So lets talk 4.5" grinders

BloomingtonMike · Apr 21, 2006

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

So I made a choice. Milwaukee 6156-20 5" 12amp variable speed. Price was $139. I kno wit is a lot but it should be my last small grinder choice. I like to buy quality the first time as well. I really like Milwaukee and this one seemed to fit the best in my hands. I loved the lock on and off option and picked 5" because of price ($4 more than 4.5") and I can run either sized blades in it. Physically the machine is the same size as the 4.5" magnum grinder and it is a very nice sized machine. Guard is just a bit larger is the only difference. Ordered it from tool barn. This is my first purchase from them. I ordered it at 11:00pm CST and it shipped this AM no problem. I will report back on quality and customer service.

Bird · Apr 21, 2006

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

( Hopefully the safety police are not reading this post, but for many jobs I take that darned guard off. )

When I was in the business of repairing air tools, one of my customers sent me two Sioux 7" air powered angle grinders. There was nothing wrong with them, except the company had an OSHA inspection and the guards were missing and had to be replaced. Someone had taken them off and apparently threw them away. When I found out that those guards were going to cost them $130 each /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif, I called before ordering them and they said to put'em on. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Spiffy · Apr 21, 2006

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

( I have a feeling that Spiffy isn't ready to dig in my dumpster after the old junk ones I've pitched /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

Of course, I would! I could stick them in the wife's flower garden so she wouldn't have to bring home some strange "whirlygig" every year. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Spiffy · Apr 21, 2006

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

( So I made a choice. Milwaukee 6156-20 5" 12amp variable speed. Price was $139. Ordered it from tool barn. I will report back on quality and customer service. )

Sounds like a great choice! Looking forward to your report. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Mrwurm · Apr 21, 2006

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

Mike, I was surprised to hear you mention a variable speed model. I did'nt know Milwaukee made a variable speed model. Variable speed models sure are hard to find. I have a Ryobi with variable speed. I also have a cheapy one that works fine, but goes unused because I like the other one so much more. Having variable speed on an angle grinder is so useful, I can't understand why they don't make all of them with this feature. One of my favorite uses is to dial down the speed and grind my mower blades without overheating the metal and weakening the edge.

BloomingtonMike · Apr 22, 2006

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

Should be here Tuesday!

Here is all the specs:

Milwaukee 6156-20
5" Super Magnum® 12 Amp Sander/Grinder

Features
Powerful 12 Amp 2.1 Maximum HP With Long Life Brushes And High Output Fans provides high performance power for grinding, cutting, and finishing operations
Cast Aluminum Gear Housing With Recessed Spindle Lock Accessory change is fast and easy – single wrench operation
Paddle Switch With Integrated Lock-Off Button allows multiple hand positions to ease operator fatigue
Lock-On Button For Continuous Operation
Adjustable Wheel Guard - Tool-free adjustment
Dial Speed Control provides optimum speed selection for selected consumables
Electronic Feedback maintains speed and torque under load conditions
Electronic Overload Protection automatically limits current to protect motor
Soft Start Increases Gear And Bearing Life
10' Quik-Lok® Cord For Tangle Free Carrying And Storage - Instant Field Repair - 16 gauge, 2-wire rubber cord No. 48-76-5010
Standard Equipment
Side Handle
Spanner Wrench
Grinding Disc
Guard
Inner Flange
Outer Flange
Nut

Specifications
Speed RPM 4,000-11,000
Disc Diameter 5"
Volts 120 AC Only
Max. Power Output 1,570 watts/2.1 HP
Amps 12
Spindle Thread Size 5/8" - 11
Length 14"
Width 5.5"
Weight 6.6 lbs.
Shipping weight 7.50 lbs.

Shimon · Apr 22, 2006

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Metabo. One of the best out there.

markct · Apr 22, 2006

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

i was gona say the same thing about metabo, but ya beat me to it. at work we have a 4.5 inch metabo and i love it, especialy the fact you dont need a wrench to change wheels. i also have acumulated alot of 4.5 grinders of different brands, got a couple makitas, like them, the older of the two was a bit underpowered tho. got two bosch 4.5 grinders, like them alot, well built and balanced. also have a dewalt grinder, it was a freebie, actualy it started life as two non working dewalts, between the two i made a working one, didnt expect it to last long as the brush holder that had melted and caused it to fail originaly was a real crappy setup, as was the whole insides of the grinder, but it cost me nothing so i put it together and use it mostly at work since if it walks off or someone breaks it i wont cry, but most of all the reason i have it at work is that i realy hate the thing, it has the most awkward to use paddle switch that takes two hands to lock in the on position. but i gota give it credit that it has held up great to almost daily use for well over a year now. for 7/9 inch grinders i love my milwaukee, also a make one outa 2 discarded tools find. it feels much better to hold onto and use, whereas the 7/9 inch metabo we have at work has an awkward trigger lockout and is too long to feel comftorable to hold.

BloomingtonMike · Apr 26, 2006

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

So the grinder arrived from Toolbarn today. Awesome shop to order tools from btw. Very fast and great prices.

Did not get a chance to use it much today but I LOVE the first impressions of it. Now all my smaller attachments work because of the 5/8-11 arbor and I love the paddle grip with lock on. It looks to be a great grinder and much more powerful than the junk Ironhorse thing.

More to come!

hobbyfarm · Apr 28, 2006

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

Don't forget to get one of these collet chucks for your grinder.

They are SO handy!

It really helps the usefulness of the 4.5" grinder (bonus if it's EVS!)
Uhmmm, let's see,
rotary rasps
rotary files
small sanding drums
deburring attachments
uhmmm - did I say rotary rasps? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
And all sorts of other 5/8" stuff you can spin with the grinder's torque.

I don't know why a chuck attachment is not included with the grinder. It should be.