(Part 3) Best power grinders according to redditors

I have a Metabo, which is German made. I think they are probably the best made right now.

https://www.amazon.com/Metabo-WP9-115-Grinder-Non-locking-Paddle/dp/B00WJOWTKE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1525208270&sr=8-3&keywords=metabo+grinder+4+1%2F2

I think the design is cool but I don't think i'd use it for anything but grout. If you're looking for a cordless i'd go a more standard route like this makita system


https://www.amazon.com/Makita-Brushless-Cut-Off-Grinder-Batteries/dp/B00QSGHC24/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1521826987&sr=8-8&keywords=makita+cordless+grinder

I'm sure whatever brand you prefer has something comparable

I recommend starting with the Ken Onion Work Sharp with the Blade Grinding Attachement

It has a variable speed motor that you can turn down super slow, which makes it impossible to burn your blades. This setup can handle all but the most extreme repairs and can even do some basic knifemaking. It’s very small and fits on any countertop. You don’t need some huge workshop or anything like that.

Once your become proficient on junk knives, move onto nicer ones!

And once you’ve outgrown the Work Sharp, move into real belt grinders!

I'm in no way defending the Hercules tools, but compare apples to apples. Quick look shows current model 11A 4.5" grinders from Dewalt and Makita as:

$139 https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-Grinder-2-Inch-Paddle-DWE4222N/dp/B018DZ6V2Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?keywords=Dwe4222&qid=1570455906&sr=8-6

$147.63 (12A) https://www.amazon.com/Makita-GA4542C-SJSII-Power-Grinder/dp/B00Z5LTO7O/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=Ga4542c&qid=1570455737&sr=8-1

The Dewalt (and I'd assume the Makita as well, at this price) includes a brake which the Hercules does not have.

I've seen two:
Wen 10" sharpener for $120

or the
Grizzly for $170
Or should i just keep using the wet paper? The tormak is way out of my price range, any advice?

This is the same exact grinder as the rikon, same wheels too. $85 bucks

The Hurricane Tools are pretty decent. I've never tried carbide turning tools, but I feel that regular steel tools are just as good.

I primarily use the bowl gouge set, and then for everything else, I bought the cheap Benjamin's best 8-piece set.

For almost a year I sharpened them by hand because I really was unsure of grinding. I just have a cheap 6" grinder with stock wheels, that I always feel like it would eat up, and burn the tools. I was really tempted to buy the wolverine jig, so I tried to copy it out of wood. I replicated both of these jigs (though the one on the left is all you really need) and used some old rusty flat head screw drivers to practice the bevel. It worked surprisingly well on the screw drivers, I could even turn with them.

Sharpening the actual tools worked fantastically well, they finally "cut" for the first time, heh. Again, I thought I would burn them up, but light even pressure, and multiple passes made it super simple. It really only takes a few seconds to sharpen them, it actually takes me longer to adjust my custom jig. If you're using the same tool, and jig position, it's super easy though.

Next you'll be wanting info on chucks ;)

If money is not a factor, something like the 9" 15A Metabo grinder is about as powerful as you can get. Other brands make 7"/9" 15A grinders as well.

They have all kinds of systems. Tormek has a whole business based on a rotary setup. It is VASTLY over-rated. https://www.amazon.com/Tormek-TBT401-Sharpening-System-Hand/dp/B00OXUPRKQ/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1542739742&sr=8-8&keywords=tormek+t3 And incredibly SLOOOOWWWW.


The large, trued, zeroed & rigid industrial systems work very well, but are super expensive. Anything less that those are generally beaten by hand sharpening on a cardboard wheel. I have a big incentive to invest in sharpening systems, and have yet to find something that beats this system, without spending $20,000. https://www.amazon.com/Razor-Sharp-Edgemaking-System-Sharpening/dp/B015PJF99C

I have this one 1/4 die grinder

I wish I had this one: variable speed

It also looks like it has been pretty heavily used based on the guard plate scuffs and the motor housing. $65 new brand name vs $40 used HF w/o legit warranty... idk man. Splitting hairs at that point imo

edit: $55 Makita & $67 Dewalt searching amazon for like 30 seconds

Just get this https://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Rand-308B-Straight-Grinder/dp/B008JYRDFE and then a buffing wheel. You could probably get an electric one too.

Metabo makes a very good, solid range of grinders. I have a couple of their angle grinders, and they've always been reliable and powerful tools. You could try one of their die grinders (this, or this).

I don't know your specific model of grinder but is this what you're looking for?

No problem!

I am also looking at this grinder since it's about $40 cheaper and i will need to get new wheels anyways. And with amazon, i can ship it back for free if the arbor doesnt run true.

Here's the Dremel package for $99. - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M1SJNVU/

Tack Life $37 (I wonder how much better this one is compared to the $17 one) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6RH433

Skil 4.5" angle grinder ($47.95) - https://www.amazon.com/9296-01-7-5-Amp-2-Inch-Paddle-Grinder/dp/B009RJE6TQ/


I really like this Makita and the case it comes in - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0010DHFTK/

Hitachi 4.5" $44.99 - https://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-G12SR4-6-2-Amp-Grinder-Abrasive/dp/B0199MMA84/

Bosch 4.5" $49 - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SUOU/

They make a WEP 15-150 (p for paddle) if you don't like the locking switch.

https://www.amazon.com/Metabo-WEP15-150-Grinder-Electronics-Non-locking/dp/B00WJOXJ8A/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1487058152&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=Metabo+WE15-150+paddle

I actually think my next will be a 6 inch metabo for cutting through the thick stuff.
https://www.amazon.com/Metabo-WE15-150-Grinder-Electronics-Sliding/dp/B00WJOXK84/ref=pd_lpo_469_bs_t_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=4FCHTG4RTEQPAQAPENY6

Im sure if you do a little investigative work you'll see theyre all the same seller.
same same same same
same