View Poll Results: What brand do you have or had...
Craftsman
6
17.65%
DeWalt
13
38.24%
Makita
8
23.53%
Milwaukee
9
26.47%
Black & Decker
4
11.76%
Skil
0
0%
Bosch
2
5.88%
Other
12
35.29%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 34. You may not vote on this poll
4 1/2" Angle Grinders
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
Likes: 45
From: Southern California
We have had such bad luck with DeWalt tools at work that we don't buy them anymore. The most indestructable grinders and chop saw we have had are Milwaukee. We havn't burned one up yet. We did have one that broke the tiny little safety switch that enabled the paddle switch. My personal favorites are the Makita grinders with the thumb switch because I really don't like paddle switches. But one of our guys at work managed to bear down on the Makita so hard he burned it up. I asked for a new Makita to replace it but forgot to specify thumb switch and ended up with another paddle switch. So far it is okay, but my complaint as with all other paddle switches is it limits what you can do with it ergonomicaly.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
I used to have a Makita 4", it was great for the few odd jobs I did with it. It lasted a few years until the roof leaked on it. I didn't catch that in time, so it froze in between the armature and field windings, pushing them apart and causing a short. My only real concern with those is the hard to access lock-on switch. Most grinders have enough torque that if they bind up and you don't kill them, they can kick out and run across your hand, arm, or face then sit and grind into your leg. Much prefer a deadman-style trigger.
If you're going to be doing a lot of grinding on heavy stuff, get a 7.5" or a 9". They handle the abuse a lot better and you get used to the weight.
If you're going to be doing a lot of grinding on heavy stuff, get a 7.5" or a 9". They handle the abuse a lot better and you get used to the weight.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,589
Likes: 2
From: NW burbs of chicago
the dewalt dw402 (not the cheap crap with a plastic nose)
DeWalt DW402 Angle Grinder at Tools Plus
Abuse it like a stepkid and it hasn't died yet
DeWalt DW402 Angle Grinder at Tools Plus
Abuse it like a stepkid and it hasn't died yet
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,359
Likes: 1
From: Hampstead, NC
I voted Makita, as that is what I currently have. It wasn't my first choice, but I needed one ASAP and that was what was in my price range at the time. It has been a really good grinder(knock on wood) , and though it isn't used every day, it is usually used hard when put to work.
If I ever need another I'm going with a Metabo. They are extremely durable and last a long time. I've used many Metabo grinder in commercial construction and all have worked really well, have yet to personally wreck one. Not the cheapest out there, but then again you get what you pay for(usually).
If I ever need another I'm going with a Metabo. They are extremely durable and last a long time. I've used many Metabo grinder in commercial construction and all have worked really well, have yet to personally wreck one. Not the cheapest out there, but then again you get what you pay for(usually).
Thread Starter
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 80,542
Likes: 97
From: Norlina NC
I voted Makita, as that is what I currently have. It wasn't my first choice, but I needed one ASAP and that was what was in my price range at the time. It has been a really good grinder(knock on wood) , and though it isn't used every day, it is usually used hard when put to work.
If I ever need another I'm going with a Metabo. They are extremely durable and last a long time. I've used many Metabo grinder in commercial construction and all have worked really well, have yet to personally wreck one. Not the cheapest out there, but then again you get what you pay for(usually).
If I ever need another I'm going with a Metabo. They are extremely durable and last a long time. I've used many Metabo grinder in commercial construction and all have worked really well, have yet to personally wreck one. Not the cheapest out there, but then again you get what you pay for(usually).
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,256
Likes: 7,694
From: Chino Valley, Arizona
I have 2 makita's and hate them after using the craftsman, the makita only takes a 4 inch disc ( I have stacks of 4 1/2' discs) and has no power, it is like using a finger nail file! maybe they make a bigger higher amperage one? I don't know, I inherited these.
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 0
From: Clarksburg WV
I have a Craftsman 4 1/2" grinder, don't know the model number but they still sell it- it's the one with the trigger, and the handle on the side up near the head that you can put in 3 different positions.
To be honest, I bought it when I was still working at sears because it was on sale and I got a discount, but it has been an excellent grinder. What I thought was neat about it was that you can use grinding discs OR cutoff wheels, all you have to do is flip over the spanner nut. And if you take the guard off (honestly mine hasn't had the guard on it for 2 years probably) you can run bigger cutoff wheels, like 5" or whatever the hell sizes they come in.
I've had that thing for at least 4 years and it's still going strong. Probably the only disadvantage sometimes is its size, just makes it a little difficult to get into tight spots. Also I lost the spanner nut
so I have to use a regular 5/8" nut to hold the wheels on. I need to find a jam nut or another spanner nut that will work on that thing.
To be honest, I bought it when I was still working at sears because it was on sale and I got a discount, but it has been an excellent grinder. What I thought was neat about it was that you can use grinding discs OR cutoff wheels, all you have to do is flip over the spanner nut. And if you take the guard off (honestly mine hasn't had the guard on it for 2 years probably) you can run bigger cutoff wheels, like 5" or whatever the hell sizes they come in.
I've had that thing for at least 4 years and it's still going strong. Probably the only disadvantage sometimes is its size, just makes it a little difficult to get into tight spots. Also I lost the spanner nut
so I have to use a regular 5/8" nut to hold the wheels on. I need to find a jam nut or another spanner nut that will work on that thing.
Thread Starter
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 80,542
Likes: 97
From: Norlina NC
dunno how much itd be but id try looking into the sears repair shops they might be able to order you a new nut for it.. we have one here and its not in the sears store itself.. its about 4 miles down the road from it... they fix just about anything sold in their stores... but seems like specialty tools like torque wrenches and things like that they have to send out...
Thread Starter
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 80,542
Likes: 97
From: Norlina NC
usually they just deliver it to the store itself... then you get to pick it up.. but know what you mean... sometimes its just easier and cheaper to buy a new one all together..
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,992
Likes: 2
From: Lancaster, MA
I bought my Dewalt years ago and have never had a problem, maybe now they arn't so good but my older one is great. I also have a Milwaukee at work that is great as well. That one is really old and beat up but still does the job.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,256
Likes: 7,694
From: Chino Valley, Arizona
[quote=Sparky83;8194145]usually their rated in HP... do you know what horsepower rating yours has?? sometimes its written on the stickers they put on the sides of the grinders...
the craftsman is 1 hp 6 amp
the makita is only 4 amp
the craftsman is 1 hp 6 amp
the makita is only 4 amp