Most durable and reliable angle grinder?
For brick work (grinding out old morter and cutting stone and brick), what is the most durable and reliable angle grinder for under $100. I don’t need it every day but need something with good components to hold up under heavy use.
Replies
I like the Milwaukee. I think it's in the high $80 range. I've also heard good things about Bosch, but can't give you a hands on report. There was a pretty recent thread on grinders...I've I knew how to search, I'd try to put it here.
Milwaukee or Bosch...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I've got an old Makita. Sounds like it's crushing rocks in there with its straight cut gears, but the thing just won't die.
-- J.S.
I just did mine in. Burnt up the bearings or sumthin.
I do like it's paddle switch.
"I've got an old Makita. Sounds like it's crushing rocks in there"I had an old Makita 4" too that sounded just like yours. Finally the bearings started to scream like the souls in Hell and then it died.I got the Milwaukee 4 1/2" because switch on new Makita and Bosch are in the same place as on my old Makita, right where my thumb tends to go when I hold it - result is accidentally releasing the "lock-on" feature, thus shutting the machine down while working. Easy blade change, toolless blade guard adjustment and removal are great features.
BruceT
I just bought a Makita 9557PBX with the paddle switch in early October.
Used it pretty aggressively thruout November. Last week the switch wouldn't turn OFF! Guess I created a bit too much dust grinding down ceement.
Took it back to Tool King and noticed their sign about replacements within 30 days. I was pushing 60.
Just happened that the guy in front of me at the counter was finishing up and as he was packing up, he overheard me mentioning the problem.
He speaks up and says, "Give him a new one." I said I'm a bit over the 30 day limit. He says, "I'm the regional Makita rep. It doesn't matter. It doesn't turn off, an obvious switch malfunction. You get a new one."
Works for me!
Timing IS everything!BruceT
Hi,
I have an old Milwaukee 4 1/2" grinder...it has a paddle switch and no safety button or toggle or what ever those things are. Costs about $100.
I had one a few years ago I bought for some auto body work. I sold it to a friend a GC who should be a tool tester! He is BRUTAL on tools and a tile setter to boot so he has grout and thinset all over all his tools.
He's used that Milwaukee almost everyday for about 8 years and while it looks like heck it still works just the same! A rock solid dependable tool if there ever was one.
10saw
Take a look at the Metabos. They are the standard around here for the masons I know. The last forever, they're smooth and they don't scream like some i've heard. The quick chucks also don't need a wrench to change blades. I wouldn't trade mine for any other brand. $116.47 here. http://www.contractorstoolsupply.com/metabo-412-angle-grinder-p-1961.html
Our company buys scores of 4.5" grinders. The only ones that seem to have any longevity are Hitachi and Makita. Using these tools for masonry cutting and grinding is the worst duty they can recieve.
I have a Makita that I've used for about 8 years. Pretty moderate work on both masonry and steel. Trick is to blow out the debris from the inside as much as you can. Maybe not after each use but as often as possible.
Plus I also own a $14. one I bought at a Big Lots store and it works remarkably well. Had it about a year so far with good results. They even gave you an extra set of brushes that my Makita didn't.
Metabo
here's our Metabo.. replaces my old Hitachi
this one is some slick
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