Anyone make a QUALITY small angle grinder?

[taylorkh]

After my 5+ year old Dewalt 7.5 amp 4 1/2" angle grinder busted a gear and a bearing I purchased a Milwaukee 12 amp 4 1/2" power house. So far a great tool but a little heavy for my latest project - sanding the trim on my shop. An 80 grip flap disk take off 5 layers of old paint real quick!. But when hanging off a ladder and operating the grinder one handed... the Milwaukee is a bit of a handful

So I purchased a mini-angle grinder at Tractor Supply. On sale for $20. How could I go wrong? Let me count the ways. The first one died after about 30 minutes use. The replacement about the same. They got hot, the motor sputtered to a stop and that was it. Here is a link to the item: http://www.tractorsupply.com/tools/p...rinder-3910505

So my question is... Is there a QUALITY, reliable small size grinder on the market? The feather weight of the Kamikaze was nice. But to have to return if every half hour for replacement does not cut the mustard.

Regards,

Ken

[Zrexxer]

You mean, OTHER than Metabo?

[taylorkh]

Thanks Zrexxer. The Metabo W 6-115 looks like a neat bantam weight tool. For my needs it probably would have sufficed - even as a single replacement for the old Dewalt.

Ken

[SidecarFlip]

I have a 15 year old Skil 4.5" that just keeps on running. Probably don't make them anymore.

[whateg0]

That is a little bitty grinder. I can see how it would be light-weight, but short-lived. Except that the hose can be kinda heavy, an air grinder is pretty light and will run for as long as you can keep it oiled.

Dave

[monckywrench]

I'd avoid the small Metabos, we killed two of them in short order at work.

The Metabo WE14-150 Quick 12 Amp on the other hand is my favorite grinder. With 6" cutting wheels it's a joy to use and abuse. Slices pipe and plate with ease, plenty of torque for grinding, and built-in overheat protection. I use them at work and home. Even students rarely kill 'em.

If I needed a very small grinder I'd go pneumatic. Little electric motors die easily.

[SidecarFlip]

Problem with an air grinder is most home shops don't have the capacity either in CFM or static (storage tank) capacity. I do but I still prefer a corded unit.

[whateg0]

One sometimes gets spoiled I guess. I have a Quincy 325 that I'm getting ready to put back into use. I've never run out of air using the air tools off my Huskee, but I don't run anything for more than a few minutes at a time. Once I get that big sucker hooked up, I don't think I'll ever run out of air! (IIRC, the spec on it is almost 19CFM @ 175psi!) But it's true that if you don't have a decent compressor, it won't keep up.

Dave

[Roger]

If your using air tools exhaust mufflers will quite them down and exhaust hose can help keep oil out of area you using tool. First time I tried this setup couldn't believe I was only hearing bearing noise.

[SidecarFlip]

I'd like to know how to put an air muffler on a tool that exhausts it's air radially? I just wear ear plugs.

With all 3 compressors on line at one time I have around 38 CFM and 230 gallons of storage capacity but I have them set at pressure differential so just one runs at low consumption.

If these ever wear out, I'll get a screw.

[kenklingerman]

I used someones Bosch the other day and really liked it.

I too find alot of Milwaukee's stuff kind of heavy.

[FWI]

Spend a little money now and smile in the future.

[Roger]

Air tools catalogues have many different designs for air tools with different exhaust locations. If one of your purchase criteria is exhaust hose, muffler or both buy a tool that will accommodate your needs. Local dealer or harbour fright might not have what you need in stock. It's easy. They will order what you want or you buy it elsewhere.

[Charles Sand]

30 minutes of constant use?
That's gotta be tough on any grinder.

[Tony D]

30 minutes of constant use?
That's gotta be tough on any grinder.

Ha the lil Dewalt 4 1/2" runs for hours till lunch then the rest of the day... for a cheap dependable grinder they hold up great.... if you want a light weight unit they can't be beat for the price!!!
as long as you're not doing the job of a 8" grinder they do just fine day in day out no doubt about it...

they are air cooled and are made to run as long as you blow em out periodically and don't overload them that's what I've found out don't drag em down they spin forever almost LOL.

The HF ones are made to eat brushes, like their chop saws as they give extra brushes for the saws right in the box... so you get what you pay for for sure and better units are more cash for sure Good luck