shoppin for a hand grinder

Anybody have a preference on hand grinders? Or horror stories about something to avoid? Getting ready to hack away at my 900 frame.

I've had good luck with the small 90 degree Makita grinders. Costco and Sam's club carry them along with the big box stores.Milwaukee was a good brand at one time, but now the Chinese bought the line, I suspect quality problems in the future.

Get a selection of flap grinding wheels,cut off wheels and wire wheels. It makes it more versitle.

scooterG wrote:

Anybody have a preference on hand grinders? Or horror stories about something to avoid? Getting ready to hack away at my 900 frame.

Air or electric? Die grider or angle grinder? I have two air die grinders. One straight, and one angled? I use the 90 deg. die grinder more b/c it's more comfortable. However, there are times when only the straight die grinder will do to reach. As for my angle grinder, its a 4 1/2" Skil, and it had worked flawlessly for about 15 years. Rough, tough, and always ready to hurt you if you're not paying attention. BTW, I do have a 60 gal compressor. If you are limited on the compressor, then the air powered die grinders might be a problem.

Oh yeah, Scooter, if you are chopping bits off your frame, then I see two options: angle grinder or sawsall. If you go with the angle grinder, then do yourself a favor and get the 1/8" wide Dewalt cutting wheels. Don't waste your time with the cheaper ones from Wal-Mart etc.

I have a little Makita angle that works well. Stick with Japanese or US made and you'll be fine.

I had a Makita and now am using a DEWalt both are good grinders. Believe it or not my boss bought a harbor freight one for $10.00 to do some tile work, it was supposed to be a disposable one but is still going. The problem with the Harbour Freight one is its not balanced like the good ones. It shakes alot but gets the job done and comes with an extra set of brushes

Same here Kaw... HFT orange special... $9.99 on sale...

At the time, thought what the hell for $10 bucks, use it till it drops... I used the hell out of that thing in my mod and other home projects and it's still going....

Sure, a Dewalt/Old Milwaukee are excellent name brands for professional daily use... But for occasional use... HFT grinder has worked just fine, no probs what so ever...

You attach a cutting disk or grinding disk... Turn it on it spins, cuts, grinds.... Turn it off...

Pretty sure all grinders basically do the same thing....
I think anyways...:S

OMR

i keep atleast one of those red 4 1/2" grinders i buy at menards on each van,cant think of the brand but they cost about $25-30 each and they work just as good as the makita's in my experiance anyway

I have bought expensive Dewalt grinders in the past and I love them but I have also bought a Harbor freight one and it is almost as good. Have not warn it out yet. There are two grades of the Harbor freight ones the better one is only a couple of $ more then the cheap one. This is the one I like.
www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91223 . If you plan on going to a store make sure that you print out this add. the store might have a different price, but they will honor the lower price add. Sometimes the store might be even cheaper. You never know.

What ever you buy get one with a paddle switch. Your thumb will thank you for it

bought a harbor frieght one. yellow. spent 18 bucks. noisey and shook untill -my guess something broke in, and now it works like a million bucks. spent that much on beer. grinder is still around.

and it will last you 10 years. $1.80 per year, that's not bad.