angle grinders and cutting wheels

[dmjlambert]

I'm over-analyzing and researching ad nauseam. I thought it would be easy to find an angle grinder I want to buy. I'm wrong.
I would like a general purpose tool that has enough power so I won't regret buying it a month later, and that is safe to use, and reasonable in price.
My requirements:

• $80 to $180 price range
• 10 to 11 amp 120VAC
• 4.5 inch wheels
• Works with 5/8-11 type 27 grinding wheels and flap discs
• Works with 7/8 arbor flat cutting wheels such as Lenox metal max
• Has a type 27 guard to use with grinding wheels and flap discs
• Has or has available a known part number for the type 1 4.5 inch guard made by the tool manufacturer (not generic) to use with the cutting wheel.
• Available hand guard would be a plus
• Variable speed would be a plus but not counting on it in my price range.

As far as I can tell by asking people and searching the Internet, 99% of the cutting-wheel-buying population buys the cutting wheel and angle grinder, takes off the type 27 guard and puts on the cutting wheel and starts cutting. I was interested in being a 1%er. I would like Ridgid, Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee, Dewalt, Ryobi, or something else I've heard of but will consider others. I was attracted to Ridgid because they appear to have a good guarantee they call a service agreement, but I don't know if it's real and I don't think they make grinders that they condone using with a cutting wheel.

[mongocanfly]

I have lots of dewalt tools ..I consider them bullet proof..
I have 2 corded (10&13amp),and 1 20v cordless 4-1/2"ers..
I like them all... but 8 times outta 10, if all 3 are laying there,I pick up the cordless 20v
but I'm in the 99%...1st thing to leave is the guards..running them makes the grinders nearly useless
But I also have some nifty scars on my hands because of the (no-guard) usage of them..

[cadillac_al]

My old Milwaukie grinder is over 30 years old. Sometimes it gets so hot I can't hold it and have to give it a break. I hope they still make them this good if this one ever dies. I don't see how you can use 5/8 and 7/8 wheels on the same grinder.

[mongocanfly]

Al , I had Milwaukie before the dewalt..it was a good grinder,but like yours,it would get so hot you couldn't hold it...then one day I let all the smoke out of it.. been with dewalt ever since
Milwaukie tool quality seemed to go downhill for several yrs, but in recent times it's seems they've really stepped their game up and make good quality stuff again..I wouldn't be against owning another..
I've also been hearing good things about the HF Bauer brands..
But I want to keep all my batteries the same..hate having mixed up stuff like that...
My Dad had about 8-10 battery tools..none the same..had a whole shelf of chargers and batteries..haha

[bnorth]

Makita 9005B is a classic and parts are available for service and repair. https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/9005B

[dmjlambert]

So far none of the manufacturer tech supports has any idea how a consumer can get one of their 10 to 11 amp 120VAC angle grinders and get a type 1 cutting guard that fits it. The most promising was Dewalt who says I can buy a grinder and then once it is in my hands and can read the numbers off of it I can check a special website to see if that particular one will work with a guard. If it does I can order the guard, and if it doesn't I can return the grinder and try again with a different model or brand. Each model number grinder has numerous "type" numbers with different construction and parts, and there is no way to order a particular model and type. Also, there are multiple suffixes they will put on a model number. Since I am the only one that has any interest in using a guard, there is no support.

[mongocanfly]

I'll check my grinders for numbers and see if I can get a type 1 for one of them..

[dmjlambert]

Hi Mongo, I'm at the point where I realize I just need to order a grinder and wait for it to show up, then research further, make more orders and test fit, and return grinders and guards that do not work out. I'll get going in a month or 2.

[Getter-Done]

This is my go-to grinder now (In the link below) after my high dollar grinders have worn out.
It has a has a Type 27 that was 1 of your requirements in post#1

I used a Dewalt for years till the brushes and cord were worn out.

My 4" Makita is a lone survivor it is really tough.

Link: https://www.harborfreight.com/power-...der-64856.html

I use the $9.99 HF grinders and they last me 1-3 years.

