buying 5" angle grinder advise

Brushhill dave · Jan 12, 2012

I'm in the market for a new 5" angle grinder. I use mostly Makita at work but have had the chance to use Dewalt products a few times. Any recommendations and why is that your choice? thanks for your time;
dave

mrmikey · Jan 12, 2012

I've got a 5" DeWalt I use at work, it's bullet proof. I like Walter but their 4 1/2 is too big around to hold comfortably, the DeWalt is just a nice size.
The guard requires no tools to turn it neither, so if you're grinding and need to do some cutting you can rotate the guard with a flip of the lever. .....Mike

Brushhill dave · Jan 12, 2012

Thanks mrmike, how does the price compare?? Here the miketa sells for $150 haven't found a price on the dewalt yet!

LD1 · Jan 12, 2012

For me at home (I am a cheapskate), I have had pretty good luck with cheapo HF grinders. I can burn through a LOT of $15-$20 grinders vs buying a $150 grinder:thumbsup: But those are 4-1/2" grinders if that will work.

But if money doesnt bother you, and you want the best....

At work, they buy us good stuff. Milwaukee and Metabo are what we have there. Hard to say which one is better. There are little things I like and dislike about both. I dont like the nut on the metabos, but they have the best anti-vibe IMO. Both of those are 10+Amp grinders. My cheapo HF one is only a 6A.

lilranch2001 · Jan 12, 2012

Brushhill dave said:
I'm in the market for a new 5" angle grinder. I use mostly Makita at work but have had the chance to use Dewalt products a few times. Any recommendations and why is that your choice? thanks for your time;
dave

My maintenance department at work uses all dewalt battery power tools and a lot 110 volt
I also have one for home use, it is great for sharpening blades on the eXmark

Craig Clayton · Jan 12, 2012

I bought a Bosch over twenty years ago when they were expensive. I worn the grinder out and dropped it many times. I replaced the rear bearing and plastic welded the housing back together. I only run it for memories.
I am now wearing an import out with another new Porter Cable still in the box.

I do not plan to buy a high end 4 1/2" as one drop in the cold will smash the housing.

Craig Clayton

monckywrench · Jan 12, 2012

I like 6" so I can use cutting disks with longer wear and higher surface speed. I use a Metabo, but any good grinder will do.

fastback88 · Jan 12, 2012

Get a Metabo, it will be the last grinder u buy! We have tryed all brands at work and we used to go though 1 to 2 a month Dewalt,makita,and milwakee,now we only buy Metabo, going on 5 years with the same grinder:thumbsup:

crazyal · Jan 12, 2012

I have a heavy duty Dewalt. It can't be killed, and I mean that. It's basically a 7" or 9" 13 amp grinder that Dewalt put a 4 1/2" (they say 5" will fit) wheel on. I have use it nonstop grind welds it what seamed like forever. And I mean bearing down on it with my full force and it it didn't even slow it down. I hate grinding others hatched job welds down so when I'm doing it I want to get it done quickly. It's pretty large but it'll not let you down. It's a D28115.

Brushhill dave · Jan 12, 2012

Metabo seems to be a popular choice I will have to do some looking around for one. Anybody know how much for a 5" in the metabo brand?? Thanks everybody!
Dave

mrmikey · Jan 13, 2012

Thanks mrmike, how does the price compare??

The 4 1/2 Walter was around the same price if not a bit more, the DeWalt was $130....Mike

Brushhill dave · Jan 13, 2012

I noticed the Merabo had the same style bodies as the majority of the 4.5" ones. And I wonder is it that much of a difference between that body style and that of which I'm used to?.

ak9 · Jan 13, 2012

I was gifted a DW840 w/bag and 5 pcs of 7" wheels (kit ) it was exactly 1.5 years old and on its 5th wheel when the armature burned out . At first I liked it as my medium sized elec. grinder but in notime at all the power seamed to start to drop off when using it .I thought it would be covered under warr. ,but factory service said no ???

This grinder was not used hard at all (I have 3 others ) . The factory did end up covering the part after some hassel but not labor 70$... don't get a dw840 ... bigger or smaller maybe ,...but the 840 is not worth the money spent
ak9

Brushhill dave · Jan 13, 2012

Thanks for the advice

Brushhill dave · Jan 13, 2012

My biggest problem/concern is that I'm 60 miles from a major center. We have a Canadian tire here and home hardware but they seldom carry pro grade tooling so I must travel a fair distance to get the good stuff. I don't like going to the city at all, avoid it like the plague. So I'm trying to buy it once and be done

deereman75 · Jan 13, 2012

I got a new makita body grip 5 inch grinder, and I love it. It has a fair bit of power, and is light and easy to use. I dont push it too hard though, if I need a lot taken off, I get out the old B&D 7 inch.

cub · Jan 14, 2012

fastback88 said:
Get a Metabo, it will be the last grinder u buy! We have tryed all brands at work and we used to go though 1 to 2 a month Dewalt,makita,and milwakee,now we only buy Metabo, going on 5 years with the same grinder:thumbsup:

Hi,my 4" is 25 years old and still going strong. Its not as fancy as the newer ones but does the job. You might want to consider a variable speed one. Really handy with wire wheels . Buy one quality grinder and a bunch of those cheap throw away ones.

woody · Jan 14, 2012

what ever you decide on do not get one of those that stays on if dropped another inch and I would not be here to tell it. get the trigger that stopped when you let go.

Brushhill dave · Jan 14, 2012

Yeah I agree sylwoody, I've had a few run-ins with the locking trigger style! I think it's back to the old tried, tested and true Miketa. Thanks everybody for suggestions,
Dave

Gregg B · Jan 14, 2012

Good morning all,Ive just finished building my own house and after blowing up lots of power tools (used a generator for the whole job) the onlyones still going are the de walts.I know theyre dearer but cant stop em:thumbsup: