Small Angle Grinder

[alldodge]

Have had many power tools over the years and started buying Dewalts a long time ago after my first using the 18V drill. Since then I have had all kinds and there all still working except D28402 angle grinder. This was one of my newest tools and is around 4 years old. Didn't use it much until the last year and a half, and from the smell the windings are burned up. I have a Makita 9532NBH and like it but the arbor is smaller (not 5/8) but it is much older.

Don't see getting another 28402 and could up it to the 13amp model but maybe another brand

 

[gm280]

Actually I've had really good luck with DeWalt tools over the years. And there are parts available for them all over the place. I was using a second hand Dewalt angle grinder myself doing all the boat grinding work a few months back. And after about four days of very heavy usage, it started making a weird sound and then stopped! So like I usually do , I had to take it apart to find out what was the cause and one of the bearings locked up. But luckily I has some in my shop and after some cleaning (fiberglass dust and grease...ugh) and re-greasing, I assembled it again and finish the grinding on that boat. But that grinder had to be ten years old as well. So all in all, a second-hand grinder that I used for ten years gave me really good service. And it wasn't one of their newer models with the cast aluminum front housing but an all plastic housing grinder that they don't even make anymore. So that's how old it was. I bought it for a song and used it like it was stolen. Who could ask for anything else from one of them? I am looking for another either used or closeout Dewalt angle grinder myself presently...

 

[alldodge]

I'm sure it can be fixed, but not getting much use out of it doesn't leave me with the willingness to fix. Have a reciprocating saw (10amp) which has been run through the mill for many years and it keeps on going.

 

[bruceb58]

For angle grinders, I just buy the Harbor freight ones. I have 3. One has a flap disc, one had a regular grinding wheel and one has a brush. That way, I am not changing attachments all the time. Can't beat the price if it's for normal homeowner stuff.

 

[alldodge]

Agree HF stuff is cheap enough to buy more then one. I do buy from them for the few time use tools, but like good tools for stuff I use hard

Heard Metabo make good grinders, anyone know if this is the case?

 

[thumpar]

I prefer air tools myself. They seem to last longer and can be cheaper.

 

[Grub54891]

Still have a cheap hf one,going on 17 years,used alot for grinding steel,a d now glass. Still going fine. I expected it to die quickly,as it came with an extra set of brushes. Never used the brushes yet.

 

[alldodge]

Maybe I should rephrase my question. I'm looking for a quality made angle grinder no more then 12 inches long. The grinder needs to be able to handle some heavy grinding of steel and also do finer glass and other softer stuff. I also prefer to buy US or Canada made items.

 

[gm280]

I prefer air tools myself. They seem to last longer and can be cheaper.

I like air tools and I use a lot of them as well. But living in a very humid area, I have a ton of issues with water in the lines and therefore oiling is an absolute must. I've had bearings tear up from water in the lines. So I would rather use electric for everything but cutting and weld dressing and of course painting efforts. If I forget to oil air tools, they quickly start spewing water in only a few minutes. And because I do use the same air compressor for painting so many times, I can't install an inline oiler. I do drain the tank every time right before spraying and I also install a water trap at the gun to keep water out. So far that's worked for me...

 

[MTboatguy]

I would prefer to use air tools all of the time as well, but I have to turn my compressor off in the winter because it gets so cold and then I have to depend on my AC tools, I just buy cheap HF grinders and when they go, I buy another one, with as much as I use them, it does not pay to invest a lot of money in them.

 

[mla2ofus]

Up until about a yr ago I had a 4" Makita grinder for 20 yrs and after a set of brushes and brgs over the yrs the smoke finally leaked out of it. It had the small arbor but I found a 5/8" adapter for it. It worked hard and served me well. The toughest job it did was removing 7 layers of paint off a 6' x24' porch deck w/ a 3" cup brush. I think Santa is bringing me a new Makita 4 1/2". If it's as good as the 4" it should outlive me!!
Mike

 

[alldodge]

Up until about a yr ago I had a 4" Makita grinder for 20 yrs and after a set of brushes and brgs over the yrs the smoke finally leaked out of it. It had the small arbor but I found a 5/8" adapter for it. It worked hard and served me well. The toughest job it did was removing 7 layers of paint off a 6' x24' porch deck w/ a 3" cup brush. I think Santa is bringing me a new Makita 4 1/2". If it's as good as the 4" it should outlive me!!
Mike

Thanks, yes the small arbor is the main issue with mine as well.

 

[bigdee]

I also prefer to buy US or Canada made items.

Good luck finding one!

 

[K-2]

Agree HF stuff is cheap enough to buy more then one. I do buy from them for the few time use tools, but like good tools for stuff I use hard

Heard Metabo make good grinders, anyone know if this is the case?

All the professional welders I know prefer Metabo. They are a high quality grinder. Not cheap.
I wouldn't spend that kind of money to grind fiberglass. I don't know why welders swear by them, if I ground metal
every working day I would probably know that answer.

 

[bruceb58]

I have heard Fein is a good grinder as well. They are made in Germany as is the Metabo. You said US or Canada made. Not sure if you really meant not made in China by your statement or not.

 

[gm280]

WOW, not sure any such grinders are made in America or Candida. Everything has been subcontracted out to China and Taiwan and such places it seem... Some are listed as made in ISO 9000 factories if that helps. But knowing way too much about those ISO 9000 series standards really isn't saying much!

 

[bigdee]

WOW, not sure any such grinders are made in America or Candida. Everything has been subcontracted out to China and Taiwan and such places it seem... Some are listed as made in ISO 9000 factories if that helps. But knowing way too much about those ISO 9000 series standards really isn't saying much!

You will be hard pressed to find ANY brand that does not have some chinese,India or mexican components it.

 

[K-2]

Metabo also has a factory in China, Shanghai, but I'm not sure what all is made there.

 

[bonz_d]

Don't have a recommendation other than at my workplace in the fab shop were they work mostly with stainless seems to me that they burn up about 3 a year. The last ones were Milwaukee, corded. I don't think they have found any brand to hold up very long.

 

[alldodge]

Don't have a recommendation other than at my workplace in the fab shop were they work mostly with stainless seems to me that they burn up about 3 a year. The last ones were Milwaukee, corded. I don't think they have found any brand to hold up very long.

Looks like Milwaukee or Makita may be the way to go. Milwaukee is owned by tti group, and is head quartered in Milwaukee and has factories as does Makita. Makita is Japan owned and has factories in Canada, Japan and USA along with several other areas. I have several air tools but use my electric for grinding steel most, and do to power and size like the compact electric tools. ay write Dewalt just as FYI but leaning toward Milwaukee and Mikita