How To Choose The Right Grinder: Which Angle Grinder Is Better For Home And Summer Cottages + Video

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

Choosing a grinder: selection criteria and rating

The angle grinder (angle grinder), popularly known as the "grinder" is a simple but versatile tool. The term "grinder" does not cover all the capabilities of this device. In the hands of the master, the angle grinder turns into a cutter for metal or stone, a sharpener or a polishing machine. Only the grinding discs, rotation speed and attachments change. For details on how to choose a grinder for different purposes, which brands have earned trust among users, read our article.

Content

• 1 How an angle grinder works

• 2 Selection criteria

  • 2.1 Professional and amateur models

  • 2.2 Disc diameter

    2.2.1 Table: diameters of angle grinder disks and recommended work

  • 2.3 Engine power
  • 2.4 Disk rotation speed
  • 2.5 Operating handles

  • 2.6 Replacement discs and attachments

    2.6.1 Photo gallery: removable discs and attachments for the grinder

  • 2.7 Type of power supply
  • 2.8 Additional functions (table)

• 3 Choosing an angle grinder

  • 3.1 Household tool
  • 3.2 Which grinder is suitable for giving
  • 3.3 For long-term work
  • 3.4 Professional use

• 4 Rating of popular models (table)

  4.1 Photo gallery: models from the rating

• 5 Video: how to choose a grinder
• 6 Manufacturer Reviews

How an angle grinder works

All grinders are similar in appearance

All grinders look the same. A collector electric motor is fixed in the elongated body, the shaft of which is connected to the gearbox. The spindle comes out of the gearbox at an angle of 90 degrees (that's why the machine is called "angle"). M14 thread is cut on the spindle, grinding wheels or other attachments are fixed on it.

The grinding wheel is covered with a protective cover, a handle is screwed to the body, for which the master holds the tool during work. There is also a power button on the case. On the side opposite to the disc, a retainer is required - it does not allow the spindle to turn when changing nozzles.

Criterias of choice

Professional and amateur models

Professional grinder Bosch in blue

There is a big difference between a professional and an amateur instrument. Professional models cut, saw and grind continuously throughout the entire work shift. The gears of the gearboxes are made of good steel, the shaft bearings are made of brass, the strong metal body cools the engine well, the gripping handle fits comfortably in the hand. You have to pay for reliability and additional functions - the price of professional angle grinders starts from 10 thousand rubles.

Bosch grinder for home use in green

An amateur instrument cannot work without interruptions for more than two tens of minutes, the motor overheats. In an effort to reduce the price, the manufacturer saves on everything - the gearbox and its body are made of duralumin, the shaft bearings are made of plastic, the body and the handle are made of plastic. These machines don't have useful extra features, let alone a storage suitcase. But a budget grinder costs about 1.5 thousand rubles in the store.

Disc diameter

Grinders are divided according to the maximum diameter of the disc, which is attached to the spindle. Standard sizes: 115, 125, 150, 180 and 230 millimeters. The diameter of the disc affects the power of the grinder, weight and materials available for its "teeth".

For convenience, we have prepared a table of disc diameters and recommended work for the grinder.

Table: diameters of angle grinder disks and recommended work

Disc diameter (mm)	Recommended work
115	Grinding, cutting thin metal and pipes, plastic and slate. Great for small jobs.
125	Grinding, cutting pipes and rods, tiles, stone, asbestos-cement slabs, cleaning and polishing surfaces. Suitable for small jobs.
150	Cutting steel, stone and concrete. Grinding small parts is inconvenient.
180	Construction work, cutting concrete, stone, brick, thick pipes. Fine sanding is not possible - too heavy.
230	Rough construction work with heavy materials - concrete, stone, brick.

Engine power

For each standard size of disks, factories produce angle grinders of different power. The more power the motor has, the easier it is to cut hard material. Define the tasks that your grinder will solve. If you are cutting thin pipes or corners, a 115 mm angle grinder with a 700 W motor will be sufficient. But if you need to grind welds and cut garden tiles, it is better to take a 1 kW motor.

Disk rotation speed

This parameter is not decisive for the choice of angle grinder. Each manufacturer accelerates their car to the optimum speed. For sanding wood, we recommend choosing a grinder with a speed regulator.

