Buyer's Guide Table of Contents
Last Update: October, 2023
Considered one of the best power tools to have in your collection, an angle grinder does much more than the name might suggest. Angle grinders can not only grind, but polish and cut as well. It is also a must have tool for those who want to work with stronger materials like metals, tiles and stones.
The right angle grinder can open doors for the kinds of projects you can take on and the features can make almost any job a pleasurable experience.
ANGLE GRINDER | Summary |
|---|---|
DeWalt DC | You can use your angle grinder anywhere with battery power and added safety features. |
Makita 9564CV Angle Grinder | Designed to keep your angle grinder running as long and as efficiently as possible to make it last. |
DEWALT DW840K | Comfort is key with this angle grinder and is designed to give you the best experience for even long periods of use. |
Hitachi | Use this angle grinder for long periods of time without issue and know you are protected from electronic overload. |
Bosch | Designed with improved durability and a wider variety of settings to give you what you need for a wide variety of projects. |
Pros:
Cons:
More About DeWalt DCG313B
If you are looking to use an angle grinder in a wider array of locations, or just don’t want to waste time with cords it is worth investing in a quality battery powered option. This model also includes a paddle switch that will act as a blade brake so you can stop it at any time and prevent injury from occurring.
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|---|---|
Dewalt DWE4011  | Bosch Angle Grinder  |
Dewalt DCG413B  | Makita XAG04Z  |
Pros:
Cons:
More About Makita 9564CV Angle Grinder
This Makita angle grinder is designed to improve the internal aspects of the tool by featuring speed variations as well as super joint systems to prevent the gears from being damaged.
Labyrinth construction also aids in protecting the angle grinder as you work by protecting the motor and keeping dust out of it.
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|---|---|
Dewalt DWE4011 | Bosch Angle Grinder |
Dewalt DCG413B | Makita XAG04Z |
Pros:
Cons:
More about DeWalt DW840K
With a handle on both the side and rear, this DeWalt angle grinder is designed to give you the most comfortable hold as you work. The guard is adjustable without needing to use other tools and the external brush cap allows you to easily service your power tool and keep your motor working as it should.
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|---|---|
Dewalt DWE4011 | Bosch Angle Grinder |
Dewalt DCG413B | Makita XAG04Z |
Pros:
Cons:
More About Hitachi G12VE
Hitachi has created an angle grinder that works will powered by a wide variety of sources. You can use extension cords that are extra long without suffering power loss and can get superior performance when attached to and powered by a generator. The grip handle of this angle grinder is thinner to give you greater control while working and prevent hand cramping or fatigue.
Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Dewalt DWE4011 | Bosch Angle Grinder |
Dewalt DCG413B | Makita XAG04Z |
Pros:
Cons:
More About Bosch GWS13-50VSP
Bosch’s angle grinder is designed to include carbon brushes for longevity and greater performance out of your tool. The speed can be changed to give you the best performance based on the project you are working on and direct motor cooling will prevent your power tool from overheating.
Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Dewalt DWE4011 | Bosch Angle Grinder |
Dewalt DCG413B | Makita XAG04Z |
Factors to Check Before Buying
If you want to buy an angle grinder, just like any other power tool, you need to consider several different factors
Power
Compressed air, electric and petrol are the three main types of motors used to power angle grinders. It is important that you find the right motor power option for your needs because they all have different voltage, wattage and amp ratings. It is also important to consider the size of the disc in your angle grinder as well because larger grinder discs have more powerful motors.
Dust Management
Dust may not be your highest priority when looking for an angle grinder, but it is important to consider how the dust will be dealt with as you work.
Dust and debris build up can not only impact the efficiency of your work, but can be flung around and hit you or enter your lungs.
This is why you should look for angle grinders with dust ejection attachments or features that will disperse the dust in a safe manner.
Safety Features
It is important to keep in mind that a power tool is definitely not a toy and pose a higher risk of injury than non-power tools.
Angle grinders are no exception and are in fact one of the most dangerous power tools on the market. Because it is designed to make quick work of things like metal, stone and tile, an angle grinder must be much stronger than normal grinders or saws.
This is why it is crucial to buy an angle grinder with the appropriate safety features.
Perhaps the most important safety feature, a wheel guard will prevent the dust and debris from the metal and stone from being flung up and hitting you.
You should look for wheel guards that are adjustable and work with either a grinding wheel or cutting wheel depending on what you are using. You should never use an angle grinder without a guard properly attached.
There are also lock off settings available that serves a different purpose. The lock off feature is similar to the safety mechanism on a gun because it prevents the angle grinder from starting accidentally. Paddle switches also aid in keeping you safe by stopping the grinder automatically once it is out of your hands.
Comfort
Comfort is another factor to consider in an angle grinder. Because it is so important that you keep a solid hold on your angle grinder while using it, you need to have a comfortable handle that won’t cramp your hand.
The best way to do this is with an adjustable side handle to find the right grip for you. You can also look for anti-vibration handles to keep your hands from going numb or causing you to go off course with your work.
If you want to use your lock on feature to keep your angle grinder going without holding down a button it is crucial that you keep a strong handle on your grinder so it doesn’t slip out of your hand and cause injury.
What an Angle Grinder Can Do
An angle grinder is one of the most common and versatile power tools you could have in your household, auto repair shop, or construction site. One of the strongest features of an angle grinder is, in fact, its versatility. Angle grinders are capable of sanding, cleaning, cutting rebar, sharpening blades, removing mortar and scoring tiles.
