Makita vs Milwaukee

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Im looking at getting a second 4 1/2 inch grinder and was just wondering the pros and cons of each the Makita and Milwaukee. Any input/feedback, good or bad would be appreciated
Reply:check out this thread http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=48569 ive got 2 of these and one of the original orange ones that has outlasted 2 dewalts and a bosh  food for thought 350P 30A spool gun cut master 51  syncro 250 other stuff " take a dog off the street and make him prosper and he will not bite you sad the same cannot be said for man" i didnt use punctuation just to piss you off
Reply:i have had just about every make made. personally for me i wouldn't buy a makita, and i know i'm going to get fried, baked, and blasted for this, but... or a dewalt. milwaukee  is a good choice. though the new ones are made in china. i have an Hitachi that has taking a beating and just will not quit. i really like my 2 new Bosch grinders. they are the German made #1810's not the china models. also i only buy paddle switch models. i hate to change disks so i have a grinder for every type disk. makes life lazy.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:Originally Posted by jbmprodsi have had just about every make made. personally for me i wouldn't buy a makita, and i know i'm going to get fried, baked, and blasted for this, but... or a dewalt. milwaukee  is a good choice. though the new ones are made in china. i have an Hitachi that has taking a beating and just will not quit. i really like my 2 new Bosch grinders. they are the German made #1810's not the china models. also i only buy paddle switch models. i hate to change disks so i have a grinder for every type disk. makes life lazy.
Reply:No flaming coming from me, but I've got a bunch of Makita's and love them. I like the locking switch and the biggest thing for me is the body is smaller in Dia. than most. Good for me as I have smaller hands and do most grinding one handed. I've had two of them for 10 years and haven't so much as changed the brushes. I don't think it's so much a brand thing as it is a design and "yeah, this feels good in the hand" thing. Spend some time holding different ones. One and two handed, operate the trigger one handed. Check how functional the trigger lock is. Does the grinder have a couple points on the top of the gear housing so when you have to put the grinder down on a table, you can put it upside down and it will be stable. Is the electrical cord a good soft/flexable one or cheap stiff one that's going to P you off? How nice does the blade lock work for hand loosening the disks? I think, IMHO, grinders are one of the most subjective tools in the shop. Your hand tells most of what you need to know. Really, "brand" is just opinion, real or rumour. I have a pair of Bosch's that are nice in my hand and I got them for $99 for a pair at H.D. few years back. Great deal, IMHO. Like prerunner said, I too like to just grab a grinder rather then change a disk. 4 Makita's, 2 Bosch, and 2 cheap Mastercraft. ( they where $19.99 and had a three year swap for new warranty. Couldn't go wrong for that price! I use one of them for two handed gorilla work and it hasn't died yet......4-5 yrs old.)One comfy in the hand is worth two you hate using.........Bert Originally Posted by jbmprodsi have had just about every make made. personally for me i wouldn't buy a makita, and i know i'm going to get fried, baked, and blasted for this, but... or a dewalt. milwaukee  is a good choice. though the new ones are made in china. i have an Hitachi that has taking a beating and just will not quit. i really like my 2 new Bosch grinders. they are the German made #1810's not the china models. also i only buy paddle switch models. i hate to change disks so i have a grinder for every type disk. makes life lazy.
Reply:Whatever you buy always take a look at the amperage. Don't get caught up in the body size and diameter only. A 4.5" grinder at 4.5 amps ain't gonna live long and so on up the ladder."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:4.5" grinders are the same physical size as 6" grinders but much more limited.Get a 6" instead so you can use the vastly handier, quicker-cutting, and longer-lasting 6" discs as well as any 4.5" rocks/discs/brushes.True dat!:Whatever you buy always take a look at the amperage. Don't get caught up in the body size and diameter only. A 4.5" grinder at 4.5 amps ain't gonna live long and so on up the ladder.
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyWhatever you buy always take a look at the amperage. Don't get caught up in the body size and diameter only. A 4.5" grinder at 4.5 amps ain't gonna live long and so on up the ladder.
