4 1/2" Angle Grinders - How Many??

[Jay4200]

I have a couple of Harbor Freight 4 1/2" grinders that I got 15-20 years ago for ~$10 a piece. I got the first and liked it, then got the second as a backup because I figured the first would break soon enough. They're both still going strong, but it seems that I'm ALWAYS out of grinding disks. AAMOF, I'm on my last disk (which has about 1/4" left) right now.

JayC

 

[SixHoeBob]

In my shop I have 8 Dewalt 402s, one for every conceivable wheel or brush. In my truck, I have an 18V Dewalt and 2 110V Boschs. I need at least one grinder for each car yet.

 

[gunnner]

I have 3----One Makita 4 1/2---one Drill master 4'(habor freight -cheap--keep a chain saw blade in that one)---& a 12" hitachi (very heavy)---
Also have two dremill tools that grind ---1 battery operated-

Not sure if they make a cordless 4' grinder---that would be cool.

 

[orezok]

I've got 5 electric. Two makitas, a HF cheapie and a Sears. All 4" to 4.5". Keep a different blade/brush on each. If you count the air tools add an additional 5.

Then there is El Diablo. It's a 9" Ingersol that I have had for 40+ years. Weights a ton but if you needed to grind a tank in half it would make quick work of it.

 

[Grayson Klassen]

I've got 5 electric. Two makitas, a HF cheapie and a Sears. All 4" to 4.5". Keep a different blade/brush on each. If you count the air tools add an additional 5.

Then there is El Diablo. It's a 9" Ingersol that I have had for 40+ years. Weights a ton but if you needed to grind a tank in half it would make quick work of it.

I am with you. I have two 4-1/2 inch Dewalts one has a zip disk on it and the other has a flap disk. I have a Dewalt 5 inch that has a grinding disk on it or occasionally a wire disk. I also have a 7 ich makita that is either loaded with a grinding disk or a zip disk depending.

I always hate swapping abrasives all the time so just keep multiple grinders.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

In my shop I have 8 Dewalt 402s, one for every conceivable wheel or brush. In my truck, I have an 18V Dewalt and 2 110V Boschs. I need at least one grinder for each car yet.

Now thats something I've given thought to...Cordless 4.5" Grinder. How do you like it? Does it have enough grunt? Batteries last?
I've had my eye on the Milwaukee M18 4.5" Grinder...Especially now theyve got that Red Lithium...could score a few of the new batteries for my fleet..

 

[KubotainNH]

You guys make me think I should buy another grinder. Now I have a 4.5" Sears that I've had for years, beat the snot out of it. I also have a cheap HF 3" air one that works great for cutting stuff but gives my compressor a workout. Also have a dremel. For the most part this is enough but having 2 electric 4.5" would be nice. Hmmmmm.....

 

[SweBota]

IMO:

Metabo
Flex
Bosch professional

are all excellent.

Hilti is great but very (too) expensive.

Milwaukee & Dewalt have some good models but not all of their range can be fully trusted.

/Marcus

 

[earljr59]

You guys make me think I should buy another grinder. Now I have a 4.5" Sears that I've had for years, beat the snot out of it. I also have a cheap HF 3" air one that works great for cutting stuff but gives my compressor a workout. Also have a dremel. For the most part this is enough but having 2 electric 4.5" would be nice. Hmmmmm.....

I agree.I have had a black & decker pro series for years with the trigger on the bottom, but grew tired of always switching wire/grinding wheels while welding.I wanted a trigger setup like it & dewalt had that same style.So far it is handy and I wish I had bought a second grinder in 4.5 size years ago.I hope it is half as good as the black & decker has been.And as a plus,I have not had to use my big old heavy grinder .

 

[SixHoeBob]

Now thats something I've given thought to...Cordless 4.5" Grinder. How do you like it? Does it have enough grunt? Batteries last?
I've had my eye on the Milwaukee M18 4.5" Grinder...Especially now theyve got that Red Lithium...could score a few of the new batteries for my fleet..

