Angle Grinder Dilemma

payjay314

payjay314

"If we can't find a way, we will make one!"
Hey Guys,


I just wanted to ask the forums about their opinions on the different angle grinders in the market. Anyways, I had my eye on a Dewalt 4.5 inch grinder on Amazon for about 50 bucks http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-D28110-2-Inch-Small-Grinder/dp/B000BM6BMS/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
I was planning on using it to grind off any tabs and welds on my build as well as cutting the frame. I wonder if this 7 amp model is adequate enough for the job or should I go to a 10 amp. I also plan on using it for other home repair projects, but for now it will be used in my build. I'm hoping if someone can maybe give me advice on what product I should buy before I spend the money. BTW, I'm a total noob when it comes to using tools (I'm starting to build my collection,lol)...Thanks for the advice!


PJ
 
Yes sir that will be plenty adequate for what you want to do with it. I have a cheapo harbor freight unit that's still going strong. I think it was less than half the cost of the Dewalt. You can also mount a thin cutting wheel like a razor blade type on that for cutting.
 
A must have tool. For cutting grinding, striping, cleaning. I have an old milwaukee, that my dad used before I was born, so 20 years old. Great tool.
 
I have several angle grinders. The reason being that I can switch between wire wheel, cutting disk, grinding disk, or flap wheel by simply picking up a different tool. <G>

I have three of the cheap Harbor Freight ones. I think I paid <$20 for them. They work fine. I have a little better quality one from Ryobi. It is a superior tool with more power and seems like it's higher speed, too.

The cheap ones are OK, and definitely worth the money. Better ones that cost more are, well, better.
 
i agree with AD , you can pick 2 or 3 diff ones from HF for what you'll pay for one really nice one and if its just to work on your bike and not ever day then they work just fine. ill have 2 or 3 diff set ups like AD and it helps on time !
 
+1 on the cheap grinders. I have 4 (cutting disc, grinding disc, flap wheel and cup brush). They take a lot of abuse and last a surprisingly long time. In fact, the last one I killed was a "decent" Ryobi - the cheap ones are still going ::)
 
I've had several of them over the years, the most recent of which have been made by Makita. I won't buy anything else these days. One will last you for years and once you get your first one you'll find yourself using it a lot more than you expected. You get a couple of cut-off wheels for it, you get a backing plate and various sanding disks for metal grinding, and then you get a wire-brush for it and the thing becomes a more or less indispensable tool. Just be careful with it, use eye protection and wear gloves and even then keep in mind that the thing can cut a finger off faster than you can release the trigger. Be careful.
 
Keep an eye on Home Depot. Ive (twice now) lucked upon a 2-1 deal on Bosch 4.5" grinders. About $35 for two, top of the line tools. I love Bosch power tools.
 
Thanks for all the replies...I think I will go with the Harbor Freight grinder to save money...
 
Good call - an angle grinder is by no means a "precision" tool and the cheap ones will do the job just as well as the expensive ones. It's a good idea to get some quality discs though (or else you'll be changing them every 5 minutes)

And what you save on the grinder you can spend on goggles / safety glasses / gloves ;)
 
That is for sure Hillsy...The money I set aside for my build actually includes the cost of tools as well,lol...
 
Harbor Freight 1/16" cutting discs are as good/bad as any I've used, just cheaper.
The grinding discs are OK for the price but flap wheels don't last long so get good ones
I have 2 HF angle grinders and a ???? so 3 total
 
I have a never-to-be-broken rule for angle grinders.

I once had one literally leap out of my hands when I turned it on. I had a cutting disk in it, and it damn near cut to the tendon on one of my knuckles. Now, I NEVER use an angle grinder without first putting on heavy gloves. I use a pair of welding gloves.

I like a full face shield. Keeps your face cleaner. <G>
 
Damn good advice.
I've started using full face shield, plus earplugs, pretty much always wore gloves to help cut down vibration and also not slice myself up on sharp bits
 
I have a couple of the ear muff type hearing protectors. Any time I use a power tool or wield a hammer that I will be striking metal, I put them on. I can't afford to lose any more of my hearing. I have enough tinnitus as it is.
 
I mostly use my angle grinders when I'm welding, so I keep my welding gloves and helmet on when I'm grinding. I have taken off the safety guards on mine to allow greater access / flexibility - which is another reason why I wear the welding gloves and helmet.

Don't try this at home unless you are comfortable with using an angle grinder and know what you are doing ;)
 
My angle grinders are almost always plugged into outlet strips on the underside of my welding table. I RARELY remove the guard. Too damned dangerous. The one that has a 6" wire wheel mounted has no guard, because the wheel wouldn't fit, and besides, a wire wheel doesn't go through flesh quite as quickly. <G>
 
Running an oversized wheel on a small grinder is a fast-track to burning them out (I learnt that running 6" cutting discs on a 4" grinder when I was building a steel deck railing).

Cup brushes are the best I've used over the years - and they don't tend to "fling" wires straight out at you.

And you're right - removing the guards is dangerous.
 
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