Blue, yellow, or red???

[Hypoid]

The ol' drillmaster 4.5" grinder stopped working last night, I got my $10 out of it.

I am headed to Tool King today for a replacement. They sell Makita, DeWalt, and Milwaulkee. Which is your favorie, why?

I have a 20-year-old Makita 4" grinder that just keeps running. The only thing I don't like about the brand is the cost of replacement parts. We use DeWalt at work, I think they die too young. What brands have given you good service?

The poll allows more than one choice.

 

[time2getdirty]

I am rocking dewalt now. Feel the quality is less than my black and decker that took far more abuse.

 

[xj-grin]

I voted HF for 2 reasons, (1) if you pay a couple bucks for the lifetime warranty, you don't waste money on replacements, just time to go get another one (I acknowledge that is annoying); (2) I've seen Yella's HF grinder that has been going like the energizer bunny for the better part of 10(?) years... I think it took him a few to get a good one, but when he finally did it has gone great.

Personally, I have a 4.5" dewalt, its my second in 10 years, with the first one lasting around 7, which isn't too bad, I guess.

 

[Hypoid]

I voted HF for 2 reasons, (1) if you pay a couple bucks for the lifetime warranty, you don't waste money on replacements, just time to go get another one (I acknowledge that is annoying);

When gas was over $4/gallon, it took three trips from Golden to Westminster to get this $10 wonder. (The other two didn't make it through the 90 day warranty), I was not interested in another $3 for a warranty. Also, I promised the cashier I wouldn't make another trip for one of these.

(2) I've seen Yella's HF grinder that has been going like the energizer bunny for the better part of 10(?) years... I think it took him a few to get a good one, but when he finally did it has gone great.

I have the orange, 7" grinder. I have been happy with it's performance and service life. Now to get the same from a 4.5" grinder.

Personally, I have a 4.5" dewalt, its my second in 10 years, with the first one lasting around 7, which isn't too bad, I guess.

I have to admit, some of the guys I work with can break an anvil. They also tend to overwork the small grinder. I can say that DeWalt customer service has been very good.

 

[supernatural]

Where do you work hypoid

 

[Hypoid]

Greenbriar Rail Service, we fix rail-road cars. Unlike most repair facilities, the shop in Golden does most of it's work outdoors.

 

[in4aride]

Dewault. My current one I have had for 6 years now. It still goes strong. Plu sI think out of the corded grinders it has the longest cord - which you do actually notice. I can move around the entire garage with it plugged in and not need an extension cord.
Dunno about CS as i havent had to turn it in for any work or anything

 

[Boostwerks.com]

If you tend to use the grinder daily, I highly reccomend checking out a metabo
http://www.metabo.us/Product-catalog-handheld-powertools.23980+M5f89ecdf5aa.0.html

FWIW I worked in a structural steel shop for 5 years among another 20 plus guys. The shop provided the tools to the employees so it was important that they last. We started out with dewalt grinders...but ended up sending them out to get fixed all the time. We tried Milwalkee as well, and they seemed to hold up a little better. A supplier gave us a bunch of Metabo's to try out and everyone loved them so much we ended up using them exclusively. We went two years without a single failure which was impressive considering they we're used and abused daily.

 

[Fred]

My HF 19.99 wonder has lasted 10 years with never a return. None of the other power tools I've bought at HF have been as good. :dunno:

 

[ColoradoRaptor]

1- Makita - I have been using their stuff for over 20 years and it is top notch.

2- DeWalt - I have several of their tools and they are damn good... I did have my angle drill burn up on me though.

Never owned Milwaukee but heard their stuff is very good.

I would NEVER waste my money on HF junk:exclamati

 

[DutchVDub]

I have DeWalts and Hitachi grinders. I've destroyed a black and decker and a craftsman in a matter of months. My Dewalts and Hitachis have been going strong for 4+ years. I normally go for the Dewalt when its on sale for like 60$ or I'll get the Hitachi which is also 60$ at Lowes but comes with like 10 grinding wheels.

 

[Hypoid]

I narrowed down the choices to the DeWalt (like we use at work), and another Makita, with similar features.

DeWalt has a trade in promotion. The price after trade in is $68. It's a nice unit, with nice features: http://www.toolking.com/dewalt-d28402r-factory-reconditioned-4-1-2-inch-small-angle-grinder

The Makita reconditioned unit was priced at $51. Too bad they were out of stock.

The price for a new one is $65, money won't be the deciding factor: http://www.toolking.com/makita-9557pb-factory-reconditioned-4-1-2-inch-angle-grinder

After walking across the store several times and getting a feel for both, I brought home the Makita. We'll see how long this one lives.

Looks like I broke the tie.

 

[Hypoid]

If you tend to use the grinder daily, I highly reccomend checking out a metabo
http://www.metabo.us/Product-catalog-handheld-powertools.23980+M5f89ecdf5aa.0.html

FWIW I worked in a structural steel shop for 5 years among another 20 plus guys. The shop provided the tools to the employees so it was important that they last. We started out with dewalt grinders...but ended up sending them out to get fixed all the time. We tried Milwalkee as well, and they seemed to hold up a little better. A supplier gave us a bunch of Metabo's to try out and everyone loved them so much we ended up using them exclusively. We went two years without a single failure which was impressive considering they we're used and abused daily.

Thanks for the recommendation! A millwright I know on another board had the same preference.

I should have left option 4 open to any other brands.

 

[adrenalinepirate]

Had a ryobi that lasted 8 years and now have two hitachi's that I got at work for $15 each. Work awesome for the price. Think you should keep searching for higher quality then HF but a good deal.

 

[time2getdirty]

I think I bought my dewalt for $59 at murdochs.

 

[souske]

I have one milwaukee and two hitachis
the milwaukee seems slightly better quality, but for the price, I would raher get two hitachis.
costco had them a while back for $30

 

[adrenalinepirate]

That is where I got them just waited for them to mark them down and snagged two. It's been almost two years without fail. One has a cut off wheel the other has either a flap wheel or grinding wheel. Perfect setup to work on projects for me. As quality they are better then my ryobi and just looking at the hf and holding one seems like a pure junk.