Reply:Originally Posted by bert the welderSure, if you use a 4.5amp like a 6amp, it ain't gonna be happy no matter what
Reply:well thanks for the input, i'll just have to swing by fleetfarm or home depot one of these days and check out the selections. A 6 inch wouldn't be a bad idea since i alredy have a 4 1/2 at school and a 9 at home might as well go for one of every size
Reply:to me the best mid sized one handed 4 1/2" grinder is the long slim ridgids,love these things. 7 amp  perfect balance perfect grip & a nice adjustable guard. I usually use them with a speed control foot pedal though, makes them controllable precise tools. would hate to have to use any other 4 1/2"miller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:i checked out the ridged before i bought my last 2 Bosch grinders and i just didn't care for the feel. i use only paddle switch's and they are rear mounted so naturally it puts the weight forward and gives a more solid hold and grip in the advent of the grinder kicking. the center hold felt good for balance but just didn't feel right to me for a 2 hand hold. but as a one handed it felt right. the idea of the foot speed controller sounds good. little more info on it would be nice.....jim225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:Mastercraft 7.5 amp grinder at $20 for the win. They never die and if they do there is a 2 year warranty.The best tool Canadian  Tire sells.You get what you put in and people get what they deserve...
Reply:Originally Posted by turbocad6to me the best mid sized one handed 4 1/2" grinder is the long slim ridgids,love these things. 7 amp  perfect balance perfect grip & a nice adjustable guard. I usually use them with a speed control foot pedal though, makes them controllable precise tools. would hate to have to use any other 4 1/2"
Reply:jim, I use a foot pedal from a heavy duty dremel flexshaft tool I have, it's a foredom style knock off, you can also use a router speed control from HF or search ebay for foredom pedal. I also sometimes use a foot pedal on the bench with an adjustable clamp so I can dial in a fixed speed, turn the handle to dial in exactly what I want, works nice... I use that with my router based pipe beveler to dial in the right rpm's for the best cut but could also be done to dial in an rpm for grinder use too...I use one pedal to power a whole powerstrip under my bench, then plug my grinders & my dremel flexshaft all into this strip but leave them all switched off. whenever I need to use one I grab the tool, trigger it on, then control it with the pedal, these little grinders work real nice with a speed control, I hate using them without one, once you get used to it you'd see what I mean  ... far as these ridgid grinders there great, the motor is almost like a counterweight opposite the head  so kick back one handed is so much less than a conventional grinder.. for 2 handed use the screw in handle has 3 positions, left right & center behind the head.also the blade shield is on a pivot & there is a spring loaded locking tab to adjust it, just depress the tab, rotate the shield to where you want it & release the tab to lock it in place... once I used these grinders I won't ever use my other regular ones for anything really, there that nice to use, the balance is perfect...miller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:thanks for the info on the pedal Turbo. i almost bought the variable speed Bosch but hadn't talked to anyone that had one so decided to hold off and do a little more research on it. i will be looking for a pedal speed controller now though. i did go out to home depot to take another look at the ridged grinder today and i remembered what it was i didn't really like about it. the trigger i liked but the trigger lock was under the handle and my thumb hangs up on the hand guard on the handle when trying to depress the lock and squeeze the trigger. was easy if i pressed the lock with the left hand while squeezing the trigger with the right. i could get used to it though. the grinder does feel really comfortable to hold and i will no doubt wind up getting one to try it. i'm curious what that is to the left of the pedal with the clamp on it on your bench in the second pic.....jim225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:yeah, the trigger is a little tricky for me too as I'm left handed, but I kinda got used to it & it's a non issue when using the foot pedal anyway.that thing next to the pedal on the bench is what I'm controlling with that pedal, it's a dewalt router motor that I used to build a pipe beveler, gonna put a thread up for it eventually, heres a peak at it, this thing is heavily Dependant on a speed control because at full speed it's way to aggressive  miller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:Thanks Turbo. You just answered my next ?  I see you're using a small palm router and a carbide cutter. Guess one could use a regular, full size router too. I don't have a milling machine but was thinking of a way to use a variable speed router to machine a bevel on a straight edge of plate. Didn't think a router would slow down enough but with a control pedal, that might just do the trick! Was thinking either a fixture to run the router along the plate or a angled router table type set up. Don't know if a end mill or facing mill would work in a router. Nice beveling jig!  Originally Posted by turbocad6yeah, the trigger is a little tricky for me too as I'm left handed, but I kinda got used to it & it's a non issue when using the foot pedal anyway.that thing next to the pedal on the bench is what I'm controlling with that pedal, it's a dewalt router motor that I used to build a pipe beveler, gonna put a thread up for it eventually, heres a peak at it, this thing is heavily Dependant on a speed control because at full speed it's way to aggressive
