When you have repairs or construction works to do, you need the right tools to get you started.
And one of the most important tools that are indispensable by most construction sites, workshops, garages, repair shops, and homes that love to engage in some DIY construction projects is the grinder.
It is often called angle grinder, disc, or side grinder. And it is the most widely-used and popular among all grinders, as opposed to the burdensome and stagnant bench grinder.
A grinder or angle grinder is a versatile repair or construction tool that comes in different shapes, sizes, and motor power. It is a tool that can be used to do different jobs or tasks like cutting, grinding, smoothing, or polishing diverse materials that include stone, ceramic, tile, metal, and aluminum.
In this review, we shall be looking at the best grinder for polishing aluminum. To ensure that you get the best value for your money and make the right pick when it comes to grinders, we have thoroughly done our research, and have selected some of the best grinders out there.
These grinders are not only durable but also efficient and affordable.
But before we take you through the review of the best grinders for polishing aluminum, below are some pieces of information about the various types of grinders and some important features you should consider before purchasing one.
Types of Grinders
Grinders can either be corded or cordless, depending on your preference. The cordless ones are often powered by batteries that must be charged at all times to enable them to function effectively.
The following are the types of grinders and their operating system.
Gas grinders
These are heavier and larger grinders powered by gas. They are mostly used by industries and professional construction workers because of the higher power and working capacity they have. They only need to be refilled with gas at intervals to enable them to serve their purpose.
Electric grinders
These are the most popular types on the market. They come as cordless and corded and are available in different power ratings and sizes. Some corded variants respond to high-volume demand and are commonly used in home workshops, industries, and construction sites. The cordless types are best used in work areas that do not have access to electric wall sockets or outlets.
Pneumatic grinders
They are often powered by compressed air generated by a portable air compressor. Even though they are a lot smaller, their discs spin so fast. This makes them ideal for cutting hard materials. But there are tendencies for the smaller discs to wear out faster.
Factors to Consider when Buying a Grinder for Polishing Aluminum
Speed
Revolution per minute, (RPM), is used to express the speed of a grinder. The higher the RPM the higher the speed. For most grinders, the RPM ranges between 5,000 and 12,000.
Power
This is another aspect of a grinder that you should pay adequate attention to before making your purchase. The electric power is expressed in Watts. Hence, the higher the wattage the more powerful and efficient your grinder will be.
To get grinders with high wattage, you need to get the ones with big discs. So, the bigger the disc the higher the wattage.
Disc
Most grinders usually have disc sizes ranging from 5 to 7.5 inches. Aside from the size, they also come in different types.
It is pertinent to note that most disc manufacturers use color codes on their discs to show or indicate that they can either be used for grinding or cutting. For instance, the red color is used to indicate metal grinding, the green is used to represent grinding, while the blue is used to indicate metal-cutting.
The following are the types of discs.
- Grinding discs
These are the traditional types and are often used for grinding or cutting aluminum, metals, and other soft masonry materials. They are quite thin, speedy, light-weighted, and relatively cheap.
- Wood discs
They are used for woodworks or carpentry. They are also good alternatives to the table saw.
- Diamond discs
Diamond discs are more advanced than the traditional grinding discs, even though they both serve the same purpose. This type of disc has diamonds embedded on its surface; it is more powerful and can grind harder materials. But it is on the expensive side.
- Specialty discs
They include various attachments used for polishing, sanding, and removing paints from surfaces. They are wire wheels, sanding discs, and stripping discs used for polishing and removing rust from metals and the surfaces of other materials.
Other Factors
Other features you should equally pay attention to are:
- The handle of the grinder (make sure it is adjustable)
- The total weight of the grinder (for easy maneuvering)
- Adjustable face shield (for protection from sparks)
- Safety clutch
- Lockable trigger
- Soft start
- Spindle lock
You can also buy gloves, face masks, ear defenders, and safety goggles for extra protection.
Best Angle Grinders for Polishing Aluminum
Having discussed the features to look out for, here are the best grinders for polishing aluminum.
