Angle Grinders

squirrelz

I'm after a 9" angle grinder, looking at branded ones, this site seems to be quite reasonable:
http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/products.php?cat=9%22%20Angle%20Grinders

Considering the Bosch GWS21 or the Makita 9069KX deal - does anyone have any suggestions? I've looked at the cheap ones available on the market and they seem quite heavy, and usually the motors aren't as powerful for the same wattage as the more expensive ones.

weekendwarrior

Hi,

I always buy Bosch, but Makita are excellent.

I'd say go for it mate, get the Makita with the case and the diamond disk for less than £80 delivered. it is a bargain and will easily outlast the ones from netto at £20!!!

Lawson's have a good reputation also

wobbley

When buying tools for my workshop I usually go for the highest quality possible. With some tools however such as angle grinders I'd take several factors into account. What sort of work are you doing with it? Is it for home/hobby use or professional/constant use? Is it being bought for a particular job and not likely to be used often afterwards? 'The more expensive and well known brands Bosch Makita Hitachi DeWalt etc are nice, and more often than not, good quality (but not always). But as well as paying for the product you are paying for fancy design (called ergonomics!) OTT packaging, advertising and a premium name. In my opinion a browse through the cheaper 'no name' grinders available will give far far better value. I have used and still use lots of grinders both expensive and cheap, and to be honest there is very often no difference at all. With modern manufacturing techniques and materials and todays product regulations you are not likely to get anything thats dangerous or wont last a long time if properly used and cared for. Motor outputs and RPM figures are wildly inaccurate at best, whatever you go for. Anything from 1800 to 2400 quoted watts will be fine for anything you intend to do with such a tool. Also bear in mind grinders are a bit like computer printers - fine if you use the right paper and ink but use crappy paper and the results will be rubbish. A £200 top name grinder with £1 discs bought at the local car boot will not perform as well as a £30 grinder with good quality discs. For my money I go for the cheaper £30-40 9inch ones. Places like Makro and Costco often have a few to choose from. I've had a few and never had any bearings go or cases break or any trouble with electrics. Mine usually get replaced cos they're dropped or run over rather than wearing out - and I'd much rather that happen to one costing thirty quid than an overpriced Dewalt !
My fave angle grinder is a 4 1/2 black 'cheapie' model, bought in the late 80's for £8 it's had hundreds of hours of use and a fair few of abuse too ! and still going as strong as ever. As for my posh Bosch (rhymes eh !) cordless drill - I've just decided it need replacing as it's getting tired and loose and the chuck comes undone when drilling - just over two years old that one ! - Hmmm ?

wobbley

Forgot to say in my earlier post. If you decide on a Makita be VERY careful - there are lots of Makita rip-off fakes doing the rounds. Best to buy from a reputable source if you do.

N9eav

All my Makita tools are still going strong after 15 years. I abuse them too. I have bought very cheap tools if I only intend using them once in a while, like a ehdge trimmer for example. But my drills, Cordless driver, planer, angle grinder are all makita and are fabulous.

squirrelz

weekendwarrior wrote:

Lawson's have a good reputation also

Well I'm sorry to say that I'm quite unimpressed with Lawson HIS.
Ordered it on the 7th, rang again on the 14th when there was no sign of it, and was promised that it would be dispatched that day.
Rang again on the 21st and was told there was no mention of my call on the 14th and that it would be dispatched that day.
Finally got a dispatch email this morning saying it was dispatched yesterday (24th). So I'll probably get it at the end of the 2 weeks holiday that I'd been hoping to do the work with it.

weekendwarrior

squirrelz wrote:

Well I'm sorry to say that I'm quite unimpressed with Lawson HIS.
Ordered it on the 7th, rang again on the 14th when there was no sign of it, and was promised that it would be dispatched that day.
Rang again on the 21st and was told there was no mention of my call on the 14th and that it would be dispatched that day.
Finally got a dispatch email this morning saying it was dispatched yesterday (24th). So I'll probably get it at the end of the 2 weeks holiday that I'd been hoping to do the work with it.

I will cross them off my list of reputable suppliers, That is well out of order. They have had some very good feedback in other forums. I would ring them again and complain, even leave some posts in other forums, telling people of your bad experience with them!

golddustmedia

Plenty of cheap ones at Toolstation.com

Unbranded model 230mm is £25.53
http://www.toolstation.com/index.html?r=a&feature=40021

Bosch GWS 20-230 is £79.42
http://www.toolstation.com/index.html?r=a&feature=51073

Dewalt DW28411 Angle Grinder 230v
http://www.toolstation.com/index.html?r=a&feature=83282

POW207 230mm Angle Grinder 230V £29.77
http://www.toolstation.com/index.html?r=a&feature=45959

Ryobi G231 Angle Grinder 230v £71.05
http://www.toolstation.com/index.html?r=a&feature=53198

micko2602

Ive bought a few B&Q own branded power tools over the last few years and I can't complain. They also do a Professional range now with 2 year guarantee included. I bought and SDS hammer drill from them about 6 months ago and ive smasshed a fair amount of comcrete with it with no problems at all. Also bought a 14.4v hammer drill off hem 3 years ago and it has taken some abuse, but still works fine, and it cost under £30.