Replies

1. 
   basswood | Sep 26, 2007 06:16am | #1

   .5

2. 
   KenHill3 | Sep 26, 2007 06:18am | #2

   I'm not real keen about them, but........ I do know that many 4" angle grinders are metric sized, most 4 1/2" are sae. On the 4" you have to make sure you get wheels with properly sized arbor holes. Too large a hole and you've got an off-center wheel- not a situation you want with 20,000+rpm.

   Let's hear it from the more knowledgeable...........

1. 
   MikeSmith | Sep 26, 2007 02:31pm | #3

   i've had both.. the main difference is the depth of cut you can get.

   since we do  a lot of  masonry.. neither one is especially good

   my favorite now is a Metabo 5"

    Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   PhillGiles | Oct 05, 2007 05:19am | #10

   Yes, years ago I bought a 5" because it was on a very good sale; didn't think much about it until I watched someone struggling with a 4.5" that had 1/2 the power. It's that big job that reminds you that you often need the full-sized tool.

   <!----><!----> <!---->

   Phill Giles<!----><!---->

   The Unionville Woodwright<!----><!---->

3. 
   inperfectionist | Sep 26, 2007 02:59pm | #4

   The 4.0 have a smaller ( about .5") dia arbor,,,,, the 4.5 have a .625" arbor, .625 is a more common size. It is much easier to get wheels and brushes for a 4.5".

   I had a couple of Makita 4", and very occasionally I guess I could fit one where I couldn't fit a 4.5"( I was pipe fitting at the time), but for most purposes, the 4.5" is the "go to" small grinder.

   I would recomend Metabo. Also, I don't like paddle type switches.

   Happy grinding, Harry

4. 
   K1500 | Oct 04, 2007 06:45pm | #5

   Not directly answering your question but.....

   I have used a 4" Makita and own a 4.5" DeWalt.  The DeWalt vibrates so much more than the Makita it isn't even funny.  I don't use my DeWalt all that much, mainly for sharpening and coping, but I wish I had bought the more expensive grinder/had done more research on user impression of vibrations.  My DeWalt was the cheapie version, they make some that are more expensive.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 10/4/2007 11:45 am ET by K1500

1. 
   DavidxDoud | Oct 04, 2007 07:13pm | #6

   The DeWalt vibrates ...

   have you changed wheels?  even the cheapest grinder should spin smoothly with a balanced wheel - the only way I can think of for vibration being inherent is if the spindle is turned off center - in which case it would clearly be a manufacturing defect warrenting a return/refund/exchange - -

    

    "there's enough for everyone"

1. 
   K1500 | Oct 04, 2007 08:07pm | #7

   Yep, I have used different wheels.  It is not a deep, earth moving vibration, but rather a high frequency, low amplitude hand numbing kind of vibration.  I'll have to try it with no wheel to see if that solves it.  It isn't horrendous, but that's primarily because I don't have to use it for long periods of time.  The Makita just seemed like it was much smoother.

5. 
   handymanvan | Oct 05, 2007 02:37am | #8

   I love these tools, there seems to be more and easier to find disks for the 4.5. I usually do not like Craftsman Electric Tools, but when it comes to angle grinders, I do prefer the Professional Line--get a kit that says 7amps. The kit is a few accessories but the box is what you want--to keep up with different disks for all kinds of jobs.

   Nobody is as good as they seem, nobody is as bad as they seem either.
1. 
   Treetalk | Oct 05, 2007 02:53am | #9

   The Hitachi i got has a terrible switch which everytime i go to turn it off i have to re educate my self as to where and how.

6. 
   ptp | Oct 05, 2007 06:42am | #11

   Angel grinder. That sounds like something less than heavenly to me.

1. 
   basswood | Oct 05, 2007 06:50am | #12

   You don't want to grind the wrong angel...that's why you need a right angel grinder. ;o)

7. 
   mike_maines | Oct 05, 2007 01:26pm | #13

   even both accept the same size

   The 4" takes 4" wheels, and the 4.5" takes 4.5" wheels.

   I only have a 4" Makita.  I have abused the heck out of that thing.  Coping wood joints, cutting metal, grinding all sorts of masonry products.

   Small size/light weight is good for coping.  For the other things I would like to get a bigger one.  The 5" one Mike Smith recommended sounds good.

8. 
   renosteinke | Oct 05, 2007 05:00pm | #14

   As far as I'm concerned, the 4" grinders are a waste ... unless you are working in Japan ... where the size is more commonly used.

   It's not just the diameter of the wheel; it's also the spindle threads. The standard for small angle grinders is a 5/8-11 thread. In this pitch, you can easily find brushes and other attachments.

   If you want a smaller grinder, consider the attachment for the Rotozip.