4 1/2" Angle grinder

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Went to Lowes looking for an angle grinder. Wow, gobs -o- choices! I usually use DeWalt Stuff, Milwaukee or maybe Makita. I'm a hobbiest and don't need one of the 7+ inch monsters. Any recommendations from you folks? I like the DeWalt that has the quick release on the safety shroud but don't know how much one needs to adjust it. So, I'm wondering if it's worth the extra $... Zoom
Reply:Home Depot has a nice 4 1/2" grinder for $39.00 that is good, has swivel grip and I think a quik release guard. Hope this helps.  Jim
Reply:Originally Posted by GremlinHome Depot has a nice 4 1/2" grinder for $39.00 that is good, has swivel grip and I think a quik release guard. Hope this helps.  Jim
Reply:I bought [ame="http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-D28402K-2-Inch-Small-Grinder/dp/B000BM6BMI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294942395&sr=8-1"]this dewalt grinder[/ame] from home depot for $89. I've been very happy with it. Things I like about this grinder:easy to hold (even with one hand if necessary)it's a bit faster than a lot of other 4.5" grinders (11,000 RPM)no tools required to change the position of the wheel guardlarge, rubberized side gripvery powerful @ 10 ampspaddle switch - it's safer than a locking switch on the side, and it's easier to use IMO than the style of paddle switch on the equivalent Milwaukee grinder.
Reply:Right on, for $39.00 you cannot beat them. I have about 5 of them myself. and have not burned one up yet.  When it starts to get warm I grab another one.Last job had to cut off a 6" pipe, was to lazy to put tanks in truck= extension cord two grinders and 6" x045" wafer wheels , nice clean cut,easy to reweld. Its to cold to work today.Jim
Reply:I like the DeWalt ones.  I have two....one that's about 5 years old and another new one I bought for $50 off of Amazon.  It's the same one as posted above, just without the plastic box and it's $25 cheaper.  Who actually keeps an angle grinder in a box anyway?[ame]http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-D28110-2-Inch-Small-Grinder/dp/B000BM6BMS/ref=pd_cp_hi_1[/ame]
Reply:By Gremlin;Right on, for $39.00 you cannot beat them. I have about 5 of them myself. and have not burned one up yet. When it starts to get warm I grab another one.Last job had to cut off a 6" pipe, was to lazy to put tanks in truck= extension cord two grinders and 6" x045" wafer wheels , nice clean cut,easy to reweld.Its to cold to work today.
Reply:Two out of the three Lowes by me have a double DeWalt package. Two DeWalt 4 1/2" grinders for $60. Home Depot had a similar deal but for Bosh instead. If I needed one I would of bought either. I've had a Milwaukee for about 7 years now, it's a little scratched up but still works as good as the day I bought it, never had one problem.
Reply:I grabbed the 2-pack Makita. A while ago I got the 2-pack Bosch...That gives me 2 Makitas, 2 Bosch, 3 Milwaukees...They all grind fine...Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:I have been welding and grinding since 1989.  My first 4 1/2 grinder I purchased back then was a Makita.  Believe it or not I still have it and it still works great.  I can't tell you how many hours it has run but it has never overheated (The built in breaker has tripped more than once over the years but not often.)  It has been dropped off scaffold, pickup truck beds and even once it was knocked off a third story roof and landed on compacted dirt.  After replacing the handle it was good as new.  I now regularly use this Makita as well as another almost identical one I bought at an auction for my 4 1/2.  I use a Metabo and an older model Craftsman for the 7 1/2 and 9 inch grinders in my shop.  Can't complain about any of them.  The Makita are in my hand being used and abused the most ofen however.  I also bought a Makita 4 1/2 18 volt lithium ion battery operated grinder.  I thought it would be a great addition.  Unfortunately the battery just doesn't hold out for long when I'm using it.  Great for a small quick job but leave it in the truck if you plan to work for any length of time and  get out the extension cord.I used to be a vocational shop teacher and taught welding and fabrication.  We have had a number of 4 1/2 grinders. Dewalt, Milwaukee, Craftsman, Skil, Bosh and a large quantity of the $19.95 generic brands.  The $19.95 models or disposable units are good for heavy abuse and you don't care if they bite the dust.  