Grinder power: consumed, what is this indicator, watt, how to choose, which is better for the home, for cutting metal, 125 mm, small, Makita and more

Makita GA9050 – powerful and reliable angle grinder

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Angle grinder (grinder) MAKITA 9565CVK. Photo 220Volt

One of the significant characteristics of an angle grinder is power. Based on its value, an assessment is made of the ability to ensure the performance of specific types of work with good performance and reliability. In addition to power, when choosing an angle grinder, pay attention to other characteristics of this power tool. Of all their diversity, the following stand out:

what disc diameter is the grinder designed for?
disk rotation speed;
design features, for example, two-handed or one-handed angle grinder;
availability of additional options (soft start, speed control, auto-balancing of the disk and others).

GOST

Requirements for test methods and safety for standard disc grinders, including angle versions, are described in GOST R IEC 60745-2-3-2011.

Grinders are also subject to the standards GOST 16519-2006 (vibration), GOST 12.2.030-2000 (system of occupational safety standards), GOST 30805.14.1-2013, GOST 30805.14.2-2013, GOST 30804.3.2-2013, GOST 30804.3. 3-2013.

Round nuts with holes at the end for a special wrench, which are used to clamp the cutting discs of an angle grinder, are manufactured in accordance with GOST 6393-73.

Marking

Each manufacturer labels angle grinders based on their own preferences.

As a rule, the marking indicates the model of the tool, its power and the maximum diameter of the disk used.

Additional functions of the grinder

In order to ensure additional convenience and safe operation, manufacturers equip the tool with various functional and safety automation and mechanics, of which the most common are:

Soft start – allows you to protect tool components from short-term excessive loads at the time of start-up. This applies not only to the gears of the gearbox, but also to the electrical part of the angle grinder, because at the moment of start, the electric motor experiences current surges. The function will prevent the tool from jerking at the start. This is especially true for large massive grinders.
Anti-vibration system - designed to dampen vibrations that occur during uneven rotation of large-diameter disks. This function is also called a balancing system.
Protection against accidental start - is usually implemented by an additional button, pressing which unlocks the start key. Allows you to avoid accidental starting of the tool, thereby increasing the safety of its operation.
Maintaining constant speed under load - makes it easier to process parts by stabilizing the speed of rotation of the cutting wheel with any change in load in automatic mode.
Rotation speed adjustment – allows you to select the desired operating mode of the angle grinder for specific tasks, for example, cutting or grinding material.
Quick-release nut SDS – its presence allows you to remove and install the working element of the angle grinder without using any keys or any additional tools. This nut can be loosened by hand.

Also, modern models are equipped with protection systems against disk “wedge” and secondary start-up.

Consumed, electricity consumption and real, watt and kW per hour, what is it

On the body (in the passport) of the angle grinder the power consumption in watt or kilowatt is indicated. If, for example, the value 1.2 kW is indicated, this means that in normal operation the power consumed by the angle grinder will not exceed 1.2 kW. Watt (kilowatt) is a system unit for measuring power. Another non-system unit, kW per hour, is used to account for the energy consumed when operating an angle grinder for a certain time.

Angle grinder DIOLD MSHU-1.2-01-150 10041200 with a power of 1200 watts. Photo VseInstruments.ru

The real power of a working angle grinder depends on the load on the spindle of the working shaft . In the process of changing the applied force, its value may differ from that indicated in the passport for the power tool, either downward or briefly exceed it.

Factors for choosing a device

When choosing an angle grinder, you should definitely focus on the following features:

Application area.
Handle size.
The components of a power tool must be rubber.
The massiveness of the working circle.

Please note that angle grinders have different wheel and body sizes, with the largest diameter being 2.5 cm. Such a wheel will cut material from bricks, pipes, slabs and everything else. The most acceptable circle size for home use will be 1.3 cm. For repair work, the optimal value will be 1.8 cm, and the power can be in the range from 0.5 to 2.5 kW.

Its choice will depend on the operating period of the electric motor. In order for the disk to rotate, a fairly large amount of electric motor power is required. Among the additional features, it is required to cancel the soft start, and the system will start the electric motor without harshness, and will also adjust the network voltage. Also important is the ability to automatically balance the disk, and this is required if the disks operate unevenly. This helps make adjustments and reduce vibration.

