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Post by aas on Jan 17, 2019 16:47:33 GMT -5
14 month old Festool 125mm grinder, hardly used, like new - was very good on the rail for cutting floor tiles etc... have all the accessories for it - still under warranty, but I need it it for a job this week - loss of power, sparking like crazy. Ordered the Metabo equivalent so I can finish what I need to do...
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Post by kraftt on Jan 19, 2019 0:58:38 GMT -5
Oooh that is the worst. When you hardly got the value out of it plus put the effort and money into the accessories - I’ve had a few tools like that and nothing quite matches the disappointment.
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Post by aas on Jan 20, 2019 2:06:18 GMT -5
The annoying thing is I nearly got the Metabo version in 2017 instead, everyone goes on about what great grinders they make - I just picked up the Metabo - it is so much more powerful than the Festool even if it is only 100w more, seems very well built, see if it holds up (unlike some of my other Metabo tools with loads of niggling faults!)
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Post by Tom Gensmer on Jan 20, 2019 10:15:52 GMT -5
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Post by aas on Jan 20, 2019 14:13:21 GMT -5
I got the same grinder minus the variable speed - WE 15-125 - with the dust shroud for surface grinding and a diamond cup grinder for 177€ in a Metaloc - great deal. I ordered the CED from Germany for about 100€, all in a good setup for a lot, lot less than I paid for the Festool with the accessories!
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Post by kraftt on Jan 20, 2019 14:21:36 GMT -5
hmmm... It's got great reviews, an interesting multi position handle bar, high torque, dust shroud with wheels, fair price, - sounds like it's time to update. * (apparently the same motor & gears as the 6" (?) so just add a #339203050 guard to your kit when you need the extra depth)
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Post by kraftt on Jan 20, 2019 14:25:24 GMT -5
I got the same grinder minus the variable speed - WE 15-125 - with the dust shroud for surface grinding and a diamond cup grinder for 177€ in a Metaloc - great deal. I ordered the CED from Germany for about 100€, all in a good setup for a lot, lot less than I paid for the Festool with the accessories! That is a great deal - who offers/offered it ?
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Post by aas on Jan 20, 2019 15:05:28 GMT -5
Just good luck - an Amazon sale, last one in stock, delivery in 48h
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Post by Tom Gensmer on Jan 20, 2019 15:24:37 GMT -5
Regarding the multi position handle bar, the CED shroud has a threaded hole that allows you to mount the handle perpendicular to the axis of the cutting disc, it's very ergonomic and one of my favorite elements of the setup.
On the face of it, it can be overwhelming how many angle grinders Metabo offers. It might be helpful to note that you can narrow things down by knowing that many grinders share a common motor, but differ by body style (on/off switch, paddle switch, or rat tail), disc diameter (4.5", 5", 6"), gearing (most are geared for 11,000rpm, some are geared down for more torque), and either fixed speed or variable speed. If you can define which of the above criteria you want, you'll narrow it down to a handful of models very quickly.
An interesting note, the latest Metabo cordless grinder ships with two cutting guards, a 4.5" grinding shroud and a 6" cutting shroud. This is very clever, since I suppose the grinding application requires more torque so you'd want to limit the diameter on a cordless tool, whereas for cutting you'd want greater depth and can get away with a larger diameter disk.
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Post by kraftt on Jan 20, 2019 15:35:43 GMT -5
I think I'm sold on the versatility of the HT.
Another plus (that I wasn't aware of) is the safety clutch. I also see that you can unbolt the head and turn it in 90º increments.
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Post by kraftt on Jan 21, 2019 11:13:19 GMT -5
I called tech to ask a few questions and learned that I can use the ‘quick’ knurled thumb nut on the HT as it has a clutch and everything else that would allow quick release to work. They certainly don’t recommend my suggestion of using 6” wheels with 5” grinder for liability reasons - take that as you may. They also want us to know that we should flip our thinking on which application requires more torque, between grinding & cutting, pointing out that as we plunge the sides of the wheel engage and depending on user unintentionally bias edge to one side. I also learned, as you guys probably already knew, the CED plus wheels fit into / drop into the metabo track-saw guide rail. I needed a small plastic carry case and they recommend - 344454180
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Post by ohan on Jan 21, 2019 14:07:13 GMT -5
How do you know which ones have the same motor? Also, which ones are still made in Germany? I asked on their Instagram q&a session and they said “some” of the “premium” tools were, but others were made in China. Is it true all the cordless grinders are MiC?
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Post by aas on Jan 22, 2019 1:05:21 GMT -5
If the quality control is good there is no problem with made in China goods. I guess you need to find a bricks and mortar dealer so you can read the label before buying
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Post by huntsgemein on Jan 22, 2019 19:24:16 GMT -5
Which of Metabo's grinder range are of indigenous origin? Most, still. All the larger (i.e most powerful in their respective size classes) ones are German sourced. As to specifics.... there's some 120-150 different grinders available in their range. A definitive or exhaustive list is therefore impossible to determine for a mug punter like me.
