4 1/2" grinders?

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i went to lowes the other day and every on of there grinders they had where made in china.  disapointed to say the least.  i've been looking at buyin another one to keep from switching between discs.  i want o go with a 10 amp 4 1/2" grinder.  i have a bosch now that i think is a 7 or 7.5 and it does well but i was wondering if there was something better.  it seems that a lot of people are using makitas.  i have always had good luck with dewalts but haven't bought anything made by them in a while.  do i just stick with them since lowes and tractor supply carry them and they are both close or would a different brand serve me better  i'm a hobby welder.  not a professional but woudl like something that is going to last.  thanks in advance.
Reply:Second-hand Metabos go for reasonable (well, relative to new Metabo prices) on ebay.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:I've got a pair of Dewalt 8 amp and a pair of 10 amp I got in dual packs around holiday time at either Lowes or Home Deport.  They work great.  I'm in the market for a 6" and am looking at the Metabo line.  I've also got one of the older orange HFs and while it's not a powerhouse, it's done OK for about 5 years and a couple of sets of brushes.
Reply:I recommendthe Dewalt 28402 10 amp grinder.    About $90 new .  You will notice a big difference when u get a grinder with double digit amp.  The don't slow down under load like the smaller stuffTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:i'll check out the dewalts.  i was really considering them because there so common.  i 've had good luck with the dewalt stuff in teh past but i hate that everything is made in china.  what kinda prices do the new metabos bring?  where are they made?
Reply:Metabo is designed and made in Germany.  A 8k rpm, 8 amp, 4 1/2"  (W8-115) is about $106 after shipping.  That's the entry level.  http://www.cpometabo.com/metabo-6002...fv1=4-1%2f2-in
Reply:next one i buy will be a feinimo metabos high amperage grinders overheat and burn themselves out.I forgot how to change this.
Reply:i think that for the money i want something a little bigger amperage wise than the metabo offers.  i fyou bump up to 12 amps it almost doubles in price.  i'm sure its a nice grinder, but more than i want to spend.  thanks.  any info onthe feins?
Reply:4.5 " grinders seriously ive been using a makita 6.5 amp grinder for over 10 years on a regular basis i just dont get this obssession everyone has with amperage rating on these things for f...s sake if u want a 15 amp grinder goto a 7 inch grinder ......The feins were priced to me @ 160ish after tax if i remember riteI forgot how to change this.
Reply:Originally Posted by HOBARTi think that for the money i want something a little bigger amperage wise than the metabo offers.  i fyou bump up to 12 amps it almost doubles in price.  i'm sure its a nice grinder, but more than i want to spend.  thanks.  any info onthe feins?
Reply:Dont buy the makita's that come in the special pack at home depot btw, they have plastic gears in the head of them. forgot to add that to my last comment lolI forgot how to change this.
Reply:i have 10 amp dewalts for grinding wheel and cup brush..got 8 amp dewalt for cutting wheel ..got one ten and one 8 in a cardboard box at hd last xmas for $90..6 amp makita for flapdisc..somethings you lean on somethings you let float..7" ridgid for larger surfaces...
Reply:you can't go wrong with the DewaltsMM 180
Reply:I have a older milluwakiee at home that is a beast and will never die. We use new Metabos at work and they get used very hard by people and they keep running pretty good.Ya gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:sounds like i'll be going with a 10 amp dewalt.  i think that it will do everything i need right now.  if i need something bigger int he future, i'll step up to a 7".  good reason to buy more tools!  thanks fellas. have a god day.
Reply:Metabo is the way to go...Wasn't 6 months ago I posted about my Makita and Bosch 2 packs.. Bearings are going in all 4 of em.My Milwaukee is still fine, but my coworkers Metabos ( 2 ) are 3-4 yrs old and still run great...I'll look into Fein as wellLincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:Originally Posted by MadMax31Metabo is the way to go...Wasn't 6 months ago I posted about my Makita and Bosch 2 packs.. Bearings are going in all 4 of em.My Milwaukee is still fine, but my coworkers Metabos ( 2 ) are 3-4 yrs old and still run great...I'll look into Fein as well
Reply:Metabo.  More expensive on the front end but most times in the end, less expensive.  You get what you pay for.$15 grinder?  no way, maybe for polishing furniture.  Let us know what you're cutting/grinding with that, how often and how long it lasts...if it lasts more than a few days under grinding or cutting metal it'll be a fluke.Last edited by Cryo Gal; 09-17-2011 at 09:03 AM.
