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Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder

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Jim-IL

12-26-2002 19:20:36




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I'm going to get an angle grinder to sharpen the blade on my wood's mower, rather than fighting to pull them off every year. What else can you do with one of these units? I assume you can use a wire brush with one, what else? Does anyone have this particular model? Home Depot has them for about $50 which sounds pretty reasonable.




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ind sales

01-02-2003 18:26:14




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 Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to Jim-IL, 12-26-2002 19:20:36  
I work for a industrial supply company and we sale both dewalt and milwakee. They both are great brands. If you buy a dewalt get the DW402. Just to let you know we have less complaints and repairs out of the dewalts.



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Jon

01-02-2003 15:43:51




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 Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to Jim-IL, 12-26-2002 19:20:36  
I have a dewalt with an aluminum gearcase . I d recommended buying the aluminum gearcase in whatever brand you buy. The wheel lock on mine broke due to a snap ring popping out It was easily fixed, but I think was somewhat a bad design. If I had it to due over I would spend another 20 bucks a get a milwaukee,even though its been a good grinder.



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Jim WI

01-02-2003 10:28:09




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 Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to Jim-IL, 12-26-2002 19:20:36  
Used just this model to grind off some shoulder bolts on an exhaust system at Thanksgiving. Worked really well -- my Mom and Dad decided that's what I needed for Christmas so I guess I'll find out how well it sharpens blades.



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Kevin

01-01-2003 20:33:08




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 Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to Jim-IL, 12-26-2002 19:20:36  
Jim, I was a heavy equipment mechanic for 3 1/2 yrs and that involved a lot of fabricating/welding. For the first 2 yrs I had a Dewalt 400,damn good running grinder except for the trigger lock. That quit working after about 6 mos. which gets real annoying when your doing a lot of weld prepping/slag removal. It finally died after 2 yrs but it ingested a lot of dirt and dust in that time. I thought I'd step up to a better grinder(slightly bigger motor,paddle switch) so I bought a DW-402. Biggest piece of junk I've ever purchased!!! It lasted about 20 min with a 4 inch wire cup wheel before the gears in the head destroyed themselves. Took it back to TSC and got another one, now this one is about 4 mos. past warranty expiration and it's making some ugly noises. Next one will definately be a Milwaukee!!! I agree with the other guys though- be very careful with one of these things- no matter the brand. I'had to use mine in some really tight spots and had a couple of close calls that could've ended in a serious accident. BE SAFE.

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d3Mike

01-01-2003 00:08:33




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 Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to Jim-IL, 12-26-2002 19:20:36  
I have used a lot of these grinders. My next one will be the Baush unit, they don't vibrate as much as some of the others and they exaust out of the front. If you build or repair stuff with steel YOU WILL LOVE a small grinder. I also bought a couple of the 15 buck harbor freight units a few years ago, for the weels I don't use much. They are noisey and vibrate and wouldn't be my choice as my primary grinder, but both still work fine. I don't think Dewalt is the Quality it used to be. I also have a Makita that must be at least 15 years old, it is the all plastic one and has seen a lot of very hard use, still works great. Good luck Mike

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Slowpoke

12-28-2002 03:04:15




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 Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to Jim-IL, 12-26-2002 19:20:36  
Do not buy a 4" grinder with the metric shaft. 4" wheels are limited in types,and cost more. The same for wire brushes. An adapter is available to change from metric to 5/8-18, but why spend another $5? Get the 4-1/2 inch preferably with a paddle switch. And be careful!!! A friend wanted to use mine,(a first time user)and I told him it was dangerous and to be very careful, and showed him how to use it. Three minutes later he put a big gash at the bottom of his left thumb. We spent the next 4 hours at the emergency room getting stitches. Just the other day I was using a twisted wire brush, and it caught on the edge of the metal and came up and hit my neck. It made two nice red marks where it took off some skin. Never did tell the wife what happened.

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CNKS

12-27-2002 19:22:27




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 Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to Jim-IL, 12-26-2002 19:20:36  
Locking mechanism went bad the FIRST time I used it. Haven't used it much since. Still works, but because the lock engages only with difficulty, it's hard to change brushes.



