1/2 inch makes a big difference

[AdrianH]

Grinders that is. I have been looking for a reasonable grinder, tried sticking to 4 1/2 inch or 115 mm to get a variable speed and over 800 watt, nothing for the price I would be willing to pay for home use.

Went to 5 inch and variable 3000 to 11000 rpm, 1010 Watts at just under the £40 from Screwfix, had good reviews but time will tell, mostly wish to use with a cup brush and that is limited on speed.

Do most of you use 4 1/2 inch or 5?

The only downside is size of the handle, looks like they do move into a two handed approach.

Adrian

 

[ronan]

I use 5".

 

[daleyd]

4 1/2 - but I've never needed variable speed control. Might keep an eye out for Aldi though as they sometimes do 5 inch variable speed ones occasionally IIRC.

 

[BrokenBiker]

i only use 4.5" as i havent needed speed control but have been looking at the same 5" that you bought and for use with cup brushes too so will be interested in what you think of it

 

[wheresmejumper]

A cheap 5 inch with speed control is too bulky for me,but it's different needs for everyone.keep a bosch 7,8+9-115 series

 

[gordon stephenson]

5" For me every time. I have a few Makita ones. Nice slim body,so comfortable to use one handed. Paid £35-00 each new.

 

[AdrianH]

One main advantage to the two handed use especially as the switch is at the end of the grinder and not near the top, is I can NOT hold the work-piece whilst applying the wire brush, Luckily when I have done it in the past I have caught the welding gauntlets and not my skin.

Adrian

 

[pedrobedro]

My 125 mm Metabo has variable speed 6000 to 11000 and is not back handle but it is a bit bulky for one handing although it is possible as the switch does engage in the on position.

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

5" you can always get free disks when there are piping jobs going on , our main piping contractor only uses 5"

 

[gordon stephenson]

I don't use wire/cup brush etc, only cutting discs an flap wheels, When i did try wire brushes i found that they only tended to polish the rust.

 

[ronan]

I don't use wire/cup brush etc, only cutting discs an flap wheels, When i did try wire brushes i found that they only tended to polish the rust.

I noticed that myself, and in addition those wire brushes are bloody dangerous.

 

[AdrianH]

I tend to use a wire brush for two things only, to remove paint, and to remove slag after stick welding and I think they are generally good for that.

Hope now to keep the speed down so I don’t loose and many bits of wire and have to dig them from my legs.

Adrian

 

[T0rnado69]

the 4 1/2" or 115mm grinder i got from lidl.. parkside

has variable speed.. 3 year warranty. £19.99..
for that price its disposable if it lasts over 3 years surely.

 

[graffian]

I noticed that myself, and in addition those wire brushes are bloody dangerous.

Put the metel on a flat surfce and don't get your hand in the way. I left a lot of my engine mount steel outside, I had to remove rust and scale
off a 6m length of 6x80 and a length and a half of 6x50, a cup wheel does the job, your not pressing hard enough if it's just polishing the rust.
I use a 4-1/2 grinder as I only have little hands and I use a grinder one handed.
I have never used a vari speed grinder and am to tight to buy one.

 

[AdrianH]

the 4 1/2" or 115mm grinder i got from lidl.. parkside

has variable speed.. 3 year warranty. £19.99..
for that price its disposable if it lasts over 3 years surely.

Sounds good, I must have missed them when on offer. What Wattage?

Adrian

 

[Kent]

I don't use wire/cup brush etc, only cutting discs an flap wheels, When i did try wire brushes i found that they only tended to polish the rust.

you need a far heavier duty one with twisted wires you cant flex in any way. the other type don't work and just go bald. the proper ones are cool

 

[Kent]

I tend to use a wire brush for two things only, to remove paint, and to remove slag after stick welding and I think they are generally good for that.

Hope now to keep the speed down so I don’t loose and many bits of wire and have to dig them from my legs.

Adrian

always goggles under a clear visor and gloves, be careful others don't come over without protection one pin will blind. Get the straight wheel not a cup for brushing welds and into corners etc. cup for cleaning larger flat areas

 

[barracuda816]

There is a good deal on in screwfix at the moment for a 4.5" erbauer for £25.

I think the angle grinder is the most "angry" tool i own. They are allways out to get you if you slip up just a little. I had two friends (an amazing fact on its own ) that found this out, one with a wire wheel that took most of the skin and muscle out the back of his hand where the thumb is. The other nearly castrated himself (could have easily got is femoral) by cutting the cills out of a 2cv with his legs under the car on axle stands, snagged the disk and dropped it in his lap. He was very lucky he had his overalls round his waist, as it stalled the grinder and just left him with a nasty gash on his leg. Muppets the both of them, but it only takes a split second to bite you!

 

[AdrianH]

always goggles under a clear visor and gloves, be careful others don't come over without protection one pin will blind. Get the straight wheel not a cup for brushing welds and into corners etc. cup for cleaning larger flat areas

Generally my welding helmet, but I also wear safety glasses in the garage now all the time, I need to to see and gloves, but I prefer the cup brush as in use it is not throwing bits upwards, in my use anyway.

There is a good deal on in screwfix at the moment for a 4.5" erbauer for £25.

I think the angle grinder is the most "angry" tool i own. They are allways out to get you if you slip up just a little. <snip> it only takes a split second to bite you!

I to have had a near one in the past, luckily just a small scar across the back of a finger as the grinder snagged and jumped across the back of my gauntleted hand, not that the leather stopped anything.

Adrian

 

[Richard.]

There is quite a bit of surface area difference because it's half inch on the whole diameter which equates to another 7 inch2 on the surface area. This could a good or bad thing depending on your uses.