They usually make it about a year or year and half with regular high school student use.  The Dewalt and Milwaukee were always solid and reliable.  I don't care for the on off switch on the Dewalt when I am wearing welding gloves however.  The Milwaukee is easy to use with or without heavy gloves.  Didn't use the Bosh at school long enough to decide but it seemed like it was going to hold on for a good while.  (I left teaching before I found out.)  The Skil - garbage switch that doesn't want to stay on for long and is almost impossible to turn on with welding gloves on.  Once you got it turned on it ran side by side though.  I never bought Makita for school as I often brought my tools in for use by students when we were short and I wanted no mistake which ones I owned and which ones were the schools.  When they were in use at school they went the long distance though.A couple considerations I would recommend for you:  Compare the weight of each unit you are considering and think about the length of time you plan to be grinding.  With a 4 1/2 inch grinder it isn't as important as a bigger grinder but you should consider it anyway.  Most important thing is which one can you run and control with or without gloves on.  Also look at the tools needed and process required to replace grinding wheels.  Last consider the side handle and guards removal or adjustment if you plan to do a variety of grinding from different angles.Hope this helps and good luck with your choice.  My #1 vote has to go with Makita. However, I haven't bought any of the newer corded Makita grinders for a long time because the older ones seem to last through  anything.
Reply:I've got a 20 year old Makita, too. Just put new carbon brushes (or is it bushes?) in it and it's fine.I'm just a hobbyist, but that grinder has done alot of work over the years.The guy who sold me the brushes/bushes said that the Makita's made these days aren't as good as they older ones.Putting that aside, zoomie, get two grinders if you can afford it. You'll go nuts changing wheels all the time otherwise. I've got a grinding disc on my Makita and I use a cheaper grinder for sanding and wire brushes.ScottHaving a cheaper one also means you've got a 'loaner'. When people want to borrow stuff from me, I give them the cheap tools so it's less of an issue for them if the bust them.Yeah, I carry.House keys, wallet, some change, usually a newspaper, maybe a pen.
Reply:Lowes had a Porter Cable that was slightly less expensive and has the grip and switch in the rear on a handgrip like the bigger versions. It seemed egonomic enough and was pretty close to the least expensive. Didn't seem quite as refined (build wise) as the Makita Dewalt etc though. The amps are pretty close to the same on most (between 5-7) unless you step up to the more expensive Dewalt models. I'll just have to go play with'em again I guess. Thanks for the input! I'll keep it in mind while shopping!
Reply:+1 on the home depot Ryobi - it's been awesome so far and at a great price!
Reply:I purchased this reconditioned Hitachi 6 amp 4-1/2 angle grinder from Reconditioned Sales a week ago.  I paid $30.00 + free shipping, after I found a free shipping coupon online.  I've been real happy with Hitachi power tools in the past, so I'm not worried about this grinder holding up.Also, this was considered reconditioned A Stock for $30, which I guess is near new quality.  I'm not sure what made it reconditioned, but I can't even find a scratch on the unit or case. Attached Images
Reply:What's our budget?Metabo is a little spendy, but comes with a safety clutch that prevents kickbacks, and an anti-vibration handle.  Best feature is the quick release nut.  No spanner tool to lose.
Reply:Zoomie, if your local pawnshops are like the ones here, they'll have several used high-quality angle grinders for sale for a fraction of new cost.  Personally I like the old Milwaukee 6140's, the regular old 5- or 5.5-amp 4.5" with paddle switches.  They're easy to rebuild and cheap to find used.  They have plenty of power for a 4.5", and don't burn out their armatures like the higher-priced 6054's and 6053's .  Just put a new set of brushes in when they need it.  I personally don't care for the racy looks all of the toolmakers are putting on their new tools, so buying used is a win-win for me.
Reply:I personally go for the 6.5 amp makitas , the reason is the motor doesnt get as hot as the 10 amp ones and the brushes dont burn up as easily , i have used them for years now there about 60 bucksI forgot how to change this.
