The Best Angle Grinder
Our Top Pick for 2021: Metabo WEF9-125 Flat Head Angle Grinder
Amazon
If you’ve ever had to grind, polish, or make small cuts to a heavy-duty material, you might very well know what an angle grinder is good for. An electric hand tool, it is capable of polishing and grinding a variety of materials at very high speeds, helping you to get tasks done in a very short amount of time, and saving you a lot of effort in the process. Frequently appearing in auto garages and on construction sites, these grinders are also often seen in home garages and workshops. Maybe you’re on the hunt for a quality angle grinder? Maybe you want one, but you don’t quite know exactly what you should be looking for in one? If so, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will give you all the information you need to know about angle grinders, educating you on details, capabilities, popular brands, and more.
Let’s Have a Quick Look of Our Top 4 Picks:
#1. Metabo WEF9-125 Flat Head Angle Grinder
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*Price typically updated every 24 hours. Current price may be different.
Based in Germany, Metabo is a company that specializes in making high quality power tools for both personal and professional purposes. From drills, to saws, to angle grinders, and more, the company’s products are manufactured with great care and attention to detail. Their premier angle grinder at the moment is the Metabo WEF9-125 Flat Head Angle Grinder. With a great deal of motor power and a construction that makes it extremely durable, it is a great choice for anyone looking to cut, polish, or grind metal and other hard materials.
Find Pricing Here on Amazon for the Metabo Grinders
First, let’s talk about its construction. With an aluminum die-cast gear box and plastic housing, it keeps the disc locked in securely, reducing the risk of injury while also making it very light and easy to hold. All in all, it weighs 6.2 pounds, and measures in at 13.8 inches x 8.8 inches x 4.2 inches. It is also equipped with an ergonomic rubber handle which allow you to hold it with balance, keeping it from slipping while in use. To provide further protection, an aluminum guard covers the first half of the disc area, ensuring that your hands won’t edge onto the disc while it’s moving. A 9 foot long power cord allows you to plug it into any power outlet at your disposal and, of course, also works with extension cords. All in all, its 5 inch disc is capable of fitting in acute angles as small as 43 degrees, making it great for getting into small areas.
Loaded with a LongLife motor, it provides you with an 8.0 amp rating and 910 watts of power. This makes it appropriate for both polishing and cutting tasks, as it will provide enough power to cut, and a small enough amount of power to polish. At its max, it offers 10,000 rotations per minute, which is quite a lot for an angle grinder of its size. An electronic speed stabilization keeps the speed of the disc balanced and on target so that it doesn’t get carried away when performing a specific task. To protect it from power surge and overheating, it contains an electronic overload protection system which will stop it in its tracks if it is to become overwhelmed. Providing another line of safety is its electronic jam protection system, which will prevent it from trying to cut through material that it can’t handle. This will keep both it and you safe from harm.
Online reviewers laud it for how well it works in tight spots, with some reviewers stating that it can reach spots that no other grinder could ever reach before. Reviewers also give it credit for how easy it is to hold and operate, noting its low vibration, and excellent reach.
Some reviewers complained about how the safety switch operates, stating that it would sometimes make it difficult to turn the tool on. One reviewer complained about its durability, saying that it began to fall apart while in the course of its first use. This, however, seems to be an outlier, as every other reviewer had nothing but great things to say about its durability.
All in all, the Metabo WEF9-125 Flat Head Angle Grinder is a high quality tool with excellent construction and functionality. Great for getting into tight spaces, it is perfect for small and medium sized polishing and cutting jobs. If you’re looking for a compact, but powerful grinder, you should definitely consider the Metabo WEF9-125 Flat Head Angle Grinder. It’s available for around $230.00 on most online retail sites.
#2. DEWALT D28115 Heavy-Duty 4-1/2-Inch/5-Inch High Performance Angle Grinder
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*Price typically updated every 24 hours. Current price may be different.
DeWalt has a glowing reputation as one of the premier manufacturers of power tools and power tool accessories. Producing everything from saws, to drills, to angle grinders, and a variety of other tools, the company is one of the most trusted names in the construction and woodworking industries. At the present time, their top angle grinder is the DEWALT D28115 Heavy-Duty 4-1/2-Inch/5-Inch High Performance Angle Grinder. Compact, but powerful, it is an excellent tool to have at any construction site or workshop.
With a plastic housing and aluminum gear box, it holds everything in place with solidity, making it durable and safe. At 19.9 inches x 6.1 inches x 5.1 inches, it has excellent reach, but with a very narrow body. This allows it to get into tight corners and spaces, maximizing the number of surfaces it can be used on. Weighing in at 7.4 pounds, it’s very easy to hold, and is assisted by its rubber-lined handle, giving it balance and making it as ergonomic as possible. In case dust and debris make their way into its air vents, it possesses a dust ejection system that will rid it of unnecessary particles as soon as possible. This helps to provide it with more durability. One of its nice features is its quick wheel release which allows you to change wheels and discs easily without using tools.
