I’m looking for a 4.5″ or 5″ angle grinder with a diamond blade to cut away 1/8″ to 1/4″ of the brick sills that are pushing up at the bottom side of casements and making some hard to open.
I was looking at the variable speed Milwaukee 4.5″ 6154-20. A local tool supply place said not Milwaukee, get a Dewalt D28402 or Metabo W7-115. They didn’t carry any variable speed grinders.
I have poked around here a bit to see what people have to say about Metabo and Milwaukee.
The Metabo variable speed 4.5″ WE9-125 Quick has a 7.5 amp motor and sells for around $135, the same price as the Milwaukee variable 6154-20 which has a 12 amp motor.
The Metabo WE14-125 VS has a 12 amp motor which sells for about $200.
Question: Is Metabo still the best quality small angle grinder and Milwaukee in second place?
Question: I was sort of comfortable with $135. $200 is less exciting. But, given what I want to do, is a 12 amp motor the right one to get, versus a 7.5 amp.
Question: If I don’t need a 12 amp motor to cut the brick, what kind of work would require a 12 amp motor?
Replies
My brother turned me on to the milwaukee with the variable speed. Nice feature! It has detents to adjust the guard (toolless) rather than having to use a screwdriver or wrench.
Love the thing. Had to order since no one locally carries it. No experience with the Metabo though...
Judo Chop!
I still think the metabo is king. I've worked with steel and stone for most of the last 6 years or so, and I've seen a lot of milwaukees die, not always the motor. Metabos seem to last way longer than they should.
Lately what I've been recomending for friends is the Rigid angle grinder. It's the same grinder as the metabo, but with orange instead of green, and it's a bit cheaper, like $90 I think. Make sure it says "made in germany" when you buy it, because you never know when they're going to find someone else to make them.
The one beef I have with the Rigid, and most Metabos I see, is the thumb switch. I much prefer a paddle switch, but it's hard to find the metabo with one.
zak
"so it goes"
I agree with you. I love the Metabo. It's the best one I've ever used. I've used mine for everything from steel to tile to copper. The only thing I disagree with you about is the thumb switch. I prefer the locking switch so I can hold it in different positions.
The Metabos other advantage is the toolless blade change. That makes life very easy. I would recommend it highly.
Headstong, I'll take on anyone!
Get the Milwaukee - they last forever. The Metabo is good stuff too. The DeWalt is just okay. Look at what the rental places use - Milwaukee usually. For serious all-day tasks the Metabo, Miilwaukee or maybe Bosch units will hold up - the others burn up.
I just use fiber blades. Be sure it is for masonry and not steel. If you use either a fiber or a diamond one, let it do the work, don't bear down too hard and ruin it. I have had so-so results with the cheap Chinese-made ones.
Wear eye protection, stay up-wind and cover your nose/mouth. Good luck.
Mil or Metabo...
shop by price...
12 amp is balls to the wall production....
I'd take the Mil...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
my shop is mainly a metal, welding, mechanic shop. I will only have milwakee
the five 4.5"ers I have are Mil's..
and there is the gorrilla 9"... (Mil)
Matabeo's are good....Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
and there is the gorrilla 9"... (Mil) got it.
nothing else on the planet like it...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I can't tell you if one is any better than the other.
But, I did buy a VS Metabo about six months ago (with the tooless blade change), and I can tell you it is a sweet machine. Powerful, no vibration, good ergonomics, etc.
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"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
I have two hitachi's, two metabo's, a makita and a milwaukee.
The metabo is without a doubt the most durable and ergonomic. Tool less blade changes is a great feature.
I used to think it made sense to buy the cheaper ridgid (rebadged metabo) but now I question why. Spend a few bucks to get the best tool you can.
I like milwaukee drills and I use a milwaukee worm drive saw that is converted to a stone saw so I have no issue with milwaukee. I just like the metabo grinder better than any other grinder I have tried.
karl
"I used to think it made sense to buy the cheaper ridgid (rebadged metabo) but now I question why. Spend a few bucks to get the best tool you can"
I've got to say, I like having a tool case- Rigid comes with one, Metabo doesn't. I know some people have no use for them, but I like to have one.zak
"so it goes"
The metabo sounds like a cracker, it's 12 amps, it'll be less stressed, higher torque, solid tool.
I use 7" angle grinders for small diameter hand-held wet core drilling, 5/8" to 2". I've worn out a DeWalt after quite a few holes. The Hitachi 7" (now known as Metabo) seems like it will last forever. I had a 3/8" bit made for a special project and bought a Milwaukee 4.5″ 6154-20 grinder because it needed to spin faster than a 7" grinder does. I burned out the Milwaukee after less than a dozen holes.