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CNKS

12-27-2002 19:19:59




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 Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to Jim-IL, 12-26-2002 19:20:36  
Locking mechanism went bad the FIRST time I used it. Haven't used it much since. Still works, but because the lock engages only with difficulty, it's hard to change brushes.



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Tom

12-27-2002 16:34:58




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 Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to Jim-IL, 12-26-2002 19:20:36  
If you want one of the very best, as in most power tools, get a Milwaukee. However I might be tempted to go the disposable route if I had to replace the one I have. 4 1/2" is definately a handy size. I guess if I was going to use it a lot and maybe if I wasn't I would go with the Milwaukee. I hate the idea of disposable. And you can get parts for Milwaukee too. I have seen Makita, Porter Cable, Black and Decker, Craftsman, etc. and I think that, while I like some of the power tools that some of these companies make, if I had to choose one brand it would be Milwaukee.

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evielboweviel

12-28-2002 11:23:11




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 Re: Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to Tom, 12-27-2002 16:34:58  
check the milwaukee before buying it. I order a Milwaukee 4 1/2 only to find after recieving it, that it has a 1/2-13 thread instead of a 5/8-11 thread. If I want to use wire brushes then I have to buy Milwaukee brand only. Good grinder just upset over the shaft size. Use it for grinding only, use Sears with metric shaft for sanding only. Next time I need a wire brush will buy a DeWalt with 5/8-11 shaft and paddle switch.

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MICHAEL S

12-27-2002 14:42:27




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 Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to Jim-IL, 12-26-2002 19:20:36  
MY LOCKING MECHANISM ON MY DEWALT ALSO BROKE AND I CAN NOT CHANGE OUT THE BLADE ALSO WHILE GRINDING MY ON/OFF SWITCH JUMPS TO THE OFF POSITION A LOT.JUST A WORD OF CAUTION BE VERY VERY CAREFUL IF YOU PLAN ON SHARPENING THE BLADES WITHOUT FLIPPING THE MOWER UP MY GRANDAD WAS SHARPENING HIS BUSH HOG BLADES LYING ON HIS BACK UNDER THE BUSH HOG AND IT KICKED BACK INTO HIS CHEEK AND CUT HIM UP PRETTY BAD SO BE CAREFUL!

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JT

12-27-2002 09:15:49




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 Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to Jim-IL, 12-26-2002 19:20:36  
If you do ANY welding (repairs or fabrication) get the one with the alluminum head. Should run about $80 to $90.

I agree with earlier posts don't hardly see how I got along without this tool.

JT



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Tom

12-27-2002 05:53:19




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 Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to Jim-IL, 12-26-2002 19:20:36  
I have a Dewalt DW-400. I used it about 2 years and now is can't be used anymore. The locking mechanism to change blades jamed and broke. It is made of cheap soft plastic. Replace it with a Makita which is a much better machine. Bought the Makita at Home Depot. Save time/money and get the Makita first.



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Dan

12-27-2002 07:12:42




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 Re: Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to Tom, 12-27-2002 05:53:19  
I have had several different brands of grinders last one I had was a makita worked good exept the safety switch tripped alot one day it just quit got the milwaulkee 2 years ago best one I have ever had



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john niolon

12-27-2002 05:08:59




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 Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to Jim-IL, 12-26-2002 19:20:36  
Jim,

the 4.5" unit is about the most versatile tool I have... of course you can grind lawnmower/Woods blades with them, but they are irreplaceable for any type of welding and fabrication work. I'm restoring/hot rodding a '53 f-100 and doing a lot of modification like suspension, body work and such.. lots of custom made parts and pieces. For shaping and fitting you can't beat this unit. There are also disk called 'flapdisk' which are 4.5" flat disk of layered sandpaper. Imagine a deck of sandpaper fanned out like a deck of cards in a 4.5" circle.. there are grades from 60 grit to 220 available and you can do anything from rust removal to metal polishing with them.

