Disclaimer: Weldguru.com provides industry knowledge and research support to our readers. You support us with our carefully selected products and links that may earn us commissions.
A good grinder is a basic need for any metalworker – and welders are certainly no exception.
If you want to do the job right, you need a reliable and capable grinder to keep you safe.
Even though there are plenty of such products in the market, it can be difficult to find a suitable product with these features.
We've done the hard work and rounded up a range of angle grinders that are perfect for welding.
Depending on your needs and budget, we offer a range of wireless and corded models.
quick comparison
product | |||
---|---|---|---|
image | product | detail | |
Best cordless model overall |
DEWALT DCG405B |
Heavy Duty Wireless Models compact and powerful professional grade |
check prices |
alternative cordless option |
Makita XAG20Z |
variable speed Soft start, no jitter Fees at a glance |
check prices |
Best Value Cordless Models |
Porter Cable PCC761B |
battery efficiency durable product Tool-free changes |
check prices |
cheapest option |
Artisan CMEG100 |
Tool-free wheel change very high speed with a case |
check prices |
Wired industrial picks for ultimate power |
DeWalt DWE43244N |
professional quality No motor brush change the brakes stop almost immediately |
check prices |
|
Bosch GWS18V-45 |
Designed for Long Life easy access to battery Overheating protection |
check prices |
Here's a list of some of the best welding angle grinders we've found on the market:
1. DeWalt DCG405B 20V MAX XR Cordless Angle Grinder
- 850 watts
- 9000 rpm
- 4.5" diameter
- 3.75 lbs
- Type 27 safety shield
advantage
- Brushless Motor
- recoil brake
- Power off reset
- 20 volt power supply
- Includes side handle
shortcoming
- 5 amp battery lasts about 10 minutes
- Tools only, no batteries or chargers
overview
The DeWalt DCG405B 20V MAX XR Angle Grinder is one of DeWalt's newest models and it features a brushless motor that eliminates the need to replace motor maintenance brushes. Other advantages of brushless motors include faster spin-up times and longer motor life than conventional brushed motors. The grinder is equipped with DeWalt's Kickback Brake safety system, which stops the grinding wheel in two seconds if the tool is pinched or jammed.
If the tool is running and loses power due to a blown fuse or accidental unplugging, the power loss reset feature will prevent the tool from being turned on again. The DeWalt DCG405B 20V MAX XR Angle Grinder won't cut power to it or grab your boot laces if the switch is on when you plug it in. A power-off reset prevents it from turning on again until it's unplugged and toggled to the "off" position.
The DeWalt DCG405B 20V MAX XR angle grinder can be power hungry, with some users reporting up to 10 minutes of work with the DeWalt and Black and Decker 5 amp battery, suggesting that serious users should use the 6 amp battery in this angle grinder.
2. Makita XAG20Z 18V Cordless Angle Grinder
- paddle switch
- 4.5" diameter
- Brushless Motor
- Spiral bevel gear
- 18 volt battery
advantage
- safety brake
- soft start
- Anti-restart function
- LEDs indicate charge level
- variable speed control
shortcoming
- Only tools, no batteries
- short battery life
overview
Makita has always been a familiar name for any craftsman. The Makita XAG20Z 18V Angle Grinder is another professional-grade Makita tool that has received strong praise from owners for its excellent power. That power comes at the cost of battery life. Owners generally recommend the Makita 18-volt LXT Lithium-Ion battery, the largest in the range, as standard drill batteries don't last very long.
The Makita XAG20Z 18V is another angle grinder featuring brushless motor technology that is fast becoming the industry standard for battery-operated power tools. This grinder features Makita's soft-start design, which means it won't suddenly jerk sideways when you start it up. This feature alone can make the difference between choosing this grinder versus something like it.
The Makita XAG20Z 18V angle grinder has other nice design options, such as a triple LED charge indicator light that lets you quickly know the battery level, and a quieter, more durable spiral bevel gear design. Another great option from Makita engineers is the shifter switch, which enhances your ability to put more quality into your work.
3. Porter Cable PCC761B 20V MAX Angle Grinder
- 8,500 rpm
- 980 watts
- Cast Metal Gearbox
- 3 position side handle
- trigger lock
advantage
- Tool-less safety shield
- 20 Volt Battery System
- strong and sturdy
- Baide batteries can be used
- easy access to battery
shortcoming
- not as strong as others
- longer and heavier than others
overview
The Porter-Cable PCC761B 20V MAX Lithium Bare Cutter/Grinder is designed for tool-less adjustment and safety guard replacement, allowing you to quickly switch from cutting wheel to grinder. Spindle locks also provide the ability to change wheels by hand, potentially saving a spot on your tool belt where you no longer need to carry a wrench.
