Angle grinder recommendation

[masraum]

Many of you have probably seen my thread about the bench grinder. I've had a bench grinder and it didn't get much use. You've all recommended an angle grinder for mower blade sharpening.

Any specific recommendations out of these. Milwaukee 7A, Dewalt 11A, or Makita 7.5A. All are 4.5". I figure none of them are bad. I feel like just based on the brand, Makita may be the highest quality, then Milwaukee, then Dewalt, but that's not really based on anything other than gut.

[Seahawk]

I learned a lot on that thread, and I have three angle grinders! Who knew Tim H would have a clue

Son is home this weekend and we'll do the Annual Sharpening of the Blades as recommended.

I would go cordless with whatever logistics (batteries, make, model) with other tools that makes sense.

Eye-pro, eye-pro, eye-pro.

[masraum]

And what grit for mower blade sharpening, 40, 60, 80?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I learned a lot on that thread, and I have three angle grinders! Who knew Tim H would have a clue

Son is home this weekend and we'll do the Annual Sharpening of the Blades as recommended.

I would go cordless with whatever logistics (batteries, make, model) with other tools that makes sense.

Eye-pro, eye-pro, eye-pro.

I do like cordless for some things, but corded for others. I'll be sharpening right next to an outlet, so will probably go with corded for superior power and longevity. I'm sure at some point in the future, I'll be thinking "dammit, Paul said get cordless..."

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by masraum

And what grit for mower blade sharpening, 40, 60, 80?

Mr. Hancock? WD?

I have never used one to sharpen blades...inquiring minds

[stevej37]

I use 80 grit....works great.

[908/930]

I have a couple, my Dewalt right angle gear is by far the noisiest, should have returned it. It is an older model to that one. My $18 china special is actually better. Makita would be my vote.

[KFC911]

I don't hit stuff that dings my blades .... they get sharpened 'bout as often as my trimmer line does

[Cajundaddy]

Makita is my choice for most hand tools. They just work. 80-100 grit and then test for balance.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I have worn out 3 angle grinders and am on my 4th, a Metabo. The three were used cutting apart, sometimes with precision, 13 911s as well as lot of fabrication work.

first was a 1990s Craftsman that must have been made in the USA. Great grinder. The two Dewalts, really loved them and thought they were excellent, balanced tools that performed very well.

The Metabo I thought I would like more than I do. It's not as balanced as the Dewalts which I could "safely" cut with one hand. Still can but not as comfortable.

[TimT]

I recently bought a Bauer trim router , my usual router is a single speed brute Craftsman router from the late 70'... the Bauer (Harbor Freight) is impressive..


I'd get a grinder from Harbor Freight

https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/grinders/angle-grinders/8-amp-4-12-in-paddle-switch-angle-grinder-57002.html

[masraum]

Thanks folks!

[look 171]

I like Bosch and have used them for a long time corded, but currently have a Milwaukee cordless. I use it once every blue moon now. All my stone guys use Makita (usually a few bucks cheaper) and they beat the hell out of them. My own guys used up many Makitas and they continue to buy them even though they use company account and could have bought a more expensive tool . If I had to choose between what you posted, Makita would be my choice.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Son is home this weekend and we'll do the Annual Sharpening of the Blades as recommended.

I am astounded at how much easier it is, and how much better the product is. I used 80 grit.
But about the Annual Sharpening of the Blades ritual. Kinda sounds like fun. Dancing girls, bonfires, ritual sacrifice (old bench grinders)?

[dad911]

Originally Posted by TimT

I recently bought a Bauer trim router , my usual router is a single speed brute Craftsman router from the late 70'... the Bauer (Harbor Freight) is impressive..


I'd get a grinder from Harbor Freight

https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/grinders/angle-grinders/8-amp-4-12-in-paddle-switch-angle-grinder-57002.html

I have 2 of the Bauer 20v angle grinders, that get used all the time. Haven't pulled a corded one out in years.

[A930Rocket]

I have a DeWalt battery and a Makita corded grinding wheels. I used the Dewalt 99% of the time, but for a lot of work, it takes two hands. It’s long and heavy.

I lent my buddy my Makita, and now he can’t find it. It’s a little over 30 years old and if I get a replacement, i’m hoping a new Makita will be just as good, as the old one.

[LWJ]

A Makita for when I actually care about doing it right.

A cheap-0 Harbor Freight for when I don't and need something spinny & grindy.

No complaints.

I have a mess of abrasive wheels too. You want grinding disk and cutoff disks at a minimum. The flapper wheels are pretty versatile and a diamond wheel is good for tile / concrete / similar.

[Captain Ahab Jr]

I was a DeWalt guy

Then switched to Makita, a step up, top quality and reliable too

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by masraum

And what grit for mower blade sharpening, 40, 60, 80?

Most of my flap discs are 60 grit but I've used 40. I have a Dewalt angle grinder. It has seen a fair amount of use over the last 15 or so years from when I used it to remove powder coating from skid loaders prior to repainting.

[Tim Hancock]

36 grit is the fastest especially if you need to take off quite a bit on badly worn blades. When I sharpen mine, I am not worried about having a fine polished to perfection edge like I would with a knife blade. I try and maintain the original angle, but the only thing I really care about is that the blade ends up being balanced. I have sharpened my own mower blades for over 40 years and all I do is grind the blade until it looks sharp again then I slide it onto a smooth round phillips screwdriver shank to see if it balances. I then grind a tad more off the heavy edge and re-check. Sometimes I get it right away, sometimes it takes a couple tries. It ain't rocket science. The worse part of sharpening blades is the hassle of unbolting the blades from the mower. The quick grinding is the easy part.

For many years, I simply used a cheap Harbor Freight $14.99 4 inch corded angle grinder. I also now have and mainly use a Metabo corded grinder that a friend gifted me when he scored a couple used ones left over from a big construction job.

Were I to ever need a third, I would not hesitate to buy a cordless Bauer from Harbor Freight as I now have a couple battery operated occasional use Bauer tools.

My main drill and impact drivers are Dewalt 20v brushless, but for occasional use, I love the cheaper new Bauer stuff from Harbor Freight.