The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest 4 1/2 side grinders?

After hundreds of hours of use my old Dewalt side grinder is getting tired and in need of replacement. In general it has performed quite well and I am inclined to get another of the same brand. Is there some new style of grinder out there that is an improvement? Any reviews on what you like and don't like?

I use two of them- - - -A Makita I've had for many years, and a Harbor Freight item that I bought while on a road trip when I needed to modify a trailer hitch. I don't expect the HF to last long, but so far it's exceeded my initial impressions about power and usefulness. It was their "Heavy Duty" model, whatever that means!
Jerry

I've had great luck with the Milwaukee side grinders. I just bought a new one to replace the old one I've been using now for over 25 years!

Unfortunately, some of the brand name tools we're needing to replace aren't made by the same companies, nor to the same quality standards as the tools we bought way back then. "Craftsman", for instance!

What Jerry said. Even Dewalt grinders are made in China now. Seems a lot of companies are making things that are "just good enough." That being said, I have two $20 HF grinders that have been workhorses for years. They have needed some maintenance however. But for the money spent, have served me well.

We have 5 Milwaukee cordless grinders and really abuse them cutting Reinforcing rebar and have had no problems we use hilti brand cut off discs they last the best

Jerry brings up a great observation. When I purchased the new Milwaukee, I wondered the same thing...

I have a HF side grinder which has held up for many years. Its bigger than a 4" one. I use 6 inch thin disks with it. It sounds like a corn sheller while its cutting, but it sounded like that when it was new. Zero complaints. Not too shabby for $70.00.

I'll second that. I replaced a corded Milwaukee with a cordless version. It has impressed me, so far. What happened to the corded Milwaukee? It caught on fire. I'm not proud.

Lot's of good brands out there. We've had our best luck with Dewalt. Whichever one decides to buy, my biggest suggestion would be to get one with the paddle switch. I find them to be the most comfortable to use.

John

X2 on the paddle switch.

Thanks guys, good suggestions!

Long ago, i got a HF side grinder and found the switch nearly impossible to use when wearing gloves. Frustrated with the wonky engineering, I took it back and have never considered HF products functioning tools since. Many of you all think they are okay?

The idea of a field portable cordless side grinder is quite appealing, how long does a battery last? Does it work acceptably for intermittent use such as for cutoff work?

When welding, I would really like to have 2 side grinders, one with a grinding wheel and the other with a cutoff wheel. Changing disks back and forth gets old.

Good idea on the paddle switch. Easy switch operation is essential.

My two go-to HF grinders have paddle switches. They cost me $20 each, but they only sell that model in stores now, so won't ship another to me. I also have another HF grinder with a slide switch, and I agree it's hard to use with gloves on. I killed one of the bearings in it, but sometimes use it for rough work like with a cone wire brush, and don't care if it completely dies. That one was $10.
Two grinders is a good plan. But two name-brand ones gets hard on the wallet.

Just my opinion, but I do not like the paddle grips on a grinder.I find that they are dangerous if you’re using one hand to hold the grinder. I know someone is going to say use two, but I’ve had the grinder fire up when simply moving it or setting it down. Give me a trigger grip any day. The only reason I have a paddle grip is because it was free. I’m talking about big 4.5 /5” grinders of course.

Paddle grips work better when they have a safety.

X2
A safety is a must. You can't just depress the paddle unless you disengage the safety first. I have a 3" cutoff tool that has a safety that's a pain, because it goes too far over center and takes extra fiddling to get it to release, but I'm not going to mess with it. I'd rather not cut off a finger, or even put a big gouge in one.

Another thing. ALWAYS unplug the tool before changing wheels.
[on edit} I guess if I had a battery operated tool, removing the battery before changing wheels would be a good safety practice too.

I've had my Makita 4 1/2" grinder for easily 30 years. Was used in construction for most of its life, still no issues at all.

Bought a rebuilt Milwaukee for 25 bucks back around 1990. Used it a lot on many projects. Not bad for 25 bucks.
I've had good luck with "rebuilt stuff" over the years. Bought a "reconditioned" 1/2 hp bench grinder in 1976 and that sucker refuses to die. (I better knock on wood) lol

I know a guy who goes by the name of Stumpy. He repairs all kinds of construction equipment including circular saws.
He had one dropped off which the owner stated, "The switch don't work."
Stumpy placed the saw on the bench and plugged it in. Unbeknownst to him, the fool who dropped off the saw had put a wedge in to hold the guard in the fully retracted position, and did not specify that the "switch that don't work," don't shut off when you release it.
Well, once the saw got plugged in, it screamed across the bench heading for Stumpy's face. He reflexively put his hand up to save his face and whacked off three of his fingers before he could wrastle it under control.

klhansen Have noticed that Dewalt stuff is just a little looser than it used to be,not on the money as it once was !

I have a couple Metabo grinders made in Germany, they're real nice, soft start, variable speed, and run smooth. I forget the size but probably 5 and 6" or there about. I run the smaller one with flap sanding and grinding disc and the larger one with a thin cutoff wheel usually. (same size motor/housing, mainly different guard size)

Recently got a Milwaukee 18v cordless grinder and wasn't sure how good or bad it'd be.. So far it holds it's own, as good or better for power than a corded grinder, and way more handy.

I have used Metabo for many years. I have both corded and cordless. But a person has to be careful. There made in Germany is still good. Some of their stuff is made in China and it is no different than any other Chinese stuff. I have quite a few Fein corded tools that are made in Germany. I use Pferd abrasives.

https://www.pferd.com/us-en/

The Metabo 18 volt batteries fit everything and I have had some of them to last 10 years. I always keep several of them charged up.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/217JR45Y12P7BRFt9