new angle grinder owner

[HowardH]

I've ordered a Milwaukee angle grinder since I had a couple of hundred dollars in Home Depot gift cards burning a hole in my pocket and they had a Milwaukee 4.5/5" grinder on sale including a battery.  I haven't had one before but can see the possibilities of having one.  What would be the an acceptable starter set of both grinding and cut-off wheels?  Any one brand better than another?  I have no idea at this point what my applications are going to be other than some occasional metal cutting of angle iron and maybe some wooodworking applications for quick removal of stock.  What do you recommend? 

 

[rvieceli]

Howard - for wood Kutzall wheels or Holey Galahad wheels

People will disagree with me but I like Harbor Freight cut off wheels.
https://www.harborfreight.com/merch...half-inch-cut-off-wheels-for-metal-45430.html

I like Weiler for wire wheels. Available on a Amazon

PPE and awareness of what you are doing is an important part of using an angle grinder.  Full face shield is a good idea especially with wire wheels. Those wires like to come loose or break off and come at you.  [eek] [eek]

Hearing protection is a great idea too most are noisy.

Try not to have too loose clothing or pieces of it flopping around. It takes micro-seconds to get a piece of clothing caught and wound up, pulling a spinning weapon back at you.

Always wear preferably leather gloves. Don’t ask me how I know.  [scared] grinding, cutting etc doesn’t take long too get really hot.

Metal dust is a pain. Hot metal dust embeds into everything. Get it on wood and you can get rust spots if using water based finishes. Try to use outdoors.

The wood sculpting disks make a monumental amount of dust. I use them outside and then grab the leaf blower to clear the area. I using wear a respirator and tight fitting goggles when using them. Dust kept getting in my eyes with glasses Or a full face shield.

Ron

 

[HowardH]

Howard - for wood Kutzall wheels or Holey Galahad wheels

People will disagree with me but I like Harbor Freight cut off wheels.
https://www.harborfreight.com/merch...half-inch-cut-off-wheels-for-metal-45430.html

I like Weiler for wire wheels. Available on a Amazon

PPE and awareness of what you are doing is an important part of using an angle grinder.  Full face shield is a good idea especially with wire wheels. Those wires like to come loose or break off and come at you.  [eek] [eek]

Hearing protection is a great idea too most are noisy.

Try not to have too loose clothing or pieces of it flopping around. It takes micro-seconds to get a piece of clothing caught and wound up, pulling a spinning weapon back at you.

Always wear preferably leather gloves. Don’t ask me how I know.  [scared] grinding, cutting etc doesn’t take long too get really hot.

Metal dust is a pain. Hot metal dust embeds into everything. Get it on wood and you can get rust spots if using water based finishes. Try to use outdoors.

The wood sculpting disks make a monumental amount of dust. I use them outside and then grab the leaf blower to clear the area. I using wear a respirator and tight fitting goggles when using them. Dust kept getting in my eyes with glasses Or a full face shield.

Ron

Excellent advice.  I already figured about the hearing and eye protection but wouldn't have considered the other things. 

 

[Peter_C]

If it is your first grinder I would recommend returning that "spinning wheel of death" and purchasing a 2783-2X which is a braking grinder, so less of a death machine. No people don't actually die, but injuries are very common with grinder that have lock on switches not paddles. It is not uncommon for loose clothing to get caught in the wheel and pull the grinder into flesh. Just google "grinder injuries". Watch your fingers carefully as grinders will eat them up. Wear a full face shield at ALL times, especially with thinner cut off wheels. Facial injuries are very common, which includes the eyes.https://www.amazon.com/Uvex-Bionic-.../B001VY3ACE/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Uvex+Bionic+Face+Shield+with+Clear+Polycarbonate+Visor+and+Anti-Fog%2FHard+Coat+%28S8510%29&qid=1628886482&s=hi&sr=1-1

Since you have HD bucks I would just buy some disks from them. 40grit and up as needed. Grinding disks can be most any brand EXCEPT Harbor Freight! They are known to explode. Same with their cutoff wheels. Buy the thinnest cut off wheels from a reputable company which HD should stock. I have been using Makita cutoff wheels lately as I got a good price from Amazon. Flap disks can be pretty much any company, BUT there will always be a difference in quality to money spent. My preference is for the spin on flap disks. Flap disks are used a lot for metal working. I often just buy them from the local welding store while buying gases, as I have an account, and buy in 5-10 packs. Always have a backup to everything, so buy at least two, except cutoff wheels you should buy at least 5-10.

