Five good medium-sized grinders with mains power

By the standards of medium-sized angle grinders designed to work with equipment with a diameter of 180 mm, Vitals Master Ls 1813HLv is considered a rather “weak” tool, because its motor has a power of only 1300 watts. Therefore, it is unlikely to be suitable for performing work associated with heavy loads. But, nevertheless, even 1300 W is quite enough to perform relatively simple operations: cut pipes and profiles for the manufacture of metal structures, cut reinforcement, remove rust or clean up scale after welding. But in what this grinder definitely outperforms its more powerful "brothers" - it's in versatility. It is equipped with a 6-position wheel that allows you to adjust the spindle speed in the range from 3500 to 8500 rpm. Thanks to the adjustment function, the tool can "adapt" to various tasks and modes of processing metal or other materials.

The grinder Vitals Master Ls 1813HLv is considered light (weight 3.5 kg is very small for an angle grinder of this class), so it is easy to use. The back handle has a relief so that the tool does not slip in the palm of your hand. The adjustable auxiliary handle can be mounted on the left or right (depending on which position is more suitable for the user). A long 4-meter power cable is "wrapped" in a braid of durable and thick rubber. The design of the housing provides easy and quick access to the carbon brushes through removable plastic plugs.

Given all of the above, we recommend using the Vitals Master Ls 1813HLv grinder to work in a home workshop or garage. Despite some advantages and decent quality (assembly defects are almost never found), it does not reach the status of a professional tool. And the low price directly indicates that Vitals tools are household appliances.

In the name of the grinder Bosch GWS 2200 Professional, its purpose and key characteristic are “encrypted”. The letter G (Grosstechnisch - “industrial”) means belonging to professional Bosch grinders, and the numbers show the power of the electric motor - 2200 W (by the way, a very impressive indicator for grinders). Due to its high power and the ability to work with cutting discs up to 180 mm in diameter, sanding nozzles of the same size, as well as brushes up to 100 mm in diameter, this angle grinder can be used to perform a wide range of jobs at a construction site, in a workshop or a home workshop. It can cut and grind metal, clean welds and remove rust, cut brick and stone, and cut strobes in gas and foam concrete wall blocks.

Although the angle grinder is very heavy (5.2 kg) due to the powerful engine with reinforced armature armor and large bearings in the gearbox, it is easy to use. The tool is equipped with an additional handle that can be installed in three different positions, and a long cable (4 m) with a high-quality braid that does not “tan” in the cold. So that the grinder does not “twitch” in the hands at the moment the powerful engine is turned on, it is equipped with a soft start function. The long start key allows you to choose the most comfortable position of the palm and fingers covering the handle. The spindle lock button helps you change accessories quickly and safely. There are many ventilation holes in the case, so the tool does not overheat even during long work without smoking breaks. The manufacturer claims that this angle grinder is 25% more resistant to overload than the previous generation model ( Bosch GWS 22-180 H Professional). Therefore, it is ideal for work in production or construction sites.

Bulgarian AEG WS 21-180 E can be safely called the "golden mean" in the world of angle grinders. It is average in size and weight (4.7 kg), average in power (2100 W), and even in terms of cost, this model falls into the average price category. Why is she good? Actually, its advantage lies precisely in the fact that it is so balanced in terms of price and characteristics.

However, “medium” and “mediocre” are not synonymous. In terms of quality, the AEG tool cannot be blamed. This is a strong, solid and reliable technique, made with an eye on professionals and demanding amateurs. This grinder has a well-thought-out design, which ensures a long tool life in difficult operating conditions. For example, it has excellent dust protection (enclosed ball bearings are used, which are less clogged with dirt and last longer) and an efficient motor cooling system. The stator and rotor of the motor are generously filled with epoxy to protect the windings from abrasive particles that can get inside the case when working on metal or sawing concrete. Of the electronic "gadgets", there is only an inrush current limiter, which provides a smooth start.

Among the AEG angle grinders there are many other good models that may be of interest to builders and metalworkers. For example, take a look at the AEG WS 21-230 DMS, which allows you to work with abrasive wheels with a diameter of 230 mm, or the miniature 1000-watt AEG WS 10-125 SK for 125 mm discs.

The Bulgarian Makita GA7020 is loved by specialists involved in the processing of granite and the manufacture of artificial stone products. The point is not only that it is powerful (2200 W) and easily copes with cutting dense and hard materials. Of great importance are also good armor of the motor winding (dust and stone chips cannot damage the motor) and effective cooling of the tool, which allows you to work for a long time without pauses. In addition, a big plus is the rubber lining on the edges of the gearbox. Thanks to it, there are no scratches on the smooth surface of granite when accidentally touched while cutting thick workpieces or when cutting deep grooves. This model can also be equipped with a special protective cover for working on stone (look for it in the accessories catalog), which has a nozzle for connecting to a vacuum cleaner to collect dust and crumbs during operation.

The large weight (5.5 kg) of the grinder is a consequence of the installation of a powerful engine and a reinforced gearbox. Therefore, during operation, you have to hold the tool firmly with both hands. Includes 3 position adjustable handle. It can be screwed into the gearbox housing on the left or right if you have to work in a horizontal position (for example, grinding or cleaning), or mounted on top to make it convenient to hold the tool vertically (for example, for cutting vertical grooves in walls). The shortcomings can only be written down a short power cable. It has a length of 2.5 m (while for angle grinders of this class, a cord length of at least 4 m is considered normal).

As an alternative, you can consider a slightly more “advanced” version of the same angle grinder - the Makita GA7020SF model, which has a soft start function and a keyless tool change mechanism (the clamp nut can be tightened and unscrewed with your fingers without using a key).

Bulgarian Metabo WEPBA 19-180 Quick RT 601099000 is one of the most interesting models among angle grinders designed to work with 180mm equipment. It is very light (2.9 kg - low weight by the standards of this class of instruments) and compact. The bevelled and narrow "front" of the gearbox allows you to penetrate into hard-to-reach places (for example, carefully clean the welds in the inner corners at the junctions of metal structures). Due to the fact that the gearbox practically does not protrude beyond the spindle, this angle grinder has almost the same cutting depth as devices designed to work with large discs ( \u003e 220 mm). The engine has enough power (1900 watts input and 1240 watts output) to "pull" almost all types of work: cutting metal and stone with cutting discs, grinding with flap wheels or rough cleaning with brushes-brushes.

The most interesting thing is hidden under the "hood" of the instrument. Knowing the principles of marking grinders Metabo, you can immediately understand that the long abbreviation WEPBA in the name of this model means a lot of functions and "gadgets". So it is, the grinder Metabo WEPBA 19-180 Quick RT is “stuffed” in full. It has an inrush current limiter, thanks to which, when the start button is pressed, the disk accelerates without jerks, and an engine brake, which quickly (in 2 s) stops the equipment when the button is released. During operation, the electronics automatically maintains the speed at a constant level (8200 rpm), regardless of the load. Electronic motor protection turns off the brushes in case of severe overloads to save the motor, and a safety clutch disconnects the motor from the gearbox when the equipment is jammed. To quickly switch between different types of work, the angle grinder is equipped with a keyless disc change mechanism. And the auto-balancer, which performs the functions of an anti-vibration system, allows you to work long and productively without feeling tired in your hands.

By including all of the above "chips" in the package, the manufacturer "raised" the price of the grinder quite high. Since this price tag is not suitable for everyone, “simplified” options have also appeared in the Metabo assortment: Metabo WE 19-180 Quick RT and Metabo WEA 19-180 Quick RT. They cost significantly less, but lack some functions and mechanisms.