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  1. #1
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    Default Cordless angle grinder

    Today I bought an Hitachi 18v Li Cordless angle grinder. I only bough the skin for $150 because I already have the batteries. To my way of thinking this has to be a brilliant tool for welding. Well, maybe not for welding, but at least it will be useful for cleaning the sites to be welded, and for knocking slag off when going over beads.

    The way I work I tend to trip over cords and tie them in knots and unplug one to plug in another then look in confusion as I try to join two male sockets together because I've dropped the female socket. I'm sure I'm not the only one. I'll let you know how it goes.

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rossluck View Post
    I'll let you know how it goes.
    It'll be intersting to see. I somehow doubt it will have enough "guts" to be anything more than a slag remover. I got my hitachi 5'' corded version for $89 including case 3 cutting wheels, grinding disc and diamond blade. Was on special so couldn't resist. Works reasonably for a hobby application.

    The thing I hate with batteries is that I never seem to have them charged when I want to do some work. Li-on minimise that problem since they keep charge for longer while in storage..Cordless drill is about the only cordless item I think I'll ever buy, mainly because I like turning off the power when I drill into walls, and even that has to be supported by a corded version.

  3. #3
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    I used this grinder a fair bit today and I'm here to tell you all that you've gotta get one!

    First I put a thin cutting disc on it and did all of my cutting. I cut for quite a while, including cutting the heads off about 12 bolts. Two thirds of the way through this I had to change the battery. Then I put a grinding disc on it and used it whenever I needed it for the rest of the day. The batteries only take about 20 minutes to charge on these tools, so battery power was quite simply not a problem.

    It's just brilliant having an angle grinder that you're not tripping over, and one that you can use without worrying about the cord getting caught on something or generally getting in the way. I'm here to tell you that you'll all end up using one.

  4. #4
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    i thought about buying a cordless grinder, but i could not justify the price.
    i have 2 combo kits for site work, which include reciprocator saw, circular saw, torch, drill and driver. i find after 10 minutes solid work with the recipro the battery is dead, and i have to recharge. that is what puts me off the grinder, because i know i will use the charge pretty quickly.

    FYI, the ni-mh batteries are good for roughly 500 cycles, thats one charge and one discharge.
    the li-ion batteries are good for 1500 cycles, i've had my batteries for 3 years now, and i find i am having to recharge a lot more frequently than i used to.

    i imagine it would be good for small, fast jobs, but not so good for my type of carpentry work, somedays we can be grinding blueboard for 8-10 hours straight.

  5. #5
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    I wonder how they'd go for cutting up reo mesh for large slabs, etc.?

    I keep tripping over that stuff even when I'm not dragging a power-cord behind me.
    I may be weird, but I'm saving up to become eccentric.

    - Andy Mc (AKA "Ghost who posts." )

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by justinmcf View Post
    i thought about buying a cordless grinder, but i could not justify the price.
    i have 2 combo kits for site work, which include reciprocator saw, circular saw, torch, drill and driver. i find after 10 minutes solid work with the recipro the battery is dead, and i have to recharge. that is what puts me off the grinder, because i know i will use the charge pretty quickly.

    FYI, the ni-mh batteries are good for roughly 500 cycles, thats one charge and one discharge.
    the li-ion batteries are good for 1500 cycles, i've had my batteries for 3 years now, and i find i am having to recharge a lot more frequently than i used to.

    i imagine it would be good for small, fast jobs, but not so good for my type of carpentry work, somedays we can be grinding blueboard for 8-10 hours straight.

    You're right Justin. It's horses for courses. When you think about it you don't use a grinder all that much when you're welding. It's just a bit of cutting here and there and cleaning metal for welding and knocking slag off. Maybe a bit of a clean up at the end. But I found it brilliant because you can also walk around with it and virtually use it as an extension of your arm. Very useful. Today I used half of the thin cutting disc before the battery died.