Reply:that's really cool Turbo... definitely a fine example of "necessity is the mother of invention".225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:You gotta post that pipe beveler setup!!! Thats awesome!Also, I have both Makita and Bosch, both are good. All other power tools I own are Milwaukee, Ive just had the grinders for years... A 7/9" 15 amp Milwaukee is next on my "to buy" list...Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:I dont think you can go wrong with either one.... I have used both Makita and Miluwakee for years and they both have held up great as far as durability.I must say that Miluwakee's new grinders have one major flaw, they changed the lock for changing disks to a new design and it is VERY prone to snapping off, leaving you unable to change disks..... major flaw... I have had 6 of them break on me already.This alone has prompted me to switch back to only using Makita.Makitas are every durable and they offer alot better designs and options compared to Miluwakee.I recently bought a new Makita model 9015A and it is the most badass grinder i have ever used... even has an electric brake http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/...ls.aspx?ID=410.Last edited by C6.7weldrig; 03-09-2011 at 11:03 PM.Steve1946 Shorthood  -  1958 Blackface  -  1962 Redface  -  1967 Redface  -  1968 Redface -  1970 Blackface  -  2005 300D -  2008 Vantage 300  -and a ton of other welding stuff
Reply:thanks for all the info guys. i might just buy a cheap one til im done with school in may but i dunno yet, a couple other guys in class got the cheap ones and there cheap lol
Reply:bert, the carbide bit works great for this. a larger router may work, BUT if you use a straight bit then the diameter of the router will not allow you to get much angle, for example a 45* angle on a fat router will need way more bit stickout than can be provided because as the router tilts the bit moves away from the work, the smaller diameter router doesn't have anywhere near this amount of problem, I even had to shave the housing of this router to get enough angle & still have the bit close enough to the work, now if your bevel angle was built into the bit, say a tree shaped bit, then it wouldn't matter because the router could stay flat while still getting the angle... I'll put a thread for the beveler soon miller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:Need input on Metabo grinders. Buy at pawn shop for $35 5/6 inch. Work good enough for me. What are the experiences with these?
Reply:Originally Posted by Cat220Need input on Metabo grinders. Buy at pawn shop for $35 5/6 inch. Work good enough for me. What are the experiences with these?i like milwaukee corded tools better and i think the cordless are about the same. i have a mil. 4.5 and a 9'the 4.5 is 12 amp rpm 4000-11000 works greatand i like the paddle trigger but the best thing is thequik-lok cord. check out toolbarn.com thats wherei get my power tools. bought my makita cordlessfrom them for $450.00 Attached Images
Reply:Thanks for the information, jbmprods. There is no warranty at the pawn shop. When the pressure is on the Metabo seems to get more power.
Reply:Just wanted to chime in on this.  I don't make my living with grinders, but I do make my living with tools.  Welding and fabrication is more of a hobby/creative outlet and the occaisional side job helps recoup some of the cash.  One of the best tools I have ever purchased, (and I have purchased alot, 10k this year and I have been in business for 14 years)  is a makita 1/4 inch impact like the one pictured in the previous post.  I bought it about three years ago, when the lithium ions were pretty new.  I got the kit with the drill, impact, and two batteries and all are still running strong.  In fact I still have the very first makita cordless I ever purchased way way long ago.  The drill still works, just the batteries only hold charge for like 10 seconds of use.  Can't get new batteries anymore for it as far as I know.  I like milwaukee for portabandsand sawzall, bosch for jigsaws, and I will pick up the cheapest grinders I can find.  I had one of the old orange HF grinders explode on me a long time ago, I mean literally the housing of it detonated in my hands.  But I have two of the little black ones and they seem to be doing ok so far.  I have one dewalt and one porter cable two hander.  And I've never used anything by hilti that didn't perform like top quality.  Just my two cents.
