Decent Angle Grinder?

[youngjeeper]

I've been through 2 angle grinders so far, the first one took about 4 months, the 2nd only 2 weeks. I do a lot of constant heavy grinding on the project I'm working on, and I guess these just don't hold up. I'll be using it for about 30-45 constantly maybe a few minutes of rest in between..so definitely going over the duty limit on these. I've been getting them at Harbor Freight (obvious answer to why they keep going out) but at the time I didn't think I needed to shell out the money for a nice one. They do have a warranty program (apparently you have to ask about it) which I signed up for when I bought the 2nd one, but returned my old broken one and got a refund under that warranty. Now that I've gone through number 2 and an electric sander from there..I'm looking to buy a decent angle grinder. Anyone know of a good brand that can take a lot of use? Preferably with a warranty, and 4 1/2". I don't mind shelling out money now, as it's a real PITA when you're in the middle of a project and your tools stop working. HB angle grinders are usually about $19.99 and are not variable speed, just an on/off switch, which is another down side for safety, and most likely why they die so quickly. Any heads up on a brand that has lasted you awhile with heavy use would be great! Thanks!

[5quarter]

i have a 20+ year old 9" milwaukee disk grinder thats still kickin and i just wore out a bosch peanut grinder which has seen many years of pipe welding root pass grinding... it died a glorious death in a cloud of smoke when the windings shorted out. spend the bux and get some good stuff

[Wagoncrzy]

Black and decker who'd a thunk it.

[youngjeeper]

i have a 20+ year old 9" milwaukee disk grinder thats still kickin and i just wore out a bosch peanut grinder which has seen many years of pipe welding root pass grinding... it died a glorious death in a cloud of smoke when the windings shorted out. spend the bux and get some good stuff

9" is a little bigger than what I'm looking for. I've been looking at some Dewalts, moderately priced. This is the model: D28110. I guess the only nice thing about HF crap is that you can buy the warranty for $5 and when it dies either get a refund or exchange it.

[Tad]

After 12 years of tryng to find decent angle grinders for my students I settled on the Bosch 10-12 amp series of 4.5" grinders a few years back.
Not the best, but I can get a (school) year out of one for around $150.
They do survive some pretty rough use and neglect for the price.

Best I have found are the Metabo line with the 3 year warranty.
http://www.metabo-anglegrinders.com/english.23018.0.html
Their 4.5" version was about $320 locally last spring but I have not had to buy a new since the first one they sent us to test.

If you are grinding 30-40 min straight might be best to have two mid range priced units and alternate them. Once the lube in the head overheats they go south pretty fast.

Here's my list of ones that I know suck.
DeWalt, Craftsman, Milwalkee, Black & Decker along with all the HF line.

[orangecherokee]

I have a Dewalt and my dad has a Milwaukee. I guess it's all in how you treat them. I've never had an issue with mine and I got the cheaper version (not the metal head).

[Casey]

Black and decker who'd a thunk it.
True!
I have a DeWalt DW402. It is old and trusty. I went out to use it two years ago and the cord had been damaged so I ran to Lowes and bought a cheap 4.5" from B&D - 'Firestorm' (FS6500AG), it came with a hard case and everything for under $40.

I use it all the time and the DeWalt sits on my tool cart.


:rolleyes: Tho' I have yet to use it for more than 20 mins at a time.

[aallison]

i have a dewalt and I like it. I own a lot of Dewalt tools at my woodshop. I like them all.

But if you get two HF units then just use one until it brakes, then grab the other, and when you get a chance, get the broken one replaced..........

[Gambler68]

I've been using a Makita 4" for a couple years and it's small but mighty. Little better selection though in 4.5 inch though for attachments.

[JeepinPete]

If you are grinding that much, you might want to consider a 7" grinder instead. They will remove material at a much faster rate than a 4.5" grinder, and will put up with more abuse. That is assuming you can fit them into whatever you are working on.

[Jayrodoh]

I have a porter cable that I've used and abused for almost 10 years now and it's still ticking.

When it comes to tools, I stick with porter cable or bosch only. Have quite a collection and have yet to replace any one tool. My bosch cordless drill gets abused (think spot weld removal many times) to the point of smoking and it's still ticking.

[Jayrodoh]

Do you have a large compressor? Air grinder might be good solution too, not much to go wrong with those if you take care of it.

[Dmntxn77]

I have tried several brands too, including Craftsman, Dewalt, Milwaukee, and HF... I have managed to kill them all...

