For cutting, sanding, polishing, and flattening different materials such as metal, wood, and stone, here are the best angle grinders for work at home and outdoors for DIY and professional use.
The angle grinder, or flexible, is a work tool with different applications, allowing you to cut, polish, smooth, and eliminate irregularities from different materials such as the wood of various types, iron, tiles, marble, and stone precisely fast way.
Use it to sharpen blades and points, remove rust and smooth surfaces, and be used by hobbyists and professionals. It is particularly versatile in many situations and for different uses.
Unlike the bench one, which must hook to a work surface, the angle grinder is designed to be portable and for manual use without any support, for precision work and to be used both indoors and outdoors, in construction sites, carpenters, laboratories, workshops, etc.,
The hose is the ideal and the most convenient solution for localized jobs.
Table of Contents
How to choose an angle grinder
To correctly choose which angle grinder to buy, depending on whether you are looking for a hobby or professional use tool, these are the most important features to consider when purchasing.
Supply
A battery or electricity can power the flexible or angle grinder.
The cordless grinders can be used in the most varied situations and are the best choice for outdoor work to carry out maintenance and precision work, such as removing rust from terraces and gates and cutting wood and plastic pipes.
The best battery-powered angle grinder models include the complete refill set, batteries, or the removable battery.
On the other hand, they are unsuitable for intensive use and have limited autonomy than flush models. Also, they are less powerful than the current ones, must be changed frequently, and are heavier to carry, as the built-in battery inevitably affects the size, weight, and handling.
Currently, powered wire grinders are more powerful, ideal for prolonged use, and used on a larger number of materials. The cable’s length varies from 6.5 to 16 feet and is an important aspect to evaluate, ensure good autonomy, and adapt to the workspace without too many restrictions.
The cable grinders also have greater autonomy than the battery models. You can also use them on marble and iron. Still, it is important to pay attention to use times to avoid overheating the appliance.
Disc size
Another key aspect to consider is which materials you want to use the grinder on. For example, not all models are suitable for cutting stone or finishing welds, while generally, almost all of them adapt to wood and metal.
What makes the difference is basically the disc’s quality and diameter, the rotating part. The disc is also called a blade or grinding wheel, and there are different types based on the material we want to treat.
A 4.9 or 4.5 inches angle grinder is sufficient for precise work on not excessively resistant materials. This disc is handy, comfortable, and recommended for DIY enthusiasts who want to remove rust and cut materials such as wood, plastic, and iron.
In general, it adapts to all materials, but the 4.5 inches disc could be difficult with iron and marble if the thickness is greater than 6 cm, while the 4.9 inches disc reaches 3.5 inches in thickness. On the other hand, the need is to cut harder materials. Therefore, the ideal choice is an angle grinder 230, best suited for professional work.
The 9 inches discs are heavier and need more experience. They are less comfortable to use but cut more important thicknesses.
Disc materials
Disc materials make the difference in an angle grinder. There are cloth discs for light cuts and slight abrasions, diamond discs for cutting, and brush discs for polishing. For more intense abrasions, abrasive wheels are available on high and hard thicknesses.
The cloth disks are composed of resins whose cohesion over time is lacking. That’s why they have an expiration date, which is important to check before buying to avoid bringing a broken record home.
Considering that the discs are often purchased separately, it is good to check that the diameter is compatible with the grinder we have decided to buy.
Weight
Weight is a fundamental aspect that makes the appliance more or less manageable. Therefore, it is always advisable for the same performance to choose the lightest model, even if prolonged and frequent.
By integrating the power supply, the battery grinders weigh twice as much as the current ones, which average about 6.5 lbs.
Power
On average, there are grinders from 600 watts to 2,500 watts, and the engine power determines performance quality.
Regardless of which material you want to treat, it is advisable not to go below a power of 700 watts in order not to buy a limited model in functions, but also not to buy the most powerful one because it affects a lot on consumption and often this power can be oversized for normal use.
To evaluate very well what you need. To not be mistaken, you can orient yourself on 1,000-1,200 watts of power, deciding based on use and frequency. If it is a sporadic use, a less powerful model is enough if the use is daily, and on tough materials, a more powerful version is needed since the engine will be stressed for several hours every day.
Safety
Safety is a fundamental element for a grinder. It is a dangerous machine that must use with caution. First, the structure must be manageable, light, and safe, especially if you are a beginner.
The materials and shape must be ergonomic and resistant, especially the handle, offering a secure grip. Also, the best grinder models have functions that consider safety.
Among these, we find, for example, gradual starting, a beneficial system that gently puts the grinder into action and not at maximum speeds when it is not yet in contact with the surface to be treated.
Another mandatory function is the disc protection casing, which protects the fingers near the blade. Finally, checking that the crankcase is well-positioned and does not move during use before activating the grinder is essential. The best grinders are adjustable to the right or left and adapted to the additional handle.
Also fundamental is the locking lever, which prevents the casing from being moved by the motor and the movement’s oscillations.
