What to look for in an angle grinder?

No not snap on. MAC and of late Carlyle tools mostly.

 

I've used the Shitty Freight ones and I love my Dewalt the more because of it.

 

Makita 9005B, have two. Had one for over 20 years. 20 plus years of fabrication never a single problem.

 

Just re read the OP. If you are just cleaning up the frame to prep for paint, I'd use a 90 degree pneumatic die grinder with a seaweed pad. 4" angle grinder, even with a flap disc will remove a lot of material pretty quick.

 

Mikita, dewalt, Milwaukee, can't go wrong. Used them all daily for about 30% of my day every day (pipe welder+fabricator). I personally settled with the new dewalt because the vibration is a bit less with the 4" and it vents pretty good at the bottom. I worked underground steam tunnels and they all held up the best they could through water and non stop usage. For a home owner you could get any of those and be set for 10-15 years or more.

 

Can't complain with my ryobi from home depot. Was about 30 bucks and I've used it for exactly what you are doing just in a different area of the rig.
I've had it for about 7 years and still works great on everything.

 

My harbor freight angle grinder served me well a couple weeks ago when I cut my fenders for my high clearance bumper

 

I also have a Milwaukee grinder and it's a fucking beast. First time I fired it up it actually intimidated me a little bit, as I could just feel the power in my hand. Pretty sure it's this one.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...-with-Lock-On-Paddle-Switch-6117-30/203405160

 

Don't know what features you really need in an angle grinder other than the motor turning and not having any runout on the spindle bearings. That being said I've had my harbor freight one for 15 years or so and still running strong with no flaws, heck if you're worried about the 15 dollar HF one burning out and having to spend gas money returning to the store, buy 4 of them and you're still way ahead of spending $100 or more on a brand name model. I get the argument for high quality items where repeatability, accuracy, easy setup, and sturdy construction are needed, but I just don't see that need in many items, and angle grinders are one of them. Especially since more and more these days the brand name items are turning to cheap Chinese shit themselves they just look fancier, why pay more.

God bless the Americans that spend way too much on stuff for brand name items (or real estate, or cars, or sports equipment etc): that keeps the economy and the stock market going.

 

I work on ships and always working with tools and putting a good beating on them. The few brands I've seen that have several years on them and still working are Dewalt, Milwaukee, and Porter-Cable. You can't go wrong with either of those but that depends on how many hours you're going to have on your grinder. If you're going to use it a few times and it will sit on a shelf, I'd get one from Harbor Freight.

 

Makita angle grinder works fine

 

Thanks for all of the replies again guys! I'm headed to Home Depot today and I'll see what they have in stock... I'll report back if I buy anything.

 

Oops I lied. I got a dewalt haha. Forgot the name. But mine is similar. But I love it. The thing is an absolute beast

 

I have a mikita 4" that I bought in 2001ish that won't die, however I usually get the $40 skill 4.5" off Amazon. I did 90% of my cutting and fab work for my SAS with them and they won't die. One I thought I was going to let the blue smoke out of it, but it self healed apparently and works fine. Whatever you get buy 2 and leave a cut off wheel on 1 and a flap disc on the other. Cuts your fab time down alot!

This guy:

$29 SKIL 9295-01 6.0 Amp 4-1/2" Angle Grinder

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003...=S9VR12N0V62NHBA05GMC&dpPl=1&dpID=61GvQ8X5hBL

 

All the talk about grinders and no AvE?

 

Thanks for everyone's help and suggestions! I ended up getting a Milwaukee grinder today for $60 from Home Depot... I wanted the Makita because it came with a case and was a little lighter, but it only accepted 4" discs, and there were wayyy more choices for grinding/sanding discs for 4.5" grinders so I went with the Milwaukee.

 

You sir are not a dipshit! Congrats.

 

Yay, you successfully navigated the marketplace and spent money! Lets throw a party!

 

4.5 inch Porter cable. I know what I'm about son.

 

Ummmm role tide I guess...