Regulator circuit

An important option for increasing the versatility of work is equipping angle grinders with a speed regulator . Some models have a standard, factory-made device, while others can be installed with self-made ones.

Homemade speed controllers are based mainly on circuits with basic semiconductor devices - triacs and thyristors. They differ in the limits for changing the speed - a circuit based on thyristors reduces the speed to zero, triac regulators have a specific value different from zero. It is not possible to maintain power at reduced speeds with such electronic circuits.

Adjustment wheel on the body of a DEWALT DWE4257 angle grinder. Photo VseInstruments.ru

Industrial angle grinders with a rotation speed controller have a speed stabilization system , which works on the feedback principle. A special sensor installed in a certain place on the angle grinder serves as the source of the signal about the change in speed. This scheme allows you to save power in angle grinder operating modes with reduced speed.

Other important characteristics

Other characteristics, some of the most important are listed above, are closely related. For example, a large-diameter disk experiences significant loads, which forces the consumer to use it on powerful angle grinders. The rotation speed of a circle depends on its diameter - small circles operate at higher speeds.

Angle grinder (grinder) AEG 451403 WS 8-115. Photo 220Volt

How to choose the optimal indicator

The grinder of what power should be used to perform the work depends on the specifics of the work itself. Processed materials with different properties, intensive work in production or gentle loads when doing household work require the selection of angle grinders with both a technically sound and economically advantageous power rating.

Which is better to buy for home, power or speed, is it important or not for home use

For home work, intensive use of an angle grinder is not required . Typically, it can be used to cut a profile, corner, reinforcement, clean rust from welded surfaces, process ceramic tiles to size, and perform other similar one-time work. Depending on the materials to be worked with, the power of the grinder varies from 0.6 kW to 2.0 kW.

Bulgarian Interskol UShM-125/1100E. Photo VseInstruments.ru

Home grinders are designed for the use of small disc diameters, so they are lightweight and easy to use in hard-to-reach places. The rotation of the discs of household angle grinders is characterized by high speeds (about 12,000 rpm), which compensates for the productivity of the work performed due to the lack of power.

A good choice for professionals

Unlike household angle grinders, professional angle grinders are designed to operate under constant, long-term load . The power of professional angle grinders (up to 4 kW) allows stable operation without overheating . Such angle grinders are equipped with large diameter disks and are used as a working tool in technological processes in industry and construction. The presence of options such as soft start, speed control and others increase safety and increase the possibilities of using professional angle grinders.

Angle grinder Bosch GWS 22-230 H. Photo 220Volt

What engine power do I need to….

The user's specialization in performing a certain type of work with an angle grinder makes it easier to select the necessary power tool. For each specific activity, there are recommendations with the characteristics of grinders , including a power indicator that maximizes the efficiency of work. This information will be especially useful to owners of household angle grinders.

For cutting metal, concrete, porcelain stoneware and other materials

A household grinder with an average power of about 700-1000 W will successfully cope with cutting thin-walled pipes, profiles and sheet metal.

To work with concrete, you should equip the grinder with special diamond discs. Household angle grinders up to 1.0 kW do not have the required protection against abrasive dust. It is most effective to use professional angle grinder models for working with concrete.

Porcelain tiles can and should be cut with household grinders with an average power of about 800-1000 W with a disk with a diameter of 125 mm. This angle grinder can be held with one hand without any problems and can be easily manipulated. Even if the depth of the cut is less than the thickness of the porcelain tile workpiece, you can simply chip it along the cut line, finishing the job.

Angle grinder (grinder) HITACHI G13SD with a power of 800 watts. Photo 220Volt

Plastic, wood and other materials can be cut with household grinders with the appropriate performance if you install hand-made speed controllers on them.

For grinding concrete

As for cutting concrete, for grinding, for example, floor screed, you need a professional construction grinder with a power of at least 1 kW . You just need to correctly select the necessary equipment in the form of a grinding wheel for concrete.

For wall gating

If you don’t have a wall chaser available, then a grinder is the best option for converting it into a power tool for cutting gates. The grinder must have sufficient power (at least 1.2 kW) , since you will have to rotate two disks at once. A low-power grinder can simply burn out.

