4&1/2" angle grinder reccomendations?

gears351 · Nov 11, 2010

Anyone out there got some experience with angle grinders - as in durability? I run them with the thin cutoff wheels and a sanding disc, my old DW402 dewalt burned the windings up last year so I treated myself to the new model the D28402N, it's lasted me a light use year and the gear case stripped out yesterday.

The old one had a bushing on the inside of the case and the new units have a "Low Profile gear case to reach in tight spaces" as per the sales literature and now I've got a roached bevel gear!

Turns out the new case is thinner cause there's only one bearing! so all the load torques the bevel away from the pinion gear!

So, I want to find a new heavy duty unit WITH A PADDLE SWITCH but don't know what's what. Online they all look to have a wimpy little gear case (Bosch looks a little thicker, the Milwakee doesn't look too good in the pics, Makita's supposed to be nice)

I've got to go to a store and lay my hands on them to get a feel of them and compare construction.

Anyone got any suggestions/experience?

Diamondpilot · Nov 11, 2010

This is the single most used tool I own. I have destroyed 2 in the last 4 years. One was a Makita and the other a Dewalt. I now have a Hitachi I got at Lowes and its by far the best for the money on the market.

Chris

Scotty370 · Nov 11, 2010

I've had a good 4" Makita, 'forever'!! It just doesn't quit! It's got a 'breaker-button' in the base, so if I start 'horsing' it to badly, it will 'pop'. It probably serves to save the motor from over heating. I also have a 'cheapy' Harbor Freight, that I use with a twisted wire brush for slag removal during welding. Can't beat that Makita though........~Scotty

Ooops! Chris posting at the same time! Never had experiance with Hitachi...~S

/pine · Nov 11, 2010

I've gone through dozens of them composite/fiberglass fabricating etc...

for the price check out the ones that TSC carries (Masterhand)..I've had one for 3-4 years and it is holding up well...plus it has an 8' cord which is very nice compared to many that only have pigtail cords...

gears351 · Nov 11, 2010

Thanks guys, I've got a Lowes around the corner - they don't carry the Makitas, I'll have to run to HomeDepot to check that one out.

gears351 · Nov 11, 2010

I've been hearing "Metabo" from my friends who buy from Fastenal for their shops.... but that's a $200 unit from them.

crazyal · Nov 11, 2010

I've burnt up more grinders than I can remember. Look for current ratings (amps) and buy the highest rated. I now use a Dewalt d28115 and it's unstoppable, it's not light though.

The smaller grinders heat up as you use them, both from friction in the gear case and current going through the motor. That heat is bad and breaks down the coating on the winding inside the motor and puts lots of wear on the brushes in a short amount of time. Grinders rated for higher current don't heat up because they use a larger diameter wire for the windings for the extra current.

k0ua · Nov 11, 2010

I have had a makita for many years. and it has held up very well, and I like it a lot. but I gotta say, I have abused my $14 harbor freight (blue one) and it is still working well, I dont know... $14 is not a lot of money, and I have already got my money's worth out of it and it is still going strong.. just saying..
James K0UA

Hooked_on_HP · Nov 11, 2010

I have a 4 1/2 " Makita and have abused the heck out of it. I did have to change the brushes once but that is an easy change on the Makita. I also have a 4 1/2 B&D and it vibrates so bad my hands go numb.
Bill

chips papaw · Nov 11, 2010

well i have went threw a lot also. the toughest one for long life.i brought a craftman about 15 years ago from sears outlet its been used and abused every sence ive worked it hard both of my sons and my grandson also ive loaned it out to some of my friends that do a lot of body work and welding also.its still running as strong now as when it was new. if you are looking for something cheaper thats tough also the firestrom brand from lowes will surprise you its made by black/decker .i bought the grinder and a corded 1/2 in. drill they both have been tough as nails.

brain55 · Nov 11, 2010

I've actually had good luck with the Craftsman grinders too. My current one is a Craftsman that I have had for more than a few years now.

Brian

Danno1 · Nov 12, 2010

.

I've had a Craftsman for many years. Has a 8-10 ft cord too!

Metabo is what the professional metal workers buy.

.

jayste · Nov 12, 2010

I've got a B & D and bought it back in 1992. It doesn't get daily use but does get used. It's held up real well and I think it's rated for 10a. If I were you I'd buy the brand that suits you but I'd equally look at amperage ratings. Nothing worse than really trying to remove some material and your grinder has no guts!

:thumbsup:

Regneufeld · Nov 12, 2010

I have a 4" Milwaukee that has been very good. I have a DW as well but not holding my breath on how good it is. About 2-3 yrs ago DW stuff went down hill bad. Seems they figured someone in china could save them 3cents and used jello for a lot of there gears.

Iplayfarmer · Nov 12, 2010

I'm surprised to hear that some of you are getting decades out of your grinders. I've tried a few different brands including Milwaukee. I've come to the sad realization that angle grinders are a consumable. Now I just buy the cheapest thing I can find and run it until it quits. Then I trash it and get another. I buy a new one every couple of years; and I always keep a few around so I can have one with a skinny wheel, one with a grinding disk, and one with a flap disk or wire wheel.

Mark @ Everlast · Nov 12, 2010

New Milwaukees are not that good (12 amps).

Local welding school has a pile of them to prove it. They have a bunch of 7 and 10 amp DeWalts that have been taking the abuse. I have a DeWalt as well, couldn't be more satisfied. I have burned up everything from Makita to Harbor Freight. For the money, Harbor freight isn't bad, as long as you realize its amp limits. They'll last a long time for 14.99. You pay 89-150.00 for longer life spans, but you can buy 10 HF's for one 150.00 unit...Which will far out last the 1 150.00 unit.

gears351 · Nov 12, 2010

I've never had one last long enough to need brushes!

HiTechTed · Nov 12, 2010

I'm using a B&D that has a bit of a rattle when it starts up. I think it's a bearing or the gears are a bit worn, but it has taken a beating and keeps on working. I have a Makita that was my dad's, I haven't used it yet. I think I'll wait until the B&D dies before I get it out.

Hooked_on_HP · Nov 12, 2010

gears351 said:
I've never had one last long enough to need brushes!

My Makita is probably 10 yrs old and has been abused. I have had it so hot you couldn't hold it without gloves. I just put brushes in it about a month ago.
The main reason I bought the Makita is because of the trigger. It is a squeeze trigger on the main body. My previous grinder had a button you had to push forward with your thumb. What a PITA that was. If you were in an awkward position you couldn't push the trigger.
Bill