Cut-Off Tool

[IslandTractor]

Maybe I mis-read, but I dont think he was talking about HF. I think he was talking about a ridgid outlasting them all??

My comment was noting that neither the Bosch or HF survived. If you can break a Bosch tool, I would check out the operator rather than rag on the brands.

 

[mikehaugen]

Im about 40 miles from HF, 35 from HD, 25 Lowes and Menards. The closest thing is a Big R that is about 20 miles away. Any tool breaking late on a Saturday or Sunday is a project-killer. I have had Harbor freight power tools in the past. Not only do they not last, they also don't perform well usually. On top of that, they "feel" cheap.

 

[IslandTractor]

Im about 40 miles from HF, 35 from HD, 25 Lowes and Menards. The closest thing is a Big R that is about 20 miles away. Any tool breaking late on a Saturday or Sunday is a project-killer. I have had Harbor freight power tools in the past. Not only do they not last, they also don't perform well usually. On top of that, they "feel" cheap.

HF tools are cheap and no pro should own them. However, when you can literally buy ten HF grinders for the price of a Makita or Bosch or Fein, it is hard to argue that HF tools are worthless. Buy two spares and pocket the change.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have one Dewalt 4.5" grinder and 4 HF of various cost (10-20 bucks each) Some of them are 5 years old and still run perfect. The Dewalt is a few years older but the brushes are failing in it and sometimes it stops running. They all get used about the same amount with the wire brush being the heaviest power drain on any grinder. I too remove the angle gear head and put in some good grease to replace the bees wax that they come with. Every time I open one up, there is a small glob of hard wax in the head but nothing is on the gears so it is imperative that the heads get grease if you want them to last.
While I don't use them 8-10 hours per day, I do use them just about every day for a few minutes. I keep them loaded with flat wire brush, cup brush, cut off wheel, grinder wheel and tiger paw (sandpaper disc) so what ever I need, I just have to plug it in and go.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I forgot to mention that other than the Dewalt which I think I likely found on sale for $50 or so, I have less than 70 bucks invested in all the other grinders and no way would I spend $400+ dollars to get 4 more Dewalt at todays prices.
THe HF grinders are not as powerful as the high priced ones, but I find them plenty strong enough for average duty. The 7" HF side grinder I bought will turn a 9" blade with plenty of power and not stall at all. The 4.5" grinders will get hot if you labor them for a long time and hard with a power brush. So far, none have burned up on me.

So would I prefer to have one $150 that I had to constantly switch attachments on or 7 of the $20 HF for less money. I think the answer for me is pretty clear.

 

[IslandTractor]

I forgot to mention that other than the Dewalt which I think I likely found on sale for $50 or so, I have less than 70 bucks invested in all the other grinders and no way would I spend $400+ dollars to get 4 more Dewalt at todays prices.
THe HF grinders are not as powerful as the high priced ones, but I find them plenty strong enough for average duty. The 7" HF side grinder I bought will turn a 9" blade with plenty of power and not stall at all. The 4.5" grinders will get hot if you labor them for a long time and hard with a power brush. So far, none have burned up on me.

So would I prefer to have one $150 that I had to constantly switch attachments on or 7 of the $20 HF for less money. I think the answer for me is pretty clear.

Unless you work for NASA, any tool purchase has to consider bang for the buck. I doubt anyone would argue HF tools excel in comparison to the true pro brands made in Japan or Germany but HF tools can still offer tremendous bang for the buck.

 

[smyrna5]

You can also buy a $7.99 (probably $5 on sale) guard with a straight guide plate from HF that will make almost any grinder into the same thing or better

Straight Cutting Metal With Abrasive Discs - YouTube

 

[chopped]

straight guide plate

Search results for: 'grinder guard'

 

[DXN1EL]

That "Grinder guard" looks good

For a 5" POWERFUL electric angle grinder

FEIN WSG15-125P VS MAKITA 9565PC


DIAMOND X Abrasive Diamond Blade,Segmented,5 In - Diamond Saw Blades - 6TMN5|168845-DX - Grainger Industrial Supply

 

[IslandTractor]

That "Grinder guard" looks good

For a 5" POWERFUL electric angle grinder

FEIN WSG15-125P VS MAKITA 9565PC

DIAMOND X Abrasive Diamond Blade,Segmented,5 In - Diamond Saw Blades - 6TMN5|168845-DX - Grainger Industrial Supply

If Santa is handing those out, I'll be the first in line. When I need to plunk down the cash with no chance of being paid for my work, I make due with HF.

 

[DXN1EL]

Thanks guy.

I just got back from the steel supply, I got two 24' 1x1 11gauge square. I was cutting with the 14" DeWalt chop saw, I made the first cut fast like always and for the second cut it didn't trow as many sparks like always just a few
Anyone know what is wrong with it?

 

[Jim Timber]

The ridgid completed the job, and has kept going since. Lifetime warranty which hasn't been needed.

https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/half-inch-two-speed-hammer-drill

The bosch was bought new when I was a kid (mid 80's). It had a pretty easy life, but ended up melting the wiring to the armature. It didn't mechanically fail per se, it did melt though.

Bosch 1/2 in. Hammer Drill-1191VSRK at The Home Depot

1/2" holes in 4500psi concrete cooked a bunch of drills. The ridgid came out fine.

I've got 2 of their 1/2 cordless hammer drills now too. Once was bought stand-alone, the other came with a kit. Lifetime warranties on everything - even the batteries. I'm done buying dewalt.

 

[the old grind]

..... I made the first cut fast like always and for the second cut it didn't trow as many sparks like always just a few
Anyone know what is wrong with it?

IMO, two things.
First, your wheel has probably loaded up with metal and needs the abrasive edge 'opened up'. 'Tool houses', 'Bolts-R-Us', 'paypalbay' etc have 'dressing sticks' for vitreous wheels (bench grinder, etc). A few gentle dabs on the edge under power should do the trick. Wear curved lenses or w/side shields and watch the dust.

Angles and square tubes don't cut well with sides flat to a wheel or sawblade. :thumbdown: Ideally, either works best when oriented as with the guard linked above. Cutting across wide, and then narrow, then wide again requires adjusting downfeed pressure awkwardly as wheel contact goes thru' extremes. The wheel runs hot under the wide stuff and metal fuses to the edges under all that heat. (less 'chip clearance' there too ...)

You want to have as much the same cross-section going thru the cut as is possible, saw OR cut-off wheel. Angles are easy to clamp down with the corner up. With square tubes its nice to have a pair of v-blocks to hold stock at 45^ and you still want to clamp the work securely somehow. btw: In a pinch one can scab up v-blocks from wood if they will remember to wet 'em down a bit before makin' sparks. tog

 

[CNC Dan]

Thanks guy.

I just got back from the steel supply, I got two 24' 1x1 11gauge square. I was cutting with the 14" DeWalt chop saw, I made the first cut fast like always and for the second cut it didn't trow as many sparks like always just a few
Anyone know what is wrong with it?

Glazed the edge of the blade. Try cutting a piece of thin stock (1/8"X1") on edge.