Reply:Good to know.  Fastenal has a sale on Metabo's right now, and I was considering getting one.... Originally Posted by jbmprodsMetabo's have the reputation of being the best grinder made. but according to my area dealer good luck with warranty. i buy Bosch and Milwaukee from him  and if either of them fail within the warranty period just set it on the counter and he will hand you a new one because he knows he will get a new one in return from the factory. if you set a Matabo on the counter he will ship it off to the factory and say good luck on this one. he told me that that 99% of the time Matabo will say operator abuse and not honor the warranty. he will sell you one if you insist on it but he will warn you about the warranty.
Reply:I gota go Metabo, never had a problem with warranty because the just last and last.  Just my chime in of course.
Reply:Found four dealers for Metabo here in Indianapolis, In. Ordered the nuts for shaft that holds the grinding wheels. When I bought it from the pawn shop, they were gone. Metabo sells a complete kit. Again, look in the pawn shops for great deals on tools. Last week bought a Topcon TP-L4AV Red Beam Pipe Laser for $200. The salesman didn't have a clue. Problem is-Won't get any deals for a while.
Reply:Thanks Turbo, good point re; the bigger base and getting a cone shape bit. Guess if I can get a use router to mod, I could cut away some of the base to open it up more. Will add it to the "when I get a second" list  Originally Posted by turbocad6bert, the carbide bit works great for this. a larger router may work, BUT if you use a straight bit then the diameter of the router will not allow you to get much angle, for example a 45* angle on a fat router will need way more bit stickout than can be provided because as the router tilts the bit moves away from the work, the smaller diameter router doesn't have anywhere near this amount of problem, I even had to shave the housing of this router to get enough angle & still have the bit close enough to the work, now if your bevel angle was built into the bit, say a tree shaped bit, then it wouldn't matter because the router could stay flat while still getting the angle... I'll put a thread for the beveler soon
Reply:My Makita 4 1/2" is very sturdy... virtually indestructible.  Works on A/C and  yup works on DC too.  Can't go wrong.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:I have an older Makita that just wont quit. It has outlasted several newer Milwaukee's and DeWalts.2011 Dodge 3500 diesel duallyLincoln SA-200Lincoln SAE-300LN-25'sLincoln Idealarc R3RMiller Trailblazer 302
Reply:i have milwaukee for my lithium drill and impact driver....more balls than the makita when drilling into heavy gauge stud. but you can not go wrong with makita. its really just preference. i feel the makita is faster but the milwaukee has more torque.the grand ol' opry aint so grand anymoremiller maxstar 150sworking on an oxy/acet set up
Reply:As someone already mentioned, look at the amperage rating,  if you use a 5 or 6 amp grinder and then try a 10 amp you will really notice a difference as they don't bog down when you put a lot of pressure on them.   I have a 4.5 inch dewalt 10amp that works great.  an old craftsman professional that I have used forever and it keeps going like that bunny.   I ran it over with my skid steer a few weeks ago.  it partially pulled the handle out but just pushed it back in and still works fine.  the old Harbor Freight ones work pretty good too if you replace the trigger switch.   the switches on all their tools just suck balls.Tiger 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:what size do you guys cut with? ive been using a 4.5" but am so sick of changing wheels. so i too, like the rest of you am getting some more grinders.the grand ol' opry aint so grand anymoremiller maxstar 150sworking on an oxy/acet set up
Reply:I have used lots of tools from both Hitachi and Milwaukee and while both always seem to work very well I'd give the edge to Milwaukee as they seem to be more robust in how they are built and the materials used.In 4-1/2" grinders I have a Bosch and a DeWalt in the shop and use both of them nearly every day. Both are running fine and I have not had a problem with either.Tom Hintz, publisherwww.newmetalworker.comLincoln Pro Mig 180Lincoln AC 255Determination
Reply:I have a 5" Milwaukee and it will take your hand off, an absolute beast. I have used many a 7/9" big Makitas(the metal ones not the Makita blue plastic ones) and they are bulls. I don't much care for the 4" Makita grinders they feel like they are gonna let go at any minute. My go to grinder that lives in my welding bucket is my DeWalt old body style 4.5" paddle switch, I have been trying to kill it for years but it just keeps going.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:what size do you guys cut with?
