Cheap, occasional use, angle grinder

[Ouch]

First question for y'all..

I'm looking for a fairly cheap, angle grinder. 240v (no air available). Not particularly large, as it'll only be used on car tinwork and the odd bit of ERW or unistrut. What's good?

Which size discs and power rating should I be looking at- I'd prefer something smaller and more controlable rather than something that'll chew through RSJ's, saying that I'd like something in a size where there's a decent range of accessories/discs/wheels for it..

I've seen a few variable-speed grinder/polishers around - I like the idea as I could probably use it as a polisher too -are these worth the effort or to be avoided?

Being the disorganised, impatient sort, I'll probably be out first thing this weekend looking to buy one, so brands that can be found in your average B&Q/Machine mart/screwfix/halfords would be looked at first. Is there anything I should avoid?

Cheers for any thoughts..

 

[whycanismellburning]

First question for y'all..

I'm looking for a fairly cheap, angle grinder. 240v (no air available). Not particularly large, as it'll only be used on car tinwork and the odd bit of ERW or unistrut. What's good?

Which size discs and power rating should I be looking at- I'd prefer something smaller and more controlable rather than something that'll chew through RSJ's, saying that I'd like something in a size where there's a decent range of accessories/discs/wheels for it..

I've seen a few variable-speed grinder/polishers around - I like the idea as I could probably use it as a polisher too -are these worth the effort or to be avoided?

Being the disorganised, impatient sort, I'll probably be out first thing this weekend looking to buy one, so brands that can be found in your average B&Q/Machine mart/screwfix/halfords would be looked at first. Is there anything I should avoid?

Cheers for any thoughts..

I use a draper version of this. O.k for thin stuff and grinding back welds. You can also put a flap disk on it for the final touches!

 

[TechnicAl]

Wickes £30 for two

decent quality..........so far

 

[fingers99]

You can generally find the small ones for less than a tenner in Aldi/Netto/etc. or your local cheapo DIY place. They'll do the job. Get some flapdisks while you're at it.

You're better off getting a cheap, dedicated polisher. Halfords sometimes have them in.

If you want variable speed on an angle grinder you're generally talking big (no use for car stuff) and expensive.

 

[jugs]

First question for y'all..

I'm looking for a fairly cheap, angle grinder. 240v (no air available). Not particularly large, as it'll only be used on car tinwork and the odd bit of ERW or unistrut. What's good?

Which size discs and power rating should I be looking at-

Cheers for any thoughts..

Neto, Aldi, Lidel, often have specil offers (under £10 ).

3+ yrs ago I got 7 from Neto @ £6.99 so I could save swaping discs, 2x Grind, 1x cut, 2x flap 1x wire wheel (+1 spare) all pluged in & hooked up next to bench ready for any job that comes in.

Saves sooooooooo much time & frustration!! (crazy to change a disc use for 15 sec, then change again & again & again &........)

A couple of hrs each day = a few mins / machine so they dont wear out, my spare is still in its box!

Size ?? Well Ive got 4 1/4", and have had no complaints yet.

 

[Unclefista]

I seem to buy a new grinder every time Lidl or Netto have them on offer

I much prefer 2 cheapos rather than 1 decent one, you can leave a cutting disk on one and a grinding disk on the other

I also bought a large grinder/polisher, the problem with it is, when you slow it down to polishing speed, there's not much air being pulled through to cool it down and gets too hot to hold after 10-15 minutes.

Personally, I'd check Lidl, Netto, Aldi and Tesco, I've had £10 grinders from all these places, none have turned out to be "total ***te"

 

[Ouch]

Cool advice cheers- I've got an aldi just up the road from me, so will check there first.

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

just to add my 2p-worth...

as above plus if you have several it's not a problem if one does stop working half-way through a job...as one of mine did the other day.

I'm down to two grinders now and I've had to change the disc twice in one of them as I swapped jobs, it's rather annoying!

Regards
Peter

 

[gavuk]

i bought a couple of cheapies here ......not sure wot the warranty is ,please check yourself if intrested ...............http://www.ebuyer.com/cat/DIY---Power-Tools/subcat/Grinders
working ok for me after a couple of months ,i treat them as disposables ,more the better as previously said.......

 

[Gas mark 5]

I don't know for your uses, but my dad (I am only 14) got a black and decker 'pro' range dirt cheap in an axminster sale years and years ago and it has survived a lot of abuse, but still seems to run fine. Only one 'go' button, but it seems to do the job fine.
Oh, and I know others have said it, but I'll say it too, get a flap disc. Sooo much easier than a grinding disc for delicate stuff and looks neater as well.

 

[SC_BK]

As above a 4 1/2 inch £10 grinder is good for DIY type use. The only fault with the cheap ones is the on/off switch is usually not great. Aldi had one before for about £20 with a trigger like on a pistol drill, looked good but unfortunatly I forgot to go in when the special was on

 

[gavuk]

update .picked up one of my cheapies yesterday ,turned it on and it turned slowly and started to smoke ........time to check warranty........recieved on 8 dec 2007 cost £5.95

 

[Ouch]

Got one of these yesterday morning:

Along with a handful of grinding and cutting discs, and a 40g flapwheel.

First impressions..

Good:
3 position handle.
Switch on top for thumb operation -also can lock on.
Fairly sturdy looking build.
Does the job pretty well.

Bad:
alloy housing gets quite hot
Need to remove the disc to get to the securing screws for the guard.
disc lock button is hard to push with gloved on.

All in all I'm quite pleased, and I love the flapdiscs - gotta get me some more of them

Cheers for your thoughts everyone.