1. Dewalt (DWE402K) Angle Grinder Tool
This is a 41/2 inch heavy-duty grinder manufactured by one of the best power tool producing companies in the US – Dewalt. With its 11 amp power and speed of up to 11,000 RPM, it can handle high-volume work with much accuracy and comfort.
Dewalt has been very consistent with producing quality products, and this is just one of their best grinders.
Pros
- It has a great dust ejection system that prevents dust and debris from getting into the motor
- It has a one-touch guard that makes a 360-degree rotation possible
- The good safety-lock prevents accidental start-up while it is not in use
- The grinder has a comfortable gripping surface
- It comes with a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty
Cons
- It does not have a sturdy carry-case. Hence, you might have to get a toolbox for it
- Due to its high-level power, beginners might likely experience over-grinding
2. Makita (9557PBX1) Paddle Switch Cut-Off/Angle Grinder
This powerful industrial-grade grinder has an aluminum case with a 7.5 amp that delivers up to 11,000 RPM.
Pros
- It has a lock-on switch that easily enables operation.
- It is relatively cheap and comes with a nice aluminum suitcase that helps to keep it safe and tidy.
- It has an extra-large paddle switch that gives comfort during operation.
Cons
- It is quite heavy and can strain the arm of it’s used for a long time
- It only has a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty, compared to the years offered by other brands.
3. Porter-Cable (PC60TAG) Angle Grinder
With a motor that delivers 11,000 RPM and 6 amps, this is equally a good grinder for your aluminum.
Pros
- The cast metal gear case helps to increase its durability.
- It has great control with its three-position side handle.
- It can easily be adjusted with its tool-free guard.
- It is ideal for DIY works.
- It has a three-person side handle for convenience and comfort.
- It is relatively light weighted.
Cons
- Just like Dewalt, it comes with no storage case.
- The spindle lock could be really difficult to engage
- It has no cut-off guard
4. Hitachi (G125R4) Angle Grinder with 5 Abrasive Wheels
This is a 6.2 amp 41/2 inch grinder with a 10,000 RPM that can easily be maneuvered for any type of project.
Pros
- It comes with a solid carrying case and 5 abrasive disc wheels
- Hitachi is very strong and built for any type of rugged usage
- The device reduces fatigue with its small grip diameter design
- It is light-weighted and comes with a wheel guard
Cons
- The grinder gets hot very fast
- Those who have less experience with using grinders might find it difficult to use because of its not-too-detailed user manual
- It’s on/off might stick most of the time
5. Bosch (1375A) Angle Grinder
When it comes to lightweights, this grinder, which weighs just 3.7 pounds, comes first on our list. Bosch comes with a 6-amp motor and a speed of 11,000 RPM making it small but mighty.
Pros
- It’s light-weighted and has a pretty compact design
- The grinder is very durable and performs excellently
- This device is designed with Service Minder brushes that stop the grinder when it requires maintenance to prevent it from spoiling
- It has epoxy-coated field windings to help guarantee a longer tool life
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a case
- It can be a bit noisy
6. Black & Decker (BDEG400) Angle Grinder Tool
This sleek grinder is the type that can be used for diverse projects. It delivers 10,000 RPM on each operation and has 6.0 amps.
Pros
- This is a relatively light and durable grinder
- Affordable and a very good choice for DIY works
- It’s very comfortable with its narrow frame design
- The one-touch release switch that comes with it enables a quick shutting off
- Its hand-guard gives room for optimal protection
Cons
- The device may likely not accommodate works that have to do with higher power levels
- It comes with no significant accessories aside from the grinding wheel and a set of spanner wrench
- Its motor could break down when it comes to high-volume works
Conclusion
We hope that this review helps you to choose the best grinder for aluminum. If we are to recommend any of the above products, then it will be the Dewalt DWE402K grinder.
This is due to its many exceptional features, especially the durability and comfort it gives. But rest assured that the other grinders in this review are equally good for aluminum and any other material that you might need a grinder for.