Its G55 motor provides it with a 13.0 amp rating, making it very powerful, and allowing it to accommodate very hard surfaces. This makes it appropriate for both polishing and cutting materials. At 9,000 rotations per minute, it will allow you to perform small and medium jobs quickly and with as little effort as possible. An auto-off function will disable the motor when it becomes overwhelmed, keeping it from overheating and and shorting out. Accommodating 4.5 inch and 5 inch discs, you will have no problem getting into tight spaces.
Online reviewers love how much power it packs in its small package, stating that it’s great for jobs that require a lot of precision and accuracy. Reviewers also laud it for how easy it is to change wheels and discs, stating that they come off quickly and with minimal effort.
Some reviewers complained about how hot the gear box gets, stating that it almost gets to the point that it could burn you after long periods of use. Reviewers also criticize it for how noisy it is, but for how much power it provides, that’s to be expected.
All in all, DEWALT D28115 Heavy-Duty 4-1/2-Inch/5-Inch High Performance Angle Grinder is great tool for polishing and cutting hard materials in short amounts of time. Packing a great deal of power in a small package, it’s easy to hold, and requires very little effort to use adequately. If you’re looking for a power tool to get small and medium projects done in a short amount of time, you should definitely consider the DEWALT D28115 Heavy-Duty 4-1/2-Inch/5-Inch High Performance Angle Grinder. It’s available for around $125.00 on most online retail sites.
#3. Makita 9564CV 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder
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*Price typically updated every 24 hours. Current price may be different.
Based in Japan, Makita is a company that manufactures top-notch power tools and accessories. Whether it’s drills, saws, angle grinders, or something else, Makita puts out products that are both durable and highly functional. Currently, their premier angle grinder is the Makita 9564CV 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder. Providing a lot of power in a well-constructed housing, it is capable of conquering nearly any task you throw at it.
Weighing in at 5.3 pounds, it is very light, making it easy to hold up over long periods of working. At 15.2 inches x 5.5 inches x 5.8 inches, it provides excellent reach while also being skinny enough to work into narrow areas. A high quality aluminum gear box keeps its discs locked in place tightly, greatly reducing the risk of injury, and keeping both you and the tools safe. Its housing and front handle bar are made of plastic which reduces heat buildup and makes it easier to hold. It is constructed in a manner that won’t allow dust and debris to make its way into the motor, making it very durable.
Its powerful 12 amp motor provides it with variable speed performance. This allows you to go slowly for polishing purposes, and quickly for cutting purposes. All in all, the disc speed ranges from 2,800 rotations per minute to 10,500 rotations per minute. With a Super Joint System, gear damage is reduced by decreasing the chances of accidental wheel binding. It is also equipped with electronic speed control that allows it to maintain consistent speed regardless of what type of materials it’s being used on. In addition, it allows you to change discs and wheels with minimal fuss, making it easy to switch them quickly without any tools.
Online reviewers love it for how comfortable it feels in their hands, stating that it has almost no vibration, and that it’s very lightweight and easy to carry. Reviewers also give it credit for how powerful it is, stating that it works great on everything from sharpening lawnmower blades, to stripping paint off metal, to polishing wood.
Some reviewers complained about its overall quality, with a few stating that it sounded as if something had broken off inside of theirs. One reviewer said his died within two weeks of receiving it. This, however, seemed to be an exception, as most reviewers were very happy with the durability it provided. One reviewer thought that the way in which it was turned on was dangerous, stating that it was unsafe and hazardous.
Overall, the Makita 9564CV 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder is an excellent tool that is capable of unleashing a great deal of power. With variable speeds, it is extremely versatile, allowing you to use it for slow-speed polishing, and fast-speed cutting. If you’re looking for a compact, powerful, and versatile tool to polish and cut hard materials, you should definitely consider the Makita 9564CV 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder. It’s available for around $125.00 on most online retail sites.
#4. Bosch AG40-85P 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder
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*Price typically updated every 24 hours. Current price may be different.
Maybe you’re interested in purchasing an angle grinder, but don’t typically spend a lot of time working with power tools. Perhaps you just need something around the house in case you need to sharpen an object, or cut something down. If this is the case, you probably don’t want to spend a lot of money. Fortunately, there are a number of great grinders out there for very affordable prices. One of these is the Bosch AG40-85P 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder.
Measuring in at 15.4 inches x 5.1 inches x 6.1 inches, it provides you with a great deal of reach while also being narrow enough to work into tight areas. Weighing a scant 6.6 pounds, it’s very easy to hold up during long periods of use. With an aluminum gear box, it holds everything tightly in place, protecting your hand from the disc, and protecting the disc from external debris. Its plastic housing keeps reduces the amount of heat buildup while its rubber-coated handle makes it very comfortable and ergonomic.
With a motor that provides 8.5 amps, it is capable of working at a whopping rate of 11,500 rotations per minute. This makes it easily powerful enough for cutting purposes, and obviously also makes it great for polishing purposes. Possessing a directed airflow, it keeps dust and debris from making its way into the housing and destroying the motor. This provides it with a great deal of durability, ensuring that it will last a long period of time.
