Recommendations sought - angle grinder

D

djs

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 Aug 2003
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257
Location
Derbys, UK
www.uniquesolutions.co.uk
I need to get an angle grinder for cutting down some gritstone slabs. If I can find one that would also offer uses on the boat (polisher maybe?) that would be good. A 115mm grinder will be sufficient for the slabs so no need to go to the 230mm size just for that job.

I seek your recommendations - it seems that most brands offer angle grinders in their ranges - any to look at or avoid. Also, your thoughts on whether there is any real world practicality in using an angle-grinder for non cutting / grinding work onboard. I'm more concerned with quality and longevity than budget.

I do have 240v on board; shorepower and genset.

Thanks in advance
Dave
 
djs said:
I need to get an angle grinder for cutting down some gritstone slabs. If I can find one that would also offer uses on the boat (polisher maybe?) that would be good. A 115mm grinder will be sufficient for the slabs so no need to go to the 230mm size just for that job.

I seek your recommendations - it seems that most brands offer angle grinders in their ranges - any to look at or avoid. Also, your thoughts on whether there is any real world practicality in using an angle-grinder for non cutting / grinding work onboard. I'm more concerned with quality and longevity than budget.

I do have 240v on board; shorepower and genset.

Thanks in advance
Dave
Click to expand...

angle grinders spin too fast for polishing
i have a 9" Bosch with diamond blades for stone
 
I wouldn't use an angle grinder for polishing the boat. They're so cheap, you might as well just get one that meets the need for your slabs. The only time I've used an angle grinder on my boat was for removing a skin fitting.
 
I've got a B&Q own brand one that works fine but the on/off switch is a bit stiff - this can be a bit scary when operating in a confined space with no easy way of switching it off.
My advice is to check the controls before you buy. BTW I found a good squirt of WD40 improve it significantly. (I know - WD is not a lubricant some say)
 
There are I believe some angle grinders that go slow enough for polishing, at least that is what has been claimed on here before, however, by and large angle grinders do run much faster than polishing machines.

For polishing the boat I bought a Silverline one :
84532.jpg
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Power+Tools/Polishers/Sander+Polisher+180mm+230V/d40/sd3309/p84532

I am well pleased with it. (actually I bought it from Force4 on a bit of an impulse so paid rather more than I needed to)


When I wanted a small compact angle grinder I bought a small Silverline one
36919.jpg
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Power+Tools/Grinders/115mm+Angle+Grinder+230V/d40/sd3149/p36919


It's OK but I find the switch awkward ... but I deliberately chose a very compact one to use in a confined space
 
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I bought a very cheap angle grinder and regretted it. It broke, got my cash back, but half a dry day wasted.
The 'Site' one I bought from Screwfix has earned its keep.
 
Makita 115mm, plus dedicated ?Silverline? Var sp polisher with expensive liquids n polishy bits, Farecla for ex.. . IME
 
Sealey Professional range, with allow you to polish and grind. It is a variable speed machine, speeds 1 to 2 for polishing. i.e compounding and buffing and 6 for your grinding
 
djs said:
I need to get an angle grinder for cutting down some gritstone slabs. If I can find one that would also offer uses on the boat (polisher maybe?) that would be good. A 115mm grinder will be sufficient for the slabs so no need to go to the 230mm size just for that job.
Dave
Click to expand...

This one from Lidl perhaps http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/www_lidl_uk/hs.xsl/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=940&ar=1

I think people have generally found Parkside Brand tools reasonable quality. 3 year warranty anyway.

Stand available as well http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/SID-7...lidl_uk/hs.xsl/our-offers-2491.htm?id=18&ar=1
 
9" are very scary. I had one. EEk! Wear all the PPE.

Hire one for your slabs. The 115mm are sort of OK but you'll go through loads of discs. As soon as they start to wear you lose cutting depth, unless you have a tipped blade.

I've always used cheapish angle grinders and so far they have lasted well. Current one is a Bosch, but was only about £25. The brushes give out first so look for one with a spare set of brushes included.