For diamond cup

The option with a diamond cup in the form of an attachment on a grinder is the best way for grinding concrete . For this type of work, the higher the angle grinder indicator, the better . The service life of diamond cups (they cost a lot of money) will be significantly longer on angle grinders equipped with a speed controller.

Angle grinder (grinder) CALIBER 180/1400E. Photo 220Volt

At 125 mm. disk

A grinder with a disc size of 125 mm is the most popular among users at home . The power of the grinder (on average 800-1000 V) is enough to not only cut metal, but also perform more intensive work - grinding the surface.

Average for small angle grinders, 115 mm

The average power of grinders with a disk with a diameter of 115 mm is about 700 W. This size is enough to cut a profile, pipe, thin-walled sheet, or perform other small work, but grinding the surface can be a problem.

Angle grinder Metabo W 750-115 601230000. Photo VseInstruments.ru

For large, 230 mm

The diameter of the disc is 230 mm and is the largest of all those used as attachments for angle grinders. It is not so easy to spin such an angle grinder; the load on the disk due to the large contact working surface is large, so the power required to ensure the operation of such an angle grinder must be at least 2000 W.

Is 750 W enough?

To carry out small work - sharpening something, trimming something is quite suitable. If you perform more serious cutting work, the grinder with such parameters will overheat and may fail. It is better to have an angle grinder with a power of about 1300 W at home, despite its large overall dimensions and weight characteristics.

Rechargeable

The ability to work autonomously regardless of the presence of an electrical network is the main advantage of cordless angle grinders. However, they are low-power, the battery charge lasts for a short period of time, and when processing dense material, the net operating time is two to three dozen minutes.

Cordless angle grinder Metabo W18 LTX 125 + 3.5 Ah LiHD + charger ASC 55 T0333. Photo VseInstruments.ru

Tools

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The second most important tool after a drill is an angle grinder (angle grinder), commonly known as an angle grinder. This name was assigned to the unit back in Soviet times, when Bulgaria was the first and only supplier of angle grinders. Today you can buy grinders from various manufacturers, both European, American and Japanese. The choice is so great that as soon as we come to a hardware store, we immediately face the question of how to choose an angle grinder - an angle grinder, and what parameters to pay attention to. After all, with the help of it we cut almost everything that needs to be cut. These are metal, brick, concrete, cement, ceramic tiles, plastic, wood, porcelain, stone, asphalt, glass. But this unit is designed not only for cutting, but also for grinding various surfaces. Therefore, when choosing, you need to determine which additional functionality or design features are really needed, and which you can do without.

Main characteristics of angle grinders
Grinder power
Disc rotation speed on an angle grinder
Additional structural elements or features of grinders
Safety
Additional options

Main characteristics of angle grinders

When you come to a construction supermarket, a specialized tool store, or just to the market to buy an angle grinder, the first question you will be asked is whether you need a professional tool or for yourself. Professional angle grinders are designed for daily use for several hours a day. To make the work of the master easier and to extend the life of the unit, it is equipped with enhanced dust protection, all kinds of electronics, design features that reduce noise levels, and adjustable disk rotation speed.

The grinder “for yourself” belongs to the category of a household tool for a home craftsman, who will use it occasionally, when suddenly something breaks or needs to be done, or no more than 30 - 40 minutes a day. Household angle grinders have less power and require working intermittently. For example, 15 – 20 minutes of work and 30 minutes of rest. During this time, the engine has time to cool down and the likelihood of failure is less.

When choosing an angle grinder for home repairs or professional work, you need to understand exactly what specific work it will be used for. Based on the needs, the diameter of the disk, its rotation speed and the power of the grinder are selected.

Grinder disc diameter

The diameter of the angle grinder disk is the main parameter that you need to focus on when choosing; the power of the unit and the rotation speed of the wheel are selected taking into account the diameter.

There are grinders for discs with a diameter of 115 mm, 125 mm, 150 mm, 180 mm, 230 mm. The simplest angle grinders with a disk diameter of 115 - 125 mm are household ones; they can be used for grinding various surfaces, removing rust and paint from parts, for polishing, as well as for cutting various metals and ceramic and granite tiles, the thickness of which does not exceed 50 mm. The main limitation when cutting is the thickness of the material. A small diameter disc will not cut a concrete curb or other massive element. But for home needs, a 125 mm grinder is more than enough.