Got 2 of the Bauer grinders now, no issues yet.
(1 for work and 1 for home use)

[Getter-Done]

Here's a bench improvement for the 99%

This handy holster comes with every angle...

[62c30]

I have several grinders plug in and a cordless Ridgid. I use the Ridgid almost daily for the last several years. Never had an issue works great. Has enough power but will turn off if it gets bound up. It's not as powerful as my plug in ones but seems safer cause it's not as powerful if that makes sense. I had all DeWalt tools until they got stolen, then I switched to rigid cause of the "lifetime" warranty. 6 years and haven't had to test it but I have a few batteries that I might need to get swapped out.

[dmjlambert]

Any other 1%ers out there or am I on my own?

[mongocanfly]

Pretty slick use of the old guard made into a hanger...
But even me being a 99%er, I can't say I completely approve of him using a cutting disc as a grinding disc...that's one thing that will cause the disc's to explode

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Pretty slick use of the old guard made into a hanger...
But even me being a 99%er, I can't say I completely approve of him using a cutting disc as a grinding disc...that's one thing that will cause the disc's to explode

Exactly.

When you thin the sides it over.

This Video showed up in my Algory -them.

I don't know if he meant this video as a Joke.

A grinding wheel hanger Maybe??

Alot of People would grab onto this idea.

Just Cause they seen it on U tube.

I protect the cutting disc at all costs.
Because most of the time I use the thinnest one available.

If it gets one Chip in the edge of it is Discarded.

It's not worth an ER visit.

[dmjlambert]

I am now a 1%er. I bought Dewalt DWE402W 11 amp grinder from Lowes, and Dewalt N311419 Angle Grinder Guard from an eBay seller. There was no way to research the part number, nothing useful in the manual, and Dewalt does not publish or make available to their own tech support that part number, I just had to order it and see if it fits. It fits.

Tech support for Makita, Dewalt, Bosch, and Milwaukee all bad. I feel Dewalt did not deserve my business, but they got it anyway. Ridgid is in another category of bad, I would have preferred theirs, but they flat out say in their owner manuals cutting discs are not for their grinder tools at all, and supposedly guards for cutting discs are not available. I'm sure tool owners are running out and buying cutting discs for their Ridgid grinders just like the people do for any other brand. Ridgid actually makes cuttings discs that will fit their own grinders.

I haven't ground or cut anything yet with the guards removed, and I have not found the guards to get in the way.

[kev2809]

i always leave my guards on. once i had a cutting disk break in half and rocketed back to my face. broke my tooth and cut my chin! ill take them off if im in a weird spot and the guard is in my way...but it usually goes right back on

also, i have a corded dewalt grinder, battery dewalt grinder, and a bauer from harbor freight. i like all 3, no issues with any of them.

[Backpayne]

Originally Posted by kev2809

i always leave my guards on. once i had a cutting disk break in half and rocketed back to my face. broke my tooth and cut my chin! ill take them off if im in a weird spot and the guard is in my way...but it usually goes right back on

also, i have a corded dewalt grinder, battery dewalt grinder, and a bauer from harbor freight. i like all 3, no issues with any of them.

I received 5 stitches in my arm after a cutting disc shattered a half of it sliced my arm and bounced off of my bone. Felt like someone hit my arm with a hammer but with no pain. I never had any pain which was awesome.

Always wear a face shield and gloves! Shattered cutoff discs are no freaking joke!

As for grinders, I have two of the $40ish Bauer angle grinders from Harbor Freight that I think work great. What I have been using the most recently is a Kobalt 24V angle grinder. I'm not a fan of its paddle switch, but I like that it doesn't spin at near the speed of my corded grinders.

[kev2809]

damn that's no joke! I did also buy a face shield but I won't lie, I only use it when I sandblast...which is dumb on my part

[Backpayne]

Originally Posted by kev2809

damn that's no joke! I did also buy a face shield but I won't lie, I only use it when I sandblast...which is dumb on my part

Just make sure your face is not looking in line with the disc. I always keep my head a little to the side while cutting just in case.