a grinder is a grinder, right???

[crawler]

I have a few grinders (makita, milwaukee, metabo) for home use. I have not had any issues with them since I don't use them daily. I keep several because I'm too lazy and don't want to spend time swapping out grinder wheels (abrasive, flap disk, wire wheel). Much easier to grab another grinder with the proper abrasive.

One thing I do like and look for is the weight and size. There are many times when you don't need an 8+ amp grinder. More amps usually means bigger and heavier grinder. I think you'd want to have at least 1 heavy duty (8+ amps) grinder for the tough jobs.

I also prefer the paddle switch over the regular on/off switch on top of the grinder.

Last note.. Look to see where the exhaust exits. Make sure it does not shoot straight up since this will cause grinder dust to blow in your face. If you have this issue, you can bend some thin sheet metal and build a shield to keep crap from blowing into your face.

[fun4now]

what do you all think about the tool-less change feature on the grinders ??? i never liked the tool-less change on saws-alls, but have not tried the tool-less grinders. mostly because i did not like it on the saws-alls. is it a good thing or a cheap selling point?? do they hold up and hold well ??? or should you take it off as soon as you get it?? can you take it off or are you stuck with it if its on the grinder to start??

[PLUMMER]

One thing that has consistently poped up in alot of forums or search engines, when looking at the best durable grinder. Metabo has clearly been recomended more by far. I would say if I counted it was said to be the best more times than all the others combined. There were also more acient metabo pictures than any other still in operation. Professionals and everyday users in shops mostly recomended Metabo. Dewalt was second for recomendations, but I noticed it was used in the penny pincher shops and the yellow color seems to be more of a fad that sells than the units performance itself ,for reason to buy. Never seen an old dewalt still in operation, not that there isn't but most said it was cheaper to replace than repair. With all this said I still went with bosch myself, since I use only occasionaly and the warranty seemed much better. I like the rest of my bosch tools asawell.

[Steve]

We burn up a few 4 1/2 grinders a year. It depends a lot on the user. You just can't load em up and expect them to last. Let the grinding wheel do the job seems works the best. For a lot of AL work an investment in an air angle grinder will do best. With an auto oiler they outlast the electrics. The AL shavings get into the electrics motor and there you go. Paddle switch is best as the top switch ones tend to lock in on when you don't want it to.

[littlefuzz]

I was having a problem with burning up the dewalts (the reg and the HD ones). Seems like every few weeks I'd burn one up. I got a small Hitachi that lasted over a year (the bigger hitachi didn't last long). It had a good design with the thumb switch on top toward the head of the grinder. Now they've swapped to Bosch, they work good but I don't like the paddle switch since I grind one handed a lot and have a problem with my hands going numb.

[M-Tech]

Unfortunately, we can't just buy a tool by name, in most cases . . . we have to study Economics, and keep track of which corporate giant now owns our favorite tool company.

As was pointed out in an earlier reply, DeWalt was bought by Black and Decker -- at which point the bean counters took control of quality control. My DeWalt tools all pre-date that corporate takeover (early-1990's), and are all working well, and used on an almost daily basis. Likewise my Metalbo (circa 1988) grinder, and my Bosch (circa 1990). My Milwaukee grinders (paddle switch) have held up well, but run on the heavy side.

My Metalbo came from a trade with a mason who liked the pretty yellow of a new DeWalt I had. A little shop air to blow the dust out, and it has performed flawlessly for me for over fourteen years. Some day I'll sandblast the case and repaint it--it deserves a place of honor.

There's no question about this: you can't beat using quality tools.

Joe

[alha]

We burn up a few 4 1/2 grinders a year. It depends a lot on the user. You just can't load em up and expect them to last. Let the grinding wheel do the job seems works the best. For a lot of AL work an investment in an air angle grinder will do best. With an auto oiler they outlast the electrics. The AL shavings get into the electrics motor and there you go. Paddle switch is best as the top switch ones tend to lock in on when you don't want it to.

Steve, quick question. I haven't yet welded AL yet, but have been trying to read up and learn as much as I can from this forum, and one thing that I have gotten loud and clear is that when welding AL, it has to be clean enough to eat off of. I noticed you mentioned that you use an auto oiler, wouldn't there be an issue with contaminating the joint, or do you only use this in the early stages of prep work, where you have to go over it with other things before the weld? Sorry if it seems like a basic question, just trying to understand. I do get the shavings in the electric motor part, so the air idea itself makes sense, just wondering about contamination.

Thanks!

[samc]

we use metabo grinders they are by far the best . used makita an dewalt dont like them as much . and they dont seem to last . nearly all of our tools are metabo, grinders , drills , saws..

[SignWave]

Hilti RULES!!!!
Ive had the same Hilti 4 1/2' for twenty years. Ive beat on it, dropped it clogged it with concrete dust, blown all the dust out, filled it up again and again.... I think ive made at least fifty pounds of metal dust with it... another fifty of aluminum dust too and it just keeps going.. TWENTY YEARS!!! and im the second owner. it came off a construction site were it was used to smooth out concrete walls.... so yeah.. HILTI is the way to go.. now tha ti may have jinxed myself... I need to go find some wood... hmm wood what does that stuff look like? anyone know..? I cant remember!

[DDA52]

FWIW, HILTI doesn't make their grinders. They were made by Metabo for the longest time and may still be. AEG has made some of their stuff as well. German engineering at its best.

I have a 5" Metabo that is still as strong as the day I got it....in '89. I also have several DeWalts. They do the bulk of my work and have held up very well. I have had no troubles with them... and no, I am not going easy on them either.