angle grinders. whats your favorite?

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What kind of grinder do you use? Anyone still like the old black and decker wildcat or skill industrial grinders?
Reply:I use a Dewalt model (I have the 4.5 and 7 inch models). I've found that Dewalt is the best value for the price. Not the cheapest but not the most expensive either. And all the Dewalt tools I have work great.
Reply:I use Bosch Grinders and Sanders, They seem to last ages and i have some that are about 5 years old, all i've had to do is the odd cord replace and new brushes
Reply:My favorite is my makita 9566cv.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Three Makita, one Dewalt, and one Chicago Electric.I like my Makita's, though I have had to repair two.  Thje older 4" model needed a new armature and brush set, I use that one a lot.  one of the two 4-1/2" ers needed a new switch and spindle lock.  Far too soon for the number of hours on it, but the parts were cheap.I had to replace the switch on the 4-12" DeWalt also, though that gets the least amount of use.The Chicago Electric sits on the shelf and gets no work. It's just there to be a spare...  Got it from HF for less than 10 bucks just for the halibut. BTW: I have a Makita cordless 3/8 drill too that I bought sometime around 1988.   It came with a metal case that I like far better than the plastic boxes power tools come with today.   I love it.  It has remodeled three houses and a boat and has lasted through one wife and two GFs, two chuck keys, one handle half and four batteries.  I won't part with it until it's dead and parts are no longer available.- MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:I have a Milwaukee 7"/9" that I bought new in 1978, a DeWalt 5" and two DeWalt 4 1/2".The Milwaukee is a real work horse, and it's not their heaviest duty.  For most work, a DeWalt 44 1/2" will do the job.
Reply:This sucker would last a lifetime.
Reply:I've been pretty partial to Metabo although I know they're pretty pricey.
Reply:I had a Ryobi catch fire on my a couple of years ago and I only had it for a bit over a year......I would never buy another Ryobi because of that.......Have a makita that is about six years old and that has worked flawless. Have a dewalt that I have had for about three years....it has worked flawlessly too. They were/are all four and one half inch grinders.Welding HacLincoln Electric 3200HD
Reply:I got all my Metabos second-hand.  Some led really rough lives.  But they're very strong machines.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack OlsenI got all my Metabos second-hand.  Some led really rough lives.  But they're very strong machines.
Reply:Originally Posted by focus267Best grinders bar none
Reply:I broke my wrist in high school, it now suffers from "advanced degenerative changes of the distal radio ulnar joint" which means that bump on the outside of the wrist joint is way big and I get wrist pain with using a grinder. ( insert obligatory wrist over-use jokes here...) . I buy the lightest and cheapest ones I can get. Luckily i don't need much heavy duty equipment so off to hf I go!Miller diversion 165Miller mig 211Hypertherm pm 30Milwaukee 6230 14 inch chop sawMd 45 mag drill (RIP; fell on its head)New MD 45! Thanks to the esposa!Finally got an O/A setup
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack OlsenI agree.  I've got seven of them now.  My favorite purchase was the largest one.  This 9" model was listed on Ebay as 'for parts' because the spindle nut was missing.  When it arrived, I was thrilled to see it was brand new, in its original packaging and with all of its documentation.  It replaced the Harbor Freight model you see behind it in the picture -- and the Metabo cost me the same amount that the Harbor Freight one had: $78 delivered.  No one risked bidding more because of the 'for parts' designation.
Reply:Originally Posted by [email protected] broke my wrist in high school, it now suffers from "advanced degenerative changes of the distal radio ulnar joint" which means that bump on the outside of the wrist joint is way big and I get wrist pain with using a grinder. ( insert obligatory wrist over-use jokes here...) . I buy the lightest and cheapest ones I can get. Luckily i don't need much heavy duty equipment so off to hf I go!
Reply:Depends on what I'm doing. All around the makita 9005b is a good grinder and tough, the 7inch dewalts are decent to handle but don't hold up very long being used heavily. For excessive grinding I like the wildcats and the makita a that resemble the wild cat, and for cut off wheels I like the small dewalts and my 4-1/2" Milwaukee
Reply:I'm partial to the makita 9557pb 4 1/2" with paddle switch.  I have two and they run smooth and are dependable, plus they're a reasonable price at $80 at home depot.  I've been looking to pick up a similar used metabo on ebay, just have to wait for the right deal to roll around.Victor OAHobart Stickmate LX 235AC/160DC
Reply:metabo - i have one that is 14 years old still use it all the time . i believe they have a clutch in the gearbox ,if u get a cutoff wheel stuck it doesnt break the gearbox .
Reply:I have had  Metabo, and it was a good grinder until it puked its plastic guts out. I think  I have 7 of te 10 amp 4.5" DeWalts.. i like to keep them all the same, as I can keep a supply of common parts (brushes and swiches) in the drawer and keep them all up and going.
Reply:Originally Posted by yankeeweldermetabo - i have one that is 14 years old still use it all the time . i believe they have a clutch in the gearbox ,if u get a cutoff wheel stuck it doesnt break the gearbox .
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack OlsenI agree.  I've got seven of them now.  My favorite purchase was the largest one.  This 9" model was listed on Ebay as 'for parts' because the spindle nut was missing.  When it arrived, I was thrilled to see it was brand new, in its original packaging and with all of its documentation.  It replaced the Harbor Freight model you see behind it in the picture -- and the Metabo cost me the same amount that the Harbor Freight one had: $78 delivered.  No one risked bidding more because of the 'for parts' designation.
