Angle Grinder 4 1/2 inch

[Gito]

Looking for a good angle grinder (4 1/2). Need to know which ones to stay away from. Back in the day Makita was the choice. Now you see Dewalt, Porter Cable, Milwaukee being sold in combo deals.

The grinder will not be used daily
Need it for cutting coils, smoothing edges and other miscellaneous things around the house

Advice greatly appreciated

 

[Vern_in_IL]

Check out Hitachi or Kawasaki. The amp rating is what you want to look at. most are like 6-9 amps, I like the Hitachi 5 inch angle grinder, it has a good 11 amps of power. Also has a good paddle switch/handle, paired with the right disc, you can cut metal concrete, granite,etc. It will not bog down.

I ALWAYS disable the "lock on" feature!!

 

[123Saab]

Metabo or Bosh.

 

[stevejones]

Originally Posted By: 123Saab
Metabo

 

[barkingspider]

I have a harbor freight angle grinder. I have used it for cutting and grinding and other auto and household tasks, worked perfectly. It works great for your purpose. If it was going to be a tool that you use daily work work purposes, then I would get a higher quality brand

 

[SrDriver]

Harbor Freight has one on sale right now for $21.99.

 

[stephen9666]

There's more info we need to make solid recommendations.

-What's your budget?
-What kind of switch do you want? Rat-tail style trigger, thumb switch on the side of the grinder or paddle switch?
-Do you want one that can use cutoff wheels and grinding wheels? They can't all technically use both.
-Do you want variable speed?

If you want cheap, the HF models have good reviews. If you search for a coupon you can find certain models as low as $9.99. Also well-reviewed are the Black and Decker and cheaper Porter-Cable, Hitachi and others.

If you want a paddle switch, then I personally like the Makita paddle switches the best.

If you want adjustable speed, then your choices are a lot smaller. I recently bought the Kawasaki adjustable speed grinder from Tractor Supply. Normally, I wouldn't buy a Kawasaki grinder, but it was the easiest way for me to get adjustable speed. Kawasaki grinders are just Chinese grinders sold by Alltrade Tools, which licenses the Kawasaki name to use on power tools.

Metabo may be the "best," but it will probably be way overkill for the OP's needs and not the best use of his dollars.

 

[svhanc]

Harbor Freight ones get HOT when you use them and will bog down if you lean into them.

You are better off with a 10+amp Hitachi or other refurb if you are on a budget. Buy a little more than you "need".

 

[Dan55]

Metabo is an excellent grinder.

 

[sciphi]

For lighter occasional use, a HF angle grinder is a decent buy. They're pretty durable little machines for weekend warriors.

 

[Traction]

Whatever brand I'd recommend one with a paddle switch. The best grinder would be one with variable speed like my Milwaukee model 6154-20. I use wire cup brushes a lot and at 11000 rpm the wires would fly out after not much use. With the variable speed I can slow it down to a more useful speed and the wire brushes seem to last forever now. Plus when sanding something soft, or wood the slower speed keeps the disc from burning the material.

 

[Gito]

What are the advantages of getting the 5 inch grinder vs. the 4 1/2 in grinder? Is the 4.5 in grinder a better choice because of maneuverability and access to smaller areas?

 

[JHZR2]

Makita.

 

[tom slick]

5" gets a bigger motor and a "rat tail" handle. 4.5" is smaller and more maneuverable and certainly covers homeowner / hobby work. I use a Bosch 4.5" for detail work and a Milwaukee 6" for heavier grinding and cutting work.

 

[Merkava_4]

Bosch 1375A

But these threads are worthless because the OP never buys what you recommend.

 

[dieselbass]

I've had a little milwakie for years ar my work. Just starting to growl at the gear drive. Been run very hard when I'm fabricating stuff. Going to buy another.

 

[Gito]

Originally Posted By: Dan55
Metabo is an excellent grinder.


I went to the Metabo website and there are SO MANY grinders to choose from. What exactly should I be looking for as far as wattage/volts etc.

It seems like a Makita from Home Depot would be good but now that there is mention of paddles, triggers, and other activating buttons its starting to confuse me..

 

[Trav]

I have 3 here and a couple in Germany. An old Milwaukee, A Makita and a Dewalt.
There a Metabo and a Flex.

My favorites are the Flex and the Milwaukee. Seeing as the Milwaukee is so old and probably not made anymore i would get the Makita (home depot) if i needed one today, its a good little unit otherwise order the Flex.

Flex is to angle grinders what Hoover is to vacuum cleaners. In Germany an angle grinder is commonly refereed to as a Flex.
When someone ask you for a Flex you know exactly what they want. $69 from Amazon AFAIK it is still Made in Germany.

http://www.amazon.com/Flex-L3709-Single-Speed-Grinder/dp/B00IA9AVPW

Edit: i just read the Flex is a closeout from Flex and wont be available much longer, the new one is variable speed and pricey. Grab it while you can.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: Gito
It seems like a Makita from Home Depot would be good but now that there is mention of paddles, triggers, and other activating buttons its starting to confuse me..


Save yourself the confusion and just buy what I recommended.

 

[JHZR2]

Perhaps a stupid question, but can an angle grinder be adapted to be a rotary polisher for detailing? I'd imagine most of the design is identical...