Grinders..Makita or Dewalt? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Ryan03 · 10-02-2007, 04:18 PM

I'm in the market for a grinder..Gonna be used just for general not so heavy steel.. cutting 3/4" rebar, steel roofing, grinding, etc..I like to stick with Makita tools, and like the small handy size of the 4 1/2" model they have, but it is only 6amps..Dewalt has a 4 1/2" with 10amps for about 30 bucks cheaper?..Why is this?..Does amps not equal power which equals more $$?
Any help would be helpful!

send_it_all · 10-02-2007, 04:30 PM

Hey Ryan, What is that logo in your avatar?...It looks alot like Wanderlei Silva's logo.

TempestV · 10-02-2007, 04:31 PM

I have a Milwaukee 4 1/2 inch 12 amp grinder that works great, and I definitely recommend it. Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the quality brands, although I recomend the bottom paddle trigger as upposed to the side sliding switch. I will also say that I can notice the difference between the smaller makita and dewalt grinders on the job I am on (6-8 amps I beleve) and my Milwaukee, so I would definitely recommend the grinder that has more power. you might want to look around more, as Dewalt alone makes 11 different 4 1/2 inch grinders from 7 to 13 amps, and that is just one brand.

KillerToiletSpider · 10-02-2007, 04:46 PM

I've tried them all, I own a Hilti, and have for several years.

Ryan03 · 10-02-2007, 05:44 PM

Niice, Thanks guys..
It's the logo from Head Blade shaving products..

MechanicalDVR · 10-02-2007, 05:51 PM

I own a Hilti, a couple Milwaukee, and a few Mikita, they all work fine. At work we started buying the $14 ones from Harbor Freight because the guys kill them but they have made it through several jobs now without replacement and nobody steals them. If you see how they get treated you can't go erong for under $20.

blackdoggie · 10-02-2007, 07:35 PM

Black&Decker 30 or 40 bucks from Lowes and it has lasted several months cutting on cars and stripping old paint from concrete. I personally don't buy high dollar name brand just because if it is lost or stolen it isn't that big of a loss. Just because its got a major brand name doesn't mean it was not made by the same factory making the off brand or last as long or longer as a off brand name.

Bill · 10-02-2007, 07:39 PM

Me, I use a Milwaukee 4-1/2 grinder, had it for about 5 years, no trouble what so ever

KillerToiletSpider · 10-02-2007, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackdoggie

Black&Decker 30 or 40 bucks from Lowes and it has lasted several months cutting on cars and stripping old paint from concrete. I personally don't buy high dollar name brand just because if it is lost or stolen it isn't that big of a loss. Just because its got a major brand name doesn't mean it was not made by the same factory making the off brand or last as long or longer as a off brand name.

You have obviously never seen a Hilti tool.

blackdoggie · 10-02-2007, 08:13 PM

Hilti is a whole different story high dollar/ high quality tools are obviously better than cheapo tools. Unless you have them chained down or able to lock them in a JoBox it is not worth it because it will grow legs sooner or later especially if you let employees use them.

KillerToiletSpider · 10-02-2007, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackdoggie

Hilti is a whole different story high dollar/ high quality tools are obviously better than cheapo tools. Unless you have them chained down or able to lock them in a JoBox it is not worth it because it will grow legs sooner or later especially if you let employees use them.

My job box rolls home with me every day, and I trust all my guys to respect the tools.

Bill · 10-02-2007, 08:42 PM

Talk about employees walking out with tools? I had some men once who seemed to forget to remove my razor knives from their pockets at the end of the day. I got tired of buying new ones so one day I bought a new one, got a car rim, ran a cable through the knife and rim, clamped it with one of those clamps you need a crimping tool for. The GC came in and saw one of the men carrying the car rim and said "I'm not even going to ask" and I said you better not. I had no more problem.

blackdoggie · 10-02-2007, 09:38 PM

Just a little hard to steal and use your utility knives eh? Now what size rims are you using the little doughnut rims for sub compacts or old truck rims lol.

ODDBALLS · 10-02-2007, 11:40 PM

I have a Dewalt, don't know the amp rating, but It has been through hell and back and is still going. I use it alot on pipe fencing and tile. I just try to take care of it after using it. Blow it off with air and put back in case. BTW I have started to blow all of my tools off with air and it seem like they have been lasting/more responsive. Also, when I buy a tool I really try to get one with a case. I'll spend the extra $$$ and upgrade to heavy duty or whatever so I can get the case. It also helps keep back of van organized.

**Ed the Roofer** · 10-03-2007, 01:31 AM

I like my Bosch for grinding out mortar joints to install chimney step and counter-flashings.

Regarding the cases, did you ever not use a tool for a long time and then go look into the cases where they were all supposed to be stored?

Well, I found out I would rather have the tools in my vision and not just the cases. I lost about a dozen screw guns and hammer drills and sawz-alls and can't even place my finger on when they would have grown legs and disappeared.

Ed

floorinstall · 10-03-2007, 01:03 PM

I used makita for years with a dry cut diamond blade but bought a dewalt last year and would go back to makita because of the paddle swith on the dewalt.

tom m · 10-03-2007, 07:48 PM

I have a BOSCH for years nothing reliable.

RockRanger · 10-06-2007, 10:42 PM

I have 3 dewalts and 1 bosch. The dewalts I think are 7 10 and 11 amp. I dont like the handles on the bosch so I dont use it much. The 11 amp dewalt has a quick release on the guard that makes it easy to move around depending on where you need it. Makes it less likly to be removed and misplaced.

aWorkaHolic · 10-07-2007, 12:42 AM

I use both. Personally I like the Makitas because changing out the brushes are easier.