Cutting steel- was Re: [TheForge] Re: A recipe for Emperor Wilson...

[Keporter at aol.com]

Makita, who invented them, makes the very best small angle grinders. If  
someone is serious about doing cut work with an angle grinder, Makitas 4 1/2"  and 
the original 5" are up to the job. However, I gave away ALL my Makitas  when 
I found out that I could buy a Chicago Brand 4 1/2" angle grinder for less  
money than it costs to fix the trigger assembly (they where out surprisingly  
fast on Makitas). It is cold comfort to know that your grinder has the finest  
motor and bearings available, when it quits because of a bad trigger or a  
cracked brush. Sometimes, the whole idea of quality turns into something of a  
farce.
 
The Chicago will last about as long as the brushes or trigger assembly on a  
Makita. Who cares why the grinder stops? You only care about getting it 
running  as cheaply and as painlessly as possible, right? If you are really  
determined to get your money's worth, than buy the right kind of grease, and  
lubricate the gear drive once in a while. The Chicago brand comes with  extra brushes 
by the way, something that hasn't occurred to the swank  brands to do.
Mike P.