Best Angle Grinders for Welding 2022 – Reviews & Top Picks

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Our welding experts told us that the following grinders were tools they all used and liked. These tools are capable of high performance and they are also durable and dependable.

Comparison Table Of Our Favorites

Best Welding Angle Grinders Reviews - 2022

1. Makita Paddle Switch Angle Grinder 

This angle grinder has a powerful 7.5AMP motor. The motor gives it a higher amount of output power in such a small tool. This little power tool weighs less than five pounds but has the power and strength of tools that are much larger.

The barrel grip on this grinder is smaller than average. It measures between 2 and 2 ½” so it fits easily into your hands for a more comfortable feel.

Labyrinth construction was used so the tool would have a sealed motor and bearings. The sealed motor is less likely to be contaminated by dust or debris particles so the motor lasts longer and performs better. The bearings are also protected from exposure to dust or debris during use.

The power button features a lock on or locks off element so you do not lose power by accidentally shutting the tool off while you are working. You also know that you will not accidentally power the tool while you are working when it is in the locked-off position.

This grinder features an AC/DC switch so you can use whatever power supply source that you have handy without compromising the tool.

Pros

Cons

2. Milwaukee 2780-20 M18 Angle Grinder

This angle grinder has a brushless motor so it will last a lot longer than many other tools that have motors with brushes in them. The motor life expectancy is 10 times longer than the typical motor with brushes.

This is a cordless device that is powered by a red-lithium battery pack XC5.0. The red lithium battery pack XC5.0 is said to operate twice as long as other common batteries on similar cordless tools. The battery pack is sold separately.

This grinder is cordless but it has the same power ability that corded versions have. It has all of the strength and durability while having none of the problems created by power cords. You are free to move about and work anywhere without having to worry about your power cord or power supply.

You can make guard adjustments and change discs without using any tools. This increases the speed in which you can make these adjustments and frees you from having to keep up with the right size wrench. 

This angle grinder is built on a paddle switch design which increases the comfort of holding the tool in your hand. You can work longer with less fatigue.

Pros

Cons

3. Makita XAG04Z Angle Grinder

This is a battery-powered angle grinder. It is an 18V device that is powered by a lithium-ion battery. It has all of the power of the corded versions but gives you the ability to turn the device and maneuver it to the position you need it to be in to make your cutting or grinding job easier to do.

There is no cord preventing you from turning the tool in any direction. There is no cord tugging at you or adding extra weight that you have to support while you work.

It has a brushless motor that will be durable and will last longer than most tools with motors that have brushes. The brushless motor is electronically controlled and that increases the amount of run time that you have on a fully charged battery. This feature provides you with twice the run time for each charge.

If the rotation of the motor is suddenly stopped because the grinder gets in a bind the tool will automatically shut power off until the problem is resolved. This prevents a lot of wrist strain and accidents that occur when these tools become jammed or get in a bind.

The tool automatically adjusts its rate of speed so it is more efficient and gives precise performance while it is being used.

Pros

4. BLACK + DECKER Angle Grinder Tool

The metal gear case on this angle grinder increases the life expectancy of the tool and makes the tool more durable. You will be less likely to compromise the tool while using it because the metal gear case is stronger than most metal grinders that have plastic gear cases.

The grinder has a three-position side handle that makes it more comfortable to hold and makes it easier to get the grinder into a position to cut or smooth the material you are working on.

The grinder comes with the angle grinder that has a 4 ½” grinding wheel, a metal grinding wheel, a spanner wrench, and a wheel guard. It also has easy to read instructions that detail all of the important components of the tool and how to use them.

It has a one-touch release switch that allows you to quickly shut the motor off. This is a safety feature that will protect you in the event that the tool gets into a bind while making a cut. You can quickly shut the power off so the tool cannot buck or kickback and make you lose control.

Pros

Cons

5. DEWALT Angle Grinder Tool

This angle grinder has an 11 Amp AC/DC motor. It has a spindle size of 5/8” – 11” and is a 14-watt corded power tool. This tool plugs into a standard household circuit of 110V. The tool is 12 inches in length and has a 4 ½” wheel diameter.

It has a dust ejection system that ejects damaging dust and debris that could cause injury or damage to the device. This feature makes the tool last longer and it makes you safer while you are operating the item.

It has a brush less motor that makes it more durable and increases the amount of run-time that it has. The factory-set clutch reduces high torque reactions in case the bit was to become jammed.

It has a retractable utility hook that makes it easy to hang the tool up when it is not in use. It is designed with an ergonomic design that makes it more comfortable to hold and creates less hand strain and muscle strain for the user.

It weighs 6.2 pounds and has dimensions of 15.6 inches x 5.9 inches x 4.8 inches. It has a 1.89 horsepower engine.

Pros

Cons

Read More: In Depth Guide On Electric Die Grinder

Welding Angle Grinder Buying Guide

If you are considering the purchase of an angle grinder then you should compare the following things about the different grinders to find the perfect one for your needs.

Disc Diameter

The size of the disc that an angle grinder uses will determine the size of the cuts you can make with the tool. Larger discs make larger cuts and smaller discs make smaller cuts.

Wattage

The amount of wattage the angle grinder has will tell you how much power the tool has. The increased wattage of a grinder indicates that the tool has an increased amount of power and will be able to cut through materials that are denser or thicker.

Speed

If you buy an angle grinder that has the option of multiple speeds then you will be getting a tool that you will have more control over and be able to use in more applications.

Brush less

If an angle grinder has a motor that is brush less then you can expect the grinder to be more durable and last longer than the grinders that are powered by motors with brushes. 

Power Source

You can buy angle grinders that are powered by 110V, 220V, or battery. The 110V powered tools are commonly seen at work-shops and business locations. The 220V and the batter powered options are usually seen at a private business, or homeowner work locations. The battery-powered grinders are cordless and much easier to maneuver and use in awkward places.

Additional Safety features

If the angle grinder has a slow start, anti-kickback, or paddle switches listed as one of their features these are all safety-related elements to protect the user.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What can I do with an angle grinder?

An angle grinder can be used to smooth welds and make welding projects more aesthetically pleasing. You can also use an angle grinder to cut ceramic tiles, pavers or stucco to get a better fit.

You can sharpen blades using one of these tools, or remove rust and corrosion from metal objects. The angle grinder can even be used to remove loose paint when you are preparing a surface for painting.

Q. What is a grinder in welding?

In welding, there are times when slag is created. This is excess material that causes the weld bead to appear lumpy instead of smooth flat and uniform.

A grinder is a machine that removes this excess material and makes the weld bead smoother and more attractive. It functions a lot like a high powered sander with a specialized wheel for removing and sanding metal components.

Q. Does grinding a weld weaken it?

You do not weaken the weld by grinding it unless you remove some of the parent materials when you remove a portion of the weld bead. If you do remove any of the weld beads then you do make the strength of the weldless.

If welds are properly executed then they will be as strong as the parent materials they are created from and connected to. Grinding can be performed to remove slag and dress a weld up as long as too much of the weld bead is not removed from the surface.

Final Note

If you are looking for an angle grinder that has the highest power to weight ratio available then you want to consider the Dewalt DWE402. The 11,000 RPM motor provides you with the utmost in power for a tool its size.

The Makita XAG04Z is an excellent choice if you are looking to buy a battery-powered angle grinder. The battery-powered tool does not have a cord to interfere with your access to the area you need to work in. It is powerful and durable, and it takes a standard 4 ½” grinding disc.