Size, as they are dual sized grinders for 4-5" you can pick and choose what size accessories to buy. Small wheels fit into tighter places. Old cutoff wheels get saved to use when space is confined.

Although I own around 7 grinders my braking Milwaukee is most always my go to 4.5" sized or safety. I have found the 5Ah to not be good for much as it lacks power and dies quickly, but I sometimes have larger grinding projects. Switching to a 8Ah-9Ah battery makes all the difference.

 

[HowardH]

If it is your first grinder I would recommend returning that "spinning wheel of death" and purchasing a 2783-2X which is a braking grinder, so less of a death machine. No people don't actually die, but injuries are very common with grinder that have lock on switches not paddles. It is not uncommon for loose clothing to get caught in the wheel and pull the grinder into flesh. Just google "grinder injuries". Watch your fingers carefully as grinders will eat them up. Wear a full face shield at ALL times, especially with thinner cut off wheels. Facial injuries are very common, which includes the eyes.https://www.amazon.com/Uvex-Bionic-.../B001VY3ACE/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Uvex+Bionic+Face+Shield+with+Clear+Polycarbonate+Visor+and+Anti-Fog%2FHard+Coat+%28S8510%29&qid=1628886482&s=hi&sr=1-1

Since you have HD bucks I would just buy some disks from them. 40grit and up as needed. Grinding disks can be most any brand EXCEPT Harbor Freight! They are known to explode. Same with their cutoff wheels. Buy the thinnest cut off wheels from a reputable company which HD should stock. I have been using Makita cutoff wheels lately as I got a good price from Amazon. Flap disks can be pretty much any company, BUT there will always be a difference in quality to money spent. My preference is for the spin on flap disks. Flap disks are used a lot for metal working. I often just buy them from the local welding store while buying gases, as I have an account, and buy in 5-10 packs. Always have a backup to everything, so buy at least two, except cutoff wheels you should buy at least 5-10.

Size, as they are dual sized grinders for 4-5" you can pick and choose what size accessories to buy. Small wheels fit into tighter places. Old cutoff wheels get saved to use when space is confined.

Although I own around 7 grinders my braking Milwaukee is most always my go to 4.5" sized or safety. I have found the 5Ah to not be good for much as it lacks power and dies quickly, but I sometimes have larger grinding projects. Switching to a 8Ah-9Ah battery makes all the difference.

I got the new 2880 which has the paddle switch without the lock.  I did watch some videos and pretty much everyone was in agreement the paddle switch variety was much safer. I have one of those Trend air/pro shields which should provide ample protection. 

Years ago, my brother went to work in a metal shop for an oil field supply company. He had never used a grinder before and he accidently touched it to his leg while it was spinning while he was checking his work.  It went right through his jeans in a nanosecond and had to be taken down to the hospital for a few stitches. 

 

[Peter_C]

Another thought is what battery platform? Is there a reason you are choosing Milwaukee? What about Makita? Bosch? X-lock quick change disks would be awesome! On that note Makita also just released their new 40 volt line of tools. I might be inclined to take a hard look at them for the future tools yet to come.https://www.makitatools.com/product...-and-polishing/angle-grinders?filters=552_215,99999_72,99999_73

Not being brand loyal I have both Makita and Milwaukee so no bias. Just not willing to get another battery platform IE Dewalt.

 

[HowardH]

Another thought is what battery platform? Is there a reason you are choosing Milwaukee? What about Makita? Bosch? X-lock quick change disks would be awesome! On that note Makita also just released their new 40 volt line of tools. I might be inclined to take a hard look at them for the future tools yet to come.https://www.makitatools.com/product...-and-polishing/angle-grinders?filters=552_215,99999_72,99999_73

Not being brand loyal I have both Makita and Milwaukee so no bias. Just not willing to get another battery platform IE Dewalt.

