Angle Grinders: Corded vs Cordless vs pneumatic

[mccutter]

All 4.5", no need (or want) for the big guys...
Corded: 2-Makitas, 2-Ryobis, 2-cheapies (for shit work, concrete, etc.), 1-Milwaukee w/paddle. A couple still have the guards on them when used with solid wheels, most do not and have flap disks on them. Also have a Makita 5"-6"? disk sander usually used for wood shaping.
Cordless: 2-older Ryobi 18v, lawyer switches defeated, flap disks, no guards, spin at 6500rpm (vs 10-11k for corded), at least a pound heavier than corded version. Out of convenience, these are usually the go-to but stored sans battery "for safety".
Pnuematic: no actual "grinders" but a couple 5"-6" disk sanders and a couple DAs as well as a half-dozen die grinders straight and angled. Keep Rolocs in a couple of the angle die grinders for metal polishing/gasket removal.

PS: if you ask nicely, Chris might share a pic of his "collection"...

[Oscar]

Originally Posted by mccutter

All 4.5", no need (or want) for the big guys...
Corded: 2-Makitas, 2-Ryobis, 2-cheapies (for shit work, concrete, etc.), 1-Milwaukee w/paddle. A couple still have the guards on them when used with solid wheels, most do not and have flap disks on them. Also have a Makita 5"-6"? disk sander usually used for wood shaping.
Cordless: 2-older Ryobi 18v, lawyer switches defeated, flap disks, no guards, spin at 6500rpm (vs 10-11k for corded), at least a pound heavier than corded version. Out of convenience, these are usually the go-to but stored sans battery "for safety".
Pnuematic: no actual "grinders" but a couple 5"-6" disk sanders and a couple DAs as well as a half-dozen die grinders straight and angled. Keep Rolocs in a couple of the angle die grinders for metal polishing/gasket removal.

PS: if you ask nicely, Chris might share a pic of his "collection"...

You're quite courageous for using them with no guards, that's for sure! As for Chris's collection, I already did ask nicely; it's the very first post and the reason for this thread: to discuss and share info.

[digr]

I have 10 electric 4.5 to 5 inch grinders running, each with a different task. Also 3 big 9 inch grinders that hardly see the light of day. But I have one small 4" air grinder that really comes in handy at times in tight places. Two Dewaltt 4" battery grinders that are great as long as they last.

[camdigger]

My grinders are primarily 4.5" corded units. ATM, I have one each of Dewalt , Skill, and a cheapie off brand. Everything fits every one, and I have enough to run a knotted brush, cutting disc, and grinding disc without changing function.


My experience with cordless tool's batteries has not been good as the usage profile of my shop tools is detrimental to battery life. In my experience, replacement batteries are 80% of the cost of new tools ( if they are even available), and up to 100% of the cost of a corded replacement. I have a box full of cordless drills made useless by dead an obsolete batteries.

I also find that unless I pay a premium for a top line unit, cordless tools are generally gutless compared to corded alternatives. Not to mention that all too often, the tool is dead when I reach for it.

[randydupree]

I think i have 3 cordless Milwaukee grinders (they call them Milkyways down here),all of the smaller size,5''? 4.5? heck,i don't even know the size.
i have at least 4 maybe 5 corded grinders,all of the small size,Dewalts,maybe a bosch all brands really,for no real reson except when i lived in Gainesville Fl (collage town) i could buy them new from the pawn shops.
It seems like the little darlings (students) would buy them on daddys credit card for a make believe school project and then pawn them for beer/dope money.

I have 2 big milkyway sander/buffers,7'' maybe? that i guess you could grind with,i use them for sanding/polishing.
My shoulders hate those big heavy things.
DA's and bondo busters,maybe 3-4 of those,air driven.
And a couple of corded ones as well.
A hand full of die grinders,air powered,maybe 6 of them? some good brands,some cheapo stuff.

Its handy to have several die grinders with different tools on the same project,saves time changing tools.
Same way with the cordless gringers,grinding wheel in one,flap disc in one,cut off wheel in one.

Most of my stuff comes from autions/pawn shops and garage sales.
The cordless milkyways were all bought new on the internet,if you keep your eyes open you can buy those big tool kits for cheap.
I think i have 3 skill saws,3 muliti purpose saws,flashlights and i think 3 or 4 sawzalls,all cordless that i use at my rent propertys.
I buy the big kits to get the batteries mostly,and i can leave tools in the service van and some in the shop etc.

Hi,my name is Randy and i am a tool whore.

[Ironman]

Originally Posted by randydupree

I think i have 3 cordless Milwaukee grinders (they call them Milkyways down here),all of the smaller size,5''? 4.5? heck,i don't even know the size.
Hi,my name is Randy and i am a tool whore.

Randy, they for some reason are listed as 4.5" both in corded and cordless. I have found that the guard requires a couple of tweaks with the hydraulic press to spread and another to slightly flatten, and the are suddenly able to spin a 5" disk. So my Milwaulkee grinders are 5" now.

All my Dewalts burst into flame, but these guys act like the energizer bunny.

[Norcal]

I have a couple of corded 4" or whatever, 1 is a Hitachi, old enough to be made in Japan, and a Milwaukee that was made prior to their ChiCom ownership, like them both, bought a M18 Milwaukee bare grinder, when I used it liked it but since being sick have not used it, not being tethered to a cord is nice but if all the batteries are dead it would be quite useless.

[imagineer]

I have four 4.5" angle grinders, 2 H.F. Hercules corded and 1 Porter-Cable corded; and 1 Porter-Cable 20V cordless.

The corded ones are used most often. With the exception of the switch location n the HF units (being a lefty it gets in the way), the Harbor Freight Hercules angle grinders are working out just fine.

The corded Porter-Cable is on it's last life and is relegated to only flap wheel grinding.

The Porter-Cable 20V cordless is just awful. Weak, slow RPMs and goes through batteries quickly. It was a waste of $40.

[digger doug]

OP should really try one on 240 vac...
I have a couple of 3.5 hp vertical air ones, one with a rock, another with a saucer wheel.
Yes, they take allot of air.
Yes, they are heavy.
But if you can work "down" using the grinders weight, they can really hog off metal, so much so, that the "sparks" are really chips (find them on the floor later)

[digger doug]

Everything has a place.

I worked in a garage with the retired owner (son took over the Day to day)
And he crawled under a 6' brush hog with an old B&D 9" metal body grinder to sharpen the blades.
I bought a 4" grinder, and he thought it "A toy" ....until that job came up again.
"Oh that much nicer to use upside down"

"I" seeing the job, simply positioned the tractor & brush hog under the electric hoist...removed the PTO shaft, and hoisted up on the tail wheel.
Thereby swinging the brush hog straight up on the lower arms.

And then I simply walked up to blades, and proceeded to grind them nice and sharp.....