New Grinder?

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My birthday is coming up and my wife keeps asking what I want, the only thing I can think of is, I would sure like to have a new 4 1/2" ginder.  I currently have a old DeWalt that is just about worn out.  I just "weld" for a hobby, and the grinder would not be over used. But I don't want junk either.  It is more of an obsession for tools!Any advice on a new grinder would be appreciated.Thanks in advance.
Reply:I bought a small Metabo about a year ago which I really like. It's a great grinder. If I had to buy again, I'd spend the extra money to get a variable speed model. I'm told my flap wheels (especially coarse ones) would last much longer.XMT304 (school)SP125+ (home)HF 4x6 BandsawGood judgement comes from experience and much of that comes from bad judgement.
Reply:Buy makita grinder, they are great and durable.
Reply:Another vote for Metabo's. To me a lot depends  the unit and the ergonomics of the design.. I've got some old push button Dewalts I love, and one with the paddle switch I hate. It's simply not comfotable in my hand. A few other paddle switch units I've used were much better. I try to get a feel for every grinder I can, always keeping my eye out for my next one.I'd strongly suggest going to a few stores and trying to handle as many as possible. Sears, Home Depot, Lowes, and as many industrial supply places you can, Fastenal, Graingers, your local welding supply and so on. Get an idea how heavy the unit is, if you like how the switch feels and where it's located, how many amps it has, barrel shape, do you need one of the silly pin wrenches to change a blade, etc... Make notes of what you like and dislike. Then try and find units similar to what you liked..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:i like my milwaukee 4.5" 12 amp variable speed grindertoolbarn.com has great deals Attached Images
Reply:Ed how do you know if you like it doesnt look like its used. Be prepared for flamming no guard.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:As long as he doesn't use it, it's safe with no gaurd! .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:Of course he hasn't used it yet.Not stripped down enough, that stupid handle will also just get in the way. I never use a guard on mine either. Nobody ever knows. Don't buy one of the Task Force ones from Lowes, wee brushes, impossible to get replacements. Do have a new Black and Decker that I like, price was also right. Maybe the idea of a tear down before using is a good one, pack in the grease.
Reply:i hAVE AQ HEAVY DUTY MILWAUKEE THAT I LOVE! WE HAD THEM IN WELDING SCHOOL AND THEY WERE STILL RUNNING GOOD AFTER I LEFT AND 2 YEARS PRIOR  LOL. AND YOU KNOW THEY GOT ABUSED THE HELLOUT OF EMmiller bobcat 250 ntsouth bend metal latheClausing verticle millrikon 17" bandsaweverlast 250exharris oxyfuel set upspeedglass AD helmet with adflo power respirator.
Reply:I am 67 years old. I have used a LOT of grinders. This is the one I currently use. It is my all time favorite.http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/...px?Name=9566PCLast edited by davido30093; 10-30-2011 at 12:24 PM.
Reply:I got a bunch of used Metabos and figured some of them would become parts donors for others.  I was surprised by how durable they are.The difference between a $10 Harbor Freight grinder and a $200 Metabo is not that great.  An angle grinder is not a complicated tool.  But if you use it a lot, you'll appreciate the design and characteristics of a better one.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:I must be doing a lot wrong. I weld as a hobby and use the crap out of several grinders. Just a note on the milwaukee. One of mine is the 12 amp by 5 inch milwaukee that looks just like the one ed shows. Great grinder but the brushes go quick. Maybe they are soft or something. On the positive side replacements are pretty slick. They are a little cartridge affair. Pop out the old, pop in the new. About $10 bucks a set or close. Can't remember the exact price."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:The $10.00 (on special) Harbor Freight grinder offers terrific bang for the buck.  I own three of them, just so that I dont have to keep switching grinding wheels and wire brushes.As a hobby welder, I will not not have a work or income stoppage if one of my cheap grinders goes bad.  If I were welding for a living, at $10 each, I could afford to buy several spare grinders.  On the other hand; grinders take room on the truck.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've had excellent luck/service from the Makita paddle switch 4.5" grinders.  Couple years ago HD ran a Christmas special on them.  Think it was 2 for about $109.  Bought 6 and they're all still running.The Makita's seem to run cooler and with less vibration than either of the DeWalt's I have.The 7" grinder is a Bosch and she's a bear.  Can't slow it down but she'll wear you out if you've got much vertical grinding to do (weight).  For those jobs I either grab the Makita or the Black and Decker (Professional).  Both are much lighter and plenty powerful.Milwaukee makes excellent tools (drills, saws, etc) but I find their 4.5" grinders heavier than I like.  The Makita's hit an excellent price, weight, vibration, durability point.  I prefer the paddle switch over the button.I'm guessing that all of Ed's grinders last a long time.  It's pretty obvious that he doesn't use them much because, if he did, he'd have ground the edge of that "hitch receiver" we all saw.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:i like black&decker, i've had one for years, only problem i have is i didnt buy several of them... anti-vibration rubber handle, light, 8.5 amps, 10,000rpm.. around $40.. stout grinder..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Birthday gift, wife buying, hmm.....I would save the metabo site to her desktop.If she ever bought me a tool from HF, I would send the b*tch packing for sure.Metabo small angle grinder site HEREPick your toy Semper FiJesus may have been a Carpenter, but his dad was a Millwright" A grinder and a can of paint, will make a welder what he aint' "I've done so much, with so little, for so long, that now I can do anything with nothing!
