Hitachi G12SR3 4.5" angle grinder 6.0 amp

[redbeard]

Interesting that the title says 6A, but the description and specs list it as 5.0

[jakeru]

Thanks for the feedback, guys; I'm glad you found this product review to be useful! In due course, I'll make sure to update this thread with longer-term results as well.

Tanh - I'll get some comparison pics with the Harbor Freight grinder. (Maybe I will start another thread to fully and "properly" review the Drillmaster grinders.)

DaveO - I put my order in on these during a "cyber monday" sale at bigskytools, where the "A" refurbished grade for this grinder (which is what I got) was on sale for about the normal cost of a "C" refurbished grade. Bigsky has an e-mail notification feature where they'll e-mail you when they get more in stock (click the "notify me when it's available" link).

Brand new on Amazon, the same model grinder goes for $40 shipped.

Redbeard - Some of the specifications on bigskytools (the amp rating, as well as the no-load speed) appear incorrect. Here are the specs directly from Hitachi North America, which should be more reliable.

The nameplate on the actual grinder indicates 6.0 amps and 10,000 RPM. Also, based on my actual test results, the 3.1 pound weight specification is inaccurate (and IMO, borders on misleading.)

[agent4573]

I'm really not a fan of the HF grinder so I may have to give the Hitachi a try when this one quits the bed. The slower speed will be nice but I'm more looking forward to the quieter operation. Even without touching the HF one to metal its ear peircing loud and just annoying.

[jakeru]

Just wanted to give an update that I put the Hitachi 6amp grinder though a tube cutting job where I had to make about 30 or so cuts in rapid succession through some 1.5" diameter mild steel downspout type material (fairly thin gauge), but it was thick enough that I was able to press down fairly hard to make it go faster and see how the grinder would perform. I was impressed! It sure went through those cuts fast and the motor never did bog very much, even when pressing down fairly hard.

By the end of the job (which only took a few minutes) the entire 4.5" cutting wheel had gotten consumed down to the nub! I think how quickly the Hitachi 6 amp can wear out the cutting wheel is telling of its power output. I've never seen that kind of cutting wheel wear on the 4.5 amp Harbor freight grinder.

--UPDATE--
I just noticed that it looks like BigSkyTool now has 44 of these grinders in stock now (in "A" grade, for $29 each + shipping).

[jakeru]

For anyone look for a good deal on these grinders, now's a good time to jump:
http://bigskytool.com/Hitachi_G12SR3...d)___i967.aspx

"A" grade (top refurbished grade) is on sale right now for $27 shipped. This is a really decent grinder. If you're used to using the harbor freight $10 grinders, the smoothness of the Hitachi will blow you away.

(I will consider actually have to consider stocking up on some more myself!)

[zoama]

I have three of the paddle switch grinders from harbor freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/4-1-2-h...tch-65519.html
One of them runs super smooth while the other two I would rate an 8 out of 10 because of slight vibration. Stay away from the HF grinding wheels... they don't grind, they only heat and polish.

[redbeard]

Thanks for the heads up. Just ordered a pair to add to the fleet. I think I will now have more grinders than wheels

[everlastsupport]

For anyone look for a good deal on these grinders, now's a good time to jump:
http://bigskytool.com/Hitachi_G12SR3...d)___i967.aspx

"A" grade (top refurbished grade) is on sale right now for $27 shipped. This is a really decent grinder. If you're used to using the harbor freight $10 grinders, the smoothness of the Hitachi will blow you away.

(I will consider actually have to consider stocking up on some more myself!)

Thanks Jake. Will pick up two. I have 4 HF now, but will try a name brand at that price. I have one HF one that has to be around 10 years old. But the lack of a bearing or weird sleve, they are not smooth at all.

Thank for sharing you find.

[everlastsupport]

Jake, it mentions safe slide switch. Does it have the switch you have to hold on?

[Rambozo]

Thanks for the heads up. I will give two a go, too. If it's anything like my DeWalt the slide switch is spring loaded but can also be snapped to a stay on position. I have DeWalts with both the slide and paddle, and I really prefer the slide. With heavy gloves on, the safety on the paddle is a pain, and If I take the safety off, I can't hardly set the thing down without it going off. If I have a cart or someplace to hang it up, I like the paddle, but for crawling around, over, under, and through stuff, the slide is king.