Of course the wire brush attachment is available also. The abrasive disk come in 1/8" thickness for cutting and 1/4" for grinding. Masonry disk are also available... It's a very useful tool... I now have 4 of them so I don't have to keep changing out attachments. Harbor freight sells them for about 15 bucks and when they wear out I just replace them.. I also have a Craftsman and a brand new Milwaukee that Santa brought... you'll find a lot of uses for it, I'm sure...

next to my cordless drill and welder, it's my best tool...

john

like old ford trucks ?? visit my site
at Link

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John in MA

12-26-2002 21:46:27




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 Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to Jim-IL, 12-26-2002 19:20:36  
It's a very basic, all-plastic model. Owning a B&D branded DW402, I wouldn't buy a DW400 or similar grinders. You can get new DW402s on eBay for less than $50. Great tool.



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WHat model number is the Black and decker?

12-27-2002 16:08:36




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 Re: Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to John in MA, 12-26-2002 21:46:27  
I bought a buddy a Dewalt for Christmas after I blew up his Makita doing some wirebrushing. WE both bought a cheapie at the local flea market. His had all sorts of power but it melted the bearing out of its case after a week or so. Mine has almost no power. I bought the smaller metric threaded Makita myself, and it is a little weak compared to the larger 4.5 grinder with the 5/8 threaded shaft. Also we can use the old worn wheels from our big grinders on the 5/8 shaft of the 4.5...
I just picked up a Black and decker at Walmart for $24.95. 2 year homeowner guarantee, and it weighs more than the Makita. Aluminum gear housing, plastic motor housing, looks like a Dewalt.7750 is the number on the box. Unfortunately I just noticed it is a China made machine. Hope it turns out as good as it looked in the store!
So what's the diff between a DW 400 and the DW 402? ANd what's teh model of the B and D you mentioned?

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John in MA

12-27-2002 16:39:58




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 Re: Re: Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to WHat model number is the Black and decker?, 12-27-2002 16:08:36  
The DW400 is all plastic and has a thumb swtich. Gearcase, body, everything but the gaurd. Makita makes a similar model. The DW402 is the pro grinder with an aluminum gearcase and a paddle switch. My B&D is no longer sold, but it's a 2750 B&D Industrial made about 1995. It is nearly the same as the current DW402 and it was identical to the DeWalt at the same time. Great grinder, very heavy duty. They sell new for a little under $90 some places, but I got mine used for $15 off eBay with four new wheels.

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Truck

12-28-2002 07:28:55




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Dewalt DW400 4 1/2 angle grinder in reply to John in MA, 12-27-2002 16:39:58  
Hmm. I wonder if the 7750 is a newer version of your 2750. THe 7750 gear case has a sandblasted finish to it, along with the wheel guard. It is definitely metal of some sort. They tell you in the instructions not to use type one wheels (those are the ones with the threaded hub, right?) as the guard won't work. I normally pull the guard anyway to get access to what I am working on. Not an OSHA approved technique , but it works. There is a plastic button you push down towards the wheel to lock the shaft for blade changing. I will be real careful to not overtighten the wheels. I remember reading somewhere not to use a wrench to tighten the hub type wheels or wire brushes as they self tighten anyhow and you'll never get them off if you start with them wrench tight. I wonder if that's why so many guys have seen their wheel lock bust?
I also have a green cased 4.5 that works pretty well. I picked it up at Home depot two years ago abnd it has taken all the abuse I can dish out. Stuff that killed two Makita's it handles without getting anywhere as warm. I can't remember the name, and it's not here right now..Might be a Ryobi or Metabo or.... not.

Hint: If your Makita starts sounding like it has marbles loose in the case, stop using it and get some new bearings. The bearings are cheap. The case half which melts if you keep using it is as expensive as a new tool. The Black and Decker also says in its manual to lube the tool every year at a service center. I suspect they mean, take the head apart and get some grease on those gears every so often. I've never figured out why the flea market ones come with new brushes, as they blow up long before the brushes wear out.
Truck (Who now has a drawer of grinders for parts..)

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