4-1/2"-5" Angle Grinders

admin

I've been using my old $15 HF Drillmaster (4.5A) forever. It's been a PITA swapping discs for different applications so I'm going to grab a couple more grinders to keep setup with different discs. I'm not ready to 'upgrade' to the high end $$$ stuff yet but I am thinking I should bump it up a bit. Most used CL stuff seems overpriced or beat up to the point that IDK if I'd trust them.I can find the 8A Metabos in the $75 range and I'll probably pickup at least one of those. I'm also looking at the HF Bauer 8A model for ~1/2 the price. Has anyone tried the cheap Metabo? The little 'paddle switch' seems a little wonky, but IDK.


Reply:Honestly grinders are cheap. Find a decent one thats comfortable to hold and run with it.I have two dewalt ones for years now theyre maybe $90 and i've used one enough to replace the brushes and still powering on.www.FirehouseFabricators.comZachMillermatic 255Lincoln SW200Hypertherm Powermax 45xp2x4 CNC Plasma Table.
Reply:I have a HF and 4 milwaukee that hang around my shop, the milwaukees were literally pulled from a dumpster at work and I gave $5 each for them. Had all of that for over 10 years and I would change nothing. Sent from my SM-G960U using TapatalkI haven't built anything I can't throw away.  Perfection is the journey.    Mac
Reply:I have melted the switch on a couple of the blue HF grinders. It vibrated really bad and sounded like the bearings were shot the first time I fired it up.I had a Porter Cable one that last 4-6 years until the brush holder broke inside and I figured it owed me nothing so I tossed it. It was nice for a $40 grinder.Right now I have a cheap dewalt 4-1/2" and a nice makita 5". The Makita is my favorite so far, but it doesn't fit into tight spaces so great. The dewalt has to be close to 15 years old and still works as well as the PC.I will probably pick of another 5" makita for heavy work and a couple more 4-1/2" for lighter/ tight space stuff. Not sure what brand I will go with on the 4-1/2" stuff. Never seen a switch like that metabo guy. I like to have a few different style switches as well. The slide lock is nice for doing a lot of continuous grinding, not so much for when you are holding a wire wheel over your head. Paddle, slide lock, trigger, in that order is my preference, I hate the slide switch without the lock.Airco Auto-Pak 130Forney 235AC/DC
Reply:Walmart quit the B&D,,, I bought something there the other day for 22$.  We will see. Looks like HF has a pretty good selection around 40$ or less.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:All my 4 1/2" are Makitas, not because I think they are best but because the body of the grinder is the smallest of any I've seen. It makes it easier to use one handed. They do hold up well as some are 15 years old of daily use.
Reply:Amazon has a nice Bosch 4 1/2” on sale $53, almost half price. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W9LLGHV...tive=9325&th=1Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:

Originally Posted by chuckt62

Has anyone tried the cheap Metabo?


Reply:

Originally Posted by BrooklynBravest

Honestly grinders are cheap. Find a decent one thats comfortable to hold and run with it.I have two dewalt ones for years now theyre maybe $90 and i've used one enough to replace the brushes and still powering on.
Reply:I think the wonky little paddle switch is the safety switch that makes it harder(safer) when you lay the grinder down. It's a secondary lever that has to be swung back by a finger in order to squeeze the paddle grip to the on positiion.NRA LIFE MEMBERUNITWELD 175 AMP 3 IN1 DCMIDSTATES 300 AMP AC MACHINEGOD HELP AMERICA!"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Reply:Yeah, I noticed that after taking a closer look.I also found an 11A version for a couple dollars more and got it ordered. I'll pick up a Bauer or two after this icy weather blows through.Thanks to all for the feedback.
Reply:The platicky cords last longer.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:

Originally Posted by Sberry

The platicky cords last longer.
Reply:After looking at Bosch angle grinders on Amazon for a few minutes,,,,I wonder why Bosch has virtually the IDENTICAL angle grinder,, in three (or more) different models for almost the same price,,that each have different amp ratings,, (4.5, 7. 11 amps)The three that I looked at were all slide switch,,I wonder if they are simply re-badged knockoffs,,,,,,,,,,,,,??We all know the knockoff battery story,, I quit buying alkaline batteries,, for anything that would be damaged by leaking batteries.
Reply:

