Protool 125mm Angle Grinder, is it yet a Festool

[Stephen B]

[size=11pt]

Looking at purchasing a new Angle Grinder in near future.

Looking at UK and German sites could not find Protool models still available in AUS, with new Festool range.

Am I missing something or are they now NAOE (Not Available On Earth)?

 

[Locky]

As great as protool grinders are in my experience the good metabo( made in Germany) ones are the best stand alone grinders, but then the greens wouldn't match, so the choice is yours, I know you will want to wait for the festool grinder to come out [big grin].
What size were you after?

 

[Timtool]

Many of the tools were dropped when Protool became Festool, not sure if they will integrate Festool at some point again. Festool does still offer the 125mm grinder in the form of a diamond sander. I suppose you could use it as a regular angle grinder if you remove the dust covers.

 

[Stephen B]

As great as protool grinders are in my experience the good metabo( made in Germany) ones are the best stand alone grinders, but then the greens wouldn't match, so the choice is yours, I know you will want to wait for the festool grinder to come out [big grin].
What size were you after?

[size=10pt]

Locky

Hi, did you see details in pages 4 & 5 of video comp thread. Shane has organised shirts etc., for the four of us in AUS who entered.

Re Metabo, I have some of that green too, but I have found that more recent purchases have not been made in Germany. One drill, made in Germany, is 14 years old and whilst not used commercially, has with me built a shed, a house and nearly renovated another house, so it certainly has not had a 'relaxed life'.

Currently I have a 100mm Black and Decker Angle Grinder  made twenty years ago when that company stood for reasonable quality. It is not warn out, but sometimes 125mm would be better, such as today when I was pre cutting Colorbond, (closing up under decks) prior to final cut with tin snips. An old way, but gives a nice edge I find,  compared to mechanised nibblers and sheers. As an owner builder I suppose I have more time! [big grin]

Timtool, thanks for the heads up.  [smile]

 

[Kev]

As great as protool grinders are in my experience the good metabo( made in Germany) ones are the best stand alone grinders, but then the greens wouldn't match, so the choice is yours, I know you will want to wait for the festool grinder to come out [big grin].
What size were you after?

[size=10pt]

Locky

Hi, did you see details in pages 4 & 5 of video comp thread. Shane has organised shirts etc., for the four of us in AUS who entered.

Re Metabo, I have some of that green too, but I have found that more recent purchases have not been made in Germany. One drill, made in Germany, is 14 years old and whilst not used commercially, has with me built a shed, a house and nearly renovated another house, so it certainly has not had a 'relaxed life'.

Currently I have a 100mm Black and Decker Angle Grinder  made twenty years ago when that company stood for reasonable quality. It is not warn out, but sometimes 125mm would be better, such as today when I was pre cutting Colorbond, (closing up under decks) prior to final cut with tin snips. An old way, but gives a nice edge I find,  compared to mechanised nibblers and sheers. As an owner builder I suppose I have more time! [big grin]

Timtool, thanks for the heads up.  [smile]

You've got to be careful buying Metabo ... some of the range is still made in Europe, some ... not.

I recently grabbed a 100mm W8-100 (made in Germany) and put it in a nice T-Loc with the custom angle grinder systainer insert. You literally just have to touch the different angle grinders and you can tell where they're made, before you read the label!

I don't think the 125mm Protool grinder is sold as a separate SKU now - think it only comes as diamond grinder or cutter variants.

In reality, angle grinders for rough work are almost disposable tools anyway.

 

[Locky]

Yeah Stephen  I did thanks, good work organising it, festool shirts seem to be NAIAUS

 

[Stephen B]

[size=11pt]

Kev and Locky

Saw a Makita 125 Angle Grinder for just under $100 (less staff discount) at work today. Nothing fancy, but will do the job, and more money left in Festool funds.   [smile]

 

[Locky]

at bunnings they have a makita grinder in a systainer clone for $99

 

[Kev]

Sydney Tools (sales without service) will sell you blue Bosch very cheap.

The cheap blue Bosch have a really good shape - I've been meaning to get a couple to use as "knock about" grinders.

I got my German made Metabo for under $150 during a promo from Northern Abrasives ... but I didn't win the trip to Germany for Oktoberfest [mad] [crying] [sad]

 

[Stephen B]

at bunnings they have a makita grinder in a systainer clone for $99

Very similar, if not same as the one I got today, and same price on the floor, but I got staff discount.

 

[emilio]

Best grinder I've had so far is from Fein. In my opinion it's a step up from Bosch or Makita.

 

[Stephen B]

Best grinder I've had so far is from Fein. In my opinion it's a step up from Bosch or Makita.

