Thread: Which angle grinder?

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I have a job coming up that will require the purchase of 3 new 4 1/2" angle grinders.
What one's last the longest, best, good torque, etc.
I have a 15 year old Snap-on that kicks ass, but their new one's aren't very good from what I hear.

Brand name ideas please, only quality... I only like to buy a tool once (as much as possible, within reason $$)

thanks

I've got a Makita, the good one with the metal housing.... I put a set of brushes in it every couple years and it just keeps going....

well i had a snap on it was older but after a new switch and many hard mile it burnd up it was a black & decker it was good still have one thats about 20 years old .but just for the hell of it i pick up just one of them 20.00 dollar ones from menards come with brushes and a life time warranty had it for two years beat the hell out of it and it works .i did send one back but i realy was pushing it .put it back in the box and pick up a new one under warranty 3 years 20 bucks not bad deal? i run a 3 cup wire wheel on it and grinding wheels . dewalt or makita if you want a name brand

I have a 4 inch makita and 2 4.5 inch $40 ryobi's(home depot). While the makita has more kick, the ryobi's haven't let me down yet. I've give all 3 4 years of abuse so far. overall I think the makita is better especially for 60$

some of this stuff comes off the same line just another name stamp on it look at the amps the more amps the more grunt

I bought 2 new Dewalt's last year,after many years of owning Mikita's. My last two Mikita's only lasted a couple of months past the warranty, then the triggers gave out.I only recently discovered that Dewalt is owned by Black & Decker . I like the trigger style switch rather then the slide switch,(easier on the fingers).

I got a cheapo at HF. $15. Took it apart and filled the gear box with Never-seize ( no grease on hand). Seems to run ok. It sure is smooth for china made. I did the same with my DeWalt and it runs good too. The D.. has a lot more power however.

I have a makita and a hitachi. ive only had the hitachi about a year so i cant give honest opinion yet, but ive had my makita 7 years now with daily use and has`nt missed a beat. Some folks swear by dewalt, but ive seen to many die early on the job for me to ever buy that brand. All my other tools are hitachi. not as good as days back, but ill still put my money on em.

Currently I have a Ryobi and a Bosch. They both work well but the first Ryobi had switch problems several times until I finally gave up and tossed it. The Bosch - way more powerful so it gets the bulk of my work while the Ryobi gets stuck with the rotary wire brush - which brings up a hijack. Is there a rotary wire brush, straight wires, that will continue to operate more then 2-3 light to medium uses without shedding its wires, usually stuck in my forehead or shirt. I've tried several brands, with the DeWalt being the worst with a couple of foreign being better.

I would have to say the 4 1/2" Dewalt D28402 is by for the best for the buck. I work for a wind tower manufacturer and the job demands a tough grinder last months of grinding 8-12hrs a day 7 day a weeks. plus they are very easy to rebuild. But the 9'' Dewalt grinders do not last a brand new one out of the box wont last a week sometimes a day. And when they go they stink and smoke and spark haha. I have see brand after brand of grinders come through our shop and none last except Dewalt. Now I'm not saying they are junk just saying they they are probably better off in light duty environments. Good luck at your new job.

Originally Posted by IC2

Currently I have a Ryobi and a Bosch. They both work well but the first Ryobi had switch problems several times until I finally gave up and tossed it. The Bosch - way more powerful so it gets the bulk of my work while the Ryobi gets stuck with the rotary wire brush - which brings up a hijack. Is there a rotary wire brush, straight wires, that will continue to operate more then 2-3 light to medium uses without shedding its wires, usually stuck in my forehead or shirt. I've tried several brands, with the DeWalt being the worst with a couple of foreign being better.

Try mighty-mite 4 1/2" wire wheel by Weiler. And buy a face shield. PPE!

funny i own a makita and a dewalt grinder they run great my 13 yrold daughter was laughing in the man cave (shop) with me few days ago and thought it was funny when i lit my hoody on fire cutting ready rod, bottom line cause i live in canada my dewalt works great and my makita works great they have been doing so for six years they get the same amount of work.. it's your preference my oil field working welder friends say either is good and they burn them out every two years because of their industry

I prefer Bosch industrial. Milwakee industrial not bad. Whatever you buy, get a tube of wormsaw grease from you. local tool dealer. Take the cover off and add about a teaspoon to the grease already there. Will run much smoother and cooler. Will extend bearing life to several sets of brushes. Makitas- up in smoke. Dewalt-shorted armatures. Ryobi and Hitachi will last a long time if you don't take them out of the box. Home improvement store grinders are a waste of time. Expect to pay upwards of 200 for a good grinder. If you think that's expensive, consider how much the lost time is going to cost.

My beloved Snap-on looks exactly like my buddy's Black and Decker industrial.
again I have used it without problem one for around 15 years.
My big 15 amp De Walt werkz well, but man is it heavy, and I can't use it to wire wheel 3000 lineal feet of structural steel for a spec. appearance befor powder coat clear is applied.

from this and a few other forums I think I will go with Black and Decker industrial (if I can get the current model of my Snap-on), Bosch, or Milwaukee Industrial

thanks for everyones input

I used to build log furnitire and used a bunch of Dewalts (including on Snap-on version) Also some Craftsman and Harbour frieght are the same as far as parts go. The dewalts DW402 was a great grinder but I don't like the arbour on the one that superceeded it. Make sure and get a paddle switch, the slider on the cheap models is a pita.
I laso have a Bosch I like real well and a Mikata 5" that kicks butt.