230 angle grinder belongs to a professional tool, and the 180 mm one can also be included in the same category. Such powerful units are used for cutting massive concrete products, asphalt, stone, and brick. Enormous power, a heavy massive disk, and large vibrations make it pointless to use a grinder with a disk diameter of 230 mm for cutting thin corners, sheet iron, tiles, plastic, as well as for grinding and polishing surfaces. This is easier to do with a less powerful and weighty unit.

Grinder power

The range of power in angle grinders is very large: from 600 W to 2700 W. Grinders with a 115 mm disc come with 600 - 1000 W of power, more is simply pointless.

Grinders with a 125 mm disc have a power of 750 - 1500 W. As a rule, low-power units from the 125 mm series have a small number of additional functions and are not intended for long-term use. Grinders with a power of 1200 - 1500 W are usually stuffed with all sorts of useful functions and elements.

Grinders with a circle of 180 - 230 mm belong to multi-power units 1500 - 2700 W. To cut concrete, stone and other massive elements you will need an angle grinder with a power of 2000 W or more. But for cutting small parts, sheet metal, plastic, for grinding and polishing, an angle grinder with a power of 720 - 1000 W is suitable. If you buy an angle grinder for home repairs, but for complex work, then it is better to take a 125 mm angle grinder with a power of 1200 - 1500 W.

The more power an angle grinder has, the longer it can work under load. The power is selected taking into account the complexity and duration of the work, and the weight of the disk you are going to use. For example, if you plan to clean a weld seam with a 115 mm grinder, then you need to take a unit with a power of 1000 W or more. If you plan to use heavy 230 mm disks, which are not so easy to spin, then the power will need from 2000 W.

Disc rotation speed on an angle grinder

The rotation speed of the disk or spindle on which it is mounted indicates how many revolutions per minute it makes. The larger the drive is installed, the lower the speed required.

The rotation speed of the disk on an angle grinder ranges from 2800 rpm to 11000 rpm. Small circles 115 - 125 mm are used at a maximum speed of 10 - 11 thousand rpm. But for 180 mm wheels there is already a limit of 8500 rpm, and for 230 mm wheels – 6650 rpm. These restrictions are due to the fact that the linear speed of the cutting edge of the disk should not exceed 80 m/s, otherwise the disk may fly apart, injuring the master.

Important! It is better to purchase an angle grinder that has the ability to adjust the rotation speed of the disc depending on the size of the disc being used. Most often it is implemented using a special lever or regulator.

Let us remind you that the disk size indicated on the label is the maximum allowable. For example, a 150 mm grinder can accommodate 115, 125 and 150 mm discs.

Additional structural elements or features of grinders

Modern units are very different from the first models of angle grinders; they have become more reliable, versatile, durable and functional, with a wide range of capabilities and elements that make work easier. For ease of choice, we will divide the functionality of the grinder into 3 categories.

Ease of use

Ease of use includes not only those innovations that simplify working with an angle grinder, but also make it more durable, and the process itself smoother and more coordinated.

The anti-vibration handle is an extremely important element. Vibrations are very harmful to human health. If you work with an angle grinder for several hours a day, you can get an occupational disease. In addition, even during short-term operation, vibrations can weaken your hand grip, the grinder will jump out and there will be trouble. To reduce vibrations, vibration-absorbing handles are installed in professional tools, which absorb vibrations, making work less tiring and difficult. Almost any Bosch angle grinder over $175 can boast an anti-vibration handle.

The anti-vibration system is also designed to dampen vibrations, just like the anti-vibration handle. Its main task is to reduce vibrations to such an extent as to extend the ability to use the grinder without interruption. For example, if the norm is 26 minutes, then the anti-vibration system allows you to work for 42 minutes. Most often, this system is implemented using counterweights.

Protection from dust and noise . Protection from noise is important primarily for the master, since constant rumbling sounds can lead to temporary deafness. If the master works with an angle grinder every day, you can only sympathize with him or advise him to use earplugs or headphones. Directly in the angle grinder itself, helical gears (Glisson pair) are used to reduce noise; their engagement is more reliable and they operate quieter.