Working handles

During work, the master holds the angle grinder with one hand for the body, with the other for the handle. The handle is screwed to the body from one side or the other, depending on the place where you cut the material and individual convenience. Some models allow you to put the handle in the third position - along the axis of rotation of the wheel, this is convenient for grinding.

When the angle grinder polishes the surface, the machine clings to the material and breaks out of the hands - you have to hold it tightly. For reliability, a second handle is screwed on, some manufacturers make a special bracket handle.

Replaceable discs and attachments

The variety of discs is determined by the tasks for which the grinder is intended. We produce discs for cutting and grinding metal, cutting and grinding discs for concrete and stone, flap discs for leveling wood, soft polishing discs. For rough processing of wood, metal and stone, brushes are produced - metal brushes with wire pile. They are screwed onto the spindle thread.

Photo gallery: replaceable discs and attachments for the grinder

Used for rough processing of wood and stone

Used for cutting and grinding metal

Used for sanding wood

Used for cutting wood

Used for cutting concrete

Power supply type

Manufacturers offer grinders powered from the electrical network, as well as from a battery. We recommend the angle grinder with the battery only in a dead-end position - saw off the rusted hinge in the field. The battery will not be enough for more charge.

Additional functions (table)

Function	Description
Smooth start	The collector motor starts in the winding short-circuit mode, so its starting current is large. The electronic softstarter gradually increases the motor current to prevent overloading in the mains. It is especially convenient in the country, where the energy company limits us in terms of current consumption. Side effects - the disc accelerates smoothly, with a melodic (to the ear of a professional) "singing", the gears do not experience shock loads, the reducer will work longer.
Anti-jamming protection	If the disc gets stuck in the material, the winding of a simple collector motor will short-circuit, heat up and burn. Therefore, a good grinder is equipped with protection - as soon as the spindle stops rotating (the disc is stuck in the rail), the electronics turns off the power.
Protection against unintentional start	The start button of the grinder is made in the form of a toggle lever. When working with it, you do not need to keep the button pressed. However, if, when cutting a steel rail, the machine knocks out, and you go to turn it on, forgetting about the grinder, the consequences will be unpredictable. A good angle grinder will shut off the engine in this situation.
Regulation and maintenance of revolutions	Using a wheel or a switch, the master sets the required rotational speed of the disk. The electronic circuit maintains these rpm even under heavy load. This feature is useful for sanding wood countertops or polishing a steel body. The tool will not scorch the wood or break out of your hands.
Automatic disk balancing	The rotational speed of the disk reaches tens of thousands of revolutions per minute. At these speeds, the slightest imbalance will lead to beats. In expensive grinders, a disc balancing mechanism is used, which will reduce vibration with uneven disc wear.
Quick release clamp SDS	The disc on the spindle of the angle grinder is attached with a flange screwed onto the thread. The flange is tightened with a special open-end wrench, changing the circle takes a few minutes. If the technician often changes discs, we recommend choosing the model with the SDS quick-locking nut - changing the cutting tool takes seconds.
Carrying case	It is convenient when the manufacturer adds a suitcase made exactly to the shape of the machine to the LBM set. Then every detail lies in its nest, spare parts do not rattle during transportation, the grinder will not get dusty in the case.

Choosing an angle grinder

To choose an angle grinder, you need to decide what you will do with it, what materials to process. Whether you need brushes or flap discs. There are tasks that only a grinder can effectively handle (for example, cutting durable metal).

Home tool

As a rule, there is not much to do in an apartment for a grinder. Cut off a nail, steel bar, or thin corner. For these purposes, a low-power and inexpensive angle grinder with a 115 mm disc is suitable.

If you need to peel old paint off the wall, you need a brush. The varnish is removed from the grandmother's chest of drawers with a petal emery disc. To do this, we recommend taking the most common 125 mm machine. Additional attachments for it are probably on the next store shelf.

Which grinder is suitable for giving

At the summer cottage, the grinder is used in full force. If you sometimes have to cut metal tiles, a weak angle grinder with a 115 mm disc is enough. The same machine will master the asbestos-cement slab - make a ventilation window in the wall under the porch.

For complex power work - cutting pipes, rolled metal, slate, tiles, it is better to take a 125 mm machine with a power of more than 1 kW. It works longer without overheating, additional functions will ensure safe operation.

