Do angle grinders require servicing ?

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I've got a Dewalt 4 1/2 grinder which is a real workhorse, so much so I got rid of a 7" I hardly used.Does the gear mechanism require regreasing or any other servicing ?LMM 180
Reply:I take my small grinders apart about every year to be sure the gearbox has sufficient grease and to check brush length. I have a 4" Makita that's done a ton of hard work in 20 yrs, finally had to get a set of brushes for it last year.                                                            MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Some go through brushes faster than others. Manufacturer design and carbon choice. Doesn't cost anything to give them a look every now and then till you get a handle on their wear rate."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:I also do the re-greasing of the gear box and I also use compressed air to give them a good cleaning before wrapping them up to put away.
Reply:Dewalts last long enough to have to replace the brushes. I get mine on ebay. Plus when its down for that go ahead and check the grease in the gear box
Reply:I just use my milwaukee, 10+ years now and I have no idea what it looks like on the inside.
Reply:Hi lennyk,I made a post on this, "Lobotomy of an Angle Grinder", with step-by-step photos of a angle grinder tear down, regreasing and brush replacement.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...light=lobotomyRick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:I take the head apart, check the bearings, and gears and pack with grease once a year. I blow them out all the time and that saves them.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:I have that 4-1/2" dewalt.  When I bought the thing and first used it the gears were really noisy and the gearbox got really warm.  I opened it up and found there was only a little grease in there.  I drilled and tapped the gearbox cover to accept a grease fitting, and I filled it up!  Works like a charm.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:Originally Posted by AndyAI drilled and tapped the gearbox cover to accept a grease fitting, and I filled it up!  Works like a charm.
Reply:Man I have at least 7 Dewalt 4&1/2" grinders, and I think Im going to try putting grease zerks in them or at least a couple to see how it goes
Reply:That zerk idea is good as long as you don't overdo it and pump grease into the motor. It'll warm up real quick w/ no air circulation!!                                                         MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:The cover on mine doesn't seal well enough to hold much pressure.  So when you overfill it, the grease will push out.  I try not to put much pressure on it for fear I'll crack the cast aluminum cover.  Pump just enough to fill it, wipe off any leakage.  You might have a little extra come out when it gets hot the first time.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:Originally Posted by AndyAI have that 4-1/2" dewalt.  When I bought the thing and first used it the gears were really noisy and the gearbox got really warm.  I opened it up and found there was only a little grease in there.  I drilled and tapped the gearbox cover to accept a grease fitting, and I filled it up!  Works like a charm.
Reply:Probably a better way to do it is to use the grease tool for the impact gun.  I think that straight piston type greaser won't put out nearly as much pressure.  I wonder if you can buy screw-in flush-mount grease fitting like on the impact gun.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:Ok, I opened it up and put more grease, the grease that was left was all spun out to the sides and no longer on the teeth. Packed over the teeth with a bearing grease and its quieter now.I'll open it soon and maybe pack it fully.MM 180
Reply:What kind of grease? I have wheel bearing grease for a car.I'm not sure how much grease either.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:I used a very tacky wheel bearing grease, less likely to be spun out to the sidesMM 180
Reply:Great info, Im gonna try wheel bearing grease, unless someone can reccomend something else, is there a gear specific grease?
Reply:Thanks for the info guys, I took two of them apart yesterday, not much grease at all, gotta do the other three today....
Reply:Why don't they use oil like some tools do? Like impacts, air ratchets, etc.