But dust protection is important to ensure the longevity of the tool. If dust settles on an idle unit, it does not cause any harm. If it gets into a mechanism that is spinning at breakneck speed, it performs a destructive function, since it is an abrasive material. First of all, you need to protect the engine. To do this, the winding is coated with special resins, which after hardening serve as armor. A slightly different method is a filtration system that releases dust particles back into the atmosphere. In addition to the engine, manufacturers also protect other elements. For example, the Makita angle grinder hides gears and bearings behind special labyrinths that slow down the dust jet.

The spindle lock is needed to make it easy to replace the disk. This feature is found in almost all modern models. By pressing the button the driven gear is locked. It’s just that this is implemented in different ways. Ideally, you can lock the spindle in any position, but this is extremely rare; most often you have to rotate the disk by hand until you catch the moment.

Important! You cannot press this button until the disk stops completely.

Although there are also exceptions to this rule, which are dictated by the mechanism itself. A striking example of this is the Metabo angle grinder. In it, the mechanism acts on the clutch connected to the driven gear, and not on the gear itself. Therefore, the button can be pressed immediately after turning off the angle grinder, i.e. on the run-out.

The disc is secured without a key using a special nut that comes with the grinder. The design of the nut itself is very interesting; it consists of several parts. When the nut is screwed onto the spindle and its bottom rests against the circle, then only the upper part of the nut rotates further, and the lower part presses the circle harder and harder. After prolonged use, such a nut self-tightens, and it is no longer possible to unscrew it with your fingers. You still have to use the keys. Although there are manufacturers who have successfully improved the clamping mechanism. For example, the DeWALT angle grinder boasts a nut that can be easily unscrewed even after long, hard work.

Adjustment of the protective cover without a key is carried out using special clamping mechanisms. A very important feature for those cases where it is necessary to frequently change the position of the casing. The clamp and lever, which can be tightened, allow you to fix the casing in any position. This method has a significant drawback - due to strong vibrations, the clamp can collapse, and the casing will rotate around its axis loose. There are also more advanced mechanisms, but they are found on expensive professional equipment.

A protective casing for an angle grinder is necessary for the convenience of the master during grinding work. It protects it from fragments of the material being processed, as well as in the event of destruction of the disk from its particles. The casing does not interfere with processing corners and edges; for this purpose it has a sliding section. To remove dust from the treated area, a vacuum cleaner can be connected to the protective casing.

Safety

In addition to the features that affect the convenience of working with an angle grinder, there are additional elements, functions and features that ensure safe operation for both the operator and the unit.

The number of handles - one or two, is a matter of convenience for each master. Most angle grinders with discs up to 150 mm are equipped with only one connected handle near the spindle itself. But this does not mean that the grinder can be held with one hand; this is strictly prohibited. The other hand must hold the motor housing. In heavier angle grinders, there is another handle behind the engine housing, which is like a continuation of the body, but at the same time more convenient to grip. What the second handle looks like can be clearly seen in the photo, which shows a Makita angle grinder.

Smooth start prevents the starting jerk of the disk and also protects the gears from excessive wear. All modern grinders are equipped with a similar feature: both household and professional. A smooth start is especially important if the angle grinder is of high power. It can be implemented in different ways. There are models in which the spindle picks up speed in a few seconds; for an impatient master, this risks the fact that he can load the unit before reaching maximum speed. In other models, the spindle picks up speed almost immediately, but there is no jerk at the start. You can check this only by turning on the angle grinder in the store.

Restart protection is necessary so that after a sudden shutdown and then switching on of the power, the angle grinder does not start working. Usually, if the power supply suddenly stops, we put the tool aside and go check what happened. If at this moment the supply is restored, the engine will start and the wheel will begin to rotate straight in the lying position. There is no need to explain how this could end. And so it will be necessary to first move the power lever to the “off” position, and then again to the “on” position in order to start the angle grinder.