Reply:Zoomie, welcome to the forum. You don't have to buy the most expensive one thinking it will last longer than the cheaper ones, because it won't. Just don't put all your weight on it and bog it down and over heat, and it should last a long time. There are holes in the body that draws air in to keep it cool, so overtime dust tend to block the openings and restrict air flow, so keep the holes clean.I have a sears 4 1/2" I bought maybe 20 years ago for $19.00 and still use it more than my newer Dewalt.
Reply:I ended up getting the porter Cable from Lowes. 4 1/2 inch, 7.5 amps and has the grip and trigger like the larger units and a 3 year warranty. The guy at lowes said he'd never gotten one back but said they also hadn't seen a ton go out the door. He said he thought the only shortcoming would be the overall size. It is slightly longer due to the trigger type grip. The model number is PC750AG. It was $39.95 minus 10 percent off for being military. So about $36 bones and Obama's part was about 40 bucks out the door. I think it'll do. I'll let everyone know if it "craps the bed" in use... Oh yeah, thanks for all the useful input. I really appreciate the help provided to an unknown on this forum.ZoomLast edited by Zoomie; 01-15-2011 at 03:25 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by rlitmanWhat's our budget?Metabo is a little spendy, but comes with a safety clutch that prevents kickbacks, and an anti-vibration handle.  Best feature is the quick release nut.  No spanner tool to lose.
Reply:Zoomie, I bought a 4 1/2 inch porter cable, and have been using it at work for over a year. The price and the grip style originally sold me on it and its been a good tool. I think you'll be happy with it.Ranger 250 GXTSmith Gas Axe
Reply:killerstang....so 5 years later, how is the hitachi holding up?
Reply:Originally Posted by pennsylvaniaboykillerstang....so 5 years later, how is the hitachi holding up?
Reply:Home Depot has a two pack Ridgid 4 1/2" angle grinders for $80. This is what i started with. Ended up getting the 7" lately and was shocked at the difference. . . So much easier to cut with a 7". http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-4-...1007/204452198
Reply:There is not a gigantic difference these days in longevity of the middle-range of grinders so go with one that feels good in your grip.  They will fatigue your hands with long use so if it doesn't have a good feel to you, move on.  Guards are always a pain in the *** and I haven't found one that is far superior to others:  They seem to find a way to be in the wrong place no matter how you adjust them.  Removing them? Gotta be your call.  I don't because I don't like the shower.Where you need to put your money is in the wheels.  A good wheel/pad works remarkably better than a cheap chinese one or even "home center" quality and is worth the cost.  Buy a variety of good ones so you have them ready for whatever job comes up.  I far prefer those with threaded centers but that's just me.  I almost never use an actual grinding wheel in the grinder and find the flap pads work many times better at removing material and leaving a good finish.Klingspor is one brand of commercial abrasives maker---their stuff has been FAR superior in my eyes but other commercial brands are probably just as good.  They have a "woodworking shop" for their retail sales but there are other sources  https://www.woodworkingshop.com/search.aspx?q=smtAnother vote for Makita. I've had mine for ten years and it still runs strong, and its seen some abuse in it's life. They make a new one with a really small grip that's super nice to use one handed.
Reply:We have a whole stack at work, i prefer the Dewalt with the paddle switch but the bearings are starting to let it be known they are wearing out.  The Makita works great (replaceable brushes) but the switch is a pain since its little and protected well. I bought a Hitachi like posted above(for home), works great so far but its only got 4-5hrs use on it i'd guess.
Reply:Next grinder ai buy will be Metabo.  If I recall they are German or something better than chinese like most of these others.  I have an old dewalt Ive had for years that works great.  I just bought two cordless Makitas and its super handy to not have to deal with cords but the 3.0 batteris dont last long.  I need to get more batteries and try the bigger 4.0.   Super handy though.
Reply:Another vote for Metabo...all the name brands are pretty good, but if you earn a living with these tools, you learn which ones really are the best.Rich