Decent angle grinder to cut thick steel cases?

[H0R53]

I've finally come to terms with the fact that I can't use a hacksaw for everything.

 

What's a good angle grinder I can get at Lowes or Home Depot that can cut even the thick metal of a Dell case?

 

Dell cases are among the thickest cases out there, especially the older optiplexes. Those are built like tanks.

[You_are_a_cunt]

What do you mean you can't use a hacksaw for everything?

You can! Bread slicing, meat cutting, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH A HACKSAW!

 

What's your budget?

[H0R53]

Just now, revsilverspine said:

What do you mean you can't use a hacksaw for everything?

You can! Bread slicing, meat cutting, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH A HACKSAW!

 

What's your budget?

I cut a block of white chocolate with a hacksaw once.

 

~$150. I could just get a Dremel with a rotary blade.

[You_are_a_cunt]

Dremels are overpriced pieces of marketing wank. You'd be spending a fortune on rotary blades because of their proprietary mounting.

Sure, they offer somewhat cleaner cuts, but you can get the same results with a rat tail grinder, a smaller disc, a file and some elbow grease.

 

You can get a Cryobi for about $30, which is basically home gamer stuff.

Then the Dewilts that are something like $50-60 and are a bit more skookum. Same with Willfukee.

 

At $150 you're looking at Makitas, higher end spectrum of the previously mentioned.

IIRC AvE has a few vidjeos on angle grinders.

 

Personally I'd go with the cheapest corded one if it won't see that much usage

 

[W-L]

13 minutes ago, H0R53 said:

I've finally come to terms with the fact that I can't use a hacksaw for everything.

What's a good angle grinder I can get at Lowes or Home Depot that can cut even the thick metal of a Dell case?

Dell cases are among the thickest cases out there, especially the older optiplexes. Those are built like tanks.

Just be sure to get thin abrasive cut off discs for slicing openings and such. 

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-GA4530-2-Inch-Angle-Grinder/dp/B001TWVESA/ref=sr_1_8?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1503559471&sr=1-8

 

-Moved to Modding Section-

[H0R53]

1 minute ago, W-L said:

Just be sure to get thin abrasive cut off discs for slicing openings and such. 

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-GA4530-2-Inch-Angle-Grinder/dp/B001TWVESA/ref=sr_1_8?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1503559471&sr=1-8

 

-Moved to Modding Section-

That looks pretty good. That's not the type of hardware I know the most about (being PC hardware). I might get that one.

 

Is it cheaper off Amazon or should I go to Lowes?

[W-L]

2 minutes ago, H0R53 said:

That looks pretty good. That's not the type of hardware I know the most about (being PC hardware). I might get that one.

Is it cheaper off Amazon or should I go to Lowes?

You'll need to check since local pricing can vary a little, but for once in a while use you'll be alright with that unit. 

[unknownmiscreant]

I would recommend getting a decent one, as in the words of AvE, "you either cry when you buy the tool, or you cry every time you use the tool." I have a 125mm bosch professional one which has seen a fair amount of use, including being left out in the rain once (not my fault). It can cut basically anything. I frequently use it to cut 4mm plate (have fun with your hacksaw @revsilverspine, I do happen to agree with you about dremels, the only thing ours every gets used for it modifying PCBs. If I'm cutting anything I go straight for the jigsaw/angle grinder even though they are all in the same draw).

 

As @W-L has said, do make sure to get thin cutting wheels. Theres a pretty crack-up video by the muppets over on WhatsInside trying to cut something up with grinding wheels and wondering why it wasn't working!!!! That was the last of their videos I ever watched.

 

The AvE BOLTRs are very good reviews, the best I have found anywhere. No one else takes stuff apart and criticizes everything about the product thats been done badly. When buying, try to avoid anything over 700-800w. More is NEVER more in this department, (I can explain the details of this marketing bullshit if anyone is interested) but the long and short of it is its like trying to measure how fast a car is by its fuel consumption, totally flawed. Also look for one with changeable brushes, as this means its been designed to be maintained and to last a long time.

 

Having said that if you just want a cheap one, AvE did a tear down of a Harbour Freight (or similar cheapo in-house brand) grinder a while ago. It wasn't up there with Makita/bosch/fein interms of surviving industrial use, but it should be fine for cutting the occasional piece of metal.

[You_are_a_cunt]

8 minutes ago, unknownmiscreant said:

~snipe~

I thought the sarcasm was implied =\

[unknownmiscreant]

16 minutes ago, revsilverspine said:

I thought the sarcasm was implied =\

Yeah, alot is possible with a hacksaw (well not with the blunt ones at school that have no paint left on the blade) but I do reach for a hacksaw for the smaller stuff. 

Good to finally find someone else whos actually heard of AvE.

[You_are_a_cunt]

Just now, unknownmiscreant said:

Yeah, alot is possible with a hacksaw (well not with the blunt ones at school that have no paint left on the blade) but I do reach for a hacksaw for the smaller stuff. 

Good to finally find someone else whos actually heard of AvE.

AvE is like that one uncle everyone wishes they had

[markr54632]

I can honestly say ive been using a $12 dollar harbor freight special grinder almost daily for the past 5 years. I like it. It works. I cut up to 1" thick metal with it, but usually 1/4 .

[aspoelst]

I always recommend dewalt for power tools. Never had one fail on me. I'd also suggest that you get a good metal cutting blade for it.