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Most people will think that an angle grinder should only be used by professionals because of the safety risks involved when using it. May it be for a simple home improvement or large scale construction work, the best angle grinder is designed to be versatile and safe. The list of tools that you can choose from below is from brands that we consider safe even for beginners.
The constant demand for the use of this tool while working with metal, tiles, concrete, and other materials will make you reconsider getting one. The variety of jobs that a grinder can do depends on what wheel or blade you are using. Discover some of the different tasks that you can use your grinder for and you might just end up buying one for your workshop at home.
Angle grinders are versatile power tools that play a crucial role in cutting, grinding, and polishing tasks. In this review, we will examine seven top-rated angle grinders available on the market: the DEWALT DWE402 4.5, BLACK & DECKER BDEG400, METABO WEV15-125, MAKITA 9557PBX1, PORTER-CABLE PC60TPAG, BOSCH GWS13-50VSP, and HITACHI G12SQ. Our analysis will focus on their features, performance, and overall value for money.
- Next Generation 11 Amp AC/DC 11,000 RPM motor of angle grinder provides the best power to weight/size ratio available
- Dust Ejection System provides durability by ejecting damaging dust and debris particles that enter the metal grinder
- Oversized brushes of this DEWALT angle grinder provide 2 times brush life over previous model (D28402)
- Large spiral bevel gear provides long transmission life
- One-Touch Guard allows for 360 degree rotation of the guard with a single action
- Metal gear case for durability and longer life
- 3 Position side handle provides added comfort and control
- Spindle lock for easy accessory changes
- Metabo LongLife motor with up to 50% more torque for quicker material removal, up to 20% higher overload capacity
- Electronic Variable Speed dial to match the RPM of the tool to the requirements of the application
- Metabo S-Automatic safety slip clutch helps the user to maintain control if the accessory jams reducing the likelihood of kickback
- Electronic overload protection which helps protect the tool from overheating in demanding applications providing long service life
- Electronic soft start for smooth startup, increased user control, and extended motor life
- Powerful 7.5 AMP motor for high output power in a more compact tool (only 4.5 pounds)
- Small diameter barrel grip (only 2 to 1/2 inches) for added comfort
- Labyrinth construction seals and protects the motor and bearings from dust and debris for longer tool life
- Lock on/off feature for continuous operation
- AC/DC switch for use with alternative power source
- Durable 7.5-amp motor of the angle grinder powers through jobsite tasks with ease
- Cast metal gear housing increases jobsite durability and tool longevity of the metal grinder
- 3-position adjustable side handle of hand grinder allows greater control in multiple positions
- Soft grip handle improves user comfort and control
- Spindle lock feature allows for single wrench bit changes
- Paddle switch provides for multiple, comfortable grip positions
- Powerful motor - 13 amps and up to 11,500 rpm
- Variable-speed setting - 2,800 rpm to 11,500 rpm - to match speed to application
- Carbon brushes - more durable than previous-generation brushes
- Direct-motor cooling for higher overload capabilities
- Hitachi Power Tools has renamed to Metabo HPT. Same great tools, with only a new name.
- Large paddle switch for ease of use and improved safety
- Wheel guard can be adjusted to desired angle
- Spindle lock for easy wheel installation and removal
- Removable, 2-position forward-canted side handle for improved control and comfort for right and left-handed users
How Are Angle Grinders Used?
An angle grinder is a handheld power tool that is usually used for polishing, sanding, cutting, and sharpening. Depending on the disc or blade inserts you attach to the machine, this tool can do a lot of things for your workshop.
- Metal Cleaning – A wire brush attachment is what is needed for your angle grinder if you want to use it to clean rust and dirt from tools and other metal surfaces. To ensure safety, see to it that the brush rolls away from the edge instead of towards it because this might cause the brush to kick-back towards you.
- Sharpening blades – Angle grinders are just the perfect tool for sharpening different kinds of blades and saw. However, while sharpening your tool using the grinder make sure that the blade guard is positioned to block off sparks from coming towards you.
- Cutting (rods, bars, and bolts) – Mounting a metal cut-off wheel to your machine will enable you to cut metal rods, bars, and even bolts. To stop the blade from being stuck, you just need to make sure that the smaller piece falls off on its own. The machine’s weight can do this trick for you if you learn how to properly angle the tool while cutting the piece of metal.
- Cutting (tiles, concrete, and stone) – Sometimes standard tile cutters might not be able to cut stone or ceramic tiles properly. Using a diamond blade wheel, your angle grinder can make cutting the said materials easily.
- Grinding and cutting old mortar – You can use a chisel or a hammer when removing old mortar but using a grinder will make the process much faster. Keep in mind to use thicker wheels for the bricks not to get damaged.
Angle Grinder Buyer’s Guide
The usual considerations for hobbyists and professionals when picking an angle grinder are disc size and motor power. These factors aren’t wrong but aside from these two, there are other things that you also need to look at if you will be picking the perfect tool for you. Look at the list below to help you decide on what model to get.
- Speed – An average grinder may have a range of 5,000 – 10,000 RPM. Safety risks are involved with machines of higher speed that is why you need to keep in mind your expertise in operating the tool. The excessive speed of a grinder may cause bodily harm to the user and also to the quality of work that it will be producing. A machine that can give you a good speed variation will be your best option. It is vital to choose a grinder that will work for your skill level to optimize the tool’s functionality.
- Power Source – Choosing between a corded tool and a cordless one comes down to the limitation of work you can do with both machines. The cordless tool will make you wait for about an hour in order to fully charge the battery when you run out of power in the middle of working. While the corded grinder will limit your work and range of motion by its distance to the power source. This simply means that each tool has its own merits that is why you need to be knowledgeable as to how and when you will often be using the grinder.
- Wattage – Most of the time, wattage indicates the grinder’s power level. Aside from that, it will also give you an idea of how durable the tool was manufactured. Tools with higher wattage are made with motors that are engineered for heavy use.
- Safety Features – As previously mentioned, this type of tool is considered to be dangerous by many. This is the exact reason why most manufacturers make this tool with hand guards. Having this protective measure will secure your hands from sparks and splinters.
- Dust Sealed – Having a dust sealed design for your angle grinder will protect the model of your tool. Incorporating a special seal or a unique design pattern that keeps the dust from the motor of the tool is how it is usually accomplished. When most of the sensitive electrical workings of the motor is protected from dust, your tool will surely be of use for a much longer time.
- Price – As always buying a tool that will cost you an arm and a leg will not be worth it if you will only be using it for minor carpentry or masonry works. You can always opt for affordable angle grinder models. Getting a fairly decent tool that can handle your range of work is enough.
Conclusion:
Investing your money on a power tool which will make every dollar’s worth is the ideal way to go. There are a lot of choices for what we can consider as the best angle grinder in the market. However, as the person who will be using it for the job that you will be finishing, what matters the most is your final decision.
Even though grinders come with higher price tags than usual, budget buyers will surely find the tool that will fit within their spending money. Doing some research and scouring the internet for useful information might lead you to choose the perfect equipment. I hope we were able to help you out.
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