Now, since they are so cheap, I just stick with the HF ones. I have three of them now. One wears a cutting wheel, one wears a grinding wheel, and the other a wire disc or cup (depending on what I am doing). Ive been using them like this for over a year now, and none of them have died. I suppose the rest cycle they get helps. Not to mention, 3 should always last longer than one.

The best part is that I am only out $30 for all three. :huh:

[dlowrance]

If you're determined to stay with the smaller unit I'd go with Tad's advice and get two...I doubt you'll find a small hand grinder (under 7 inch) that'll take the sort of duty cycle you're describing. If I've got that much grinding I get out one of the big boys...I've got an old 9" all metal case Craftsman that appears so far to be 100% bullet proof...it's big, it's heavy, it'll cut your leg off if you're not careful, but it's a work HORSE...

For little ones I've got several, they're all OK...DeWalt, Craftsman, B&D...but I wouldn't expect any of them to survive very long with what you're describing.

[Asphalt Cowboy]

If you are grinding 30-40 min straight might be best to have two mid range priced units and alternate them. Once the lube in the head overheats they go south pretty fast.

That thar is the answer.

I've got a pair of Craftsman I've beat the 'ell out of for nearly twenty years. They've been abused, neglected and dropped. Even threw one of them in a particularly infuriating moment. They still keep running, for some reason.

[Mikel]

My 4" Makita just died, after seven years of abuse. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

[TexTJ209]

I have tried several brands too, including Craftsman, Dewalt, Milwaukee, and HF... I have managed to kill them all...

Now, since they are so cheap, I just stick with the HF ones. I have three of them now. One wears a cutting wheel, one wears a grinding wheel, and the other a wire disc or cup (depending on what I am doing). Ive been using them like this for over a year now, and none of them have died. I suppose the rest cycle they get helps. Not to mention, 3 should always last longer than one.

The best part is that I am only out $30 for all three. :huh:


This is the route my broke College student self takes.

[JeepNOFEAR]

I have a makita grinder and it's never let me down. When I took collision repair they had some old makitas that were still going strong. I have a mix of makita and dewalt tools. It just depends which is cheaper at the time for me, never had a problem with either.

[Blue & Gray]

I have been running the cheaper on/off Dewalt for years now. I originally bought it to remove the foot prints left by climbing ivy on brick walls once you pull the ivy down. That was a lot of hours of grinding and it got plenty hot. I use that one and only grinder for everything, cuts, weld cleaning, etc, I will never buy another grinder as that there is B & D refurb shop 2 blocks down the road and they will rebuild the Dewalt when it comes time, might be a similar type shop around you if look.


I noticed both Lowe's and Home depot were running a buy one get one on the bigger butterfly trigger Dewalt, 2 for $79 I think, but that several months ago.


Metabo is the end all and it's the only 4 1/2 grinder I have seen at the Apprenticeship Training Shop at my Union Hall. They really do hold up

[youngjeeper]

Hmm I guess there really isn't a grinder meant to take a lot of hard abuse. I like the idea of two grinders to give one the chance to cool down. I think I'll go back to HF and grab another one w/ the warranty. I would rather ruin a cheapo than spend $70 and ruin that. I've been using a file to grind down some welds today, and let me tell ya..takes quite a while.

[Knuck]

Be careful with the HF warranty. It is only good for "One" exchange, then it expires.

[Billygoat]

I work at a heavy metal fabricator and for serious grinding work we use 7" & 9" Hitachi's. We have a few 4 1/2 grinders, but they only get used for tight space work. The big ones will get run for a couple hours at a crack and hold up fine, I have seen them get to hot to hold on to and be fine once they cool down.

I like the idea of 2 and switching off.

[loganvilledude]

Most of these grinders are made in China now. Dewalt was making these in Mexico for a while and now China. Even Milwaukee Tools are moving production overthere. I don't know about you guys but my experiance with Chinese tools has not been very good.

I was looking for one the other day myself and will by the Bosch just because it is made in Germany and I know their quality control is much better. After reading Tad's 2 cents worth I know for sure I will buy the Bosch.

They were about $150.00 at Lowes.

[youngjeeper]

Be careful with the HF warranty. It is only good for "One" exchange, then it expires.

Ah man they were telling me that it resets each time I exchange my grinder. Well I guess I could buy another under warranty, wait a week, return a broken one and get my money back. Then I have a new one!