Reply:One thing to keep in mind is that Metabo is now making some of their entry-level grinders (like the W6-115) in... ...China.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:I don't see that model on their siteSemper FiJesus may have been a Carpenter, but his dad was a Millwright" A grinder and a can of paint, will make a welder what he aint' "I've done so much, with so little, for so long, that now I can do anything with nothing!
Reply:Have owned Makita angle grinders for years and a Ramset 9".First one ive had for about 15 years. Second is a cheapie that does ok for light duty stuff.Third is a Ramset 9" that i treat with respect.Forth is a pic of my new toolbox that was deliverd last week.  Had to throw it in. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by skelley521I don't see that model on their site
Reply:Oops, Wrong threadSemper FiJesus may have been a Carpenter, but his dad was a Millwright" A grinder and a can of paint, will make a welder what he aint' "I've done so much, with so little, for so long, that now I can do anything with nothing!
Reply:Thanks for all of the replies!! I wouldn't have a tool as clean or new looking as Ed's unless I just unwrapped it!  I was looking at spending $100 buck on a grinder, I think I will put alittle extra in and get 2 cheaper ones.  It sure would be nice to switch grinders rather than switching brush, wheel, etc.Thanks again!
Reply:what are people -----. i take pics of all my new tools and keep them on filefor insurance. if you look back you would see ive had that grinder for yearsdo you want me to take new pics of the grinder to show it ben used
Reply:Originally Posted by jroseThanks for all of the replies!! I wouldn't have a tool as clean or new looking as Ed's unless I just unwrapped it!  I was looking at spending $100 buck on a grinder, I think I will put alittle extra in and get 2 cheaper ones.  It sure would be nice to switch grinders rather than switching brush, wheel, etc.Thanks again!
Reply:Light duty grinders are good for small grinding/cutting/sanding jobs i found, but dont handle cup brushes and the likes very good.I recon you need at least 1 good grinder with enough balls to run everthing and do heavy jobs as well.  You can then go and get a few cheapies.Originally Posted by jroseThanks for all of the replies!! I wouldn't have a tool as clean or new looking as Ed's unless I just unwrapped it!  I was looking at spending $100 buck on a grinder, I think I will put alittle extra in and get 2 cheaper ones.  It sure would be nice to switch grinders rather than switching brush, wheel, etc.Thanks again!
Reply:http://anglegrinderreviews.com/Semper FiJesus may have been a Carpenter, but his dad was a Millwright" A grinder and a can of paint, will make a welder what he aint' "I've done so much, with so little, for so long, that now I can do anything with nothing!
Reply:Originally Posted by skelley521http://anglegrinderreviews.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by firedup198i hAVE AQ HEAVY DUTY MILWAUKEE THAT I LOVE! WE HAD THEM IN WELDING SCHOOL AND THEY WERE STILL RUNNING GOOD AFTER I LEFT AND 2 YEARS PRIOR  LOL. AND YOU KNOW THEY GOT ABUSED THE HELLOUT OF EM
Reply:I don't own a 4 1/2" grinder, all of mine are 6" and up.Hmmm, now that gives me a idea....I know what the wifes getting as a stocking stuffer for X-mas Semper FiJesus may have been a Carpenter, but his dad was a Millwright" A grinder and a can of paint, will make a welder what he aint' "I've done so much, with so little, for so long, that now I can do anything with nothing!
Reply:Originally Posted by skelley521I don't own a 4 1/2" grinder, all of mine are 6" and up.Hmmm, now that gives me a idea....I know what the wifes getting as a stocking stuffer for X-mas
Reply:I don't know about gorilla arms, but yeah, I can run a 6" grinder 8hrs/day and not bat a eye.When I was a apprentice and learning to polish stainless to a mirror, I hated life....lol.Since I get a large discount on 6" wheels through the contractor and a 4" zip wheel would be a waste of time in most cases, I roll with 6's.I won a bid on some old grinders at the plant several years back.I called them wildcats, not sure if that's correct, but they are aluminum housings that are about 3 foot long.They are huge and look like it would take 2 men & a baby to operate.Now those would put a set of arms on a man for sure.Semper FiJesus may have been a Carpenter, but his dad was a Millwright" A grinder and a can of paint, will make a welder what he aint' "I've done so much, with so little, for so long, that now I can do anything with nothing!
Reply:At least with the Metabos, they're all about the same physical size whether they're 4-1/2", 5" or 6".  The 9" ones are a different matter.  They will get your shoulders working pretty good.But maybe it's different with different brands.And one the subject of having multiples.  I think it makes sense to get a good grinder for use with a grinding wheel.  For a steel brush, cut-off wheel or even flap disc, I think a $10-15 HF would be perfectly adequate.  (And if you break it, it's only $10-15 to get it 'repaired.')  Grinding requires torque being put to work.  Some cutting does too, I guess.  But I don't use a 4-1/2" grinder for long or repetitive cuts.  There's a similar consideration with switches.  Once you've decided to have multipe grinders set up with different wheels (grinding, cut-off, wire, flap), then some switches make more sense for some jobs.  I don't like a paddle switch for grinding or cutting, but I do like one for a wire brush.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Originally Posted by ed maci like my milwaukee 4.5" 12 amp variable speed grindertoolbarn.com has great deals
Reply:I dropped the hammer and bought 4 new hilti grinders.  Probably the best i have ever used.      I have a about 15 dead dewalts in a box over the office.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.