Direct engine cooling allows all system elements to be cooled sequentially. It’s no secret that during operation the angle grinder heats up, especially the gearbox housing. The ventilation system and special lubricants do not completely solve the problem, although they are an effective help. How this is implemented is shown in the photo of a Bosch angle grinder. For rapid cooling, the gear housing is made of metal, most often aluminum or magnesium alloy. It cools faster and is stronger than plastic. And in some models, for example, in the Hitachi angle grinder, even the motor housing is completely cast from metal.

A starting current limiter is necessary to reduce the load on the network when the engine starts. This feature is relevant only for powerful models of angle grinders. “Soft start” smoothes out voltage surges in the network, thereby preventing overloads.

The safety clutch is necessary in order to prevent the destruction of the disk when jammed and to smooth out the return blow. This will protect the motor from overload. It is implemented in different ways: in some models it is a slip clutch, which reduces the load on the engine, in others it is a centrifugal clutch, and in others it is a completely different patented system, reminiscent of the clutch in a car gearbox, completely disconnecting the engine and the gearbox.

The emergency engine stop system when the disk is jammed is a more advanced safety system than the clutch and is found in more expensive professional models. The electronic stop system instantly shuts down the engine when a disc becomes jammed or jammed. The Bosch angle grinder boasts both an electronic engine stop system, Kick Back Stop, and restart protection.

An overvoltage fuse or thermal motor overload protection represents a whole range of measures. Most often, overload is recognized by the engine temperature. For example, when the temperature of the windings reaches 130 °C, the light comes on, when it rises to 160 °C, the speed decreases, and at 200 °C the grinder switches off completely. This protection system may irritate those who like to load the instrument heavily and for a long time.

Additional options

Angle grinders may also have additional options, features or elements that make the job easier or affect ease of use.

Electronic stabilization is necessary to maintain a certain speed under load. During operation under load, the speed begins to fall, and the current strength, on the contrary, increases, so that the efficiency of the unit does not fall, the electronics connects an additional reserve, again increasing the speed. Remember that you should not overload the tool. Do not press it if you see that the disc may jam.

The rotation speed of the disk is adjusted using a wheel on the body of the angle grinder. As we already wrote, it is adjustable depending on the diameter of the disk used. Please note that it is easier to damage the tool at low speeds than at high speeds. Although you won’t be able to do without low speeds if you want, for example, to sand plastic or remove paintwork. Please note that not all economy class models are equipped with this function. For example, the Interskol angle grinder has an adjustment wheel, starting with units costing from 70 USD.

The disc brake reduces the run-down time to 3 seconds. This is a help for the impatient. It can be implemented in different ways. For example, in Metabo angle grinders it is similar to a regular brake in a car and operates on the principle of friction. Bosch angle grinders have a more complex electronic system that works on the principle of polarity reversal. But keep in mind that the second method is only possible if the unit is connected to the mains. When the power is turned off, the disk stops according to the standard scheme.

Automatic disk balancing is very rare, but it makes the job more enjoyable. A special clutch, in which the balls are immersed in oil and are grouped depending on the displacement of the center of gravity, significantly reduces the vibration of the disc. This allows you to slow down the wear of the disk itself and reduce vibration during operation.

The removable network cable is convenient in all respects. Firstly, you don’t have to think about what and how to wrap it around in order to hide it or move it to another place. Secondly, in case of damage, you can simply get a spare tire or buy a new one. In all respects, the detachable cable makes it easy to transport the instrument. But it is found only in some models of Protool, Kress and Milwaukee angle grinders.

Easy access to replacement brushes allows you to replace them without going to the service center. There is a special plug on the body of the tool, removing which you get full access to the brushes.

Self-switching brushes allow you to extend the service life of the grinder. In the event of a sudden power outage, a sharp surge in voltage occurs. To prevent the engine from burning out, it must turn off immediately. Many units above the average cost can boast of this function, including the Sparky angle grinder made in Bulgaria.

Convenient switch . The grinder's power button itself should be as convenient as possible for the master and durable. For example, levers and wheels do not last long. And a convenient slide switch, no less than the width of a master’s finger, will serve for a long time and reliably. Found in many models, including the Russian-made Caliber angle grinder. By the way, grinders from this manufacturer belong to the economy category and are very cheap. The most expensive and sophisticated models are no more expensive than 80 USD.

A suitcase for transportation and storage is a nice bonus to a high-quality unit.

