High amperage can mean either a powerful motor, or one that is very inefficient. Since its a simple number, it's used to sell everything from vacuum cleaners to table saws. The best grinder is the one that produces the most torque with the least amps.

Personally I prefer pneumatic grinders, anyway. But electrics are somewhat easier to control speed on, and usually quieter.

 

I have had the same Hitachi for 10 years and it still works great, no failures so far. The trick is to get one that is comfortable for you to use, one with the switch where you like it. Almost all of them are now made in China, but some are better than others. The main thing to do, as has been said here now, is to use quality discs and anything else you put on it. And of course to be safe and use gloves, no loose clothes, face shield, and ear protection. If you are in a closed shop make sure you don't have any flammables around because those sparks can cause fires.

 

Yeah what ya need is low amps and high watts.

 

Yeah they last forever when you leave them in a drawer.

 

LOL
take a look at us. Here we are pecking around like a bunch of old hens. We might as well call this the Sewing Circle Sally Stitch-N-Bitch. Aaron asks a simple question and look what he gets, as many different answers as there are opinionated truck fanatics.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining or trying to offend anyone and I'm enjoying this discussion. I just think its funny how some threads end up with garnering so much attention while others fall by the wayside.

Ok, back to your regularly scheduled program
Bobby

 

Hitachi here. Daily use at work without fail for many years.

 

I use mine all the time, even in my woodworking when I need some aggressive sanding. It doesn't sit in a drawer at all, usually on the floor or sometimes on a shelf.

 

Watt = volts x amps

 

Chuck ??? turn the guard !!!!!

 

Or just plug it in backwards!

 

I have two harbor freight 4.5 grinders - I bought the extended warranty on the first, they have replaced it twice after burning them up when I got the second replacement I paid $5 for another warranty and so on.
I keep the second one I bought new just in case I'm in the middle of something and the first one craps on me.

If I was using a grinder to pay the bills I would look around at true industrial machines

 

I was also puzzled by that response...

 

Turns out my original grinder was a hitatchi. A very similar model is sold at lowes and I could have went with it again but... I wanted to try something different.

I went with a porter cable 4.5 grinder. It was the same price as the hitachi. I wanted to try something with the rear handle instead and the trigger on/off seemed safer. Its 7.5 amps which rates it heavier duty than the hitachi according to the neat little chart at lowes. Either way I bought the 2 year replacement warranty so i can trade them out if it ends up being junk. I'll let everyone know what I think about it after I use it.

 

Excellent, I for one will be interested in your thoughts on it after you've had a chance to take the tip off of a knuckle and/or grind some steel...LOL

Bobby

 

Harbor Freight here....