Battery platform is a consideration.  I really would like to avoid multiple chargers and batteries.  I have a boat load of Festool but I think their tools isn’t available anymore, at least on their website. I did just discover when I got home from work I don’t have a Milwaukee system, I have a Dewalt!  Doh!  I am cancelling the Milwaukee and looking at the Dewalt offerings.  They do offer a paddle switch model with the safety brake.  The aren’t offering the free battery so I’ll the extra battery anyway.

 

[Peter_C]

HD offers this Dewalt with a battery that is 20/60 volt. Along with a two 9.0Ah battery kit.https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...r-1-FLEXVOLT-9-0Ah-Battery-DCG418X1/311842507

If you want two 9.0Ah batteries...might as well get the saw too.https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...in-Circ-Saw-DCG418X2WDCS391/314266593#overlay

Okay so I will admit I like power! Having a grinder slow down when pushing hard on it sucks. One nice thing about the Makita's is they offer speed control. Something I wish my Milwaukee had. For wood though the Festool RAS rules.

Festool's grinder would be nice, but it is expensive.https://www.amazon.com/Festool-575348-Cordless-Angle-Grinder/dp/B07XSHW9W8

 

[rst]

I have the Milwaukee 18v and a narrow head Metabo that I use.  I like Milwaukee's S/S 4.5 thin cutoff disks for cutting 49-94-4500, and 49-94-5005 5", not sure who's flap sanding disks I have.  The 5" just barely fit the Milwaukee and are the proper size for the Metabo.  I do commercial door and frame replacements and the narrow head is great  for tight spots.

 

[Bob D.]

First rule when buying any wheel or item that you will be spinning on your grinder is to know the RPM of the grinder and make sure any wheels, wire brushes, etc are rated for greater than that speed.

If you will be grinding on aluminum get the right wheels and don't use them on steel, cast iron, or other materials.

 

[Cheese]

FWIW...if you're doing simple tasks any of the RA grinders will work, if however you're seriously working a bunch of metal, make sure you choose well. For serious metal working tasks the best grinders available are Milwaukee, Metabo & Fein. If you're looking at Metabo, forget the Chinese/Taiwan made grinders.

I've exclusively used Milwaukee RA grinders for the last 30 years and have no regrets. I still use a pair of 12 amp corded Milwaukee 5" grinders along with an 18 volt cordless 5" grinder. They all perform flawlessly because they have the power to lean on them if you need to.
Concrete and block work are another possibility again, if you choose well.

Metal cutoff blades need to be .040"-.045" thick, if they're any thicker, you're just wasting your time. My preferred blades have commercial names, if for no other reason than for safety. To save a couple of bucks on a no-name blade just doesn't make any sense to me. I've kept them commercial and for over 30 years I've yet to have one of them explode.

Here's a photo of some commercial cutoff blades. Notice that the Diablo (Freud), the 3M Cubitron & the Gemini (Norton) all have metal reinforced center holes, while the CGW (what is that?) blade does not. I haven't really used many CGW blades because the others are only 50 cents more.

[attachimg=1]

I keep 2 small Milwaukee metal tool boxes with one labeled grinders and the other labeled cutoff. Here's a view of the grinder box with the 12 amp corded Milwaukee grinder and an assemblage of various accessories. I prefer Pferd flap wheels because of their longevity. However, another really useful item, especially for wood, are sanding discs. They turn the usual RA grinder into a RAS tool because of the 11,000 rpm of the wheel.

[attachimg=2]

And here's a shot of the cutoff tool box. I try to keep certain wheels in certain boxes but because of the spillover when they're in-use lines can become muddied especially when you bring a tool outside to perform a cut-off task and then you also need to deburr that item. Easier to switch a wheel than to go downstairs and grab a different tool box.  [smile]  The wire wheels are either Weiler or Pferd. Be careful because they will shed their quills like a porcupine. I've walked into the house and had to extract the quills with a tweezers because I usually grind in shorts & a T-shirt...ya I know...

If it's a short grinding session then summer clothing is fine, for longer sessions I'll go with cotton jeans and a cotton long sleeve shirt and possibly leather gloves. I tend not to use the blade guards because they can limit access, however after 30-40 years of using a RA certain things come automatically like always knowing where the grinding wheel is and never setting it down until it completely stops.

