Another tool question - Angle Grinder

[alchemysa]

Check out the cost of discs and wheels before you decide. You may have to pay a huge premium for larger sizes. The larger you go the more painful it may get.

 

[Pops15]

Check out the cost of discs and wheels before you decide. You may have to pay a huge premium for larger sizes. The larger you go the more painful it may get.

Those big discs last a long time compared to the small ones.

 

[JL Sargent]

I own a doz. or so various grinders at the present. I drive a heavy service truck where we do welding repair. I also have blacksmithing/machining as hobbys. Most good name grinders will get the job done reasonably well. The best I have ever used though is the METABO brand. When I see those at the fleamarket I'm always interested.

 

[two_bit_score]

makita's 9005 = tough unit. everything about it is 'just right'

I have 2, one always has a thin disk for cutting and the second serves for mounting disks or wire cup brushes.

That's the ultimate 'quick change blade system'. :thumbsup:

 

[BXpanded]

We use several of the Dewalt 4 1/2" grinders all day and keep a 7"/9" Milwaukee monster close at hand for any really heavy work. The Dewalts are perfectly good grinders (as are many brands) and we've had very good service from them, but we use them primarily because the barrel is smaller and easier to hold than any other brand. That makes a big difference in your fatigue if you use one all day. Dewalt offers several different "Power ratings". The middle one is fine and is priced right. If you're mashing on the tool hard enough to bog down that one, your probably wasting your money by destroying wheels and brushes prematurely. That's a sign you need to get out the big grinder. The Dewalts have a good warranty and if you buy 'em at a big box like Lowes, it's just a quick swap if you do manage to kill one.
If you've a lot of metal to move get the big grinder. I'd swear a good man could take that old 9" Milwaukee and turn the H.M.S. Queen Mary into sparks, smoke and grinder dust in just a couple of days.

 

[ETpilot]

GEE, I guess I am the cheapy in the group. While I do have a few Dewalt 4.5" grinders and a very heavy 9" Skill, I believe, my favorites are Harbor Freight. I have a few HF 4.5" and a 7". I purchased the 7" due to its light weight. If I wear one out I just get another. So far I have not worn one out.

 

[Bird]

GEE, I guess I am the cheapy in the group. While I do have a few Dewalt 4.5" grinders and a very heavy 9" Skill, I believe, my favorites are Harbor Freight. I have a few HF 4.5" and a 7". I purchased the 7" due to its light weight. If I wear one out I just get another. So far I have not worn one out.

I have a little Harbor Freight pneumatic angle die grinder myself; don't use it much, but it works very well when I do use it.

 

[DanD78]

I kind of use a mix, Several 4 1/2" Black&Decker/Dewalt, a 6" Metabo and a 9" Skill. The 9" is heavy but is vary fast. Sits on the shelf a lot. The metabo is great for wafer wheels and general grinding. It has a speed control and will maintain the speed under load. No tools required to change wheels. The dewalts, I keep the same tool on each like diffenent wire wheels, flap disc and regular grinding. The Metabo is probably the best because of the small body and good power but pricy.

Dan

 

[MotorSeven]

I don't want to start the chinese vs US thing....but......I have two of the orange Harbor Freight 4.5" grinders. They are under $20 ea on sale. I have used the crap out of them for over 7 years & have zero issues. jmho......
RD

 

[jenkinsph]

I find the larger 7" to 9" work well with large cup brushes and currently have a Bosch that seems good. I have three small Milwaukees' and one Makita that are lighter and easier to hold on to. Yesterday I used the Makita with a Metabo diamond wheel to enlarge a stove cut out in a granite countertop, worked very well.

What I am having trouble finding is the DeWalt low speed polisher, while all the stores have multiple varieties of high speed grinders these are way to fast. DeWalt makes one that is 1600 to 2100 rpm I hear and I want one.