Running at 8500 RPM, this grinder has similar cutting power to the 9000 RPM, but the 500 RPM difference brings out the excellent battery life that owners report. The Porter-Cable PCC761B 20V MAX features a cast metal gear housing for heat dissipation. This grinder is longer and heavier than many cordless models and creates less vibration due to the weight.
The Porter-Cable PCC761B 20V MAX is designed with an overmolded chamfered handle, which means that the handle partially surrounds a central core to isolate vibrations from the hand. The sander's side handle can be mounted in any of three separate positions for maximum versatility when arriving at your job site. There is a trigger lock for easier grip for long grinds.
4. CRAFTSMAN CMEG100 Cord Angle Grinder
- 12,000 rpm
- 4.5" diameter
- 3 position side handle
- 6 amp power
- 120 volt input
advantage
- Tool-less safety shield
- lock trigger
- Lock the spindle
- including soft case
- Self-contained grinding wheel
shortcoming
- overheating report
- wired, not portable
overview
If you don't necessarily need a cordless grinder, or just want a quality backup grinder at an affordable price, the Craftsman CMEG100 Angle Grinder is worth a look. 6 amps of power and 12,000 RPM can handle some serious grinding. When your cordless batteries die or you just need some brute force, this grinder will handle business for you.
The Craftsman CMEG100 Angle Grinder features a tool-less safety guard that can be easily rotated or removed when changing wheels. It has a spindle lock that allows you to change the wheels manually too. This grinder has a three-position side handle so you can take advantage of the extra angle to get the job done better. Some owners have reported overheating issues, but with any power tool running at 12,000 RPM, you're going to have to watch the run time.
The Craftsman CMEG100 Angle Grinder features a contoured handle with an overmolded design. This type of grip will help minimize felt vibrations, which is always a welcome feature when it's time to get through a long day.
5. DeWalt DWE43244N Cord Angle Grinder
- Brushless Motor
- recoil brake
- Power off reset
- 5 or 6 inch wheels
- 120 volt input
- 9000 rpm
advantage
- Loaded with security features
- excellent power
- stop almost immediately
- paddle switch
- Lanyard ready
- No tool wheel change
shortcoming
overview
The DeWalt DWE43244N Angle Grinder is a professional-grade, heavy-duty grinder designed for serious professional applications. It's designed with paddle switches instead of slide switches for a better in-hand feel. This type of switch also offers more security as it locks until you flip a small safety lever to allow the switch to be pressed, when you release it it releases and automatically closes.
This grinder features a brushless motor for faster spins, cooler operation, and longer battery and motor life. The DeWalt DWE43244N Angle Grinder is designed with a recoil braking system that reduces inertia by coasting and slamming the brakes if there is binding, stalling or pinching under the wheel. There's also a feature called an e-clutch, which allows the wheels to coast under restrained loads to reduce the amount of inertia and torque movement.
The DeWalt DWE43244N angle grinder has a larger wheel diameter than the other machines in this roundup, at 5-6 inches instead of the 4.5 inches found on other grinders. DeWalt also designed a lanyard loop into the handle.
6. Bosch GWS18V-45 18V 4-1/2 in. cordless angle grinder
- 10,000 rpm
- 18 volt system
- 2 position side handle
- Electronic battery protection
- Coolpak cooling battery
advantage
- Optimized for metal processing
- longer battery life
- Lifetime Motor Brushes
- Tool-free wheel replacement
- Four brush motor
shortcoming
- Guards are sometimes upside down
- Security guards need a wrench
overview
The Bosch GWS18V-45 18-Volt 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder has rave reviews from the field for build quality, smooth operation, long battery life, and high-powered tool life. This is not surprising, as Bosch has always had an excellent reputation among professional craftsmen. Unlike the brushless designs that began to dominate the field, Bosch chose to equip this machine with four brushes designed to last a lifetime.
The Bosch GWS18V-45 18-Volt 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder features an optimized gear design specifically designed for machining metal and runs at 10,000 RPM, which is pretty impressive for an 18-volt system. This grinder offers two positions to attach the side handle for more flexibility when working with reach. The machine is designed to minimize perceived vibration through the handle design.
The Bosch GWS18V-45 18 Volt 4-1/2" Angle Grinder incorporates a feature called Electronic Motor Protection which works in conjunction with a four brush design to optimize performance and extend the life of this grinder motor. Another advanced Bosch feature is its electronic battery protection, which helps keep the battery cooler for longer charging and longer battery life. The grinder also features tool-less wheel changes and restart protection.
About Jeff Grill
Jeff Grill hails from Long Island, a 118-mile stretch of land that stretches from the shores of Manhattan to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. He was interested in welding from an early age, as evidenced by the scars on his body when he started working with various metals.