Originally Posted by chuckt62

I've been using my old $15 HF Drillmaster (4.5A) forever. It's been a PITA swapping discs for different applications so I'm going to grab a couple more grinders to keep setup with different discs. I'm not ready to 'upgrade' to the high end $$$ stuff yet but I am thinking I should bump it up a bit. Most used CL stuff seems overpriced or beat up to the point that IDK if I'd trust them.I can find the 8A Metabos in the $75 range and I'll probably pickup at least one of those. I'm also looking at the HF Bauer 8A model for ~1/2 the price. Has anyone tried the cheap Metabo? The little 'paddle switch' seems a little wonky, but IDK.


Reply:

Originally Posted by SweetMK

After looking at Bosch angle grinders on Amazon for a few minutes,,,,I wonder why Bosch has virtually the IDENTICAL angle grinder,, in three (or more) different models for almost the same price,,that each have different amp ratings,, (4.5, 7. 11 amps)The three that I looked at were all slide switch,,[B]I wonder if they are simply re-badged knockoffs,,,,,,,,,,,,,??]
Reply:We use Metabo 6" with cut of wheels they last years. For the 4-1/2" I use the bosch it's cheap and last a long time with heavy use. it also has a small body which as stated above makes it easy for one hand operation. I get the ones with the locking, on switch. As for knock offs Makita and Hiltie absolutely come from the same factory. The molding numbers on the side of the case are the same. The only difference is the color and the brushes. The Hilite has the brushes that have the spring loaded pin that pops out when the brush is worn so you don't destroy the armature. I'm sure a lot of the grinders out there are like that different name same tool.
Reply:

Originally Posted by wb4rt

Amazon has a nice Bosch 4 1/2” on sale $53, almost half price. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W9LLGHV...tive=9325&th=1
Reply:I have found the Makita grinders I have run smoother “less vibrations” which equates to me being able to grind longer with less hand/wrist fatigue and some may say this also equates to a longer tool life.  Have not run all the other brands to compare the makita to so this is not an absolute of me saying makita is the best.  I have the cheap black $10 harbor freight grinders that break from looking at it and vibrate your hand like crazy, then I have a couple of dewalt grinders and one Rigid 7” rotating rat tail grinder.  The rat tail handle is the most ergonomic in my hands but not sure if the 4.5” - 5” grinders are available with the rat tail handles.  That’s all I got.Edit:  looks like there are many different makes of 4.5” - 5” rat tail grinders.https://www.google.com/search?q=4.5+...ile-gws-wiz-hpLast edited by N2 Welding; 3 Days Ago at 07:03 AM.Lincoln, ESAB, Thermal Dynamics, Victor, Miller, Dewalt, Makita, Kalamzoo.  Hand tools, power tools, welding and cutting tools.
Reply:The 15S hf is just too cheap, no real surprise its not very good.  But lots of the 35S class now rebranded, its not that so many make them, its just sold by lots of different places, even Walmart is carrying thier own brand.  2 or 3 brands in HF now.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:

Originally Posted by N2 Welding

I have found the Makita grinders I have run smoother “less vibrations” which equates to me being able to grind longer with less hand/wrist fatigue and some may say this also equates to a longer tool life.  Have not run all the other brands to compare the makita to so this is not an absolute of me saying makita is the best.  I have the cheap black $10 harbor freight grinders that break from looking at it and vibrate your hand like crazy, then I have a couple of dewalt grinders and one Rigid 7” rotating rat tail grinder.  The rat tail handle is the most ergonomic in my hands but not sure if the 4.5” - 5” grinders are available with the rat tail handles.  That’s all I got.Edit:  looks like there are many different makes of 4.5” - 5” rat tail grinders.https://www.google.com/search?q=4.5+...ile-gws-wiz-hp