[TexTJ209]

Be careful with the HF warranty. It is only good for "One" exchange, then it expires.

Theoretically. This assumes the people working the counter care, which at my HF..they do not. :D

[Dmntxn77]

Ah man they were telling me that it resets each time I exchange my grinder. Well I guess I could buy another under warranty, wait a week, return a broken one and get my money back. Then I have a new one!

It does... You can keep getting new ones until the term expires. I had to take a saws-all back 3 times before... They never even thought twice about it...

And just to be clear, the first one only lasted about 1 hour because it was crap... The second one, was dropped off the roof that I was working on landed in the mud, then barely made it through the rest of the day... THEN, the third one was left in the rain on top of said roof overnight. I should have let it dry out before I turned it back on... NOW, the fourth and final one, has lasted me the past 2-2.5 years without problem... :thumbsup:

[Dmntxn77]

Theoretically. This assumes the people working the counter care, which at my HF..they do not. :D

Good point...

[gwinn]

I use Harbor Freight grinders exclusively. I have 5 set up at all times.
4-1/2" grinder wheel
4-1/2" sanding disk
4-1/2" cutting wheel
wire cup wheel
standard wire wheelI've bought each grinder on sale for under $20 and purchased the 1 year replacement plan on each at an extra $6. I use these things a lot and I go through 1 each month. I then exchange it with no questions asked... period. I exchange an average of 4 times per warranty. I do a lot more grinding than welding. ;)

[Stuka]

I have had my milwaukee 4.5" for ages. I have used it for 25 or so minutes solid many times. But I generally let it cool after that for about 10-15 mins.

[Knuck]

Ah man they were telling me that it resets each time I exchange my grinder. Well I guess I could buy another under warranty, wait a week, return a broken one and get my money back. Then I have a new one!
My Father In Law bought a warranty on a Wood Lathe he bought. Of course it went bad so he took it in to exchange it. They had no problem exchanging it, but said if he wanted warranty on the replacement lathe, he would have to buy another in store exchange. I didnt think it was right, but thats what the lady at the counter told him. :huh: I have a Makita 4" and 2 of the HF 4.5" grinders. They all seem to work with no issues. I keep a standard grinding wheel on one, a Cutoff wheel on another and a flapper disk on the 3rd. I also have a HF electric sheer that is the bomb. Havent had any problems with it so far either.

[jeepdreamer]

I have used quite a few. Dollars for donuts (or bang for the buck?) I'd say the HF ones do the job... usually. If run too long they WILL self destruct, fast. The key is not overheating them and check (often!) the bolts that hold the head onto the body to ensure thay are still tight. Alternating will def. help them live longer..
That being said, I have used a Rigid (GASP!:eek: ) for about 7 years and had Zero complaints. I found it on the mark down rack at depot one day and bought it since the HF one was dying anyhoo. For an "off brand" like HDs Rigid line, it has never let me down. Another option that is sorta a gamble is try hitting some pawn shops. Sometime...you get lucky and they are trying to "thin" thier tool sections and will deal more. You may find a much more expensive brand (Bosch, Millwakee, Porter Cable, etc...) for not much more than a HF model. Maybe even find a good deal on a 7 or 9" to offset the real heavy work? Just inspect it closely and try and determine how much it may have been used/abused by the condition of the outside. I've found it wise to avoid Anything that looks like it was used in a paint/body shop!!
These are my thoughts....:)

[TexTJ209]

I read somewhere disassembling the HF grinders and greasing the gearing and such goes a long way towards improving their durability and adds some noise reduction.

[originalrecipekenny]

ridgid

LOVE them. cheap initial cost. amazing quality i will never buy another tool from another company unless its NOT availible from ridgid

http://www.ridgid.com/

[misfittom138]

I have been using a Ryobi 4.5" 29.99 special. It seems to always work pretty well, I can't complain.

[kahula]

if you have a tank that will support it, i'd spend the extra money and get high quality aerospace industry air tools, while you may not get a "grinder" per say there are beautiful diamond cutting wheels that do the same job if you know how. and the grinder come in just about any size, lenght, angle you need

[fullsizejohn]

Ya know, i had a HF one that was just bulletproof. I beat on it forever. When it finally quit i had long since gotten my moneys worth so i went over and got another. That one lasted a month.:banghead:

I also have a milwaukee that has been just fine....but for some reason i miss that old HF one.