If possible, try to keep the mess outside because RA grinders are very messy. New items are being developed/adapted every year for the RA grinder. When I purchased my first Metabo over 40 years ago, the only options were a 1/4" thick grinding wheel and a simple circular wire wheel. Cup wheels, thin cut off wheels, flap discs, Galahad & Kutzall wood discs, diamond concrete wheels and 3M paint stripping discs are all relatively new improvements.

[attachimg=3]

 

[rvieceli]

Right angle grinders are kind of like routers, the more you use them the more you'll end up with. I usually work outside and have 3 to 4 grinders plugged in. One has a cut off wheel, one has a grinding wheel, one has a non-woven stripping disk ( like the purple thing just above the grinder in Cheese's middle pic) and a wire wheel. It interrupts my work flow to keep changing disks.  [wink]

I'm slowly changing everything over to Metabo grinders. But stay away from the very cheapest ones because they have off-shored those. Fein also makes an excellent RA grinder.

Unless what you are working on is big and heavy, you'll need some way to hold it. Clamp to a table, a vise etc.

When you are working on metal stay away from synthetic fabrics in work clothing. Polyester, nylon those types. Hot metal dust and chips love those. They melt beautifully.  [scared] Don't ask me how I know.  [crying] Try to stay with at least 100% cotton for your shorts and tank top.  [tongue]

I follow this guy on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/blend_fabrication/

Brandon is truly an artist with a grinder and a blending disk.

These three folks are amazing with wood and carving wheels:
https://www.instagram.com/nugeandwood/
https://www.instagram.com/casey__mccafferty/
https://www.instagram.com/benoitaverly_sculptor/

Ron

 

[rst]

I'm with the multiple gender guys.  I still keep two corded, older industrial B&D's, one with a diamond masonry wheel the other a masonry grinding.  I keep those in Festool Midi two and the tray from the Plano box I used to keep them in until Festool woke.  The tray holds extra and various cutting, sanding and brush attachments.  The Milwaukee and Metabo both live in Sys IIs with extra disks.

 

[sancho57]

I got a cheap grinder as I dont use it a lot,

I got some HF metal cutting wheels, some HF grinding wheels

if i need to Ill get a tile cutting wheel (suggest a good tile blade for it)

Oh a wire brush wheel for it when needed.

there are different types of wire brushes that can be used on a grinder.

One thing im going to get is the festool tools nut that holds the wheels to the grinder. I think they run about $30. I just like the idea of being able to change wheels w/o a tool.

pretty sure they are standard size soit should work

 

[Peter_C]

FWIW...if you're doing simple tasks any of the RA grinders will work, if however you're seriously working a bunch of metal, make sure you choose well. For serious metal working tasks the best grinders available are Milwaukee, Metabo & Fein. If you're looking at Metabo, forget the Chinese/Taiwan made grinders.

Biased much Cheese?  [unsure] For cordless there are still Makita, Dewalt, Bosch, and I am sure others too. X-LOCK IS superior to Milwaukee's toolless nut, and I know because I have the cordless Milwaukee. I so wish I could push a button and change the accessory, but I am sure Milwaukee will eventually catch up. 

if i need to Ill get a tile cutting wheel (suggest a good tile blade for it)

Pearl P4 in a 4" size. The smaller the blade diameter the smaller circles etc you can cut. For all other cuts a tile snapper or a wet tile saw are the way to go.

 

[nclemmons]

I have both Dewalt (cordless and corded) and Makita (cordless).  I mostly use Dewalt cutoff disks since I can easily find them at HD or Lowes.  For grinding discs, I like the Pferd lineup.  I’ve found they last really long.

I’d recommend ear and eye protection as well as using the auxiliary handle AND the spark guard on the grinder.  On heavier / longer running jobs I prefer the corded Dewalt as they will go through batteries on very much grinding or cutting.

 

[Cheese]

Biased much Cheese?  [unsure] For cordless there are still Makita, Dewalt, Bosch, and I am sure others too. X-LOCK IS superior to Milwaukee's toolless nut, and I know because I have the cordless Milwaukee. I so wish I could push a button and change the accessory, but I am sure Milwaukee will eventually catch up. 