I've knackered just 4 angle grinders in 17 years. So that's probably much cheaper than buying a dear one every 8/10 years. I use them quite a lot.
 
djs said:
I need to get an angle grinder
Click to expand...

A word of warning if you've not prevously owned an angle grinder

The switches on some/ many/ most can be locked in the on position.

Surprised me one day when i plugged mine in and it started running!......:eek:
 
Some cheap angle grinders have a switch on the back panel. This needs another hand to operate the switch. Others which are far better have a switch that can be operated by the thumb of the holding hand. ie along the barrel.
Some angle grinders will have a kit which includes a rubber backing disc for sand paper type sanding disc. I tend to use the sanding discs more than cutting/grinding wheel. What i really want is another grinder so I can have one set up for grinding one for sanding althou8gh it is quite easy to change over from one to the other.
A said large discs on a larger machine will be better for deep cuts in stone. You might even try a stone cutting disc on a hand held circular saw. good luck olewill
 
I also used mine with a twisted wire brush to remove rust from my keels. The speed of a grinder is above the recommended speed for the brush so some shedding of bristles takes place so wear PPE.
 
Had B&Q cheapest 115mm for five years, used for cutting some patio slabs, and used extensively with flap discs for coarse sanding and cleaning wrought ironwork before repainting. Also for odd cutting away seized bolts and studs with metal cut discs. GET GOGGLES and some sort of dust mask.

Was using mine yesterday for more patio-type slabs: latest batch of cheap 'riven' slabs bought have what seems like black flint particles inside, which makes cutting cleanly hard work - just had to buy some more cutting discs. If I was buying again now I'd get a 125mm, just that bit more powerful and deeper cut, without the hard-to-hold-ness of a 230mm, a hired one of which I've used in the past.

And as this is a boaty forum I've just delayed the launch originally booked for this week: why bother till the weather warms up! I've spent too long in warm climates for this Easter to be desirable...
 
jwilson said:
Had B&Q cheapest 115mm for five years, used for cutting some patio slabs, and used extensively with flap discs for coarse sanding and cleaning wrought ironwork before repainting. Also for odd cutting away seized bolts and studs with metal cut discs. GET GOGGLES and some sort of dust mask.

Was using mine yesterday for more patio-type slabs: latest batch of cheap 'riven' slabs bought have what seems like black flint particles inside, which makes cutting cleanly hard work - just had to buy some more cutting discs. If I was buying again now I'd get a 125mm, just that bit more powerful and deeper cut, without the hard-to-hold-ness of a 230mm, a hired one of which I've used in the past.

And as this is a boaty forum I've just delayed the launch originally booked for this week: why bother till the weather warms up! I've spent too long in warm climates for this Easter to be desirable...
Click to expand...

A 41/2" grinder is useless for serious slab cutting & will consume disc`s like they are going out of fashion. ( as you found to your cost).

the OP has been advised to
buy a 9" grinder + diamond blade & a polisher
hire 9" grinder buy polisher
Hire a paddy`s motor bike & buy a polisher
 
VicS said:
This one from Lidl perhaps http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/www_lidl_uk/hs.xsl/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=940&ar=1

I think people have generally found Parkside Brand tools reasonable quality. 3 year warranty anyway.

Stand available as well http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/SID-7...lidl_uk/hs.xsl/our-offers-2491.htm?id=18&ar=1
Click to expand...

I got a cheap one from aldi similar .

One day it inertia twisted it out of my hand and it dropped in the water:o The trip switch on boat tripped out ,which is good. I pulled it out of the water dried it out and it still works 2 years later !
 
William_H said:
Some cheap angle grinders have a switch on the back panel. This needs another hand to operate the switch. Others which are far better have a switch that can be operated by the thumb of the holding hand. ie along the barrel.
olewill
Click to expand...

My little one has a thumb operated switch on the barrel ..... It that which I find awkward I am afraid .... Less compact grinders have a trigger type switch on a handle at the back end like the one in the Lidl offer. My polisher has this type and it is very much easier to use, but I deliberately chose a small relatively low powered grinder
 
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