I gave my weak, but reliable Craftsman grinder to a friend, so now I'm in the market for a new 4.5" angle grinder. I've narrowed it down to these three grinders. Which ones have you guys had good experience with? Keep in mind this will be used on a daily basis, so it needs to last!

Hitachi $89.99
-9.5 Amps
-11k rpm no load speed
-has paddle switch

Dewalt $99.99
-9.0 Amps
-10k rpm no lead speed
-has paddle switch

Milwaukee (Magnum Grinder) $144.99
-12.0 Amps
-11k rpm no load speed
-has paddle switch

 

I've had awesome experience with makita angle grinders. My dad owns a couple of carwashes and has had this makita grinder for about 10 years after he bought it from a pawn shop. I'd say the thing is 15ish years old. We use the grinder nearly every day for all sorts of cutting and grinding. The thing has been flooded on (we get a lot of that at the carwash, lol), dropped from ladders, overloaded, and generally neglected (hey it was a cheap pawn shop deal). I think its on its 3rd electrical cord because we just use it and wear on it so much. But the damn thing wont die. It always runs great. I know makita wasnt on your list but you might want to look into them.

 

I have the dewalt with over 500 hours of serious use/abuse.. I would buy another.. I have to admit I would be tempted to look for more power though..

Just dont block the vents and it should live forever

 

HF 15 dollar grinder...when it goes, ill just get another

 

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Word, I have had really good luck with these. I actually got mine for $4.99 one has been running strong for almost four years the other I just took back and they have replaced it(it didnt like the extension cord for extended time periods). I know I know I should have bought ten when they were $4.99. Still way worth $15.99 I just dont want to buy more cause I know what I got it for before, hahahaha. If you get discs from harbor freight the cutting and grinding discs have been good but the flap discs so far have sucked ***.

I know this is not one of your options but they are soo cheap you could get one till you make up your mind, if you really need one right away.

 

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Seriously

I've had mine for a few years and I use it a ton. Works awesome, no complaints. I think I bought mine for $40 though. It shreads away metal like nothing, and doesn't give me **** or feel super cheap.

 

I have all makita ginders . 4" and 4.5" they have been very reliable and the only thing ever needed were some replacment cords. I don't care for the paddle switch at all and like the slide setup on most of the makita's there are some models that are also available with the paddle if you prefer. Grinding with one hand is not comfortable with the paddle IMO.

 

i have this 4.5" cordless dewalt one, its great for light duty and small cuts, cuz its portable, , hell i haven't really used it much yet, so far the only thing i've cut off wiht it was a timing belt gear, and it cut through that like butter

 

Ive gone thru about 5 dewalt 4.5's in the last 6 yrs and I use them every day. Now Ive got a matabo because im tired of replacing the dewalts.

http://www.metabousa.com/

 

ive got a dewalt, its awsome, but really i think any grinder would be great, i just got mine as a gift.....Harbor freight grinders definately work awsome also

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B18TurboEF &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ive got a dewalt, its awsome, but really i think any grinder would be great, i just got mine as a gift.....Harbor freight grinders definately work awsome also </TD></TR></TABLE>

HF grinders can suck my left nad. I got two cuz they were on sale once. I decimated both of them in a week.

 

I got my HF grinder for 10 bucks. Beat it bad all the time. Still good.