Hitachi G12SR3 4.5" angle grinder 6.0 amp

[DaveO]

I picked up another Dewalt grinder on Craig's List because I got tired of changing wheels to brushes and back. Even though its a model similar to my older dewalt, it sounds and feels very different. changes in manufacturing or country of origin or whatever, i guess.

With all that dust I hope that guy at the HF had a circle around his nose and mouth, from where he took the mask off.

[redbeard]

Well I bought 2 (will see what Jake sees soon; ground shipping free), 3 would have been better (cut, flap and grind). But not going to dump the OLD HF grinders all the way around (other can use them). Was a little over $58. My old orange HF one has to be 10 years or older, one set of brushes (that came with it) as I recall. Still uses to cut many times a week.

I was in HF one time (I have been in there way to many times I can assure you) and I guy had about 5 broken, dirty grinders with the boxes. Covered in grind dust of some kind. They swapped him out and the guy had on a body shop shirt no less covered in the same looking dust So you are right there. I laughed inside when I saw him do it and with a straight face too.

It is kind of surprising they don't have a "no commercial use" clause in the warranty. Talk about gaming the system.

I picked up another Dewalt grinder on Craig's List because I got tired of changing wheels to brushes and back. Even though its a model similar to my older dewalt, it sounds and feels very different. changes in manufacturing or country of origin or whatever, i guess.

The Makita I got in the 90s was my only grinder for the longest time, I too got really tired of switching wheels and brushes. Started amassing the HF ones about a year ago when I discovered the $9.99 coupons for them. So far so good, but they do quiver a lot, especially with the knotted wire cup brush. It will be nice to have a new quality tool in hand again.

[zoama]

I only use paddle switch grinders after one with the lock on switch sliced me across the thigh and shin when the cutoff disk broke and snatched it out of my hand.
The grinder fell between my leg and the benchwith 60% of the cutoff disk still spinning at 10,000 rpm. It went across my thigh at a shallow angle, cutting through my pants and leaving a one inch wide abrasion with lots of fiberglass bits embedded, then flipped over and sliced through the front of my shin about three inches below the kneecap, almost to the bone.
Three years later another cutoff disk broke, jerking it out of my hand again. No cuts this time (except my pants) but having a tug of war with my underwear wrapped around the broken disk as smoke bellowed out of the grinder convinced me to toss it and buy three paddle switch grinders and a plasma cutter before I lose my junk.

I find the safety lever on HF paddle switches easy to operate with gloves on.

[everlastsupport]

It is kind of surprising they don't have a "no commercial use" clause in the warranty. Talk about gaming the system.



The Makita I got in the 90s was my only grinder for the longest time, I too got really tired of switching wheels and brushes. Started amassing the HF ones about a year ago when I discovered the $9.99 coupons for them. So far so good, but they do quiver a lot, especially with the knotted wire cup brush. It will be nice to have a new quality tool in hand again.

Yeah wire cups are a challenge for HF, like drill bits. hahaha..

Looking forward to mine.

[sportbike]

Didn't really "need" another grinder, but I ordered one just because.

[incognito]

I have had nothing but trouble with the HF $10 grinders. The HF $20 "Heavy Duty" grinders are not bad.
If you open them up when you first buy them, and grease the gear in the head, they are half as loud, and last twice as long.

Always use a coupon.

[Mr120]

Thanks for the coupon incognito. That will come in handy. I've got a couple of things I need to pick up from there.

[everlastsupport]

Didn't really "need" another grinder, but I ordered one just because.

I can relate. I have a spare grinder (backup) in the box, and the three we use, and bought two more. Just because. Late fathers day gift I guess...

[jakeru]

Hey all - on the Hitachi grinders, one tip I've developed is is that substituting the lower 5/8"-11 threaded nut (that holds the wheels on) from the $10 harbor freight grinder onto the Hitachi grinder is an upgrade because it's less bulky/cumbersome (to better fit depressed center flap wheels better, and stick out less) than the original Hitachi nut. (It gives a wee bit of weight savings to boot.) That's how I prefer to setup my Hitachi grinders now.

The Hitachi grinders (decked out with their carrying case and new grinding wheels) also make great gifts.

Regarding the $10 harbor freight grinders, I've successfully combined two broken ones to make a good one. ;-)

Did you get a second Everlast machine still using the Super 200P?

Thanks for the kind words, Mike. Oleg has me on the list to be one of the first to receive a 255EXT, as a prize from my prior contest winning. I'm looking forward to reviewing that, too!

My Super200P is still performing like a champ, though, and you might even say that it's getting better with age. I modded its AC Balance circuit to support higher %EN capability - turning the knob fully counter clockwise now gives ~95-98% EN, instead of the unit's original 80% EN limit.

[redbeard]

I have had nothing but trouble with the HF $10 grinders. The HF $20 "Heavy Duty" grinders are not bad.
If you open them up when you first buy them, and grease the gear in the head, they are half as loud, and last twice as long.

Always use a coupon.

I was beginning to think that the 25% coupons were mythical, then within a couple weeks of getting an airless sprayer and a day after buying a bandsaw, I find one of my very own and now this one. Phooey.

