So lets talk 4.5" grinders

[BloomingtonMike]

So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

Next on the list - new small grinder. I have an older 9" Bosch grinder with no blade guard that is crazy powerful and a piece of junk 4.5" Ironhorse china brand grinder that I think came from a roaming tool sale with some goofy sized arbor. Time to look for a new one that has a 5/8-11 arbor and a but physically smaller than the 9".

So far I like the Milwaukee 12amp variable speed model but price is $143. I looked into the 12amp non variable speed model and it is $120. Two other milwaukees local are $100.

So what do you use? What do you hate or love about it. What is the appropriate price for a 4.5" grinder? Would you ever use variable speed if you have it? Any other advice??

Thanks.

 

[tillerkiller]

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

I use a Harbor Freight grinder that I stuck the wheel on a while back and let some of the magic smoke out of the motor. I don't know why (or how) it works anymore, I been BAD to it. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Knocked it off of whatever I was working on a time or two also. I have not seen it there for a while or I would buy another one just on principle. It was $20 and has done at least $75 worth of grinding ./forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I heard that Home Depot is supposed to have a lifetime warranty on their house brand of tools (not sure though), I have looked at their angle grinder and wondered if I should get it. I haven't ever seen it on sale or I probably could tell you if it was any good or not. It has variable speed etc...

One feature that I am looking for is one of those built-in circuit breakers so that if you stick the wheel then the breaker will pop out so that you don't do any damage to the motor. I ahve not seen one of those on an angle grinder though.

 

[dsb5610]

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

I use a Makita. It's like the energizer bunny, keeps going and going. I have no idea what it cost new. This one is probably 10 years old but looks similar to the new ones.

Only complaint may be the switch which is located on the side versus the handle.

dsb

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

I have a Hitachi HD 4.5 inch (they make a standard duty as well). I got it at Lowe's for $98. Lots of power and a handy size. Well built/good unit. BobG in VA

 

[inveresk]

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

Dewalt 4.5". I like that it has a button that locks down the motor so it's easy to remove and place the blade without a wrench.

 

[scott_vt]

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

Mornin Mike,
Gosh Mike, everytime I see one of your posts, I realize Im supposed to get a photo of that darned router table I added to my Unisaw /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Anyday now /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

About the grinder, I bought a Dewalt maybe 6 years ago for $89.95 and it has performed flawlessly! We had a Harbor Freight machine over at our volunteer FD and we blew the darned thing up in no time /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif To me it was worth the $89 bucks for the Dewalt.

Hopefully the safety police are not reading this post, but for many jobs I take that darned guard off. Causes more problems than it cures. Also as a side note, I get the baided wire wheels for removing paint and such from Home Dumpo, they work great /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

scotty

ps Wear safety glasses!

 

[have_blue]

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

I highly recommend the $15 HF grinder. I've brutalized mine for 3 or 4 years, and it still runs perfectly. It has a standard arbor size.

If a neighbor borrows my HF grinder and doesn't bring it back, $15 is not a big hit. In fact, I ENCOURAGE my neighbors to borrow it. If I had a Bosch, Makita, or Milwaukee, I would probably hide them from the neighbors. I guess you could say the HF grinder makes me friendlier. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[H3hound]

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

I have a cheapie 4.5" "Champion" I found on a clearance table at Home Depot. I am sure its similar to one of the Harbor Freight models. It looks like most others and has replaceable motor bushings. $20 and it hasn't failed -yet.

Of the grinders at Harbor Freight there is one that seems to have a more brittle plastic body that I avoided. The others have a softer more impact resistant housing.

YMMV

 

[fishman]

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

I also have the orange "Chicago Electric" (I believe) 4.5" grinder from Harbor Freight. I haven't used it extensively, but it doesn't seem to lack for any power and it seems well built. For less than $20, it sure sounds like a bargain compared to the prices you've been seeing.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Re: So lets talk 4.5\" grinders

One newer DeWalt and one old, old Black & Decker "Professional". DeWalt usually has a wire wheel mounted up, and B&D gets the grinder wheels. That save a heap of time switching back and forth. Both were bought at pawn shops. I paid $22 for the B&D, and $30 for the DeWalt. Odd thing is, I like the older one better. More torque, better grip, less noise.