Choose a larger and heavier machine for 180 and 230 mm discs if the scope of work is known for it, for example, cutting tiles and stone. Grinding with such a huge machine is difficult.

For long-term work

Choose expensive professional devices from well-known companies Bosch, DeWalt, Hitachi, Makita, Sparky, DWT. They are guaranteed to work the entire shift.

Professional use

Professionals are a separate category. Their requirements are very different from home craftsmen. They put the reliability of a tool for a specific task at the top and acquire professional models. If a master repairs a bathroom, cuts both pipes and tiles, then he has two grinders, for example, with discs of 125 and 180 mm.

Rating of popular models (table)

Model (Brand / Factory)	Disc diameter (mm)	Power, kWt)	Number of revolutions (thousand rpm)	Weight, kg)	Additional features	Price, rub.)	Comment
STURM AG9512P (Germany / China)	125	one	4.0-11.0	2.5	Speed control Smooth start Anti-jamming protection The handle is placed in three positions	3800	A reliable and inexpensive tool for home and garden.
Makita 9555 HN (Japan / Romania)	125	0.71	10.0	1.9	No	3600	Quality tool for home and professionals, low price of a famous brand.
Metabo W 2000 (Germany / China)	230	2	6.6	5.8	Protection against unintentional start	6,900	Powerful tool for tough stone and concrete work.
Interskol UShM-125 (Russia / China)	125	1.1	3.0-10.0	2.2	Speed control Smooth start Maintaining speed under load The handle is placed in three positions	4 100	An inexpensive tool, useful functions, enough power for any work at home and in the country.
DeWALT D 28136 (USA / China)	125	1.5	2.8-10.0	2.6	Suitcase included Speed control Smooth start Protection against unintentional start	7 800	Powerful and reliable medium sized tool. Suitable for professionals. Expensive for one-time chores.
SPETS-BSHU-1050 (Russia / China)	125	1.1	11.0	2,3	No	2 100	A cheap tool for home, summer cottages or for one-time work (do not mind throwing it away). High quality / price ratio.
Bosch GWS 850 (Germany / Russia)	125	0.85	2.8-11.0	1.9	Speed control Smooth start Maintaining speed under load	5 300	Low-power angle grinder for simple work. High price, poor workmanship.
Makita 9069 (Japan / China)	230	2.0	6.6	4.2	The handle is put in three positions	5,700	A powerful and reliable tool for tough jobs. Suitable for professionals.
Energomash UShM-9512P (Russia / China)	125	1.0	4.0-11.0	2.5	Speed control Smooth start	3800	A good tool for home and garden. Not suitable for continuous operation, overheats.
Sparky M 850E (Germany / Bulgaria)	125	0.85	3.0-10.0	2.4	Speed control Smooth start	3700	A real "Bulgarian" made in Bulgaria. Reliable. Suitable for small household chores and in the country.

Photo gallery: models from the rating

Sparky M 850E

Energomash UShM-9512P

Makita 9069

Bosch GWS 850

SPETS-BSHU-1050

DeWALT D 28136

Interskol UShM-125

STURM AG9512P

Makita 9555 HN

Metabo W 2000

Video: how to choose a grinder

Manufacturers reviews

Below we have collected useful reviews about popular grinders from the table above.

Oleg

https://www.vseinstrumenti.ru/instrument/shlifmashiny/bolgarka_ushm/sturm/ag9512p/#tab-Responses

Victor

https://makita.vseinstrumenti.ru/instrument/shlifmashiny/bolgarka_ushm/makita_9555_hn/#tab-Responses

Sergei

https://www.vseinstrumenti.ru/instrument/shlifmashiny/bolgarka_ushm/interskol/ushm-125_1100_e/#tab-Responses

Sergei

https://dewalt.vseinstrumenti.ru/instrument/shlifmashiny/bolgarka_ushm/dewalt_d_28136_kd/#tab-Responses

Vladimir

https://bosch.vseinstrumenti.ru/instrument/shlifmashiny/bolgarka_ushm/bosch_gws_850_ce_0.601.378.792/#tab-Responses

In the household and summer cottages, tasks occur that only a Bulgarian can handle. The abrasive disc easily cuts metal and grinds stone, makes grooves in concrete and polishes wood. On the shelves of the shops there are professional and household models of grinders: every owner and craftsman will easily select angle grinders according to their needs and wallet.