Cheap angle grinders - fit for purpose?

MissFitz

MissFitz

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I need to buy a small angle grinder. Initially this is just to cut a load of machine screws but am assuming I'll find other uses for it in due course. The cheapest ones seem to come in at around £30. Will they be ok or is that a false economy?
 
My experience is that they work as well as devices far more expensive but may have a shorter life expectancy. For the pattern of usage you describe, they should be fine. Check Aldi and Lidl - they often have them at a good price and their warranties are pretty good.
 
I've got a cheapo, 115mm Draper. It's lasted for years of DIY use, weld dressing, steel cutting etc. At least as good as the Black & Decker that preceded it.
Throw away and buy another eventually. If you do much metal cutting, get the thinnest disc, 1mm:- much quicker.
 
You could possibly cut the screws with a hacksaw.
A £30 angle grinder from Screwfix will probably be OK.
If it's a sensible number of fairly small machine screws to cut, a Dremel or imitation thereof is an option. You get through a lot of the little discs, but they are cheap enough.
The angle grinder will come in handy though.
E..g. for de-rusting the keel with a flap disc.

Few years ago I bought a really cheap one from Argos, I tried it for about ten minutes, it was truly horrible, noisy, vibrating, sounding like it was going to break. I took it back they didn't quibble.
They do a different make now for £18, but you'll still need to go to Screwfix or Toolstation for discs, safety glasses etc.
 
Mine was a cheapy from B&Q about £15. I bought it in 2005 when I got my first boat and have found it invaluable. At first the on off switch was stiff but a squirt of WD40 cured it. Thin cutting discs are most useful and I also use a knotted wire brush quite often. The latter does tend to shed bristles so overalls are a must. Always check security of disc nut and wear goggles.
 
I have a cheap one and it really frightens me - I never feel that I am quite in control and the controls themselves are not really precise. If I need to use one again that will go in the bin and I will buy a more expensive one.

My experience is that cheap power tools are very rarely good value.
 
I bought an expensive Bosch angle grinder, cutting High Tensile steel and 30mm aluminium plate (with brand name thin cutting discs) destroyed the gear box. I have replaced with a cheap model from Costco - so far so good - but I would not buy an expensive one again.

I have stainless wire brush attachments which are good for stripping shell of props and a resin impregnated abrasive wheel which then strips paint of props. A tile disc (diamond? cutting edge) is good for cutting fibreglass.

Invest in good goggles and face mask

I understood all angle grinders were noisy :(

I'm still looking for a reasonably priced battery angle grinder.

Jonathan
 
The beauty of cheap grinders is you can have several for the price of 1 good one. Just pick the relative one up and use. I have them fitted with disc for cutting stainless, diamond disc for fibreglass, thick grinder disc and one with masonry disc.
 
i used a new b&q mcallister grinder with polycarbide disc for removing old headlining glue throughout my boat and grinding the rust off my trailer. it started starting up on its own even when switched off on the unit itself so i binned it, i guess all the dust from the headlining glue removal got into the electronics
 
bedouin said:
I have a cheap one and it really frightens me - I never feel that I am quite in control and the controls themselves are not really precise. If I need to use one again that will go in the bin and I will buy a more expensive one.

My experience is that cheap power tools are very rarely good value.
Click to expand...
I thought that about mine but found that lubrication solved the problem. Formerly I needed both hands to switch on and off but now it's a one handed job
 
I bought this https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-erb666grd-750w-4-angle-grinder-220-230v/5224j and it has cleaned up several keels, cut paving, and sanded steel. Small grinders are more useful for DIY than large. I also have an Erbauer orbital sander: two hulls, several walls and ceilings, and various furniture attest to its quality. Buy good quality disks, from tool station or Screwfix, not bandq.
 
MissFitz said:
I need to buy a small angle grinder. Initially this is just to cut a load of machine screws but am assuming I'll find other uses for it in due course. The cheapest ones seem to come in at around £30. Will they be ok or is that a false economy?
Click to expand...

I have gone through lost of small angle grinders both named brand and cheep brands.

Most currently are made in the same factories in the far east may be the very expensive "professional" duty.

It mainly about duty cycle and most have only a 10% duty cycle use for 10 minutes rest (cool) for 90 minutes.

I do tend to use mine hard and continuous so they can get quite hot. I there fore have several that I use in rotation if i am working then hard or if I can I use a 2400 Watt large angle grinder.

The newish thin cutting disks do help a lot as they load the angle grinder less than the 3mm thick but may not last as long if the grinder starts to chatter.

Some times it cheaper to buy 2 or 3 cheap than 1 expensive.
 
cheap ( er ) ones are fine , few things to check tho,,
engine size is best around 750, ( lower they burn out, larger are too heavy for casual work ,)
on off switch more practical when on the side ( as compared to the top ),
5 .5 " disc,
locking facility for changing disc ,
normal size locking spanner ( some cheaper ones have different hole space ).
always wear gloves and glasses.
 
I'd definitely NOT recommend Einhel (grey and blues) got four different tools (orbital sander, fein style tool, cordless screw driver, hot air gun) all failed within a year. Got my money back on all of them from PRAKTIKER so cannot complain :D
 
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