I bought the 18V grinder because it came with 2 batteries. I needed new batteries, and the grinder kit wasn't that much more than batteries alone.

The grinder takes a lot of juice, so the batteries don't last very long. I use the 110V whenever possible.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I bought the 18V grinder because it came with 2 batteries. I needed new batteries, and the grinder kit wasn't that much more than batteries alone.

The grinder takes a lot of juice, so the batteries don't last very long. I use the 110V whenever possible.

Thanks Bob, you confirmed my suspicions...

 

[mxg342]

I have two or three dewalts, one old metabo, and a few HF's in 4-1/2" grinders. I have a craftsman professional 7" for the big grinding operations.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Three is a good number for me. I have one with a skinny wheel, one with a grinding wheel, and one as a backup. When I'm done fabricating, I switch to a flap disc and a wire wheel to prep for paint.

I've tried them all from the cheapest Homier Tools one off the gypsy tool truck to Milwaukee. The best $/hr. I've found is to get the mid-range HF one and replace as needed. I buy a new one about once a year meaning that mine last about 3 years.

I fact, I burned up another one last night. Why do they put the vent holes right on the handle where it's too easy to block them with a glove while using the grinder.

 

[EddieWalker]

I sure feel foolish reading this thread.

I have two Makita 4 1/2 inch grinders. I bought the one when my DeWalt burned out and I keep it in a five gallon bucket with all my disks. When I need a different disk, I change it to what I need.

About two years ago, I bought a Makita 7 1/4 inch saw that came with another Makita 4 1/2 inch grinder just like the one I already have. It's still in the box, sitting on my shelf. I thought I'd wait until the one I use died on me and then I'd use the other one. It never occured to me to put a different disk on it and have two grinders available. DUH

Eddie

 

[JCByrd24]

Three is the magic number for me as well. Cutting disc, grinding disc, and flap wheel. The wire wheel I've got vibrates a ton and so I use it as little as possible. All 4-1/2". For cheapies I recommend Ryobi, it's the smoothes and quietest of mine. The others are B&D and Northern (Chicago?) Tool, both are fine too. These have all been around a while now so I don't have much motivation to go to an expensive one next time.

 

[crash325]

I sure feel foolish reading this thread.

I have two Makita 4 1/2 inch grinders. I bought the one when my DeWalt burned out and I keep it in a five gallon bucket with all my disks. When I need a different disk, I change it to what I need.

About two years ago, I bought a Makita 7 1/4 inch saw that came with another Makita 4 1/2 inch grinder just like the one I already have. It's still in the box, sitting on my shelf. I thought I'd wait until the one I use died on me and then I'd use the other one. It never occured to me to put a different disk on it and have two grinders available. DUH

Eddie

Eddie, you should have run out put a wheel of some kind on the other 1. Then with great pride, say "2 is all I need". :laughing:

Some said something about the Porter Cable being weak. Mine has never lacked for power and I load it pretty heavy. It has often been run (abused) until it got so hot I could not touch the head.

See Picture :ashamed:
Even now it had enough power to jerk its self out of my hands and mash my fingers. Wire brushing this AM, when it got away from me. Yes I had gloves on, or may be missing body parts. It sure felt good after it quit hurting.

 

[glc24]

Metabo is #1,there are no others,and their "Quick" tool quick change is second to none!:thumbsup:

Greg

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have a 20 year old Drill master, a 5 year old Harbor Freight orange model and a 3 year old Dewalt that I found nearly new at a pawn shop. They all work just fine.

 

[dstig1]

I have 2 now (4.5") and wish I had 3 or probably 4. I picked up the second one at Northern on sale for cheap. The other one is the Makita that came with my cutoff saw. I will pick up more cheapos as the opportunity presents. Changing wheels is a PITA with the need to reconfigure guards, different bits, different wrenches for each, etc.

 

[CurlyDave]

I have two Makita 4.5" grinders, and both in CA and OR, just about every subcontractor I have hired uses Makitas. The tile people had 2 or 3, and the granite counter people had about 5, all Makita.

They may not be absolutely top of the line, but they sure are "good enough" and they last and last.