Here's what I DO know, however. Their EC cordless grinders were originally of Teutonic origin, before production was moved to the far east. As far as I'm aware, the relative qualities of the 2 are essentially indistinguishable. My own impressions are that the cordless models are long lasting & relatively powerful, however they're equivalent to, if not quite as good as, the Bosch EC range. Metabo's 180 & 230mm (German-sourced) EC grinders seem to be in a class of their own in terms of power, light weight & overall utility (Makita & possibly Milwaukee now have "me-too" 36v 230mm cordless grinders too these days).
I'm constantly impressed with my 230mm corded & cordless Metabos. My 125mm cordless has a somewhat "loose" turning handle base, to which the battery attaches. I much prefer the Bosch rigidly fixed alternative, although they are to date equally powerful & glitch-free.
I most frequently prefer using 150mm discs if possible. That bit of extra depth is almost always useful in comparison to 125mm equivalents, using the same (or similar) machines. I'm actually a bit scared of using 230mm grinders, although the balance of the batts at the end of Metabo's cordless handle enhances balance &, by default, safety in my opinion. I also occasionally use a big 300mm corded Bosch too, but mostly for diamond cutting & chasing in masonry & stone. As a grinder it's just a bit too intimidating for me. I gave up using 100mm grinders 20 years or more ago. I'm sure that they have their uses, but I prefer the mid-sized machines. I believe that Metabo's 100mm/4" grinders are Asian sourced.
My most used grinders are older 125 & 150mm "Ergo" Metabos. The 125 versions have a "lock on" type trigger, which I personally prefer. I'm not a huge fan of the thumblock slide & press type of "safety" deadman triggers. The corded drill type switch arrangement of the Ergo Metabos are preferable. Simple is good. My most useful grinder is an old WE9-125 variable speed machine which is a compact, bulbous, ergonomic delight. I once used it for almost all types of duties, & have worked it without mercy for about 12 years of so. It's my preferred Arbortech carver, sander, sculptor, planer etc. It is maybe the most "one-handed" grinder I still own, with its bulbous body allowing a multitude of safe grip styles.
I also have a couple of "modern" corded Metabos too: WEV 15-125 Quick HT (with 150mm guard fitted) & WEV 15-125 Quick Inox. They're both the most expensive (I think) of Metabo's mid-sizes line, & both German (as are all of their 15-125/150 & 17 125/150 range) too. Both are variable speed, & both with limited top speed (to 9,600 & 7,600 RPM respectively). This allows 150mm discs to be fitted too (got an ultra-cheap lifetime supply a few years ago). All other 125mm grinders max out @ 11K RPM, illegal for 150mm discs. These have standard locking switches.
The lower speeds of "Inox" grinders are for stainless processing (obviously) without heat-related blueing, but are equally, if not more useful as a combi-sander polisher too. Incredibly useful for sanding paint off weatherboards, rough flattening work etc. Useless for many, I suppose, but I love it.
The combination of superior high motor RPM cooling (up to 400 km/hr according to Metabo) with lower, high-torque pad RPM should allow for a torquey, long lasting well-cooled machine that will last for years & years!! Using any V/S grinder for extended periods at high loads & low revs will dramatically reduce any tools' lifespan. Low speeds = less cooling; High loads = high winding temperatures. You can really feel that the grinder/s prefer higher motor speeds where possible. The Inox variant has 5 Nm of torque, or over 25% MORE than the rest of the 125/150mm grinder range, even the ostensibly more powerful 1700w variants!
I also have the CED 125 Plus (wheeled) cutting extraction hood, but personally find that @ a mere 125mm max blade fitment the 25mm max cutting depth a bit too restrictive for wall chasing etc. A "freehand" (home-made semi-enclosed 150mm blade guard with a custom hose fitting) 150mm blade/disc allows about 40mm DOC, much more useful for burying cables in walls, floors etc. The CED & Plus guards will, however allow straight fitting to Metabo & maybe Festool (I think) guide rails, but this further compromises DOC. Running "freehand" alongside a batten or stud is equally effective in my opinion. I sold my Metabo rails with my KSE55 vario plus plunge saw. I don't think - I've never actually tried - that the CED guards will fit the Bosch/Mafell guiderails. I'll probably sell the extraction hood too.
Sorry about the train-of-thought ramble. Which of Metabo's grinder range are German? Almost all but their 100mm corded & 125mm cordless ranges I believe, but don't hold me to that. There was once a 230mm , 2000w "cheapie", now long since discontinued, that was I suspect asian. But I'm unsure. A bit of due diligence, and common sense in the purchasing process will pay dividends. Many bargain-priced deals are priced accordingly for a reason. Ask questions of vendors. Caveat emptor.
One thing, however is certain. Metabo are all but universally regarded as producing the world's largest, & finest, range of angle grinders available. They are consistently "best in class" in most if not all sizes. With such a huge range (115-150 odd) you'd be extremely hard-pressed (& I suspect none-too-easily pleased) not to find a good match to just about any specific requirements. I currently have 8, none of which I regret purchasing.
Exercise caution with grinders. Despite Metabo being some of the safest tools on the market thanks to high quality guarding, safety clutches , restart protection etc. etc. the risk of (often horrendously life-threatening) injury is ever-present. I consider angle grinders to be one of the more dangerous power tools out there. More even than a chainsaw, for instance!
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Post by kraftt on Jan 22, 2019 22:08:58 GMT -5
Good info & insights. I pondered the 150 this morning but didn't see any v/s models. I do use v/s fairly often.
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