Thanks, I have no doubt, but my nearest Fein dealer (1hr 40 away) has only MultiMasters and Vacs. Looks to be excellent quality  in pictures though.  [smile]

 

[Litch]

I agree with the comments that I dont think that Protool Angle Grinders are available in Australia under the green label. This one is though which was a Protool product. http://www.festool.com.au/epages/tooltechnic.sf/en_AU?ObjectID=95863

I am considering buying one of these this week. I respect Kev's comment about rough work that this sort of tool is a "throwaway tool", however the main reason I am considering buying this product, even though its far more money than the competition, is for the dust extraction. I personally would pay an extra couple of hundred dollars for a product so that I wasnt breathing in all the dust that the grinder inevitably produces.

just my 2c's worth

 

[SittingElf]

I have just gone through my German Festool 2014 New Products catalog, and the only thing close to an angle grinder is their new Diamond Grinding System. Not really what you're looking for I think.

Here's the description (Don't blame me for the translation.... it's from the Google translator! [wink])

"Festool With the grinding system delivers grind a compact system for dust-free. This can be uneven balance, color, concrete, cement and plaster should be scrubbed, and prepare surfaces for new coatings. The foldable front segment allows work close to the edge"

Here's an iPhone picture of the catalog page.

[attachimg=#]

Cheers,

Frank

 

[Stephen B]

I have just gone through my German Festool 2014 New Products catalog, and the only thing close to an angle grinder is their new Diamond Grinding System. Not really what you're looking for I think.

Here's the description (Don't blame me for the translation.... it's from the Google translator! [wink])

"Festool With the grinding system delivers grind a compact system for dust-free. This can be uneven balance, color, concrete, cement and plaster should be scrubbed, and prepare surfaces for new coatings. The foldable front segment allows work close to the edge"

Here's an iPhone picture of the catalog page.

[attachimg=#]

Cheers,

Frank

Thanks Frank, yes that one  is/will be available in AUS, but it is very different from the Protool Angle Grinder we have been disussing as it is designed more for grinding whereas I am currently cutting roof iron.

Anyway the Makita has already proved its capabilities late today when I got home from work, and  as said above the Festool fund  remains more healthy.

--------

On another matter that May interest you -

At the hardware store today I served a helicopter pilot who had been water bombing a grass fire north of here yesterday. He related how they let a house burn as it was unoccupied and the ten hot houses surrounding it were emitting the type of smoke that would make a pilot 'higher' in altitude than the aircraft they were flying!  [big grin]

 

[Kev]

I agree with the comments that I dont think that Protool Angle Grinders are available in Australia under the green label. This one is though which was a Protool product. http://www.festool.com.au/epages/tooltechnic.sf/en_AU?ObjectID=95863

I am considering buying one of these this week. I respect Kev's comment about rough work that this sort of tool is a "throwaway tool", however the main reason I am considering buying this product, even though its far more money than the competition, is for the dust extraction. I personally would pay an extra couple of hundred dollars for a product so that I wasnt breathing in all the dust that the grinder inevitably produces.

just my 2c's worth

I went Protool for diamond cutter (230mm) and diamond grinder (125mm) - no way would I breathe dust [scared] [big grin]

... I'm even thinking of getting a 125mm diamond cutter 'coz Locky made it look so light and easy to use!

I tend to use cheaper angle grinders with cut off discs, brushes, flappies, etc (things that don't lend themselves to DC) ... that said - I'll probably make more use of the RAS with brushes now.

I've got rid of a lot of old tools - I always had a few 100mm angle grinders with various discs, Arbortech stuff, etc on them. Oh well.

 

[Kev]

Thought they'd been taken off the web site, but seems not ...

http://www.festool.com.au/epages/tooltechnic.sf/secafa73a79d0/?ObjectPath=/Shops/tooltechnic/Categories/angle-grinders

(at least at the moment - don't know if there's stock)

 

[Litch]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I will go out tomorrow and buy a cheap angle grinder for the small job I have.

Back to the Festool grinder. I have to get some stucco off a couple of walls. The question I have is,  will the grinder be up to the task? or will I have to get a jack hammer to get the majority off. Its a mixture of paint and concrete and it looks like its been sprayed with a gun sometime since. I reckon its 20/30 years old. I have attached some photos to show you what task awaits me

 

[Kev]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I will go out tomorrow and buy a cheap angle grinder for the small job I have.

Back to the Festool grinder. I have to get some stucco off a couple of walls. The question I have is,  will the grinder be up to the task? or will I have to get a jack hammer to get the majority off. Its a mixture of paint and concrete and it looks like its been sprayed with a gun sometime since. I reckon its 20/30 years old. I have attached some photos to show you what task awaits me

An old friend of mine attacked that stuff with a 7" angle grinder, literally stabbing at it. Couldn't convince him it was dangerous method ... haven't seen him for a while - think he's still alive [eek]

I probably think you'd be better off chipping that stuff off. You can't really tell till you get into it.

 

[jonny round boy]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I will go out tomorrow and buy a cheap angle grinder for the small job I have.

Back to the Festool grinder. I have to get some stucco off a couple of walls. The question I have is,  will the grinder be up to the task? or will I have to get a jack hammer to get the majority off. Its a mixture of paint and concrete and it looks like its been sprayed with a gun sometime since. I reckon its 20/30 years old. I have attached some photos to show you what task awaits me

I'd go with an SDS chisel. If it's well stuck, and you want to take every bit off & reveal the brick underneath, finish off with a needle gun or a chemical stripper/cleaner.