Which Makita grinder should I get?

[irlforum]

Hi,
I'm new to welding and am thinking of picking up a grinder for cutting metal (up to 4 or 5mm) I'd say for welding practice initally and then to work on various projects cleaning welds and the likes.

As I'm new to metalwork in general I'm not sure what other uses I'll need it for yet.

I'm thinking Makita because there good but would be open to Bosch pro etc. aswell.

First question is should I be going for 230mm or 115mm?

I've initally been looking at 115mm grinders here http://www.makitauk.com/index.php?page=36&catid=34&open=34&grpage=4#

The two I've pulled out are the first one and the second one - the second one has more features like dust prevention and variable speed - also I think it looks better built from the photo compared to the first. For a hobby user will the first one be sufficient I wonder?

In my inexperienced opinion I think that the variable speed control would be useful but I can't see the dust prevention as being a problem - I won't be using it all that much like a professional might for example.

Thanks.

 

[yarpap]

For what its worth I would go with a 41/2" (115mm) boch or makita they are both reliable.
never used vari speed on a grinder myself.
mine are all 110v but ive an old black and decker 240v still going strong cost all of £20.
Dave

 

[graffian]

Never crossed my mind I would like Variable speed on a grinder, so I would avoid it.
If I was only going to have one grinder I would get a 4-1/2, but it really depends what your doing. As to make I have had an assortment and one small grinder lasted around 20 years, it was a Bosch, I killed several black n decker pro grinders in a matter of several months.
Got an elcheapistani[£14] at the moment and have to say it does the job and has lasted about a year so far. My only problem with it is I prefer the switch higher up the body, like the bosch, as I use them one handed and I have to sort of juggle it when turning it on and off;-)

 

[yarpap]

must admit i prefer the bosch ones for the same reason, the Makita switch seems harder to operate ..just dont forget whatever you buy get some eye protection and a dust mask!!

 

[volition82]

I would go with the 2nd more powerful makita if it's going to be your only grinder. If you need to do a lot of cutting when really you should have a 9" the more powerful one will obviously handle it better. It also works less at the same speed/time grinding and will last longer. Personally I would steer clear of bosch, one fab shop I worked in always used bosch and tried a few makitas because they were on a deal and now they only use makita because they are a far superior grinder. I've used a lot of different grinders and makita would be my first choice over any other make as they last and aren't as heavy as other grinders which keep up with them in the longevity stakes. Variable speed will come in handy if you need to do any fine finshing detail for example on a car using the flappy finishing discs (if you don't know what they are http://www.abrasivesformetal.co.uk/Flap-Discs.aspx )

 

[brightspark]

get the second one 5inch grinder it has the 1400w motor and isnt 2 heavy. i have all 3 the 4 inch 5 inch and the 9 inch

 

[chunkolini]

What sort of Makita grinder?
A Dewalt one. I had a Makita and hated and it blew up after 3 months, horrible rigid lead, to a short lead, oh and the colour did not match y hair.

Chunko'.

 

[weldingscotty803]

metabo grinders are good. mine at work has had some hammer over the last 18months. i bought a cheapo one from b and q last year as a throw away kind of thing, but its had lots of abuse aswell, still going strong. 20 quid i think

 

[brightspark]

metabo grinders are good. mine at work has had some hammer over the last 18months. i bought a cheapo one from b and q last year as a throw away kind of thing, but its had lots of abuse aswell, still going strong. 20 quid i think

metabo is good gear i have 3 of there drills and a double blade diamond chaser

 

[oilcooled :)]

for the love a god buy a 9 inch. them 4.5 inch are annoying jerky and you cant cut much with out having to change blades. there only good for car welding and brushing in my opinion

 

[RedOrZed]

9in are OK for serious cutting but unwieldy for small work.

Depends what you're doing. It's bloody ace having one 4.5" for wire brushing, one 4.5" with a flap disc and a 9" with a cutting disc.

Mine are almost all Aldi specials etc. + 1 9" Bosch I got for £20 off ebay.

I don't use them all day every day, but I do use them for my own projects, so a days hard work over a weekend once a month, then a weeks work when the Transit needs welding back up for it's MOT

 

[Shox Dr]

I have 3 Makita 4.5" paddle switch grinders and 1x 9" and they are the nutts

I bought a Nu-Tool for a one off job I thought the grinder would not last on because of the conditions, and wasn't prepared to waste a good one, 10 yrs latter the bl00dy thing is still going strong.


One thing I will say though, the better the grinder the better the anti vibration. I can use one of the Makita's all day and my hands are fine. 10 Minutes with the Nu-tools and my hands are buzzing