Reply:Love my milwaukee stuff.
Reply:I've used Metabo's at work for years and have abused them. They are still ticking.I now have 3 different styles of them at home, worth their weight in gold to me.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:Ive got a Porter-Cable from lowes that I love, Ive had it since like june of 2010 and I run it pretty hard, and it hasnt let me down yet. I believe it was like $40 or so.[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:how would a 8 amp metabo compare to a 10 amp dewalt?  there pretty close in price.  if the metabo is that much better even though its smaller i would go that route. made in germany aint made int eh u.s.a., but atleast its not china.
Reply:You should look at a makita 9564cv. I recently got one and am very happy with it. The label states: "assembled in USA". I was so happy, when I got it, that I had to tell everybody: http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=57159Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Why Metabo? - Speed Stabilization; work done faster- Thermal overload protection; increased longevity - Soft Start / Power Interruption ProtectionHere is a pdf file of their grinders with more info.....here.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:Just as others have said, the Dewalt 10 amp is a beast...I used to use one for grinding fiberglass day in and out and as long as I blew it out every couple of days and sometimes take it apart and clean it it works flawless. At work we have Milwaukee grinders and while they work fine for metal the true test of a grinder is fiberglass and I burned one up in no time..even back when the dewalts were 7.5 amps they were still very good.My recent purchase was the W14-150 ergo, 12 amp. 9700 rpms for around $180 on amazon.I like the rotating handle. Do the dewalts have thermal overload protection?We've went through many dewalts at work. Not sure what was failing, but plastic parts were flying out of the head area.....lolLast edited by skelley521; 09-17-2011 at 02:45 PM.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:I have about 3 or 4 Metabo grinders, they work awesome....the only problem is finding 6'' grinding wheels for my larger one ( but fastenel and other places sell them/ lowes or HD don't), other than Metabo, I would go with Dewalt, we use 7'' dewalt grinders at school; they are well balanced and have plenty of balls.Lincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:The 2 other metabos I have were purchased w/ the 4" & 6" guards, so a quick change and you can use either wheel.Just a thought.Also a 4" wheel fits on the 6" guardLast edited by skelley521; 09-17-2011 at 04:36 PM.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:I would smoke a $15 grinder before I fit-up 3 14" pipes...My Makita 2 pack was used on the most recent boiler job we did, 3 Burnhams, mixture of 2, 4, 5 and 8" pipe, SCH 40 and 80. Lots of saddles!One grinder for grinding, the other had a wire wheel the whole job. They're both toast... Bearings are noisy and you can here the RPMs changing as it's running no-load..Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:They have all lasted through a Frame rebuild on a jeep and a guage build and beveling all of my Control arms =/ Not to mention my other crap i worked on. Granted im not beveling 14" pipe with them.
Reply:it sounds like the 10 amp dewalt  or step up to the metabo.  i'lll have to think about it soem more before i buy anything.  thanks for all the good info.
Reply:Originally Posted by MadMax31I would smoke a $15 grinder before I fit-up 3 14" pipes...My Makita 2 pack was used on the most recent boiler job we did, 3 Burnhams, mixture of 2, 4, 5 and 8" pipe, SCH 40 and 80. Lots of saddles!One grinder for grinding, the other had a wire wheel the whole job. They're both toast... Bearings are noisy and you can here the RPMs changing as it's running no-load..
Reply:Hmmm, I love my Makita Chopsaw, but Ive heard a few things about the grinders, like the gears are actually plastic in them. I think they look cool, and Id buy a nice Makita grinder if they had a better rep.[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:I've never used a motabo, but I am hard pressed to think how it is better than a 10 amp dewalt...thats a sweet grinder.
