Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Looking for electric angle grinder

I will be using it for cutting, wire brushing and grinder, any recomendation, I prefer to buy it locally at home depot or lowes.

I have a Makita, forget the model, but it's 4 1/2 inches, 6.4 amps, 11000 rpm. Available at any HD or Sears. It's handled everything I've thrown at it with no problem. To me these tools are all about speed and raw power, not finesse, so get the biggest and most powerful you can afford, do not get the 4 inch model.

Milwaukee makes a good angle grinder that should be available at home centers. I prefer the 5" size.

For serious angle grinders, it's Metabo. There are the 8 amp models and the 12 amp models.

That's not to say that the Harbor Freight grinders won't do some work for you.

Do you guys have any comment on the Dewalt DW402 from Sams club or Costco, it is 4 1/2", 7.5 amps and comes with 12 disk, around $100.

I read something on the web that the safety shield won't fit the mason or diamond cut wheel, need to either take it off or put a bigger shield from dewalt.

I have a Makita 4" I used with a cup brush to take 7 layers of paint off our 6' X 24' porch 7 yrs ago and It's still running great in my welding shop.
Mike

I bought a DW802 off amazon.com (under $90) and I've been very happy with it. It's a better grinder than the DW402, (9 amp instead of 7.5, keyless adjustable guard, etc) and it's $5 cheaper for some reason. It's also several years newer- the DW402 is a pretty old model.

Gosh,
I guess everyone has preferences. I like Bosch angle grinders. The one I have at home works great. At work Bosch last longer than the low end Makita. With everyday use (hard use grinding), the low end Makitas would last about a year.

I was looking for an angle grinder also. I did some research and came across chicagolandtools recommendations and they had Bosch as the top pick. I ended up going with the Bosch and love it. I have used it and not put to much strain on it, but I was helping my uncle and hit treated it like it was a rental or something. He put it through heavy use. I have to say after seeing what he did with the tool including dropping the thing down a flight of stairs, I would buy another one anytime.

My Metabo is not dead yet, and I'm constantly doing my best to wear it out.

Thanks for all the reply