New Grinder First Impressions

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Hey guys!!Last Spring I was in the middle of a big BBQ build, and I had something like 40 feet of weld seem to grind smooth. I probably would have killed for a good 7" grinder at the time, but I ended up getting it done with my little Makita. I promised myself as soon as I sold that thing, I was gonna buy a nice 7" grinder, and so, I did.I checked out the $149 Makita from HD and it seemed really nice, and shortly later I happened to be in Lowes and I found the $89 Hitachi of awesomeness.Shortly later, I bought the last one they had in the store and brought it home:So far, it seems like a well spent $89, this thing has a nice quality feel and man is it powerful!! Only complaint is the weight, its considerably heavier than the Makita that I looked at, and a little heavier than the 7" DeWalts that my school had. I hope to have this thing for a long time and I'm sure it'll be in many videos to come. Here's the unboxing video I made, and so I got my sister to try it out, it was her first time ever using an angle grinder lol. Hope y'all like it [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnTmwOZ7KL8[/ame]So for $89, how'd I do? [Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Babes with tools! Whoo hoo!   She needs to work on her attire if she's going to model tools full time... If you need pointers wander thru World of Concrete or Con Expo and check out the "Tool Babes" I've got one of the smaller Hitachi grinders and personally it's the one I like least. If it wasn't for the fact I got it for nothing, I wouldn't have it.Weight in a 7" grinder is a big issue, especially if you have to use it a lot, and use it vertical or overhead. It's not quite as bad using it flat at waist level. Hold one up at arms length for an hour and I bet you'd pay the extra for a lighter unit. After 2-3 days of grinding at arms length, you'd probably be more than willing to simply go out and buy the lighter one.  Power would be my 2nd concern. It's been a while since I looked at new large grinders, but IIRC Hitachi was farther down the list in power.For the average hobbyist, some of these things don't matter as much. iF you get decent life out of it, then it did what you needed it to. I'd certainly take one over a HF unit. I think Hitachi makes decent tools, just  that the stuff sold at the box stores isn't true pro grade stuff..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:So you got the last one, does that mean they are discontinued?Your picture really surprised me, somehow I thought you were a little er, taller.Miller Challenger 172Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC 225/150Miller Maxstar 150 STLVictor 100CVictor JourneymanOxweld OAHarris O/ASmith O/A little torchNo, that's not my car.
Reply:That shade of green would be a killer to look at with a hangover "Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I too bought one of those grinders for $89. It sure doesn't seem like a "consumer grade" tool in any way.   I had been looking real hard at the 7-9 inch Milwaukee, but it's about $175, so it was a no brainer to try this one.    This Hitachi at $89 has to be one of the biggest tool bargains out there.   I noticed the other day they were back up to $119.  I  like it a lot.  It runs much smoother than any of the small grinders I have - which include makita, milwaukee, PC, Bosch, Hitachi and a couple Harbor Freights.  The motor is deceivingly powerful - it has a smooth start, but it pulls like a freight train - I think it's rated at a full 15 amps.  I bought it initially to run a 6 inch cup shaped knotted wire brush and a 7 inch flat knotted brush in addition to a grinding wheel.  I was refurbishing a rusty trailer with a failing rhino type coating on the surface that had to be cleaned off.   None of my small grinders had enough grunt to run the big wire brushes.  I took the Hitachi out of the box and ran it for about 5 hours straight and probably have about 10 hours total on it now.   It didn't even break a sweat, but I sure did.  The real downside is the weight.  I'm reasonably strong, but certainly there are stronger folks out there.  I don't know anybody that could run that grinder in an overhead or vertical position for more than a few minutes- it's just too heavy and powerful.  If you're working in that position, you're going to have to have a small grinder.  However, any professional grade 7 inch grinder is similarly heavy.  I looked at Makita, Milwaukee and Dewault and they all felt pretty much the same to me..  Ridgid makes one that is a bit lighter, but as I recall it's only a 13 amp motor. I don't particularly care for the safety on/off switch - the gray safety lever is a bit heavy to depress, but it works fine and they all seem to have those these days.Edit:  I just went and looked and I think this is the exact same grinder than Makita sells for about $150.Last edited by Indywelder; 09-05-2012 at 02:07 PM.
Reply:Have y'all tried eBay.   I just picked up a barely used 7"/9" Dewalt grinder for $82.00.   That included shipping.    So far it has been a great tool.   But as already stated above, it is far heavier than the 4 1/2" grinder.  It also removes material much faster.   Different tools for different jobsMiller BobcatHarris cutting outfitMiller spectrum 625 plasmaVariety of shopmade tools
Reply:My 7 inch grinder hangs next to my carbon arc, I try not to use either if I dont have too.
Reply:Wow Lanse, looks like the plastic surgeon did wonders ! Your hair is even longer.Did't know you were a blonde. That explains a lot.   Just kidding on above except on the WOW, good looking grinder. You should not post distracting pictures. I doubt if anyone even saw the grinder.  We had a couple of those at work and held up well considering the guys beat the heck out of them . You did good for the money. Give use a review on how it performed.
Reply:Bought that one last year, cost $99 including shipping from KMS tools in British Columbia to Nova Scotia.  Couldn't turn that down.
Reply:DUDE you gotta put her in more of the vids cause your, well, ugly. And the she with the tools Aint.Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.