View Full Version : recomendations for grinders?
I am looking at getting a grinder, and would like some recomendations on brands of choice, and good prices on them. Iam trying not to spend over $150.00 and just need a basic, but good quality one.
Thanks in advance.
Rocky D
10-02-2002, 10:48 PM
Originally posted by GWOL
I am looking at getting a grinder, and would like some recomendations on brands of choice, and good prices on them. Iam trying not to spend over $150.00 and just need a basic, but good quality one.
Thanks in advance.
On the previous message board, this was a lengthy discussion. My fave is the HILTI 5" grinder, however it's pricey, but there's no other grinder that has the power this one does. It turns at 11,000 RPM and you can't stall it out. The 4 1/2" grinders turn much slower, but I have a Milwaukee that I like. Metabo and Bosch are good, too. I also have a Black & Decker and a DeWalt, but you can hear the bb's in the bearing rattle.
Slagman
10-02-2002, 11:21 PM
I know exactly what you mean about the bb's Rocky. I laughed when I read that, because ever since I pulled the Black and Decker out of the box, it sounded like it was about ready to take a dump. I have 2 Dewalts that I got new, and they both took a dump on me. Those plastic housings they come in are cheap. The heat caused the casing to crack around the buttom you push to change the wheel. Well, I took them over to my dad, the ex-shop teacher, and he managed to fix them both before I was ready to go back out on the job the next day. That was just this summer. I remeber that discussion myself.
Slagman
Rocky, looked at the old formum and found all the links for this, yes there were hundreds of links. From what I read, sounds like the metabo is the way to go. Will check this out today. Thanks again for the help.
Rocky D
10-03-2002, 06:56 PM
Originally posted by GWOL
Rocky, looked at the old formum and found all the links for this, yes there were hundreds of links. From what I read, sounds like the metabo is the way to go. Will check this out today. Thanks again for the help.
Glad to help, Gary....that's what this forum is all about!
Royal Fe
10-04-2002, 06:46 AM
I have a Milwaukee 4.5" and its great Paid 99 bucks and it has been worth every penny. Make sure the one you get has an easy to use switch and a locking mechanism that can be released easily but only when you want it to.
steelhanger
10-04-2002, 07:42 AM
Bosch and Makita are all we use on the job, we tried U S made ones and they wont take the abuse. I have a Bosch that is 8 years old now and all it ever needed was a set of brushes. I burned out a black & decker in 2 weeks.
I looked at the Milwaukee 4.5" and read the post on the old forum and it sounds like Mitabo and Milwaukee are the best ones to use. I was pricing them and looks like will be able to get a resonable price on a 4.5" one. Thanks again for the recomendations on this.
Rocky D
10-04-2002, 07:36 PM
Originally posted by GWOL
I looked at the Milwaukee 4.5" and read the post on the old forum and it sounds like Mitabo and Milwaukee are the best ones to use. I was pricing them and looks like will be able to get a resonable price on a 4.5" one. Thanks again for the recomendations on this.
I'm really a biggot on this grinder...the 5" HILTI. There is no grinder with more power and versatility than this one.
I am showing two that I have...one with the standard wheel for steel, the other in the foreground has a .040" cutoff wheel in it. Until you try one, you would n't believe how quick they can cut through 1/4" steel! It has all but taken the place of my O/A cutting torch!
No, I don't work for the company...:)...they just have great stuff!
Rocky,
I went out to the Hilti web site and did not see any of the grinders on the product catalog. I will keep looking. But if you want, since you have two of them, you can send me one! hehe
Thanks for the input, I will see if there is a local dist. for them around central ohio. I think I have limited it to the Milwaukee or the Metabo. Will check out the Hilti also.
Roger
10-04-2002, 09:46 PM
Hard to tell what country a tool is made by brand name.
Many Makita tools are made in US.
One Porter Cable 4.5 grinder is made in germany by Metabo?. They are under same corp somehow.
Don't buy a grinder with metric threaded spindle.
Don't buy a grinder with plastic gear housing.