The choice of angle grinder manufacturer is also very important. Russian-made grinders are surprisingly cheap, but do not have a number of additional protection measures or functions, although they are reliable and durable. Chinese-made grinders can only be bought if you plan to do some work and then throw the unit in a landfill. European-made angle grinders Bosch, Sparky, Metabo are distinguished by their quality, durability and strength of parts. Just pay attention that the product was manufactured in Europe or Eastern Europe, for example, in Romania. Analogues from China are of very dubious quality. Japanese-made grinders Hitachi and Makita will delight their owner with the reliability, solidity and indestructibility inherent in Japanese technology.

Popular brands, models

The entire range of powers of angle grinders used by users (from 0.5 kW to 4.0 kW) can be found in the offers of a huge number of manufacturers of this power tool.

MAKITA

Japanese covers the entire range of models: from household to professional construction tools. Particular attention is paid to cordless power tools.

Examples of some models:

Angle grinder MAKITA GA4530 - power 750 W, wheel diameter 115 mm;
Angle grinder MAKITA GA9050 - 2000 W, wheel diameter 230 mm;
cordless angle grinder MAKITA DGA518ZU - battery capacity 6.0 Ah, wheel diameter 125 mm.

Angle grinder Makita GA 4530. Photo AllInstruments.ru

INTERSKOL

Popular on the Russian market, the domestic one is aimed at both ordinary users and professionals.

Examples of manufactured models of grinders:

Angle grinder INTERSKOL 125/750 411.1.0.40 - 750 W, circle diameter 125 mm;
Angle grinder INTERSKOL 230/2100M 60.1.1.40 - 2100 W, circle diameter 230 mm.

SOYUZ 90120 at 900 Watt and others

Consumers of the SOYUZ brand (belonging to the Russian brand) give preference to grinders used in everyday life.

Some popular models:

Angle grinder SOYUZ UShS-90120 - 900 W, circle diameter 125 mm;
Angle grinder SOYUZ UShS-90111 - 650 W, circle diameter 115 mm.

Angle grinder SOYUZ UShS-90120. Photo VseInstruments.ru

EINHELL

German is distinguished by the production of high-quality goods with its own innovative solutions. Angler grinders are produced for all occasions.

Examples of produced models:

Angle grinder EINHELL TG-AG 125 4430619 - 850 W, wheel diameter 125 mm;
Angle grinder EINHELL TG-AG 230 4430870 - 2350 W, wheel diameter 230 mm.

BISON

Grinders of the Russian brand "ZUBR", despite the fact that they are manufactured mainly in China, are quite competitive. Household and professional tools are of good quality at a reasonable price.

Example of a household model:

Angler grinder BISON – 115 – 800 M3 – 800 W, circle diameter 115 mm.

Angle grinder (grinder) BISON UShM-P125-1200 EPST. Photo 220Volt

Example of a professional model:

Angler grinder BISON – P230 – 2600 EPST – 2600 W, circle diameter 230 mm.

BOSCH

A well-known German manufacturer of household appliances has the opportunity to offer the buyer a diverse arsenal of grinders, including those assembled in Russia. Some of them:

The small BOSCH PWS 700 - 115 has 700 W, works with a circle with a diameter of 115 mm;
Massive, with a high degree of functionality BOSCH GWS 26 – 230 LVI – 2600 W, with a circle diameter of 230 mm.

Angle grinder Bosch GWS 17-150 CI Professional 0.601.798.0R6. Photo VseInstruments.ru

Additional useful functions of an angle grinder:

5.1 Constant automaton

It is impossible not to mention such a useful function as maintaining speed under load. Equipment braking is often caused by the fact that the tool is moved across the material faster than it can cut it. The constant automatic machine recognizes such braking and increases the shaft rotation speed, compensating for the loss of productivity. The presence of this function is typical for a professional instrument. The cheapest tools do not have this function.

Be sure to pay attention to the location of the switch: it should be located so that it is always easy to reach. Often the keys are equipped with latches that allow you to not hold the switch. If an angle grinder with a fixed button breaks out of your hands, it will begin to circle around the floor, and you will not be able to stop it. It is highly desirable that the switch can be held without using a latch, so that when pulled out of your hands, the angle grinder stops on its own.