Reply:Originally Posted by farmallI use a 6" Metabo, and a Milwaukee cordless with a modified guard (welded on a guard from a larger grinder to the center of the Milwaukee guard) for cutting wheel use only.6" discs cut quickly, and the grinder body isn't awkward like larger grinders. Radnor cutting disks are excellent. Pferd are very good.
Reply:i think the moral of this thread is if you stick with the very least a home depot/lowes makita, milwaukee, bosch, dewalt your fine.for every person who had a yellow grinder fail another will praise it.its one of those "half a dozen of one 6 of the other" situationsgo to home depot see how much it cost to rent a grinder. lets say $20. if you use that grinder for 5 projects you made you got your use (assuming the grinder cost $100) 10 projects you made your money back.the problem is we all love tools and wanna get that one magic tool thats gonna last forever. but under stressful everyday use thats not the norm. especially on a commercial job. if a dewalt screwgun lasts 6 months on a commercial job thats like amazing!Last edited by outlawskinnyd; 04-20-2011 at 01:08 PM.the grand ol' opry aint so grand anymoremiller maxstar 150sworking on an oxy/acet set up
Reply:The 5" makita 9 amp is a very good grinder for the money. Mine have spent lots of time in the mud and muck, so far they haven't failed.Miller Pro 30068 SA 20064 SAF 300305 G Lincoln gasserMiller 210
Reply:that sounds like a good idea does the bigger guard get in the way?
Reply:The old Makita's were great, but I'm not a fan of the ones with the break when you take your finger off of the trigger.  I don't have any personal experience with Milwaukee grinders, but based on their recipricating saws and corebit magdrills, then their grinders probably aren't anything to snuff at!I have an older style Makita 4.5" grinder and a dewalt 5" grinder and they both work great!  Mind you, I also have a 1/4" power fist electric die grinder, but if it works, it works!
Reply:Fastenal tends to have HIGH markups, so unless you check the deal against competition online first, beware!
Reply:Been getting a 10% discount with my VA Card at Lowes and Home Depot. If you don't have VA Card show DD-214. Also, Lowes will order any tool you ask for. May quit buying at pawn shop.
Reply:I think the thread has been a good example of you probably can go wrong one way or the other when it come to major brands. Having said that, the more complicated a tool, the more there is to get wrong. Angle grinders are pretty simple tools, where as a wood planer is more complex and subtleties can make or break a design. Nothing worse than a poorly placed power switch or hand crank. Also, I've never been much for brand x is better than brand y. One company can make a particular tool great and not be great with another. IMHO, Makita makes great angle grinders, but I think they missed the mark with their Circ. saw. I much preferred Port. Cables design.200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:My reasons for going all Milwaukee1-Milwaukee guarantees ALL of their tools for 5 years2-They are hassle free AFTER the sale.Had two problems they quickly fixed:1-28 Volt battery would not charge after 2 years. I emailed customer service. Got a reply 4 hours later. They emailed a FedEx label to ship it in for free.  Went in on Tuesday. Got a new battery, no shipping, on Friday. Out of 9 batteries, only one failed, but they replaced it free, no hassles, no questions, no problem.2-Older, out of warranty, 18 volt drill had a switch that would not go from position 1 to 2. Took it to a local service center. Had to wait 10 minutes while he finished another job. Took it apart, the grease around the switch had hardened. He cleaned it out, added new grease and told me I needed to flip the switch  more, and had not run it long enough to probably keep the grease from hardening. No charge.No matter the tool, anything can fail or be broken.  Best tool, best guarantee and no customer support equals a bad experience and headaches. I have had my share of that with other brands.  Milwaukee treated me as I expected.Good luck on whatever you choose to go with.