This tool is perfect for both beginners and experts alike and is easy enough to use once you learn the basics They come in many different sizes, and knowing which size will work best will make a tremendous difference. Many products are designed to deliver top notch performance while remaining durable and safe for use through multiple tasks.v
Angle grinders make cutting and polishing jobs easier and faster with how efficiently they work. Some of the factors that experienced power tool users will search for when looking for one is their quality, power and durability. There are many other additional features to consider while looking for a high quality angle grinder.
Disc Size
The size of an angle grinder disc is one of the most important features. Discs come in many different sizes and the bigger discs are much more powerful than the smaller discs. It would do you well to choose a disc size that will be suitable for the task you are planning to accomplish.
Safety Features
Built-in safety features is another highly important feature of a high quality angle grinder. Some of them are made with a non-locking paddle switch that automatically shuts off when the tool is dropped or released. Paddle switches also prevent the tool from being turned on by accident, which provides you with a greater sense of comfort.
Dust Ejectors
Some angle grinders come with a dust ejection system for the debris that forms and scatters while working. Dust and debris can become especially detrimental when it flies in all directions and gathers within your workplace. For that reason, having an angle grinder with a dust ejection system may be essential.
Safety Tips
Many angle grinder models are built with your safety in mind to ease your concerns about workplace accidents. However, you can still run the risk of injury even with the best products on the market if your tool is not used properly. It is important that you take extra precautions to ensure you are getting the job done right while avoiding injury.
There are many steps that you can take to ensure that you will be using your angle grinder safely. This list includes the safety precautions you can take to ensure that there will be a minimal chance of injury while working with your angle grinder:
- Wear protective gear while working.
- Check and double check the attachments and the cutting disk on your tool and attach the guards correctly.
- Remove clutter and flammable materials from the area you are working in, and make sure you have a fire extinguisher close by.
- Make sure you maintain a firm grip on the side handle while you are working with your tool.
- Keep others away from your workspace while you are handling the angle grinder.
- Make sure you are holding the angle grinder where dust and debris will fall downward and the grinding wheel will spin away from sharp edges.
How to Remove Angle Grinder Discs
In order to remove angle grinder discs, you must first make sure that your device is turned off. If the device is cordless then the battery needs to be removed, and if not then the cord needs to be unplugged from any outlet.
Some angle grinders come with factory spanners that look like flat wrenches that you can use to remove the disk. One will resemble a normal wrench and the other will resemble a two-pronged fork. The prongs fit into the holes in the drive bolt and the wrench fits into the bottom bolt of the disc. The wrench spanner will hold the tool in place while you turn the prongs in the opposite direction of the disc arrow until you are able to remove the disc.Some angle grinders come with factory spanners that look like flat wrenches that you can use to remove the disk. One will resemble a normal wrench and the other will resemble a two-pronged fork. The prongs fit into the holes in the drive bolt and the wrench fits into the bottom bolt of the disc. The wrench spanner will hold the tool in place while you turn the prongs in the opposite direction of the disc arrow until you are able to remove the disc.
You can use this same method with a screwdriver and vice grips. The vice grips will hold the tool in place while you use the screwdriver to remove the disc. Alternatively, you can forego tools completely and use your hands. To do that, you will need to strike the disc in the opposite direction of the arrow hard enough to be able to remove the nut and access the disk with your fingers.
Is it Possible to Cut Metal with an Angle Grinder?
Cutting metal is one of the most popular uses of an angle grinder. In fact, cut-off wheels are even made to cut through metal. However, when you are working with metal cutting you will need to ensure that you are wearing protective gear and working at a slow and steady pace.
Using an angle grinder to cut metal can be an easy task, but it can easily become dangerous if you do not take proper safety precautions. Make sure the piece of metal is secure to the surface of your workbench and work through where you want to cut slowly.
You can use this same method with a screwdriver and vice grips. The vice grips will hold the tool in place while you use the screwdriver to remove the disc. Alternatively, you can forego tools completely and use your hands. To do that, you will need to strike the disc in the opposite direction of the arrow hard enough to be able to remove the nut and access the disk with your fingers.
Using an Angle Grinder as a Polisher
It is indeed possible to use an angle grinder as a polisher. Polishing is just one of the many benefits that come from an angle grinder’s versatility. Angle grinders work amazingly to give aluminum a smooth finish and bring it back to its original clean state.
In order to polish different forms of metals, you will have to use a special kind of polishing wheel attachment or buffer pad. You will be able to polish even the most scratched up aluminum parts when polishing with an angle grinder. Aluminum that has been battered severely may require a high grit grinding disk in order to restore it to its former glory.
As with any job you will be using your angle grinder for, you will need to make sure you take safety precautions. Wearing protective gear and goggles will be a requirement for polishing to protect yourself from debris and possible injury.
Conclusion
Angle grinders are a valuable tool to keep in your workshop if you want to accomplish more difficult cutting and polishing tasks with ease. Finding a tool that is implemented with safety features, as well as a high level of durability, will prove to be exceptionally beneficial to you.
Some of the best angle grinders on the market are built to last through any type of job you put it through, no matter how difficult it may be. Once you learn how to properly handle an angle grinder and follow safety precautions whenever you start a new project, you will be well on your way to becoming an expert in handling it.
