Grinder recommendations?

[Michael Ross]

Grinder opinions? The guy I work with only buys these $100 DeWalts. They are strong but they get hot quick so he keeps 3 in use a sets them in front of a fan and rotates them so they don't blow up.

This seems wrong. Are there grinders in this price range that can have long duty cycle? I don't insist on 13amps but maybe that is what it takes for them to hold up?

Thanks,

Mike

[zoama]

A low price option is http://www.harborfreight.com/4-1-2-h...tch-65519.html theses can be had on sale for $20-$25.
I have 4 of those still going strong after 3 years. The fastest cutting grind wheel I've found is the Makita A-95956. Use any .035 cutoff disk.
I also bought a pair of Makita 18v brushless paddle switch angle grinders that work as well as 7amp 110v models but they're in the $100 each range. I use them the most now.

[Michael Ross]

Thanks for the tip on the HF grinders, I just had similarly priced grinder from Agri Supply crap out after maybe 5 hours. A brush got cocked and ruined. I bought a $15 one there that last for 10 year of light use. I know cheap one are gamble and I am tired of that.

I got today a, guessing here, >15 year old Milwaukee 6072 13 amp sander for $50. It is a big honking thing but it runs smooth and quiet. With a stack of appropriate sized washers I can mount skinny blades and flap wheels no problem. It would be rebuildable if necessary. I can spring for a lighter one if it has been tried and not total crap.

Again, thanks for the reply.

Mike

[everlastsupport]

I have had many HF ones that lasted more than 7+ years (back to the old orange ones). Still have a couple (blue and black). We have a couple Hitachi (refurbs) units from a tip here on the forum years ago. Bigskytools.com or blueskytools.com, but they work great. And we have a old Milwaukee as well, works great. If light use, the HF ones are a deal and can be had on sale for $9.95. No bearings, probably a sleeve, but get the job done. No extended warranty required at that price. Oh, we have a 18volt Ryobi too.

[DaveO]

This post reviews Hitachi vs Harbor Freight. Jakeru opened both units to inspect. These are on sale for $24 today.

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...hlight=grinder

[TheGary]

I have used HF grinders and they are a good deal. But I would never buy one of their blue ones with the paddle switch again. I had one and using the wrench that came with it to remove a wheel I broke the aluminum gear case . The big negative for me about all the HF grinders is the cords. I have probably gone through at least a half dozen. In winter the cords literally snap, in summer they last better but still do not last long. I use a grinder every day so I now use Dewalt 5 in. and 6 in. grinders. I find that the 6 in. is no larger than the 5 in. and cut off wheels last longer and are a better value than the 41/2 in. ones. The same for the 5 in ginding wheel. Plus I can reach areas that I could not reach with a 4 1/2 grinder. The bottom line is the HF grinders are ok if you use them occasionally . If you use one daily then get something better. I have been buying my Dewalt grinders off ebay for about $60 each on average. I have 4 now and they have been in use for over a year and I have had no problems. I went through the 6 HF grinders in about 6 months. I always have at least 3 setup all the time so that I am not switching wheels constantly.

[TheGary]

The one I usually try to get is the DEwalt D28114. List price is over $200.