4" vs. 4.50" angle grinders Much difference?

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Harbor freight has the 4" angle grinder for $16 with 5/8 arbor..the 4.50" version is $30 also with 5/8" arbor..I assume 5/8" arbor is the norm size?I plan on using a circular wire brush on it and some flap disc.I bought a 3": and 4" wire brush and it bolted up fine on the 4" but have yet to use it..Does the size difference of .50" make a diffference?I;l; mostly be using it on angle iron 3-4" Are the 4" disc "oddballs" and are accesories much harder to find at the local weldingshop,lowes, harborfright etc?Much differecene besides the .50" and $half the price? Id lik to have at least 2 angle grinders, maybe 3 this price would allow me to fufill my wants vs. 1 high dollar unit.Last edited by goodoleboy; 08-09-2008 at 06:42 AM.
Reply:I find the 4.5" discs much easier to find.  I have one 4" grinder (my first one) The other 4 grinders are all 4.5".Yes, 5/8 arbor is standard.Look at the amps, the more the merrier.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:MY first grinder was a recon. Makita 4" and I still have. As david stated the accessories are harder to find. The 4.5 are much more common.Oh, and my 4" has smaller thread then the 4.5"Tim Beeker.
Reply:Some smaller amp grinders have a 1/2" post so becareful when looking for hardware...As the other post say...more is better...just remember grinders grind just fine on there own...don't lean on the grinder...let the stone or pad do the work...all you have to do is steady the grinder...My metabo and Millwalkee 4 1/2" grinders are over 7 years old and I use them for hours at a time and many times a week!!  Take care of your tools and they will take care of you!!Jonesy
Reply:Someone has to say it the difference is1/2"Sorry we now return you to the fine people at WW
Reply:Fuuunny!I was waiten myself.Tim Beeker.
Reply:4" grinding wheels have a 5/8" hole and 4.5" grinding wheels have a 7/8" hole.
Reply:Originally Posted by Fat BastardSomeone has to say it the difference is1/2"Sorry we now return you to the fine people at WW
Reply:That extra 1/2" gives the wheel 20% or so, more material. So I'm changing wheels less often. And with equal rpm, the tip speed is higher, so material removes faster. IMHO All but my old Craftsman are 5/8" arbor.9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:I have a 4.5" and a 5", I usually grab the 5"......I'd go for the extra .5" things happen a bit faster and easier with it.If you don't want to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in DenverThat extra 1/2" gives the wheel 20% or so, more material. So I'm changing wheels less often. And with equal rpm, the tip speed is higher, so material removes faster. IMHO All but my old Craftsman are 5/8" arbor.
Reply:That's a pretty good deal there Mondo - especially with paddle switches. I can't stand the push switches, if it happens to get away from you, your running to unplug it - or trying to grab it like a snake that's about to strike Fire!, Fire! Oh wait, that's my torch...Lincoln PT-225 TIGLincoln 175 MIG
Reply:ON the HF models,  they ARE exactly the same, arbor, rpm, and amps.  They yoyo the prices.  The only difference is the shield.  The 4 has a 4 shield and the 4.5 has a 4.5 shield.  Now if you have a old 4.5 shield laying around...   Wait,  I don't use mine.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Never owned a 4" or 4.5".  I only ever buy 5", the small ones are just a pain.I'd rather be hunting........USE ENOUGH HEAT.......Drifting around Aussie welding more pipe up, for something different.....wanting to get home.
Reply:i use grinders daily i tryed the HF ones they wouldnt last the whole day pay a little more and get a good grinder  i now use Boush
Reply:I don't know,  I use mine hard and I usually go through one every year or two.  They would still be fine if I could remember where I put the replacement brushes. I have never had a bearing related issue or anything else. Those makitas and others are generally made in China now too.  Many DeWalts are too.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:I find 4 1/2 would be more to grind with then the 4. I still have my old milwaukee 4 1/2 15+ years old (dads old one) and it still runs perfect. The one day i had a wire cup wheel on it and it kicked on me so hard that it flew out of my hands and feel right on the ground (about 5ft fall). I was scared it was done forever. By it started right back up and i continued on what i was doing. I would like to see a new milwaukee do that since i hear their built alot cheaper!!!Ya gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:Originally Posted by wirehuntNever owned a 4" or 4.5".  I only ever buy 5", the small ones are just a pain.
Reply:Problem is, depending on your local market, 5" is hard to find.  I can't even find one at my LWS.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:As long as you move up in amps as you move up in wheel increments, there is a decent difference for just plain hoggin metal off. Of course you have to keep the rpm's up there too and the amps do that. No sense buying a 5" grinder that is no higher in amps than your 4.5" and one or two grand less in rpm. In the 4", 4.5" and 5" grinders there doesn't seem to be any significant differences in head size so there is no real advantages as far as access in tight spots. Most of the 4"s seem a bit weak to me. The 4.5"s are perfect for wire cups, aluminum discs, cutting discs, thin wheels and touch up, and a nice strong 5" is a dream for transferring metal from the work piece to the floor in a hurry.  The above is all in respects to light hobby fab. If I did heavier stuff I'd have a heavier grinder for sure. There ain't no such thing as "which one"..