I have a grinder made in china with M14 metric threaded spindle but for $10.00 have got more than that much use out of that noisy piece of junk.
M10 spindal can be adapted to US standard 5/8" spindle but not M14. Real 5/8" spindle is better if your in US.
Someone who doesn't care can destroy any grinder.
Roger
10-04-2002, 10:17 PM
http://www.us.hilti.com/
http://www.us.hilti.com/holus/modules/prcat/prca_navigation.jsp?OID=-12459
They only give general data about their grinders.
Are you using Hilti cutoff disc with your Hilti 5" grinder? The abrasive cutoff discs I have used don't last to long but cut good.
Roger,
Thanks for the info on the grinders. I found the info. on the angle grinders on their web site. Thanks for the links, did not look at this part of the web sites.
Rocky D
10-05-2002, 03:20 PM
Originally posted by Roger
http://www.us.hilti.com/
http://www.us.hilti.com/holus/modules/prcat/prca_navigation.jsp?OID=-12459
They only give general data about their grinders.
Are you using Hilti cutoff disc with your Hilti 5" grinder? The abrasive cutoff discs I have used don't last to long but cut good.
Roger you are quite right, that the cutoff wheels do not last on the 4 1/2" grinder. It's due to the slow speed. On the 5" 11,000 RPM Hilti grinder they do last,and are amazing, which is why I like them so much. The extra speed seems to make the disk stiffer and stronger. They are well worth the extra money!
Rocky D
10-05-2002, 04:46 PM
Originally posted by russell
Rocky D,
What brand cutoff wheels do you use? I have a 5" 11,000 rpm (10 amp) grinder too,but its not a Hilti its a Dewalt.I would like to try it with a cutoff wheel,only used it with regular wheels so far.Wish I had seen your recommendation about the Hilti before I bought this one.Have`nt had any problems with it,but I know if a tool will hold up to your professional use,it should last me forever.
Thanks in advance,
Russell
I use the wheels Hilti has. I get them from them direct.
I went ahead and got the Milwaukee 6148 Model. 4.5", 8.5 amp. This should be more that enough for the type of grinding that I do and was not able to find any local dealers for the Hilti that Rocky D uses. Iam sure this will work great based on the info from the old forums.
Thanks again for all the input, and suggestions. I felt much better about going with my decision after getting some great input from the experts here.
Rocky D
10-05-2002, 06:02 PM
Originally posted by GWOL
I went ahead and got the Milwaukee 6148 Model. 4.5", 8.5 amp. This should be more that enough for the type of grinding that I do and was not able to find any local dealers for the Hilti that Rocky D uses. Iam sure this will work great based on the info from the old forums.
Thanks again for all the input, and suggestions. I felt much better about going with my decision after getting some great input from the experts here.
Good choice, Gary....now you can put your nose to the grindstone:D
Nelson Hendrix
10-05-2002, 09:41 PM
I too like the 5 inch grinder. We use a Makita 5 inch with 12 amp motor to cut large stainless steel pipe in the field when plasma is not available. Works better than a worm drive saw.
Nelson
Thats what they keep telling me when Iam at work also Rocky! I have already used it today to cut up some 1/4 " steel plate to practice welding on. Will be using some of the welding tech. you and dan showed.
Originally posted by GWOL
Thats what they keep telling me when Iam at work also Rocky! I have already used it today to cut up some 1/4 " steel plate to practice welding on. Will be using some of the welding tech. you and dan showed.
Don t be shy show us some pictures of your results. Maybe we can give you some help if needed by seeing the pics.
Dan, Thanks for the help. I will take some pictures of the welds I have been making, or trying to make. I can sure use some advise, but remember in advance, that I just started welding about 6 months ago.
Originally posted by GWOL
Dan, Thanks for the help. I will take some pictures of the welds I have been making, or trying to make. I can sure use some advise, but remember in advance, that I just started welding about 6 months ago.
