grinder: 4" or 4 1/2" ? HF? (1 Viewer)

[e9999]

I've seen both 4" and 4 1/2". Which is better to get? More choice in disks? Can one use 4" disks on a 4 1/2" or are these different mandrels?

Seen both size grinders at HF for something like $17. Way less than the usual $50. Worth getting if only to use a few times before it conks out or is power a serious issue with these? (thinking about doing the front control arms themselves if needed and their brackets on the 80 for the caster plate job...)

 

[2mbb]

I have a 4 1/2 sears/craftsman grinder. I did most of the cutting & grinding fabrication on this bumper with it. I was pretty impressed. 4 inch and 4 1/2 inch have different mandrel sizes. I've never used a 4 inch, but depending upon what you're doing, the 4 1/2 inch has a small enough work surface as it is...I'd go with the larger one.

 

[tonkota]

I have the HF grinder. It is ok. It has enough power. The casing isn't really tough though, but has lasted me over 3 years and about 15 wheels. It comes with extra brushes, but I used them to repair the FJ62 heater motor.

I bought a cheap tool box to keep it in.

I think that the spindle (arbor?) size is more important than disc diameter. We have a Ryobi at work that has a very small one and it's a pain to find the right size discs for it.

 

[MoJ]

I have a 4 1/2 sears/craftsman grinder. I did most of the cutting & grinding fabrication on this bumper with it. I was pretty impressed. 4 inch and 4 1/2 inch have different mandrel sizes. I've never used a 4 inch, but depending upon what you're doing, the 4 1/2 inch has a small enough work surface as it is...I'd go with the larger one.

That's a hell of a nice looking bumper.

 

[pappy]

I've seen both 4" and 4 1/2". Which is better to get? More choice in disks? Can one use 4" disks on a 4 1/2" or are these different mandrels?

Seen both size grinders at HF for something like $17. Way less than the usual $50. Worth getting if only to use a few times before it conks out or is power a serious issue with these? (thinking about doing the front control arms themselves if needed and their brackets on the 80 for the caster plate job...)

I would go 4.5". Disks are easy to acquire at Lowes , or if you are desperate, Home Depot . I've been though two DeWalts on my FJ40 project. When this one dies I'll go either Milwaulkee (first choice) or Hatachi (little less power, but recommended by a buddy).

 

[Mace]

Either way.

I have a Bosch 4" that spanks My HF 4.5" angle grinders, but honestly, you can get the HF ones for $9.00 each. I bought 4 and have one for each type of grinding/sanding/wirewheeling...


Makes it quicker.


and yes, the arbor size is different depending on which size grinder you use.

 

[Isotel]

i like my HF 4".. Im going to buy a couple more so i can have one for each cutting, grinding, sanding. etc.. if one dies, i just get another one for $10.. i Use HF Cutoff wheels and Disks.. Cheep Cheep Cheep.. but gets the job done.. i could have 4 Grinders all setup with Disks for less than a Dewalt..

 

[e9999]

OK, so 4.5" disks are cheaper/easier to find than 4" ones then?

when / where do you get these HF grinders for $9? I saw them at $17 or so a couple of days ago. Do these go on sale regularly?

 

[ducktapeguy]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3150

Sometimes they won't be advertised in the stores, but it will still ring up at $10. If not, just print out the ad and they'll give it to you for the internet price. They seem to be on sale every other week, so if you dont' get it now, just wait a week or two and they'll be on sale again.

 

[e9999]

damn, how is it possible to make something like that this cheap? These things must be bought for like $5 in China...

 

[sonoranfun]

Well, I've got a $9.99 HF (blue 4.5 inch) and one of the $14.99 ones and I would get the $14,99 orange one over the blue one...

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

nothing more annoying than when the HF grinder finally craps out on you mid job though.. I bought a cheapie one at Home Depot Ryobi. That one was OK but died after a couple months of regular use. Had it "fixed" under the warantee and still barely works, I use it for cleaning welds only with a wire wheel. Then I have a MIKITA $60 home depot unit that has been to hell and back many times and is still holding up like it was brand new. So that is my recommendation...

Also, 4.5" I wouldn't even consider 4" IMO...

 

[brian]

that hf grinder developes 3.3 PEAK amps

you should try and get ATLEAST 6 or 7 amps, with the more the merry, and longer lived.
yeah you're going to pay closer to 100bucks.


home depot
ridgid 4 1/2 grinder
89.97
10,000rpm 8amps (amps are more imporant that rpms)
these grinders are the shizzle

for garage work, this will be the last grinder you buy period

i have two of them in my truck, they spend most of the time in muddy trenchs choaking on small rocks and swiming in puddles.
yeah i've killed a few but umm

 

[ducktapeguy]

I just picked up the HF grinder today, but I decided to splurge and get the $17 version. 4.5 amps, 11,000 rpm. Some people have mentioned the orange ones are a stronger and last longer, plus, i've had good results using the orange ones. I'm mainly going to use it for the wire wheel but there was a sale on 10pc grinding disc set for $5, so I picked that up too.

For $17 it's a great deal. It's stronger than I would've thought. First thing I tried was a 3" wire cup wheel to grind away some rust. Not so good. The wire wheel just isn't balanced enough for the grinder, so it's like trying to hold on to a jackhammer with all the vibration. I just can't hold on to it for more than a minute before my hands become numb. Swiched to a regular knotted wire wheel and everything works fine, although the guard is a little bit small for a 4 1/2" wire wheel. a 4" wheel is probably better for it. I'll probably pick up a few more, at this price I'll have one for each type of disc I want to run.

 

[tonkota]

Plus orange is easy to spot on the floor I bought the wire brush kit from HF too. It's ok. Just wear safety glasses.

Also, store your cutting wheels and grinding wheels in one of those CD/DVD spools.

 

[e9999]

splurged too and got also the orange one, since you guys insisted...

4.5A still quite a bit less than the Makitas, Craftsmans, and Milwaukees I've seen around, but it was $18 on sale - 10% so not too bad... 10% coupons on just about everything in the store...
10 packs of wheels on sale too on the web site.
We'll see how it holds.