Angle grinders

[BrokenBiker]

I treat 240v angle grinders like consumables. I've had everything from 15 quid unbranded Ebay specials to expensive makita and miwaukee and they all seem to last about the same before letting the smoke out.

My current grinder, a macallister, has done just that while cleaning some sheet steel off with a wire brush.

So, out of the cheaper brands what's good? Titan, erbauer, macalister, bosch? Looking at 4.5 or 5".

Only one I haven't had yet is the bosch. I have a titan 9" that, like my titan sds drill, has lasted well over 10 years but they seem minimal use.

I have a dewalt 18v to keep going with at the moment but it's not great on batteries

 

[Ruffian]

240v grinders,
I try to stay metabo or hikoki.
Both of which have lasted fairly well even when abused.

 

[Onthespotwelding]

240v Lidl ones for me £20.

They Last well for the price when it eventually does pop throw away, buy another one.

Keeping them clean inside and out makes them live longer.

 

[Windy Miller]

I’ve had a 4” Bosch (blue) for over 30 years and it’s been great. Had far more than its fair share of abuse and it’s still going strong.

 

[leadpig]

240v grinders,
I try to stay metabo or hikoki.
Both of which have lasted fairly well even when abused.

agreed, my metabos are brilliant even under heavy load, but my hikoki have been good so far for a lot less money to the point that when my m8 bought me one for my bd i went out and bought another

 

[leadpig]

the old malitas are good, mines 16 years old and still good the newer ones and the cordless ones not so much
never had any luck with corded dewalt as much as i hate to say it, but the brushless cordless have been good so far

 

[Barking Mat]

I've a 20 year old green Bosch, only gets occasional use, still going strong.

 

[Seadog]

I've a 35+ years old green Bosch, still going strong.

 

[CornishPete]

With angle grinders I would go with the most powerful. There's not much difference in cost between cheap and expensive, £40 extra for a 1000w DeWalt compared with a cheap 700w own brand. No brainer for me!

 

[JOEPRO]

Having gone Milwaukee M18 years ago I haven't used a corded grinder in years

 

[BrokenBiker]

Having gone Milwaukee M18 years ago I haven't used a corded grinder in years

How long do it last on a battery? I'm dewalt for all my cordless mostly dunno already having the drill, impact driver and impact gun that was bought on a good deal...

If the milwaukee grinder is significantly better on batteries though I may consider the change

 

[leadpig]

How long do it last on a battery? I'm dewalt for all my cordless mostly dunno already having the drill, impact driver and impact gun that was bought on a good deal...

If the milwaukee grinder is significantly better on batteries though I may consider the change

there is a significant difference between dewalt brushed and brushless grinders,
battery wise i i dont own any Milwaukee, but a spark m8 told me no, but to late for me as im way to far down the hole to change platforms now

 

[JOEPRO]

How long do it last on a battery? I'm dewalt for all my cordless mostly dunno already having the drill, impact driver and impact gun that was bought on a good deal...

If the milwaukee grinder is significantly better on batteries though I may consider the change

I have 2x Milwaukee M18 Grinders and several 5amp jour genuine batteries for them. 1 hr quick charger.

If doing car bodywork repairs a battery will last me a full day or really heavy use like constant wire wheeling of underseal will of course drain them alot quicker. Fastest I've drained them in heavy use is about 20 - 30 minutes but I swap the battery and keep going.

M18 ones are very powerful Grinders no difference at all VS mains Grinders. But 100% portable and ready to go for quick jobs no fuss.

I have worn out bearings on the before. And been able to order replacements and repair them myself easily enough.

I highly recommend M18 Grinders, as said I got rid of all my corded Grinders years ago. Bosch ones etc burned out every 6 months. M18 ones going for years zero troubles with the brushless motors.

 

[tigdlo]

I have had 2 Lidl Parkside 240v grinders fail in less than 3 years, they each had very little use, the build quality is terrible. Both were replaced under warranty, I insulated the field windings on one with a bit of epoxy and bypassed the speed controller on the other so now have 3 extremely poor quality but working Parkside grinders.

3 Hitachi 4.5" grinders have lasted over 15 years but have had mains cables, a few bearings, a switch and a few sets of brushes between them, an AEG from about 2007 has done more work than the Hitachis and has had nothing done to it.

 

[Turbo]

Its been well discussed in other threads but I would recommend a metabo. Nicest grinder I've ever used with its anti vibration handle and insanely powerful. It ramps up power to the motor as the load increases so the motor doesn't bog down.

 

[Onoff]

Old green Bosch. 230V but with a new, yellow arctic cable lead. Smooth as the day I bought it. I'd say 30+ years ago.

https://flic.kr/p/2ov4XAq

 

[brightspark]

only ever bought one new hitachi grinder and it was half price on offer i have about 8 second hand ones bought for under 20 quid most 110v only had 2 knack up on me

 

[morssdn]

Metabo mains 115mm grinders I have two; bearings run smoother than others had, don’t see them ever stopping but I don’t abuse them.

 

[Smouser]

I have had 2 Lidl Parkside 240v grinders fail in less than 3 years, they each had very little use, the build quality is terrible. Both were replaced under warranty, I insulated the field windings on one with a bit of epoxy and bypassed the speed controller on the other so now have 3 extremely poor quality but working Parkside grinders.

3 Hitachi 4.5" grinders have lasted over 15 years but have had mains cables, a few bearings, a switch and a few sets of brushes between them, an AEG from about 2007 has done more work than the Hitachis and has had nothing done to it.

I have two dead Parkside grinders - super little use too.

I believe the speed controller part failed on the first one and I then got a replacement without having to send the first one back.

That also failed in short order. The speed controller part got warm when the grinder was left plugged in. It must be very poor cheap components.

One day, I will also bypass the speed controller or try to source cheap replacement parts from Aliexpress.

I have two Bosch blue grinders (my favourites) one Makita (don't like the switch) and a 800W Woolworths grinder.

Surprisingly the Woolworths grinder is the oldest and had the most abuse but is still working.

If one of my grinders fail, I will try Hikoki, Metabo or just get another Bosch blue.

 

[Pete.]

Bypassing the speed controller is a few minutes work. Takes longer to strip the handle. I bought some of them specifically to rob the speed controllers out of them to go into Biax scrapers because they are an easy fit. Just cut and join the wires and that's it.