Exactly How Good is an $8 Harbor Freight Angle Grinder?

Today we Dyno test our new $84 purchase in the Milwaukee 6130-33 vs the cheapest ever 4.5" grinders from Harbor Freight the Warrior & DrillMaster models, and lastly the cheapest on Amazon, the WEN. With some surprising results!

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The creator of this channel is working in product development for Astro Tools, who don't make angle grinders, but also consider multiple sources when looking at a tool!

[BigBear--]

Yes please include vibration measurements as well. As well as the actual tool teardowns. Now that AvE has really slowed down with his BOLTR reviews, and Tool Teardown channel all but dissappeared, we really need someone to step in to the fold and give us these teardown comparisons.

[michaelcrumlett]

Thanks for the bonus Sunday episode. I know how you feel about your old Drillmaster - I have a Bosch angle grinder my dad got in the mid-nineties that I inherited when he passed away. While I hate the switch on it, that tool performs better than anything else I’ve used. Being a pro mechanic/neighborhood handyman/amateur blacksmith, I own/have owned dozens of angle grinders, but the first one I reach for is the ancient Bosch. I hope your Drillmaster got cleaned and greased for its next 20 years of service.

[barrylinkiewich]

We use Makita grinders exclusively at work and they get run hard (metal fab shop), we've never had a motor fail in 20+ years. It's always a switch failure or power cord getting pulled, cut or otherwise damaged.
For home use I just took a couple grinders that the boss didn't want to repair, popped in a new switch or cord into and kept using, I've even given a few away to friends. My oldest is probably 20 years old and objectively still runs just as hard as the new ones.

[shadymaint]

Stone and brick masons love the cheap grinders. Stone dust is very hard on them and the cheap ones last just as long as the expensive ones.

[caffeinatedlemur]

I also would love to see vibration ratings. Not only is vibration a durability concern, but a fatigue concern. If I know one brand is a little down on power but runs much smoother, then that is what I want for those few days where I am grinding my project 4+ hours

[MarcAntoine]

The video is out since 15 min and the WEN is already out of stock, well done sir

[woodworkerroyer]

Yes, we always want to include the vibration specs. I'd also like to know what tools are "acceptable" in that category. They all make your hand numb eventually, but what is the threshold where it is too much?

[afellowinnewengland]

Measuring vibration would be incredibly valuable. I absolutely hate vibration in both gas and electric tools and it can cause long-term nerve damage. It's a reason I've not been crazy about the Flex brand of tools despite their power.

Just for the heck of it I clicked the link and bought the Wen you tested. For a price that low it's a handy thing to keep around for occasional use.

[danharp]

How does this channel not have more subscribers?

[egongrun]

Interesting to see, that the old stuff really lasts and it's not only subjective. I mean, it looks like there is almost no grease left in you 8$ beauty (at least compared).
It hurts to see expensive brands cheap out on stuff like bearings.

[RyanNash]

I do maintenance at a beef plant, and at work we have Milwaukee and dewalt angle grinders. The corded dewalt has been kicking for years, and it gets overused and beat on. The milwaukee grinders feel more torque-y and powerful, but ive seen two get burned up in 2 years. Now the cordless ones... our dewalt cordless grinder sucks. No balls, battery dies in no time. Mulwaukee one kicks ass.
At home I use a HF bauer corded grinder, and it feels powerful like the mulwaukee ones. I'm not rough on it, so ive not managed to hurt it after a year of use. Im a milwaukee fanboy for most things like drills and impacts, but HF has been impressing me lately with some of their power tools.

[theupscriber]

I've had the Wen. It lasted one day. Just putting a 7" grinding disc on the Wen caused it to overheat, just spinning in the air, without touching the work. I've had the warrior for 6 months, and it works fine.

[calvertschmued]

Glad to see the Wen performed well. Would love to see 7 inch corded angle grinders tested that have 10-15 amp motors.

[ThePeopleVerse]

I too have a 15-16 year old HF grinder. I have repaired the cord twice. It still runs and runs circles around the newer HF one i bought... not as a backup but as an extra with either a flap wheel or wire wheel while the other has a cut or grind wheel on it. Saves time.
I can not tell you the hours i have on the old HF but i have build 2 hotrods and restored a rusted full size Blazer and that old HF grinder was all i had at the time. Its still going to this day. ❤

[Thumper]

The fact his 20 year old HF drill master is still going strong tells you all you need to know. Just go to HF buy the best warrior model you can afford and be good to go for along time. They just released a 6 amp model with paddle switch for $24 so with coupon $20 and I bet it’s a beast probably similar or better then his drill master.

Side note I have an old black drill master that’s at least 10 years old and it’s a beast and won’t die as well.😂

[AntonioClaudioMichael]

Yes in vibration testing and including it on the rankings @Torque Test Channel

[sv-etgq]

Can't wait to see the high end angel grinders compared. Love these tests

[clockworkvanhellsing]

Absolutly include vibration, since that can cause white fingers desease over extended use.
Concerning power rating: The motor efficancy of corded grinders may varry so it would be nice to see, what difference this makes.

[bassiclymike]

Wow, I remember my dad using a Wen pad sander 50 years ago... not fancy but got the job done and was built solid. Nice to see they still make decent stuff.

[vegasfordguy]

I've had a $10 angle grinder from harbor freight tools for over 20 years and it's still going strong!