    I don't know about cutting reo Skew (rotten stuff, I trip over it all day as well). It has about the same power as a normal grinder so I'd be too slow for that. I've always though a small chainsaw-sized demo wheel would be ideal for that. Imagine if they made one that was half the size of the Stihl and Partner ones they make now and was also electric start. That'd be perfect.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rossluck View Post
    I don't know about cutting reo Skew (rotten stuff, I trip over it all day as well). It has about the same power as a normal grinder so I'd be too slow for that.
    Pity. I'm about due for another batt. drill and thought I might keep the angle-grinder option in the back of my head while shopping...

    I've always though a small chainsaw-sized demo wheel would be ideal for that. Imagine if they made one that was half the size of the Stihl and Partner ones they make now and was also electric start. That'd be perfect.
    Too right! And fit it with an arbortech wheel for your spare time.
    I may be weird, but I'm saving up to become eccentric.

    - Andy Mc (AKA "Ghost who posts." )

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rossluck View Post
    First I put a thin cutting disc on it and did all of my cutting. I cut for quite a while, including cutting the heads off about 12 bolts. Two thirds of the way through this I had to change the battery.
    Sounds alright for like metal working or for offsite stuff where no power exists.. How much did you end up paying for it if you don't mind me asking?..

    Personally these days I'm moving away from cordless (battery powered) gadgets in all areas of life whenever it makes sense. Certain cordless tools are still fine but either the batteries are hard to find once they get older or the battery replacement costs are too prohibitive to justify it over a new unit so I'm finding my corded tools are still useful without needing replacement while many cordless ones aren't anymore..

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by montiee View Post
    Sounds alright for like metal working or for offsite stuff where no power exists.. How much did you end up paying for it if you don't mind me asking?..

    Personally these days I'm moving away from cordless (battery powered) gadgets in all areas of life whenever it makes sense. Certain cordless tools are still fine but either the batteries are hard to find once they get older or the battery replacement costs are too prohibitive to justify it over a new unit so I'm finding my corded tools are still useful without needing replacement while many cordless ones aren't anymore..
    $150 for the skin. I wouldn't have bought it if I didn't have batteries.

  10. #10
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    I have used a cordless Dewalt angle grinder for years.
    Fantastic without a cord to trip over, if remote from power eg fencing , and its not so powerful or fast so you can use it overhead for demolition + cuts without much risk.
    With a narrow blade+ good battery it will cut for quite a while .

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by rowdyflat View Post
    I have used a cordless Dewalt angle grinder for years.
    Fantastic without a cord to trip over, if remote from power eg fencing , and its not so powerful or fast so you can use it overhead for demolition + cuts without much risk.
    With a narrow blade+ good battery it will cut for quite a while .

    Yes Rowdy. I've been using the thing all week. I'm sure you'll agree it's one of those "must have" tools. Very happy with it.

  12. #12
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    I like the idea of these because I often see bits of steel on kerbside pick days but can't be fagged dealing with the stuff they are attached to - it would be nice to pull up alongside and cut off the useful bits and leave the rest there!

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    I like the idea of these because I often see bits of steel on kerbside pick days but can't be fagged dealing with the stuff they are attached to - it would be nice to pull up alongside and cut off the useful bits and leave the rest there!
    I'd like to see that.

  14. #14
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rossluck View Post
    I'd like to see that.
    It's probably not as exciting as seeing me wrestling with a heavy double bed frame and trying to get it into the back of my van while parked on a major road causing a minor traffic jam and car load of hoons going past yelling expletives - then finding it doesn't fit- going home to get a hacksaw and cutting it up to taunts like, "you'll never get it back together again" and "some people are desperate" - if I had an angle grinder in my hand and a pair of dark industrial googles on I don't think they would be quite so cheeky!

  15. #15
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    jatt is offline Always within 10 paces from nearest stubby holder
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    Yep had the cordless Hitachi grinder for several months now. Use it with wire buff, grinding wheel and thin disks.

    Obviously it doesnt have the same grunt as the corded version, but am still impressed with its performance.

    Impressed with Hitachi after they fixed my slightly melted unit and battery.
    Unit fixed and battery replaced under warranty. No questions asked. My fault, ran it way too hard for too long.
    Frisky wife, happy life. ​Then I woke up. Oh well it was fun while it lasted.
    From an early age my father taught me to wear welding gloves . "Its not to protect your hands son, its to put out the fire when u set yourself alight".

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