Last week I had 2) 4.5 inch corded Dewalts and 2) M18 grinders. I killed the one older Dewalt and was thinking about getting a larger one with a little more snot. I was told that the 7" packs quite a punch, but is heavy and harder to manage. I also see grinders that are listed as 4.5- 5" and even a 6". Is there a happy medium here with a midsize - power /weight or just get a 7" for when the going gets tough? TIA
Disc grinder thoughts?
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crazyal
Super Member
Look at how many amps the grinder draws. 4 1/2" grinders have a wide range, from less than 7 amps to 13 or more. The 7" grinders are usually 13 to 15 amps. Unless you want the larger size grinding wheel a 4 1/2" 13 amp grinder is going to be pretty much equal to a 7" grinder. They are probably going to be based on the same motor. My corded DeWalt (trigger switch) is one of the 13 amp versions and No matter how hard I work it I can't slow it down. In the past I've burnt up several 7amp grinders (one used DeWalt given to me, a Black and Decker, and a Harbor Freight). The 13 amp grinder is bigger but that doesn't bother me other than the rare few times when I'm trying to hold the grinder with one hand while grinding.
Shield Arc
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ultrarunner
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I have two old Milwaukee 5.5 grinders... no complaints and got a lot or work... both with disc and also with cup brushes.
Big Barn
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I agree with Shield Arc. Pretty hard to beat a big grinder for FAST material removal. Pros and cons to each though. Best to have one of each.
PILOON
Super Star Member
I have used 2 Makita 4" grinders for some 10 years (and go thru a pile of discs) with no problems so far.
Granted I do blow any dust away occasionally so perhaps that has helped.
Will also add that both were purchased at yard sales so who knows what abuse they had B4 my acquisition.
I typically have one set up with a wire cup brush and the second with cut off disks.
To look at them they both show signs of surviving WW2. LOL.
Big Barn (post #5) has 3 just like mine hanging on his wall rack.
Granted I do blow any dust away occasionally so perhaps that has helped.
Will also add that both were purchased at yard sales so who knows what abuse they had B4 my acquisition.
I typically have one set up with a wire cup brush and the second with cut off disks.
To look at them they both show signs of surviving WW2. LOL.
Big Barn (post #5) has 3 just like mine hanging on his wall rack.
I did a Humper Freight one like 15 years ago and never again. For the same reason I ended up buying extra grinders ( though it's nice having a zip wheel on one, flap on another and so on.) as they get rough and out of balance- not easy on the hands for me.
Big Barn
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Piloon, two of those Makitas are over 20 years old.
hslogger
Platinum Member
I gotta buddy who buys HF crap and wrecks em continually, trades them back in and does it again.
I bought a couple of Makitas. End of story. Buy quality once and quit screwing around.
I bought a couple of Makitas. End of story. Buy quality once and quit screwing around.
Cord
Veteran Member
I had a Milwaukee 4.5 and it died from wear. I then got a Bosch 5" rat tail and smoked it when I put a 6" disk on. I liked that grinder because the tail gave me a lot of control. I typically the 9" disks when they are worn and then put them on the smaller grinders. This one was a little big and I was working the grinder too hard. I now have a 4.5" Metabo. The grinder is comparable to the Milwaukee, but I really like the toolless wheel change. I also have a 4.5" Makita cordless grinder. This grinder is great for those little jobs. Grab it, slap a battery in and finish before you could have dragged the cord across the shop.
The 9" Milwaukee used to be the fastest way I had to remove material. Nothing could come close. Now I've upgraded to a 12" bench grinder and we're in a whole new class of material removal.
The 9" Milwaukee used to be the fastest way I had to remove material. Nothing could come close. Now I've upgraded to a 12" bench grinder and we're in a whole new class of material removal.
PILOON
Super Star Member
So you confirm my faith in the Makitas, LOL, guess I have another 10 years to go.
ultrarunner
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Local Home Depot had a TWIN pack of Makita 120V disc grinders for $99
LD1
Epic Contributor
I have a metabo 6". Not sure the specific model.
But it's like the power of a 7-9" grinder, in a 4-1/2" size.
When it comes to flappers and grinder wheels, I just use 5" stuff so they work on my other grinders. Byt being able to use a 6" cutoff disc is a lifesaver many times.
But it's like the power of a 7-9" grinder, in a 4-1/2" size.
When it comes to flappers and grinder wheels, I just use 5" stuff so they work on my other grinders. Byt being able to use a 6" cutoff disc is a lifesaver many times.
Turbys_1700
Elite Member
I have the small 4.5 and 7 inch grinders. If you are an occasional user nothing wrong with Harbor Freight. I've used mine quite frequently and can't kill them. The 7 is great for fast removal. Just need to hold on.
orezok
Super Member
When I have to remove a lot of metal, and I mean a LOT of metal, this is my go to grinder. 9" Milwaukee. I've had it for 40 or so years. The biggest drawback is that it weighs 15 lbs.
Big Barn
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Now there's a tool I'd like to have. They definitely don't make them like that anymore.....
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
I started out with a DeWalt 4.5 inch grinder and it was fine for small projects, but died the first time I used it for an extended period of time. It just overheated and burned itself up. At that time I thought DeWalt was a top end brand and figured that if it failed so easily, I should just buy cheap ones and not worry about burning them up. I went through several brands before rethinking that idea. It wasn't so much that they where cheap and died quickly, it was that I didn't have anything once it happened and had to go buy another. Being out in the country, I'm sure everyone understands about having to run to town for something you didn't plan on.
Then after my DeWalt circular saw died, I decided to try Makita. They had a special for the saw and a 4.5 inch grinder in the same box for $99 that seemed too good to pass up. That was ten to 12 years ago and both are still working great. I bought another Makita angle grinder so I could have them both ready to use with different disks. They have two different types of triggers, and I really don't know which is better.
Since then, I've replaced just about every power tool that I have with Makita.
Then after my DeWalt circular saw died, I decided to try Makita. They had a special for the saw and a 4.5 inch grinder in the same box for $99 that seemed too good to pass up. That was ten to 12 years ago and both are still working great. I bought another Makita angle grinder so I could have them both ready to use with different disks. They have two different types of triggers, and I really don't know which is better.
Since then, I've replaced just about every power tool that I have with Makita.
downsizingnow48
Elite Member
For a while Bosch 4 1/2" angle grinders were selling for $49. I got 4 of them and put different disks on. That was several years ago and no problem. I like that it doesn't matter what I do, the trigger is in the same place and feels the same and I can operate it easily with heavy gloves on.
My dad had one of those 9" grinders, it was always my job. I hated that monster.
My dad had one of those 9" grinders, it was always my job. I hated that monster.
It is good to hear Makita is good stuff again. Probably was the next thing after the HF ones that didn't pass muster were the Makita for me and they kept resetting so I moved on to the yellow ones. Interesting that we've graduated to 5 and 6 to fill the gap, but no real 6" grinding wheels seem to be available, at least commonly. Looks like the consensus is to look for a 5 or 6 with some power behind it or grab a 7". Thanks for the input guys and gals .
