Thread: 5 inch angle grinders

Both Hitachi and Makita sell a 5 inch model for around $100. Then there is a big jump to $200 ++ for the Metabo's, Protools and Blue Bosch models.

Are the $100 Makita and Hitachi that inferior??

I've got an Ozito that keeps going and going even though I use it mostly for cutting pavers and get a lot of dust into everything. I'm surprised the bearings are still holding out. I'd expect the Hitachi and Makita would be a step up from the Ozito.

I have a Hitachi 4.5" grinder and it goes very well. Can't think that the 5" will be inferior.

The pricing usually relates to the power output, more power = $'s, have a look at 1300 and 1400 watt 5" grinders and you will start to go into the $300 to $400 mark! Obviously quality, safety features, ergonomics, disc change system etc also cost.

Gidday )

I guess it depends on what your are using them for and what u expect from them. I've got a 1400 Watt 4 1/2 inch Makita Angle grinder that Ive been flogging in a heavy industrial workshop (Im a Welder/Fabricator) for the last nine months N she hasent missed a beat.

Both will serve you well n last a looooooong time with a bit of care n regular maintenance!

Maintenance means:

1. A regular blowout with compressed air
2. With regular daily use check bushes etc etc (I do this every 3 months)
3. Get a service done as required

Do this n you cant go wrong!

A lot of the guys in the workshop also use Hitachi gear n it just keeps goin n goin n goin. Im a Bosh n Metabo man myself but the Makita n Hitachi gear seems to hold up just as well.....................

All our oldest functional 9 inch grinders are Hitachi ones n can say there still kickin along fine!

REgards Lou

We ran Hitachi and Bosch for metal polishing, everything from grinding welds to surfacing to 400 grit paper.

The Hitachi were older single speed units that never gave trouble, the Bosch were a much later variable speed unit, and were generally good, but were prone to ingesting hot metal dust and lodging it around the speed control module at the back of the motor. Regular physical cleaning (not just blowing out with air) was essential to keep them operational. After 2 days of constant use, they would accumulate enough dust to completely coat the control module. Blowing out with the case sealed just moved it to more inaccessable places. Also had a couple of cases where the material passing through was hot enough off the pads to actually melt its way into the control module casing.

Hi Guys

We have been conditioned over many years to buy certain brands because they have always been good gear ,lasted a long time,etc.

Times have changed and even the big brand names have a couple of levels of quality to suit amatuer and professional.

A couple of tips from the guys that fix them for a living.

T

• Buy the ones where the brushes can be changed without splitting a clamshell case.
  
• Is it a Japanese made Makita /Hitachi/ whatever?- a lot of better brand names are now made in China and you know what they do with milk and chocolate??? Even my bloody Bosch 5'' was made in China and I feel thats barely adequate.
  
• Does it have ball race bearings though out.
  
• Ditto to what the other blokes have said about wattage.

Grahame

Grahame

I think you're spot on the money there.

Yesterday I looked at a new Makita 5 inch GA5020X01 1050W with a handle at the rear and a pistol grip switch (like the 9 inchers) , externally replaceable brushes. Only $165

I thought the price was wrong. Looked at the label. Made in China!

But Makita has been manufacturing in China for a long time, probably a lot longer than the new chinese players like bosch blue so can we put Chinese Makita a level ahead of the others??

Hi fellas...

A couple of hours ago I was using my Makita 5" grinder to cut some cast iron with an abrasive cut-off disc. I placed the grinder down, a minute or so later it started up by itself with the switch in the "off" position.

I haven't inspected it yet-it may be cast iron dust inside the switch mechanism that arced across the switch contacts.

Greg

I personally prefer the 4 1/2" (115mm) grinders. They have a lot more grunt than a 4" and the discs don't wear out as quick, but are a bit less cumbersome to use than a 5". I am always surprised at the price difference between 4 and 4 1/2".

I had a good run out of Hitachi's, and am now using Bosch (blue industrial ones) and find them just as good.

I definitely wouldn't get a cheap chinese one. Even if you dont think that you will use it much, you inevitably use it more than you thought you would, and end up regretting not shelling out for a decent unit.

Hei Guys,
I had to buy a new angle grinder a couple of weeks ago and usually go for handyman spec Bosch or Makita - as much as I would love to go better a students budget just doesn't stretch.

Anyway, went in to Bunnings with a mind for the $89 4 inch Makita, and saw they had the 5 inch for $94. Compared the two and they are identical except the guard being larger on the 5 inch.

My line of thought is that if they built this thing as a 4 inch it would make an underpowered 5 inch?

Just a thought.
Cheers

Originally Posted by smidsy

Hei Guys,
I had to buy a new angle grinder a couple of weeks ago and usually go for handyman spec Bosch or Makita - as much as I would love to go better a students budget just doesn't stretch.

Anyway, went in to Bunnings with a mind for the $89 4 inch Makita, and saw they had the 5 inch for $94. Compared the two and they are identical except the guard being larger on the 5 inch.

My line of thought is that if they built this thing as a 4 inch it would make an underpowered 5 inch?

Just a thought.
Cheers

I presumed you look at the power ratings?

The Makitas range as follows in terms of Power
100 mm : 3 models 710 , 840 and 1400W
115 mm : 840 to 1400W
125 mm : 710 to 1400W
180 mm : 2400 W
230 mm 2200 to 2400 W

It depends what you are cutting, but bear in mind that 1000 W driving a 125 mm translates to only 800 W driving a 100 mm. If you are doing heavy duty grinding the best power to radius ratio is the 1400W / 100 mm. Sure you can put a 100 mm wheel on the 230/2400 unit but it may not get much past the guard.

That said, I have flogged my 4 year $39 100mm 740W Ozito pretty hard and I will probably buy another if and when it dies. It comes with spare bushes but I still haven't needed them.

Bob,
The $89 4 inch and the $94 5 inch that bunning sell are identical in every respect except the blade guard and the model number - I was able to carry one to the other and hold them side by side, they're physically (except for the blade guard) identical.
Cheers

The 100 and 125 mm Makitas that are the most similar are the 9555B and the 9553B.

Both are 710 W but the rpm is only 10,000 for the 125 while it is 11,000 for the 100. The spindle thread is M14 for the 125 and M10 for the 100. The are both 258 mm long and weight 1.4 kg.

Maybe a closer look?

The loss of 1000rpm on the 5 inch tends to support my line of thought that the machine would be underpowered or less powerful in the 5 inch mode.

As it happened I specifically wanted a 4 inch as I have a 9 inch trade spec bosch for the bigger jobs.