Angle grinder - Professional or Hobby?

[Hitch]

Some of the big brands like Makita and Hitachi do budget models, these are normally around the 30-40 mark. Things like less powerfull motors etc.
We use Blue bosch and hitachi at work for small grinders, the hitachis last longer, but the bosch ones are easier to hold one handed (lighter).

 

[madkayaker]

A mate of mine had a Hitachi sds and it died after little use but just out side of the warranty.

 

[knoba]

Shopping around on the tin'ternet, for a better price, has always been good for me.

 

[future_jack]

Actually should I get a 230mm or 115mm?

I was thinking probably 230mm but would 115 do the job for the time being. I'm working under the logic here that a big one and a small one is essential to have in the toolbox for anybody who's properly into welding and metal work as a hobby - thus when the time came to get a bigger one the small one would still be useful.

I'm concerned that I might fade out of this hobby and be left with a large deficit hole in my packet upon offloading my gear. I'm thinking one step at a time.

On the other hand if I'm working on 6mm steel and cutting it up for practicing welding will I be going too hard on a 115mm thus shortening it's life?

 

[JimM]

Can only judge by my own experience but if you're going to get only one I'd go 115mm simply because the 230mm are so unwiedly. They're great if you have plenty of room but 9 times out of 10 you'll need to get into a tight angle or have limited access and the small grinder is the only one that will fit.

HTH

Jim

 

[simon718]

Would definatly get the 115mm one first, i have both and the 230mm is really handy for bigger cuts, but i probably would never have bought it had i not needed to chop up some flagstones. With regards to what make, we have hitachis in both sizes at work, theyve taken years of abuse with nothin more than a new mains cable on the small one (my fault)

 

[snowcat]

Haven't read the whole thread, but Makita for me, there tools always stand the abuse I give em, use to use Bosch grinders but there tools seamed to lose there way somewhat in the 90s.......

 

[bush]

For me it's Makita all the way. Have an ancient 115mm for small stuff and a 230mm for scaring the children. I've had cheap ones but they always give out when most needed; just when I'm under pressure and my tools get pushed.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Managed to break a B&D one in less than 10 disks.

I can beat that, broke a B &Q 'performance power' one in less than 10 mins!! Cutting a slot in some 8mm flat and it suddenly started shooting flames out the side .
Took it back, went somewhere else and bought a Hitachi .

 

[future_jack]

If I was cutting up 6mm box section would it be too hard on a 115mm?

 

[JayRS4]

At the risk of possible hijack (mods move if deemed nessary) what about air powered models? Just a thought.

 

[Neil Fletcher]

They used to use air powered ones in my work but they changed to electric. The air ones don't seem to have anywhere near the same torque, lean on them too heavily and they grind to a halt - if you excuse the pun.

All the best, Neil.

Neil Fletcher Racing

 

[arkangel06]

They used to use air powered ones in my work but they changed to electric. The air ones don't seem to have anywhere near the same torque, lean on them too heavily and they grind to a halt - if you excuse the pun.

All the best, Neil.

Neil Fletcher Racing

yea i think the air ones have no torque at all

you can hold the disk in your hand and pull the trigger max and it wont spin untill you let go its called free spinning rpm you are not supposed to lean on them

just like a turbo prop engine on a plane the engine can be at max power and you can hold onto the prop but once you let go it starts spinning

(dont try and stop it once it starts though)

 

[future_jack]

Sorry just want to illustrate my picture a little further.

I hope to be getting a good few lengths of 6mm box section (each wall is 6mm). I hope to be chopping all these up into smaller lengths to practice sticking them together with the welder.

So I'll be doing quite a few cuts through 6mm! If I'm to buy a grinder...I'm going to really look after it - like all my stuff so I don't want to get a 115mm professional Makita and ruin it by giving it a task too large.

 

[Wozzaaah]

That's quite hard work for any small grinder, I destroyed that b&q one by cutting one slot! A 9" grinder would be better for that and they're not expensive either.

 

[Archie]

I very much doubt that you'll do serious damage to a decent 115mm grinder by chopping up 6mm wall SHS, especially if you use a thin cutting disc. However, it'll certainly be easier with a 230mm one which is what I'd go with. What size is the box? I assume if it's 6mm wall it's probably 50x50 or more so if you realise that the max. depth you could cut to with a 115mm disc is probably 30mm then it's definitely going to be easier with the 230mm disc which will go all the way through. The other thing to bear in mind is what you'll be doing in the future because obviously if you buy a 230mm/9" then it's not going to be much use for restoration and vice versa.

P.S If you value your legs, I suggest you find a 9" grinder with soft start!

 

[michael1703]

bosch are pretty good value for money, i abuse mine quite badly, if i am in a rush i often hit the lock button before the grinder has stopped to eject the cup brush, a couple of bosch's are ideal, one with a flap disc and one with a cup brush

 

[paulmowers]

Hi Guys

I now use hitachi, one 9" and one 4 1/2", both are pro models, also got a cheapy einhill????? 4 1/2" needed one in a hurry to finish a job when my blue bosch stripped its teeth (it had done 3 years of hard work), it is now only used for flap wheel or brush duties.
Shop around for price though, I think it was nearly 10 year ago I got my first pro 4 1/2" a hitachi and I paid £80 for it!!!!!!!!! Didn't know any better (or they cost a lot more then), whereas last year I got my 9" for £90 and the 4 1/2" for £48, so shop around, you will be suprised how prices vary.

regards paul..

 

[Projects14a]

Bought myself a Makita recently and its by far the best grinder I've ever used! I think its worth spending money on it, all the cheap ones ive ever used didnt feel nearly as stable/controlable, think the extra power helps an awful lot

 

[Welderpaul]

Makita certainly a good choice.