Skil 41/2 in. angle grinder

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Not a great grinder, price was right at Lowes for $29.95, but it has features that are new to me and I thought I would share. Wrench to change out discs hides in the handle and the guard removes w/o tools. The switch is spring loaded so if It gets out of hand it stops on its own. It's just a 6 amp, but will work well for what it'll be used for. Attached ImagesOnly when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.                                         -Cree Indian ProverbSA 200 LincolnVictor Torches
Reply:$30's a good deal, never tried the new Skil.  The "wrench in handle" and the quik release guard latch are very nice designs.I prefer this style handle, so I got the Ryobi at HD for $40.  Have 3 that I bought 3 yrs ago and use a couple times a week - but beat the cr@p out of them - router speed control always, sometimes 7" slitter wheels or even diamond blades cutting conc  !!About 20 years ago I had to start thinking of these things as "consumables" like wire, blades & bits.  They didn't cost a lot compared to the value of the projects we worked on. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by gizzardgutzNot a great grinder, price was right at Lowes for $29.95, but it has features that are new to me and I thought I would share. Wrench to change out discs hides in the handle and the guard removes w/o tools. The switch is spring loaded so if It gets out of hand it stops on its own. It's just a 6 amp, but will work well for what it'll be used for.
Reply:I have that one, it isn't terrible, been used used and abused.JoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)
Reply:A word of warning about those quick release type guards:If they unlatch while grinding they spin as fast as the wheel does.  Couple that with a toggle switch & it get's interesting quick....Be careful!Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:Looks like the Harbor Freight grinder my neighbor gave me.  You can still buy a comparable one there for under 20 dollars.  Like joebie said, they're not great tools, but they are adequate, probably better than you'd expect, and are throw-aways.Tim
Reply:This day and age what power tools aren't throw aways parts are almost as much as the tool and if you need service its extra bad. I have one of those skill grinders for a extra so I dont have to switch between wheel types it works pretty good for the 30% I paid compared to the milwaukeeMillermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:Originally Posted by farmshop I have one of those skill grinders for a extra so I dont have to switch between wheel types it works pretty good for the 30% I paid compared to the milwaukee
Reply:I used the 80's versions of the Milwaukee 6088 15amp 9" grinders and 7"sanders in a shop environment about 1990.  Indestructible!  Made in Milwaukee by Polacks!   Glad I was 20 years younger!
Reply:Not bad the Makitas we use at the shop r only 7.5 amps, they are abused daily.
Reply:I've had three of the ryobis , half a dozen harbor freight, a makita and a hitachi.The Hitachi was hands down the best grinder. Lasted the longest , most consistant performance , highest rpm etc. Used it till the threads on the collet were too worn to facilitate changing the blade.  The HF grinders are alright, I call em disposable3, interestingly, the first one I bought was a design snafu. There was not enough room in the case for a cooling fan blade so they left it out. Damn thing would get hot till you couldnt hold it ith gloves on had to drop it and let it cool. That one lasted 9 months or so , much longer than the others from hb.  The damned makita was bought from home depot for 70 bucks and lasted just long enough for me to lose the reciept and having thrown away the box I figured the grinder (it had smoked, bad windings)could go the same route. The moral of the story is that the 30 buck ryobis have proven to be the best bet from every standpoint. Way cheaper than the $270.00 hitachi last longer than the HF and I 'm not gonna bother thinking makita again. Come to think of it, the only makita tool I have ever been satisfied ith was the first 9.6 volt cordless drill I bought. Had that one for 5 years till it was stolen. Replaced with same model and found they had turned them to junk by then.Long winded post huh?
Reply:I got the same grinder at Walmart a year ago. It's still loud and strong. getting the switch to stay on by it's self it kinda tricky but other than that i like it.  wish it had a bottom pull trigger.