Ya I am biased...I guess I didn't realize that for tough metalworking projects recommending the best of the best suddenly became a flash point. I thought this forum was all about recommending the best tool for the job. As I previously stated, for simple tasks, any RA grinder will do and for many DIY'er's, any RA grinder will work well. However for those committed to serious metal working and concrete fabrication you need to purchase something that is capable of a long useful life of use. So that's it...if you want something less expensive, so be it, it's your decision.

Have you ever mounted a 1# diamond segmented cement wheel onto a 5" RA grinder and spun it up to 11,000 RPM? It's not a bad trip spinning up but it can be a "come to Jesus moment" while it's spinning down. Do that a 100 times and that "alternative tool" will certainly be toast.

My thoughts are this forum is viewed by a wider audience then we know, and consequently, you need to give out the best advice that you have. I've never been let down by purchasing premium equipment...I've usually been let down by purchasing inferior equipment.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Biased much Cheese?  [unsure] For cordless there are still Makita, Dewalt, Bosch, and I am sure others too. X-LOCK IS superior to Milwaukee's toolless nut, and I know because I have the cordless Milwaukee. I so wish I could push a button and change the accessory, but I am sure Milwaukee will eventually catch up. 

I think you should be able to recommend certain brands without being attacked for not being all-inclusive. I have no experience with Milwaukee, but I do know Metabo is regarded as the #1 brand for grinders over here, and Fein is respected for about everything they make.

On the other hand, the brands you name, Makita, DeWalt and Bosch, are seriously deteriorating in quality as they have found the big box DIY stores and are making machines for that price point. When I was in Germany last year for 3 months I was disgusted to see Makita and Bosch grinders everywhere for prices as low as 50-60 euros, which is ridiculous, and they all felt like plastic toys instead of the brick a good grinder should be. DeWalt has been know for years to be like that.

X-Lock superior to the toolless nut? Why? Because you can change discs faster? That's a narrow way to look at it. Yes, it is faster, but the grinder is not a tool where you change discs every 3 minutes and for the once or twice a day you have to change a worn cut off disc (sometimes weeks) you get a couple of huge drawbacks in return.

Like the fact that you change a very simple metal shaft with a thread into a complicated mechanism that spins at 10.000 RPM, well, my ELU grinder is 25 years old and still as good as the day I bought it, I would like to see in 25 years if we can say the same about the X-Lock shaft.

And the fact that a connection as simple and universal as a hole is now turned into a patented X shape where everybody that wants to use it has to ask daddy Bosch if they can license it for a big lump of money. Well, that's not gonna happen, period. One of the great things that makes grinders so popular is that you can find tons of accessories for it from every brand imaginable and they all fit together because you can't patent a hole.

 

[Dan C]

My father in law is machinist/welder and uses these exclusively.  I have a few that I have used as well. 
https://benchmarkabrasives.com/

Sample pack seems like a good way to start:
https://benchmarkabrasives.com/coll...products/cut-grind-finish-all-in-one-mix-pack

 

[Peter_C]

Of note I did use a smiley [unsure] so not an attack. Bias is leaving out other brands just because you don't own them nor have ever used them. Why was the Festool angle grinder left out? For the price I would hope it is one of the BEST, but by price Snap-on should be even better. The OP is looking at the Dewalt and you guys just called them crap sold in the big box stores. I mention Makita which is comparable to Milwaukee, as they are both of so so quality. No one is saying a bad word about Metabo nor Fein, but please tell me how their chainsaw works? Or their leaf blower, drywall screw gun, caulking gun...as sometimes it is wiser to purchase a battery platform that does what one needs all around. Oh and both Metabo and Fein are sold in the USA, in big box stores.

Alex, while metal working it is not uncommon for me to change disks within a minute or less. Yes I can keep a second or third grinder out. Unfortunately I only have the one Milwaukee "braking" grinder at this point, so yes quick change would be highly desirable. Oh and the Makita grinder I listed is over $400 US dollars so not cheap. Few battery powered tools will be around for 20 years period. Technology and batteries just change to quickly. I still have an over 30 year old grinder made by Black and Decker that will probably last another 30 years as I don't use it much anymore. Our world is becoming filled with "disposable".

Now if you want to argue with someone about the quality of Harbor Freight cut off wheels ask this guy. I'd bet he would even recommend a full face shield.