I love that it comes with a case, too.

[jakeru]

... If it's anything like my DeWalt the slide switch is spring loaded but can also be snapped to a stay on position.

Yep, that pretty much describes it. A slider that locks with a bit of a rocking motion, which you rock the other direction to make it turn off. Takes a few tries before getting totally used to, but works well and I can do it with a gloved thumb pretty easily.

[Mr120]

Thanks for the heads up. I will give two a go, too. If it's anything like my DeWalt the slide switch is spring loaded but can also be snapped to a stay on position. I have DeWalts with both the slide and paddle, and I really prefer the slide. With heavy gloves on, the safety on the paddle is a pain, and If I take the safety off, I can't hardly set the thing down without it going off. If I have a cart or someplace to hang it up, I like the paddle, but for crawling around, over, under, and through stuff, the slide is king.

I love that it comes with a case, too.

Good point about the paddle. I was thinking about getting a paddle grinder but I never thought about safety and the paddle getting depressed. Grinders with slop physically wear me down with all of their vibration. I always wear ear plugs so the noise doesn't bother me (my neighbors though are a different matter though).

[sportbike]

Didn't really "need" another grinder, but I ordered one just because.

[incognito]

I have had nothing but trouble with the HF $10 grinders. The HF $20 "Heavy Duty" grinders are not bad.
If you open them up when you first buy them, and grease the gear in the head, they are half as loud, and last twice as long.

Always use a coupon.

[Mr120]

Thanks for the coupon incognito. That will come in handy. I've got a couple of things I need to pick up from there.

[Mr120]

I don't need another grinder but I was thinking about getting one anyway. I guess I waited too long because they are now out-of-stock. Wasn't meant to be but too bad because them grinders happen to be green ....

[redbeard]

I have had nothing but trouble with the HF $10 grinders. The HF $20 "Heavy Duty" grinders are not bad.
If you open them up when you first buy them, and grease the gear in the head, they are half as loud, and last twice as long.

Always use a coupon.

I was beginning to think that the 25% coupons were mythical, then within a couple weeks of getting an airless sprayer and a day after buying a bandsaw, I find one of my very own and now this one. Phooey.

I'll have to try greasing the $10 ones and see if that helps; guess it is like many things from HF, "lubricant not included".

[everlastsupport]

I have had nothing but trouble with the HF $10 grinders. The HF $20 "Heavy Duty" grinders are not bad.
If you open them up when you first buy them, and grease the gear in the head, they are half as loud, and last twice as long.

Always use a coupon.

I've had no bad luck, but mine are old models.

Bigger companies seem to sometimes make it cheaper over time, smaller ones sometimes make it better (to get to be a bigger company; like Everlast). So maybe the old HF ones were stronger. But I've had great luck with the old ones I have. The backup is like a year old $9.99 one (not good). Well, the Hitachi ones will be here before the old ones break on me

Thanks also, I used two of the coupons today. I only have 20% ones in the wallet.

[incognito]

I've had no bad luck, but mine are old models.

Bigger companies seem to sometimes make it cheaper over time, smaller ones sometimes make it better (to get to be a bigger company; like Everlast). So maybe the old HF ones were stronger. But I've had great luck with the old ones I have. The backup is like a year old $9.99 one (not good). Well, the Hitachi ones will be here before the old ones break on me

Thanks also, I used two of the coupons today. I only have 20% ones in the wallet.

I agree that companies often have various levels of quality over a timespan. Harbor Freight takes it to a level I have never seen before. They sometimes have 2 products, with different item numbers, for the same price, that look the same on the outside yet are different on the inside, for sale at the same time. This can go on for years.

Enjoy the Hitachi grinders. I'm well stocked on grinders, but I still picked up one of the Hitachis, at that price I couldn't pass it up. It will get into the rotation eventually.

[everlastsupport]

Didn't really "need" another grinder, but I ordered one just because.

I can relate. I have a spare grinder (backup) in the box, and the three we use, and bought two more. Just because. Late fathers day gift I guess...