4.5 grinder recommendation?

[5030]

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:

I smoked a Metabo too. They stink as well..... Did that one at work so I wasn't out any funds.:laughing:

 

[5030]

Well here I have to agree with Eddie.
I have 2 Makita's and to me they are indestructible.
One lives with a wire brush and the other has thin cut off disks mounted.

I'll add that both were garage sale buys so who knows how much punishment B4 me.
AND I go thru a pile of cut off disks.

However I do help them somewhat as I routinely blow them clean with compressed air.
I'll add my usage is such that I need to occasionally re tighten some of the screws.

Another Makita plus is that their cords are of a quality that in the cold they don't become 'fishing rods', the stay flexible in the coldest days.

The HF grinders all have 'rigid when cold' cords....lol

 

[PILOON]

The lousy cords were the reason I wouldn't buy Craftsman power tools.

LOL, but on a cold day they doubled as fishing rods.

 

[NWOH_Grizz]

Recently I needed another grinder, and did some research. Generally I like Milwaukee power tools, but this time I went with a Dewalt. Initially thought I'd get a 4012 model, since Amazon has them a 2-pack for $99. I went to Lowe's to check them out, and just didn't like the paddle switch and the fat grip area. Tried out a 43113, which has the trigger switch at the rear. That fit me fine, balance was very good, and could use 4.5 and 5 inch discs. $139 at Lowe's, they wouldn't price match Amazon at $109, so I stood there and ordered it and had it two days later. I've done some serious flap-wheel stuff and some actual grinding, lots of power. The cord is quality, stayed flexible when the barn was at 30 degrees F. Can use a 6mm hex key to change discs, don't have to bother with a spanner anymore. Discovered nylon stripper discs too, really works well for taking off paint and rust and not hurting the metal surface.

 

[theg]

Ford Chevy dodge kia. Watch Ave you tube. I like Makita that is just me. All are good.

 

[Big Barn]

Ford Chevy dodge kia. Watch Ave you tube. I like Makita that is just me. All are good.

My opinion also. I try to stick with Makita but any name brand is fine.

 

[PILOON]

A friend goes thru grinders at a great rate and I still have my 2 Makitas that came from yard sales.
Local welder also burns up a 1/2 dozen/yr.

My 2 (previously owned) Makita's are now going on 10 years.
I think my practice of blowing them clean on a regular basis is the secret as after all that metallic grit sure can't be healthy for bushings and bearings.
Also I occasionally torque all the fasteners as some do tend to loosen over time.

I do find the power cords take quite a beating and probably have replaced mine 3-4 times so far.
Problem I find is to locate good quality real rubber cord and not crappy plasticised power cord.

 

[fatjay]

I have 2 dewalt grinders and 3 harbor freight grinders. I find myself using the harbor freights more often, i have 2 with cutoff wheels and one with wire brush. I like their lack of safety features, such as the on/off switch, instead of my dewalt's paddle you have to hold down. Flip the switch and it grinds and grinds. My dewalts are probably 20 years old, my harbor freights are 6-10 years old, and i've used/abused them plenty.

 

[Big Barn]

I do find the power cords take quite a beating and probably have replaced mine 3-4 times so far.
Problem I find is to locate good quality real rubber cord and not crappy plasticised power cord.

Ideally quality rubber cord with a moulded OEM type plug on the it. I hate retrofitted clamp on cord ends.

 

[yomax4]

I have a nice Walter variable speed grinder that I like but normally only use it when variable is needed. Although I use 18v cordless / brushless 90% of the time, My corded go to grinders are 2= 20 year old 4.5" Black and Decker Industrials ( Pre Dewalt ) and a USA made Milwaukee 6145 I believe. It's old enough that it has a 1/2 -13 spindle and 2 wire cord. All 3 have been so hot that you could barely hold them and they still work like new. Bigger jobs I have a lower priced Masterforce 6" that seems to be a decent unit for the price. Hopefully no-one has to use a 9".