Online reviewers love it for how easy it is to hold and carry, stating that it doesn’t fatigue your wrist, and that it allows you to work as long as you need to. Reviewers also give it credit for how powerful it is at its size, stating that it allows you to cover narrow corners as fast as possible, and with very little effort required.
Some reviewers complained that it did not arrive with a disc included. Unfortunately, you’re going to have to go out and purchase your own. Another reviewer was concerned about its power plug, stating that it’s not grounded. This means that it only has two prongs instead of three. While this likely will cause no problems, it does minimally increase the chance of electric shock.
Overall, the Bosch AG40-85P 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder is an incredible angle grinder for its price. It provides much of the same power seen in higher-end models, and is capable of both polishing and cutting with convenience and ease. If you’re looking for a very nice tool to have on hand in case you ever need to cut, sharpen, polish, or grind something, you should definitely consider purchasing the Bosch AG40-85P 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder. It’s available for around $90.00 on most online retail sites.
Pre-purchase considerations
Disc Size and type
One of an angle grinder’s most important aspects is its disc. Both its size and type will have a huge effect on how well the grinder works, and what it is capable of doing. Generally speaking, the bigger the disc, the more powerful the motor. The most popular disc sizes are 115 mm (4.5 inches), and 230 mm (9 inches). The two of these sizes together will be capable of a great many functions on a great many workload sizes. In some cases, where precision is key, you might opt to use a smaller disc. This will reduce your chances of making a mistake, and result in a cleaner cut overall.
Discs come in a variety of different, each of which provides a different function and use. For cutting stone and concrete, a diamond disc is most appropriate. It can make its way through very hard materials with ease and is the most commonly used disc. An aluminum oxide disc is popular for woodworking purposes. A buffing disc can be used for buffing and polish metal or stone. If you’re looking to use the grinder to sharpen tools, you’re going want to use a flapper disc. This is capable of sharpening items in a very timely manner with little effort required. Grinding, sanding, and wire discs are also available, and will assist in evening down, smoothing, and cleaning edges. The type of disc you choose is dependent on what you plan to use the grinder for. You can certainly use more than one if need be. But, it’s important to get a feel for everything you’re going to use the disc on.
Motor and engine
An angle grinder typically makes use of 1 of 3 different kinds of engines or motors. These include a petrol gas engine, an electric motor, or a compressed air motor. Petrol gas motors are typically the most expensive to run, but are also usually the most powerful. Electric motors provide a decent amount of power at a respectable price, whereas compressed air motors are the cheapest, but also weakest motor type. When examining the motor of a specific grinder, it’s important to consider its voltage, wattage, and amp rating. It will typically fall between 110 and 230 volts AC, 500 to 2,500 watts, and a 4 to 15 amp rating. In general, higher voltage, wattage, and amp rating are going to equal more power overall. So, if you’re planning on using the grinder for small tasks, you can get by with 110 volts, 500 watts, and a 4 amp rating. But, if you’re going to be using it for huge projects and very touch materials, you should consider one that has over 200 volts, 2,000 watts, and a 12 amp rating.
Comfort
An angle grinder is capable of working at very fast speeds. At maximum, a disc can rotate up to 10,000 revolutions per minute. This poses a safety risk if you aren’t handling the tool in the appropriate manner. And, of course, when it comes to holding it in the appropriate manner, comfort is the first thing that comes to mind. When operating such a powerful tool, comfort is an absolute necessity. One slip of the hand can result in disaster. The two main things to look for when considering its comfort are its size and weight. If you’re only going to be using it for small jobs, there’s no reason to spend money, and increase your risk of injury by buying a heavy, bulky one. A small one will do just fine. Of course, it should also be ergonomic. A quality grip, and weight distribution are very important as well. Another thing to look for is an anti-vibration handle. This will reduce the amount of shakiness given off by the motor, allowing you to have a better grip of the tool overall.
Speed
Speed is an extremely important aspect of an angle grinder. The faster the speed, the more heat it will give off, and the quicker it will get its selected job done. Typically, product descriptions list rotating speeds as they are without any resistance. This is called No load speed. If you’re looking to just polish metals and other hard materials, a no load speed of about 2,000 is appropriate. However, if you’re looking to also be able to cut through hard materials, you’re going to want to find something with around a 5,000 or 7,000 no load speed. If you want to be able to do everything, including polishing, grinding, and cutting, with your grinder, you’re going to need to find one that allows you to manually adjust the speed as you go. Fortunately, there are a great many of these available, so you shouldn’t have much trouble getting your hands on one.
Conclusion (Wrapping it up)
If you have a need to cut or polish stone, metal, or any other hard material frequently, you might very well want to consider purchasing an angle grinder. Not only will it greatly reduce the amount of time it takes to finish a project, it will also save you ridiculous amounts of energy. But, it’s important to note that, when purchasing a grinder, they are not all created equally. Some are made of very high quality while some won’t have much to offer you at all. You don’t want to spend a lot of money on something that barely functions, so it’s important that you do your research before making a final purchase. Consider exactly what you’ll need it for. Consider how well its speed, size, and motor power will help you in accomplishing what you want to do. After you have done this, you can purchase an angle grinder that is perfect for your needs and purposes.