Reply:I have 4 Milwaukee's, love um
Reply:7" Makita, my old faithful, had it for 10+ years and a 5" Dewalt that see's little use.If you don't want to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
Reply:I have two 4 1/2" dewalts, an older 4 1/2" Ridgid, 2 old 4" makitas, and GODZILLA  the 7"/9" dewalt.  The makita are primarily for sanding and light surface prep.  The Ridgid and large dewalt are beasts!!! You had better have your feet in the stirrups when you pull the trigger on them.Miller BobcatHarris cutting outfitMiller spectrum 625 plasmaVariety of shopmade tools
Reply:this is back when BD made quality stuff before default bought them and turned there industrial line to **** 9 inch black and decker industrial big beast 4 1/2 black and decker industrial has out lasted 3 dewalts just feed it brushes when needed and lube the gear box both are over 20 years old and still kicking they sure dont make stuff like the used tooMiller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected] Posted by WookieWeldingthis is back.hen BD made quality stuff before default bought them and turned there industrial line to **** 9 inch black and decker industrial big beast 4 1/2 black and decker industrial has out lasted 3 dewalts just feed it brushes when needed and lube the gear box both are over 20 years old and still kicking they sure dont make stuff like the used too
Reply:I have an old Makita 4" angle grinder that works great and just keeps going.  I had a Ryobi 4" angle grinder that just went up in smoke after 7 years of service.  Even though I have heard that Ryobi is poorly and cheaply made, it held up pretty well.  I also have a Horror Freight 4 1/2" angle grinder.  The H.F. heats up quickly to the point were it will burn your hands if you don't have gloves on.  The cord on the the H.F. is also very stiff.  I have recently done research on angle grinders and have found that Milwaukee grinders come with a 5 year warranty.  This is compared to a 1 year warranty for a Makita and I believe 3 years for Bosch.  It appears that Milwaukee is "putting there money where there mouth is."  I just saw a Milwaukee 4 1/2" angle grinder in a big box store for $99.  I have seen the same one online for about $70.  I don't think you can go wrong with either Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch, or Metabo.*************************************Mike AccardiHenderson, [email protected] 250XLincoln Weldpack HDMiller Syncrowave 180 SD*************************************
Reply:" My 6" Metabo can handle just about anything I've thrown at it. Has lots of power & soft start motor."I have two and they are my most used grinders, only real downside is finding 6 inch disks, I can only mail order them, none of my LWS have them.
Reply:I recently picked up some Hitachi 4.5" angle grinders, and so far, I really like them.  They seem well put together, and are very smooth running.  (Very little vibrations, also fairly quiet)I believe that I also have that same beastly, big Milwaukee (7" or 9" I can't remember) that someone posted earlier in this thread.  I rarely use it however because of how heavy it is, although if I have a really heavy duty grinding job that would be the one I'd reach for.  I am sure it could grind for hours and days on end though, and will never die.
Reply:Dewalt 6 in HD cutoff. A step down from Metabo. Only thing I dislike is its AC only.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack OlsenI got all my Metabos second-hand.  Some led really rough lives.  But they're very strong machines.
Reply:Have a 9" and  4.5"      both Hitachi, have had a good run with them so far.
Reply:Milwaukee and a pair of Bosch that came in a cheap two pack. Mine all have trigger locks but once warned by someone here about the danger wish they did not. The thought of losing control and not being able to deactivate scares me. I don't use mine enuf to know their longevit but the MWKE is a horse with lots of amps. And similarly heavy.
Reply:I own about 5, 6amp Hitachis because they were only $15/each BRAND NEW.I would really like a 4.5" 10 amp...
Reply:As a hobby welder, who only occasionally strikes an arc, I have found the $10 Harbor Freight grinders to be acceptable.  I do not, repeat DO NOT, depend on them for making a living.  At $10 a pop, I have each one loaded with a different style disc.  I do have a 4.5" Dewalt with a paddle switch, that grinder spins a cup style wire brush.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:i have an old early 1990's makita 4" (japanese) that just won't quit . also , a dewalt 7" 15A model (italian)  works great for heavy grinding . the thing weighs so much that i just lay it on the work and let it rip.  i prefer silicon carbide non-ferrous/masonry wheels for this machine  -  the bond is softer  and the wheel doesn't load up with steel , so it typically cuts faster in most cases.
Reply:Originally Posted by jamesyarbroughThis sucker would last a lifetime.
Reply:I personally have a dewalt 10 or 11 amp 4.5in and. a porter cable 7amp 4.5in grinders and at school we have metabo I like those 2
Reply:Got some Metabos at work  POS broke faster than Dewalts and Millwaukes . Should go to air as we use 99V - IR cup grinders all day .
Reply:Oh man air grinders.   They make the old B&D wildcats seem like a vacation on a tropical island.    if im never around another 9" air grinder i can die a happy man,Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:I have a dewalt that I melted the plastic and still works fine. I have 2 Bosch's that are great grinders I don't like the switch to much . And I have a big  black and decker wildcat 9 inch grinder that I use for heavy fabrication. And I won't mind having  a nice milluwakuee but I'm waiting till the dewalt dies.Millermatic 211 with mvp plugs miller titanium series welding helmetstihl chain saws 8 ft welding table