What to look for in an angle grinder?

Hey guys,

I have been looking at buying an angle grinder for:

1) repairing some rust on the roof of my truck (would like to grind away surface rust down to metal and repaint the area)

2) grinding and applying por-15 or equivalent to the frame of my truck, and

3) possibly using it in the future to clean up welds/cut plate steel (I have read that this is tough to do with a grinder, but can be done)

So, my question is: What should I look for in a good grinder that can do the above things? I would like to keep it under or at $100 or so, but could maybe do more if that's what it takes to get a decent grinder. I'm pretty handy with tools but have never bought a grinder before.

Any thoughts/recommendations?

 

Buy a harbor freight one. I have used mine several times. I am not careful with my tools and use them for shit kind of jobs. I expect them to break. It has not yet. I got mine for like 20 bucks, but I saw a coupon or sale they had where It was 5 bucks. Chicago brand 4.5 inch angle grinder.

 

I got a Milwaukee one from Home Depot. Think it was like 60 bucks. Used it a few times so far to grind paint off a steel drum and cut bolts to make them smaller

 

Harbor freight works just fine for me it handles the occasional big project and the many small projects just fine. I don't see the point in buying an expensive Grinder if your not going to use it everyday or get a good deal on it. GL though (Dewalt, Makita, and Milwaukee are my go to for good quality power tools)

 

HF sent me a coupon for a 4.5" angle grinder for $5. Can't beat it if you're not going to be using it regularly.

$11.99 now

 

Thanks for all of the replies guys! That price is hard to beat, but I think I'd rather buy something that is a little higher quality and I can trust to hold up for a long time. I don't plan to use it daily by any means, but if I end up grinding my whole frame, as well as any other smaller projects, it will be used quite a bit. I'll keep thinking on it though.

 

You buy the warranty at harbor freight and if it brake you take it back and they replace. Like probably 10 bucks total for a lifetime grinder. Lol. Can't beat that.

 

Get a Milwaukee from home depot. It will last and you won't look like a dipshit with HF tools!

 

Just get a Makita with variable speeds it's nice to be able to slow it down for more technical things

 

They get the job done and I still make a profit from the job performed. I call that a win, win.

 

I am not knocking you man. If it works for you great but I prefer quality tools. Just not my gig.

 

Sounds like you are. Just saying....

 

Okay if you use HF tools yes I judge you. I apologize.

 

That's ok I judge people that live in Nevada!

 

LOL, okay. Take care.

 

We use the sh*t out of them at work and I've bought dozens of them from all mfgs., You can pay $80.00 or $800.00+, and like most tools you get what you pay for. Some of the better ones are rebuildable, the cheap ones you throw in the scrap bin. $100.00 budget?, plan on spending your savings on gas money back to Harbor Freight.

 

Milwaukee or dewalt.

Edit, never tried the porter cable or makita as others have mentioned, but both are great brands also.

 

Exactly, for a little extra money, I'd rather get something that is a quality tool, even if the HF grinders are that cheap/inexpensive.

 

You can get a good 4" dewalt grinder for about $100. Bosch is also good but usually a bit more. I have a dewalt that can take 4-6" discs but it's heavy. Just get the cheaper 4" only dewalt. Lower amps, but much lighter. Home Depot usually stocks them.

 

You probably own a snap on box filled with snap on tools huh