Gary
We all started out from zero. I personally can t even imaging trying to figure welding without some type of instruction from an experienced operator. I m just hoping that by having this picture option available that maybe the less experienced operators can post some of there welds. Then the more advanced weldors can offer some advice, which will help the less experienced person like yourself improve there skill level some. Actually Im not just limiting this idea to weld beads. as an example, maybe we might even go into the showing pictures of proper gun or rod angles or any other idea that someonre can think up to help someone out. I guarantee that you well never receive negative feed back from me.
Al T.
10-07-2002, 10:38 AM
Don't worry about showing possible low quality welds. Some of the doooosies I come up with even makes the dog laugh. I can't decide if they look more like noodles or toothpast when the gas or the voltage settings are wrong. If I get a digital camera I'll send in a couple of my beauties, they should be labeled Oh My God!!
I'm putting together my next project right now, a new welding cart. Should be interesting.
Having lots of Fun!
jbear
10-09-2002, 08:23 PM
Hello,
I have one of those 99 dollar milwaukee 4.5 inch 10k grinders. Use wire wheel, cup brushes, and grinding disks no problem. Does a pretty nice job. Can make it looks like there never was a weld (whew :) It's a fantastic machine. I checked on the Hilti one pontificated on earlier, and it is definately about as good as they get, at a buck eighty. Everything Hilti makes is the best. I'm grateful do have learned that a cutting wheel could be afixed. That seems alot more practical than the tiger saw.
I'll have to save up for one.
Been reading the board for some time, and am very happy with my new 110 v 135 wire feeder. Been successful with basic five inch squares, out of .5inch tube stock. Pretty neat. Might post some shots. Will build an artsey little CD rack this weekend out of 3/4"x3/16" flat cr, and 1/4" round cr (I think i might have gotten hot rolled actually). It seems to work effectively on paper. Still drawing up the shoe rack, anvil table, machine cart/dolly, front yard fence, pivoting top for a kitchen carving station, etc....ya know the simple stuff (wink wink).
Has anyone ever seem this guy's work:
http://www.artmetal.com/enrique/wrought/tables/nouveau/console/index.htm
Watch that guy pound the solid wrought iron stock (a 3"x8" cylinder of metal) into a faceted ball.
Working Metal is amazing.
I anticipate learning alot from you folks.
over,
bear
oh yeah. Primarily the welding will be applied to repair, reinforce, and reconstruction of a 1969 Ford Bronco tub. Frame too probably.
Rocky D
10-09-2002, 10:29 PM
Originally posted by jbear
Hello,
I have one of those 99 dollar milwaukee 4.5 inch 10k grinders. Use wire wheel, cup brushes, and grinding disks no problem. Does a pretty nice job. Can make it looks like there never was a weld (whew :) It's a fantastic machine. I checked on the Hilti one pontificated on earlier, and it is definately about as good as they get, at a buck eighty. Everything Hilti makes is the best. I'm grateful do have learned that a cutting wheel could be afixed. That seems alot more practical than the tiger saw.
I'll have to save up for one.
Been reading the board for some time, and am very happy with my new 110 v 135 wire feeder. Been successful with basic five inch squares, out of .5inch tube stock. Pretty neat. Might post some shots. Will build an artsey little CD rack this weekend out of 3/4"x3/16" flat cr, and 1/4" round cr (I think i might have gotten hot rolled actually). It seems to work effectively on paper. Still drawing up the shoe rack, anvil table, machine cart/dolly, front yard fence, pivoting top for a kitchen carving station, etc....ya know the simple stuff (wink wink).
Has anyone ever seem this guy's work:
http://www.artmetal.com/enrique/wrought/tables/nouveau/console/index.htm
Watch that guy pound the solid wrought iron stock (a 3"x8" cylinder of metal) into a faceted ball.
Working Metal is amazing.
I anticipate learning alot from you folks.
over,
bear
oh yeah. Primarily the welding will be applied to repair, reinforce, and reconstruction of a 1969 Ford Bronco tub. Frame too probably.
Welcome aboard, Bear...I'd like to see that CD rack...I need to make one for myself.