 80's probably lasted the longest, but I wouldn't buy Craftsman today. I tried DeWalt tools when I started working full time as a contractor, but they didn't last very long. Their grinder was one of the worse tools that I ever bought. That might of been when I decided to give Makita a try. I have two 4.5 inch Makita grinders that are ten to 12 years old and still going strong. One has a slide switch, the other is more of a paddle type switch. I don't pay attention to either when using them, it's more of what's on it that decides which one I use. Cutting wheel, grinding wheel or sanding disk. I use them more for sanding then anything else.

 

[radios1]

you can look here for who makes tools. Surprise!. Tool Industry Behemoths: Who Makes & Who Owns Most Tool Brands?

 

[Ford850]

Most brands have several products ranging in quality. I’ve been buying the USA made Dewalt tools and have had very good luck with them. I’ve also bought a few of the higher end Bosch tools which have been great too. Stating one brand is better or worse is like Ford vs Chevy. They both make high end goods and low priced junk.

 

[California]

Reading through this thread I finally decided to get an 11 amp 4.5" grinder like I've been thinking about for years.

After reading favorable Amazon reviews I chose the Dewalt DWE402N, normally $81~85. I set a pricewatch @ $60 at camelcamelcamel.com. They send you an email when your target price is hit.

(camelcamelcamel shows four instances below below $60 this year, one of those was $49.99).

Anybody have experience with Dewalt DWE402N? It's the DWE402, 11 amps, with No lock-on switch.

 

[yomax4]

Being from China doesn't mean automatic bad. Just like welding equipment made in China. Some plants are great others are bad. I have brushless cordless Milwaukee stuff and it's holding up. My Makita cordless stuff I used to use was ok but the batteries were shot once you got them hot. Friends have Ridgid from Home depot and Master Force from Menards and they seem to take an ok beating. I seldom use corded grinders.

 

[groundcover]

Had a high end Dewalt that gave up, had it repaired for almost as much as a new one. Now it has died again and been tossed. While it was out for repair I got a soft start Milwaukee with paddle switch. Love it but the soft start won’t kick my Ranger welder out of idle.
Have had a Makita for years that has never missed a beat.