I'll have to try greasing the $10 ones and see if that helps; guess it is like many things from HF, "lubricant not included".

[everlastsupport]

I have had nothing but trouble with the HF $10 grinders. The HF $20 "Heavy Duty" grinders are not bad.
If you open them up when you first buy them, and grease the gear in the head, they are half as loud, and last twice as long.

Always use a coupon.

I've had no bad luck, but mine are old models.

Bigger companies seem to sometimes make it cheaper over time, smaller ones sometimes make it better (to get to be a bigger company; like Everlast). So maybe the old HF ones were stronger. But I've had great luck with the old ones I have. The backup is like a year old $9.99 one (not good). Well, the Hitachi ones will be here before the old ones break on me

Thanks also, I used two of the coupons today. I only have 20% ones in the wallet.

[everlastsupport]

Thanks for the kind words, Mike. Oleg has me on the list to be one of the first to receive a 255EXT, as a prize from my prior contest winning. I'm looking forward to reviewing that, too!

My Super200P is still performing like a champ, though, and you might even say that it's getting better with age. I modded its AC Balance circuit to support higher %EN capability - turning the knob fully counter clockwise now gives ~95-98% EN, instead of the unit's original 80% EN limit.

I thought you won a contest, but saw you signature still reflected the 200P, why I asked. Cool on the 255EXT. Bet you will love that.

On the 95%+ EN mod, well, you are out of the 5 year warranty by at least a year, so I guess that's OK. hahahaha.. Mark would be on you otherwise.

[Mr120]

2x on congratulations on the 255EXT jakeru. That is a fine catch and I can't wait to hear what you have to say about it. I'd have to save up for quite a while before I can afford a digital welder so I'll have to live vicariously through you when you receive one.

I might use the 25% coupon for my grinders, drill press, router, etc. on this:



http://www.harborfreight.com/momenta...tch-96619.html

[Kempy]

2x on congratulations on the 255EXT jakeru. That is a fine catch and I can't wait to hear what you have to say about it. I'd have to save up for quite a while before I can afford a digital welder so I'll have to live vicariously through you when you receive one.

I might use the 25% coupon for my grinders, drill press, router, etc. on this:



http://www.harborfreight.com/momenta...tch-96619.html

I use one of those momentary foot power switches on my drill press so I can use both hands and if something goes wrong let it go and the foot pedal and it stops you don't have to reach around the drill press to shut it off been there done it not again. Will have to get a few more thanks Mr120.

[Mr120]

I use one of those momentary foot power switches on my drill press so I can use both hands and if something goes wrong let it go and the foot pedal and it stops you don't have to reach around the drill press to shut it off been there done it not again. Will have to get a few more thanks Mr120.

No problem Kempy. One of my biggest fears is running a table saw or drill press with both hands occupied and not being able to shut it off quickly if something goes wrong. That is until I read about zoama585 and the grinder falling between his legs while still running ... . I think that scares me more! LOL

[zoama]

No problem Kempy. One of my biggest fears is running a table saw or drill press with both hands occupied and not being able to shut it off quickly if something goes wrong. That is until I read about zoama585 and the grinder falling between his legs while still running ... . I think that scares me more! LOL

I should have had two hands on it... cutting with one hand while directing the sparks away from you usually means the open side of your hand is facing down. I use both hands while cutting now.

[DaveO]

I'd never thought about that foot switch as an inline safety device but I will now. Zoama's story made me cringe.

I have bad mental images of one of those thin cut-off wheels shattering during operation.

[everlastsupport]

When I've turned off any grinder/cutoff they spin for quite some time, so I don't see how the foot switch will fix the couple seconds of damage either way.

Best to wear gloves and proper clothing, use both hands, be out of harms way of the disk and unit (body and face wise), do NOT remove the guard. When I turn on the gas to weld, I do not stand in front of the gas line, and turn and lean away from it on the opposite side. Just me, but better safe than sorry.

Just keep alert and be smart and you should be fine.

[everlastsupport]

Mine are here. Mint looking, and 10 grinding discs worth $20 of the $58 purchase.

Thanks Mr Russell, not much on the commission side I bet. hahaha

[incognito]

I've had no bad luck, but mine are old models.

Bigger companies seem to sometimes make it cheaper over time, smaller ones sometimes make it better (to get to be a bigger company; like Everlast). So maybe the old HF ones were stronger. But I've had great luck with the old ones I have. The backup is like a year old $9.99 one (not good). Well, the Hitachi ones will be here before the old ones break on me

Thanks also, I used two of the coupons today. I only have 20% ones in the wallet.

I agree that companies often have various levels of quality over a timespan. Harbor Freight takes it to a level I have never seen before. They sometimes have 2 products, with different item numbers, for the same price, that look the same on the outside yet are different on the inside, for sale at the same time. This can go on for years.

Enjoy the Hitachi grinders. I'm well stocked on grinders, but I still picked up one of the Hitachis, at that price I couldn't pass it up. It will get into the rotation eventually.