Another tool question - Angle Grinder

[woodlandfarms]

So..... I have a nice Makita angle grinder that works fine for light cleaning. But I know I need something bigger for the next two projects. Went and looked at a few, and I am trying to figure out what would be better, a 7" or a 9"? I can see how the 9" will quickly get the various tasks I need done, but man they are a beast. The 7" are sure lighter, but...

Just wondering what you guys would recommend.

Carl

 

[jlrsn]

It all depends on your end use. I have a 9" Milwaukee for polishing and a heavy old Industrial 7" for grinding but my favorites are my 4-1/2 Makitas with the 5/8x11 TPI Spindle. I find I can do pretty much everything that I need with them for metalworking. They are too small for polishing.
Good luck,
Jim

 

[Scooby074]

makita's 9005 is a pretty good all-arounder. Its a 5". pretty much industry standard.

Makita Canada Inc

bigger grinders are good, but a 5" is right threre. easier to use ans more versitile, unless you have some MAJOR metal to move.

 

[PILOON]

makita's 9005 = tough unit. everything about it is 'just right'

I have 2, one always has a thin disk for cutting and the second serves for mounting disks or wire cup brushes.

I gave up on acyetline torches and use disks now for all my cutting needs.
Made my own snow plow and if I recall I merely used 6-8 disks to cut the blade and framework, plus the disks make a much cleaner cut.
At $1.00 a disk I can't afford torches any more!

 

[AlanB]

5" may be standard in Canada, but the 4 1/2" grinders are much more standard here.

I have multiples of the 4.5 with different wheels on them. One of my most used shop tools.

I have a large Craftsman and large Milwaukee grinder. On most of the larger grinders I think you will find yourself mounting a 7" grinding wheel, and possibly larger sanding disks.

Make sure you want one before you buy one, they are expensive, hard to handle and can wear you out in a hurry.

A good strong 4.5 will do an awful lot of work, different brands have different hand hold configurations and power, try several, I really like my Craftsman with the extended smaller diameter rear handle, and probably use my Ryobi the most with the wrench stored in the handle.

 

[whistlepig]

We use the 4" to 5" grinders for 99% of everything in the welding department at work. We do have some 9" grinders. These are only used for for cleaning slag from the top of the metal weld tables. The welders won't use them for anything else. They are too heavy and too hard to control.

 

[dfkrug]

5" may be standard in Canada, but the 4 1/2" grinders are much more standard here.

Yes, I use three 4.5-inchers, and rarely my 7" DeWalt. The big one
works well, but is hard on the arms, due to its weight and power. I had
a 9" Hitachi that I picked up for $10 with a bad switch....never used
it...the switch is $75. My oldest 4.5 is more than 15 y.o. and it keeps
going, tho I replaced the switch and the case is cracked. It's a no-brand
Chinese unit. I also have a 4.5 Hitachi (nice), and recently bought a
Kawasaki for $30.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Wow, thanks for the insight guys.. I did not say it, but my makita is 4.5". I think I will get two more at that size and then maybe a 7" for some plate cutting. You guys saved me a ton on that 9" which would have killed me.

Carl

 

[mjncad]

My Bosch 4.5" gets used a lot, mostly with cup brushes, followed by grinding disks, then cutting wheels. I wish I had a couple more of them so I don't have to change from brushes to disks, etc..

I've never used a 7" or 9"; but I'll bet they are a handful.

 

[studor]

While I use my 4.5"s for lots of things, I find a 7" with a cup brush and a 9" with a masonary wheel very useful for things the 4.5" just won't or takes too long to do. The 9" I inherited (it is now about 35 years old)and the 7" is a cheapy but they both do a great job.