Two safety systems block the motor shaft when changing the grinding wheel and protect against accidental restarting when the machine falls. Finally, the power is missing due to a general interruption or the involuntary removal of the thrust.
In this case, the motor switches off, and when the power returns, the appliance does not restart automatically but only manually. Therefore, despite safety systems, those who use the grinder and those near the machinery must always wear protective glasses, clothes, shoes, gloves, and headphones.
Vibrations
Continuous exposure to vibrations can lead to problems in the body, circulatory system, and joints, with consequences such as damage to the carpal tunnel and Raynaud’s syndrome. In addition, the angle grinder produces vibrations reflected on the hands and arms. Therefore, the number of vibrations produced must be a parameter to pay attention to.
By law, the daily limit of exposure to vibrations is 5 m/s² for 8 hours, and one must also respect this value at home and in hobby work. Of course, the vibrations vary according to the material, but each angle grinder indicates the average oscillations. Thus, the exposure time to the appliance can be easily calculated (even on the net).
Noise
The grinders have an emission that varies between 90 and 115 decibels. Unfortunately, no silent versions are on the market, but a good model is generally less noisy with the same performance. During use, especially if prolonged, it is always advisable to use protective headphones to safeguard hearing.
No-load speed
The no-load speed (rpm – revolutions per minute) refers to the blades’ revolutions per minute and expresses the cut’s speed. The more powerful the engine, the higher the number of revolutions (although two models with the same power can have different no-load speeds).
The actual speed then changes according to the material and the hardness of the surface. Still, this value is beneficial for comparing the different models on the market.
For cutting to be fast enough, at least 10,000 revolutions per minute are required for a 125-angle grinder or a 115-speed variable-angle grinder. Instead, a lower value is necessary for the 230 mm angle grinder, where at least 6,000 revolutions per minute are needed.
Handle
Being a dangerous appliance, the angle grinder must have an excellent handle that guarantees stability and safety even after several work hours. Generally, this appliance is used with fireproof gloves that offer less movement than normal work gloves.
That’s why it is essential to choose a grinder with an ergonomic handle that favors the grip, is covered in rubber, and is non-slip. The best angle grinder models also have a second handle. This tool is essential to improve the grip and contain the disc’s fast rotation oscillations.
This way, you can reduce the vibrations that affect health in excessive exposure. In addition, some models have only two attachment points, left and right, and others also have a third above the engine head.
The Best Angle Grinders to Buy
Below is the complete list of recommended angle grinders with features, functions, and prices.
- INCLUDES: 4 1/2" Angle grinder, five grinding wheels and a carrying case
- MOTOR: 6.2 Amp motor with 980W of max output power for tough grinding jobs
- SPINDLE LOCK: Spindle lock for quick and easy disc and accessory changes
- COMPACT: Weighing only 4.2 lbs., the Bosch GWS8-45 Angle Grinder is lightweight and...
- POWER: The angle grinder features a powerful 7.5-amp motor to produce 11,000 no-load rpm...
- ERGONOMIC: With its slim-grip design, the GWS8-45 angle grinder provides outstanding user...
- Next Generation 11 Amp AC/DC 11,000 RPM motor of angle grinder provides the best power to...
- Dust Ejection System provides durability by ejecting damaging dust and debris particles...
- Oversized brushes of this DEWALT angle grinder provide 2 times brush life over previous...
- Powerful 6.0 Amp Motor with 11,000 RPM
- Tool-less guard for quick adjustments
- Heavy duty metal gear housing for added ruggedness and durability
- Durable 7.5-amp motor of the angle grinder powers through jobsite tasks with ease
- Cast metal gear housing increases jobsite durability and tool longevity of the metal...
- 3-position adjustable side handle of hand grinder allows greater control in multiple...
- Powerful Grinder Tool - Equipped with 7.5 Amps motor with 900W max output power, this...
- Ergonomic Design - This metal grinder is slim, lightweight, and compact, providing better...
- Convenient Operation - Integrated spindle lock on the disc grinder is for quicker and...
- 800W Powerful & 11,800 RPM Higher Speed-The DCK angle grinder with a 6.7 A motor and a...
- Compact & Ergonomic Design-The metal grinder weighs only 3.5 lbs, the grip 7"...
- Time-saving & More Convenient-The electric grinder with spindle lock allows for quick and...
- Super Power Motor: Corded Electric angle grinder features a powerful 9.2 AMP copper motor...
- Handy Design: 4.2lb lightweight, with 59mm thin & compact grip design and shock-proof...
- No Lock-on Paddle Switch: Avoids accidental start for user protection with two stage power...
- 41/2 in. Grinder powered by 6 amp motor producing 12, 000 RPMs
- Tool-free guard makes for quick and easy adjustments
- Spindle lock for quick and easy wheel changes
- Powerful Grinder tool - Corded Electric angle grinder features a powerful 6.7 AMP copper...
- No Lock-on Paddle Switch - Avoids accidental start for user protection with two stage...
- Handy Design - 3.3lb lightweight, with narrow body & compact grip design is lighter to use...
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