Reply:I won't use a grinder with a soft start...they aggravate me. Currently using a Metabo 5" at work. I find that it gets really hot even when you're not working it that hard. The guard is a GD nuisance to get off, if necessary and the 1/4" stud that holds the side handle on just screams drop me so I can break.I would prefer the Makita 5" pistol grip that I had used for about 10 years previous. That's just my opinion though
Reply:Originally Posted by TinbasherI won't use a grinder with a soft start...they aggravate me. Currently using a Metabo 5" at work. I find that it gets really hot even when you're not working it that hard. The guard is a GD nuisance to get off, if necessary and the 1/4" stud that holds the side handle on just screams drop me so I can break.I would prefer the Makita 5" pistol grip that I had used for about 10 years previous. That's just my opinion though
Reply:I found a 7" sander....[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005Q7CG?tag=autobatterychargers-20"]here[/ame].Not enough rpm's and doesn't specify torque. Also no guard, so no-go.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:I have DeWalt 4.5" grinders and have not killed a one in almost 10 years. I have used Metabo's and they are stout well made grinders, but I do not like the way they feel in my hand. A 4.5" grinder is the go to tool of a welder, but know when to grab the 9" monster.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by skelley521A pistol grip? You gotta link or a pic? Don't think I've ever seen one.
Reply:I have dewalt, milwaulkee and cheap craftsman.all made in china.the craftsman's didnt last long, but the rest are still going. i got a bosch free with a SDS hammer drill and it sounds smoother than any of the above.still made in china.how cum Germany can still make grinders, but USA cant?G
Reply:Originally Posted by dstevensMetabo is designed and made in Germany.  A 8k rpm, 8 amp, 4 1/2"  (W8-115) is about $106 after shipping.  That's the entry level.  http://www.cpometabo.com/metabo-6002...fv1=4-1%2f2-in
Reply:Originally Posted by LawsonWeldingLLCnext one i buy will be a feinimo metabos high amperage grinders overheat and burn themselves out.
Reply:Originally Posted by TinbasherNot the best suited for one hand operation, but I used this type for so long I got used to it
Reply:Originally Posted by WeldingMachineSame here.Fein makes some really tough tools.And still Actually made in Germany
Reply:Skelley I think the difference is we don't use the tools for a living and the duty cycles are much less.  For the $180 for the Metabo I can get 4 Dewalts that work just fine for hobby/home shop.  I use the tools to support my hobby of racing, not to make a living.  I am looking a a higher end 7" because the heavier stuff, like the trailer mods.  If anything could burn up a smaller 4 1/2" grinder it's the work on the trailer.  I was first looking at a 6" but getting media could be problematic.
Reply:No worries dstevens, I understand and agree.I just like the safety features:Torque limiting clutch for protection against kick-backs; Soft start & Overload protectionI feel better when I'm at work and the boys are playing mechanic on their friends projects...lolI also figure if they can stand the abuse I've put them through that the kids will still be using them long after I'm gone It's all good and to each their own Semper FiJesus may have been a Carpenter, but his dad was a Millwright" A grinder and a can of paint, will make a welder what he aint' "I've done so much, with so little, for so long, that now I can do anything with nothing!
Reply:Makita makes a beast of a 7" grinder http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CIQBEPMCMAQ At 200$ they are worth it, ive been using this one for years and have good luck with it, just the smaller grinders im having bad luck with i hope they havent cheapened up the big aluminum 7" grinder like they have everything else, if they have i guess ill be lookin at new 7" grinders next time i go to buy some.I forgot how to change this.
Reply:I use the DeWalts right now. I have 4 of the 10 amp ones right now that are well used. I bought one of them. The others were thrown out by other welders, or given to me broken. They are easy to fix. Most common problem is bad cords, second most is brushes and coming in last is switches. I have a set of brushes and a switch left in the tool box, and I just cut 6" off the cord when they go bad. I also have a couple of 7" grinders (a makita and a bosch) for when I really need to remove some metal. I avoid the low amp grinders such as the ryobi and don't think I would ever purchase a HF grinder. The reason I avoid the low amp grinders is that they don't really have enough torque for my liking and when I put them into hard service they tend to heat up, eventually melting some part of them.
Reply:Lowes reduced the price of the 13 amp, 7" Dewalt to $117.  My store was out but depending on if I win the bid for a Metabo I may just pick one of those up.  The kit says it included 5 disks.