Choosing an electric angle grinder?
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 332
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Choosing an electric angle grinder?
Well I burnt up our angle grinder, using a 4 inch wire brush on my frame rails. Whats the best way to go about choosing an angle grinder? Is it worth spending a hundred bucks on a boxstore name brand or just keep buying 20 dollar harbor freight? All I really know is our previous one was it spun around 11k rpm and accepted 4.5 blades.
We've had this angle grinder for years but it has had significant use recently. Till i broked it.
We've had this angle grinder for years but it has had significant use recently. Till i broked it.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,988
Likes: 9,853
From: Rio Rancho, NM
A few months ago my old dewalt finally quit. I'd replaced bearing and brushes in it many times over the years but when it squealed and threw sparks at me out of the vents I knew it was done.
I knew that I wasn't going to drop $75-100 on a new one. I searched around and ended up buying a $30 Black and Decker from Wal Mart. So far I'm pretty happy with it. I don't remember the numbers now but I think the motor had the same amperage rating as the $100 name brands
Good luck
Bobby
I knew that I wasn't going to drop $75-100 on a new one. I searched around and ended up buying a $30 Black and Decker from Wal Mart. So far I'm pretty happy with it. I don't remember the numbers now but I think the motor had the same amperage rating as the $100 name brands
Good luck
Bobby
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,172
Likes: 4,772
From: Burbank, WA
After spending years in the automotive trades and thousands of dollars on tools to do my job with, I'm tired of spending big bucks on stuff I don't have to, but I don't like buying junk, either. I watch craigslist and local want ads and pawn shops for bargains on used, quality tools. I snagged a nice Milwaukee angle grinder several years ago for $25. If you can try them out and see they still have good power, they'll usually last as long or longer than the harbor freight crap for the same money, and I'm not feeding the chinese economy at the same time.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
I too figured why not spend 20 every couple of years on a cheap grinder. That is until I used a nice one. One that doesn't feel gravely when you turn the wheel by hand. One that the switch isn't a pile of garbage.
Spend the money...
Spend the money...
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,291
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
Ditto on anything Milwaukee makes. Real nice balance of quality and price. I have a drill and a sawzall and both are first rate. The drill was only $10 more than a Ryobi POS. And ditto on watching CL, if you're not in a hurry. My sawzall was used twice and was half price.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,577
Likes: 29
From: Pekin, IL
I have a dewalt and it is decent, but the button slides forward and it gets tiring on the thumb..It's supposed to lock but it is plastic and worn.
Avoid the slide button...
Avoid the slide button...
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Kalamazoo MI
I purchased a Porter Cable from Lowes. The reason I LOVE my PC is because it has a longer handle instead of a traditional "stubby" style body found on most angle grinders. It has a trigger instead of slide switch. That gives more control. Mine is a 4 1/2", 7.5 amps which is a good compromise in size. I can use a lot of attachments and get some work done. I have used mine on complete rebuilds and never let me down. It has done everything from rivet cutdown to stripping all the body panels and cabs of paint. It cost me $39 and I would buy another one in a heart beat. I did remove the spark guard and never use the detachable handle grip but of course I highly suggest a full face shield, leather gloves and other protective wear.
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FTE fan
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,674
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From: paradise, northern calif.
I have two HB grinders , I keep a wire brush on one and a grinding wheel on the other. Ive had them for my entire build with no problems (over 5 years). You can always buy there warnty and return them if they give out. But always remember "you get what you pay for" no exceptions.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 14,325
Likes: 14
From: Island Southeast Alaska
Believe it or not. 20+ years on a 4 inch Master Mechanic. 14 years of that was in my commercial repair shop. I now use it at least once a week. And don't mind loaning it out to the kids. Kid just went through a new disk cutting up his exhaust system in one setting. It has the slide switch and is prone to getting shut off while in use but the damn thing will not die. I have found it out in the rain where the kids have left it as well. I never would have thought it would still be going strong.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,577
Likes: 29
From: Pekin, IL
Believe it or not. 20+ years on a 4 inch Master Mechanic. 14 years of that was in my commercial repair shop. I now use it at least once a week. And don't mind loaning it out to the kids. Kid just went through a new disk cutting up his exhaust system in one setting. It has the slide switch and is prone to getting shut off while in use but the damn thing will not die. I have found it out in the rain where the kids have left it as well. I never would have thought it would still be going strong.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 14,325
Likes: 14
From: Island Southeast Alaska
Mine locks fine Jeff. It's just that when I shift the grinder and just bump it than it clicks off. That's really not a bad thing as it makes it some safer I guess. It just sensitive is all.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,293
Likes: 47
From: South central, Minnesota
I find it much cheaper burning out $10-$20 4" & 4 1/2" angle grinders. Then it is $100+ ones. I go thru enough of them that I consider them to be a consumable item like Sawzall blades.
I watch for the cheap ones to go on sale and then I buy a handful of them.
That way I've always got a spare.
Oh by the way I have a brand new Milwaukee grinder sitting on the shelf in my closet. I got it free when I bought a band saw a while back. I've just never used it because I've always got a cheap grinder laying around to use.
I watch for the cheap ones to go on sale and then I buy a handful of them.
That way I've always got a spare. Oh by the way I have a brand new Milwaukee grinder sitting on the shelf in my closet. I got it free when I bought a band saw a while back. I've just never used it because I've always got a cheap grinder laying around to use.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
From: Central Oregon
I have gone through one HF grinder at about the 7 year mark and have another that is still going after 13 years. I picked up a used Dewalt (CL $25) so I now have one for wire brushing and one for grinding/cutting.
For what they cost ($10 on sale), I figured I got more than my money's worth out of HF.
For what they cost ($10 on sale), I figured I got more than my money's worth out of HF.