The shape of the body is of great importance. Grinders are divided into two types: one-handed and two-handed. One-handed ones include those that can be held by the body with one hand (although this should not be done during work, as it is unsafe). Two-handed ones have a handle at the back on which the start button is located.

If on one-handed grinders the button is located directly on the body and is small in size (you need room to wrap your hand around), then the button on two-handed machines has a fairly decent size, making it more convenient to press. Usually, large and strong angle grinders are made two-handed, since the more powerful the engine, the thicker it is. Without a handle, holding the car under a 230 mm disc would be extremely inconvenient.

The gearbox casing can be made integral with the machine body or as a separate part. The second option is preferable, since it makes it possible to configure the angle grinder for the most frequently performed type of work. To do this, you need to unscrew the gearbox and, without removing the armature, turn it to the desired angle, and then screw it back (the four screws that secure it to the body are located symmetrically).

It is clear that such a setting is available only to owners of angle grinders whose gearbox casing can be unscrewed. It is impossible to configure a monolithic angle grinder this way. Among other things, the collapsible gearbox is very easy to repair, clean from sawdust and lubricate.

Since the screws are usually driven directly into the plastic, this adjustment cannot be done frequently. Two-handed angle grinders, in which the rear handle rotates, are very convenient. You can adjust the machine in literally a couple of seconds; you don’t need to disassemble anything for this: the handle is mounted on a hinge and equipped with a position lock.

5.2 Protection against unintentional and restart

Unintentional start protection is a mechanism that blocks the start key from being pressed. To start the motor, you must first unlock the button. Considering the chaos that often reigns in workshops and in rooms where repairs are underway, the importance of such a mechanism is difficult to overestimate. With it, you don’t have to worry that the button will be pressed if it gets caught on some foreign object.

An equally important function is protection against restarting. Sometimes you have to interrupt work against your will (for example, during a power outage). In this case, the tool stops, the plug remains in the socket and there is a risk of forgetting to press the locked start button. When current is applied, the tool with restart protection will not turn on until the master releases the button and turns it on himself.

5.3 Soft start

A soft starter is usually not installed on cheap tools. The presence of this machine has nothing to do with the size of the disk and the power of the engine; it is found on both large and small angle grinders. It is much more convenient to work with it, since the grinder does not twitch in your hands, and there are no shock loads on the gearbox, which has a positive effect on its service life.

But there is one caveat: small angle grinders that are not equipped with a soft start do not require strong tightening of the flange. During the jerk at startup, the flange remains in place by inertia, and tightening occurs by itself. If there is a soft start, self-tightening does not occur, so the flange must always be tightened with a wrench.

The conclusion follows from this: on small angle grinders, soft starting only adds trouble, but on large ones it is very useful, because without it, a powerful engine makes too strong a jerk, the gearbox receives too strong shock loads and quickly becomes unusable.

As for the flange, on a large angle grinder it must be firmly fixed with a key, regardless of the presence or absence of a soft start.

If the soft start is too long, you may be tempted to put the disc on the material before it reaches operating speed, but this should not be done. To avoid such mistakes, it is better not to buy cars with a soft start that takes too long.

5.4 Kickback protection

Particular attention should be paid to the presence of a kickback prevention system (we are talking about BOSH KickBack Stop technology, Makita SJS and similar technologies from other brands, both mechanical and electronic). The cheapest tools, of course, are not equipped with it, but automatic stopping of a jammed disk can safely be called one of the most vital functions.

With it, you don’t need to think about where the “grinder” will fly during a reverse strike - it won’t fly anywhere. This function truly saves lives and preserves the integrity of limbs. However, one should not think that such systems are omnipotent and indestructible. Spring-loaded clutches, while spinning, still rub and eventually fail, and the electronics may not be able to cope with too much pressure. In other words, the tool should be handled with care, no matter what protection it has.

5.5 Balancing mechanism

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to work with a perfectly flat disk. A simple but effective balancing mechanism compensates for disc runout, although within very small limits. The structure of the balancer is surprisingly simple. This is a bearing in which the balls move freely around a circle. A poorly centered disk knocks the balls in the direction opposite to their own deviation from the axis, and they play the role of a counterweight, compensating for the eccentricity of the disk.