Angle Grinder - Is there a preferred inexpensive model?

[SoloQue]

So I find myself needing to shape and reduce a piece of metal and I've decided I'd rather do it myself for a change. Contrary to most of the folks on this site I do not have much of a tool collection and I will be buying a grinder for this task. Is it even worth purchasing a rock bottom priced grinder like from Harbor Freight or should I pony up some cash and get a preferred manufacturer name? Feedback needed and welcomed. The grinder will probably be used for this one project and might possibly hang for a year, but then who knows what tomorrow holds. As always thanks for the shared knowledge.

Solo

[SmokinFF]

I'm a big fan of yellow tools. You spend the $$$ on a dewalt use it and hang it up, it will last a looooong time.
Just my $.02

[Frank_Cox]

SOLO!!!
I was worried about ya! Hope your doing good
Anyway, for the one time job a cheapo would be fine. the biggest difference you will see is I have noticed more vibration with the cheaper ones. If you use a flap disk say a 60 or 80 grit one you prolly won't notice a bit of difference. I use the DeWalt flap disks currently on a DeWalt Grinder.

[SoloQue]

Sounds great, some of the DeWalt units are in my range and you went ahead and answered my next question about the disks. Everything is cool here in Bama as long as you take into consideration just how crappy my Tigers are this year. TQ has been most gracious and hasn't sent me a single PM on the subject My dad was down for an extended visit from Illinois so I was spending all available time with him ... time gets short as the years slip by. I'll post my mighty grinding project (should probably use the humor thread). I had a heat trivet made for the BP in Pops. The 26x20 plate sits about 1/2 inch above the BP which creates a really good heat sink with the dead air space. Right now it is sitting sideways as I failed to account for the rails being in the way as far as dropping the plate in snugly up against the Firebox end of the CC. I used it length wise and was really happy with the dampening effect when I go for higher temps. Now I just have to grind off about 1/4 inch and it will drop in nicely, laying wall to wall and flush with the firebox end wall of the CC.

[TuscaloosaQ]

Solo I have many grinders as you know if you need to borrow one even for and extended period of time it is yours just holler at me and you can get it no problem

[SoloQue]

Thanks for the offer TQ! This one falls into that grey zone of ...hmmm ... the wife won't really mind if I buy this and then I'll have one just in case for later.

[Frank_Cox]

Sounds good! If you can, post some pics of your set up

[Smokeone]

Yellow all the way!
Glad to see ya SOLO! Dont worry bout them tigers, ours S@#$ too! Besides it gives an excuse to drink more, you know wash away the sorrows!

[Gizmo]

Good to hear from you Solo - I own makita and dewalt both and they have both treated me right (for about 25 years on the makita) The DeWalt was $99 and I think it's a great buy at that price - even from the welding supply place which isn't known for being the cheapest place to buy stuff... One thing you might try to borrow from TQ is his oldest welding helmet with a clear shield to wear while you're grinding - safety first ...

[TuscaloosaQ]

Second what Rick said please put on a face shield Tyler had toget steel drilled out of his eye last week. My hood has a flip up lense and I love it. that way i dont flip flop so much

[The Czar]

Yeah Solo.....your back......and spend the money.....don't be stingy on a item that can cut you up...right TQ?

[SoloQue]

I hear ya on the face shield ... I have appropriated a shield head set from work. We mainly use them for splash prevention but they are impacted rated Z87 as well. I look like a cross between a storm trooper and the Michelin man when I get all the safety gear on we use at work. Lord help me if there is ever an actual fire ... I'd just have to drop it into granny gear and wade towards an exit.

[alleyrat58]

Solo - my first grinder was a $29.00 Ryobi. I kept it around to sharpen mower blades and what-not. When I got serious about building a smoker I ran that thing until it burst into flames in my hand, then went and bought a $100 Bosch which I love. So weight it out, if you aren't going to use it a lot right away maybe spend a little less up front. When it finally dies, reconsider your decision. $30 ain't bad if it performs your small jobs for a couple of years.

[Rodcrafter]

I have appropriated a shield head set from work.

I like this word "appropriated" it makes me giggle when I think of what it usally means. hehe

Dewalt, Milwalkee, Bosch, Makita all are solid and the only thing I would suggest is consider the type of attachments you want to use, (spin on or something else) i like to be able to spin on, so I don't have to keep up with loose parts when using something else. My $.02

[coma44]

I have a few Milwalkee tools and only killed on angle grinder after 10 years of use in the race shop. It was the 12 amp 4 1/2 inch angle grinder, 10 bucks a year was worth it by far.

The SuperSaw I bought at the same time still runs like a champ.

[Shadrock]

I did the Harbor Freight thing for a while, I have one about 3 miles from the shop, so it's convenient to swap them out. Believe it or not, their higher one one, actually is better if you go that route. Once you feel them getting hot, let off and let them cool down. That's when they're about to go....

I bought a Dewalt and a Metabo this year, to be honest they're smoother and last longer, but both of them are about to go. The guy at the hard ware store told me the Metabo would be the last one I ever bought, oh well, it sounded good.

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

I keep buying the cheap ones for about $20. They last about a year and your can't ask for more than that for the price. I have Metabo as well, but like one of the cheap ones I have better.