Customer Reviews for Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 4-1/2 in./6 in. Braking Grinder with Paddle Switch (Tool-Only)

I have several Milwaukee tools in my arsenal of cordless power tools and this grinder is a much needed addition. Ive used a corded grinder for years and have been fortunate that I can bring my work piece to the tool but this is a game changer. As with all of my Milwaukee tools, this grinder is quality made and little heavier that I expected. The kit I got comes with 2x 6ah batteries that one of should get me through most of my projects. Also came with a heavy duty bag and charger to lug everything around in. Milwaukee makes great tools that will hang in with you for the long haul!

I really like this Milwaukee grinder kit. It includes the M18 FUEL grinder (model 2880-20 — this is the model with a paddle switch), two XC6.0 high output batteries, a rapid charger, a spanner wrench, and the FUEL contractor bag. The only thing that would make this kit better would be the addition of a few grinding discs and cutoff wheels. Luckily I had a bunch on hand to get me started. I really like the quick change guard lock, which makes it easy to get the guard into position, and the fact that the included type 1 guard clips onto the included type 27 guard. While I’m not crazy about the type 1 attachment being plastic, it’s nice to not have to remove and put on an entirely different guard when switching between grinding and cutting. The included guards are 5” (the maximum capacity of wheels and discs is 5” x 1/4”), so if you plan on using 4.5” grinding discs, consider purchasing a 4.5” type 27 guard (the model number is in the manual). Fortunately, it’s the same 4.5” Type 27 guard that came with my Milwaukee 11A corded grinder (non-Fuel version) so I’m all set. The arbor (aka, spindle) is 5/8”-11 and you can use discs/wheels with a center cutout diameter of both 5/8” and 7/8”. Depending on the thickness of the accessory, you may need to flip the flange nut to properly secure it. The tool breaks/stops relatively quickly (between 4-6 seconds), and I appreciate the anti-vibration handle. There are only two handle positions (left and right side of the tool) where one of my other Milwaukee grinders has 3 (one on top); however, I never use the top position on my other grinder so no loss there. The removable dust shield over the vent is a cool appointment. It will keep debris out of the vents. The tool’s comfortable to use and has lots of power when used with the included XC6.0 high output batteries. I notice a little kickback on startup, but given the tool spins at 8500 RPM (no load) within a few seconds, makes sense to me. The contractor bag has two outside pockets, but doesn’t have any inside pockets to store wheels. Given wheels aren’t supposed to be stored in pockets anyway, I guess that’s better. This is another nice Milwaukee tool!

I have used 110 volt AC powered 4.5" & 9" angle grinders for years. This Lithium battery powered 4.5" angle grinder gave me the same continuous, high performance throughout my use. I think it is as reliable as my corded angle grinders, but with infinite mobility & without the cord getting in the way. It worked perfectly. It took me less than a minute to cut through a 1.25" O.D. steel pipe. I put a wood carving disc on the angle grinder & quickly removed decay on the end of a 12" dia. Cedar log cut off. After that I put a 60 grit sanding disc on the grinder & rough finished another log end. Then I put a grinding wheel on & ground off the heavily encrusted rust near the end of a 1" dia. steel pipe. After all that work, the remaining power level indicator on the battery still showed 4 out of 4 lights. That meant I still had full power to continue doing a lot more work, without recharging, or replacing the battery, with the second M18 Red Lithium 6.0 Amp hour battery. This a very heavy duty angle grinder, with numerous features that helped me do my work quickly. I changed the position of the grinding wheel guard by simply depressing a latch & swiveling the guard to a new position. The angle grinder is perfectly balanced, once the battery is installed, reducing my fatigue. The motor's air vents/dust screens are at the back of the grinder, next to the battery. This helped eliminate blockage from saw dust, or other particle accumulation. The paddle switch was comfortable to hold & operate & the switch lock-off was effective in preventing an accidental start. The grinder has a scored rubber like coating on the hand grip that provided a solid grip, even with sweaty hands. The side handle is tough, comfortable & quickly attaches solidly to either side of the grinder head. The included battery charger, recharged the battery in minutes. The included heavy duty carry bag: stays wide open for easy access to all parts; has 6 pockets, on the sides, for discs, tools, note pad, pencils, etc.; heavy duty zipper & handles. This is a top professional angle grinder.

Another high quality grinder added to Milwaukee’s lineup of power tools. Quick overall of the set, you get the grinder, handle that has reduced vibration technology, type 27 guard for your angle grinder, the disc change tool, 2 6.0 xc high output batteries, a rapid charger and the standard medium size contractor bag. The inclusion of the rapid charger is nice since the set comes with the high output batteries. The 6.0 batteries that come with the set are perfect for the tool. The grinder is well balanced with the 6.0 battery but I did try it with the 8.0 and 12.0 batteries, it was a decent balance still but was a little back heavy especially on the 12.0 but was still manageable. The grinder is a slide switch grinder with lock on capabilities. I was originally not thinking I would like that but after using it for awhile really liked the lock on feature that you don’t get with a paddle switch grinder. The grinder itself can take wheels from 4 1/2” to 5” and has a no load rpm of 8,500 rpm. The grinder also comes with that nice tool free guard change that I love, so easy to rotate the guard when you need to change your approach. You also get an anti vibration handle that you can position on the left or right side of the grinder. Still wish that Milwaukee would give you the option to position it on top of the grinder head but not a deal breaker. The grinder also comes with e clutch for kickback protection and overload protection but does not come with the rapid stop like other Milwaukee grinders feature. Wished they would have added that but still stops in a decent amount of time. Performance wise the angle grinder was great and very easy to handle under soft pressure, medium pressure and heavy pressure placed on the tool. I used the grinder to cut through some rebar and would agree that you probably can get around 135 cuts of 1/2” rebar. I also used it to do some sanding on just some hardwood with medium to heavy pressure and would say that you can probably get close to 40 minutes of sanding on a fresh 6.0 battery. I really like the lock on feature when it comes to sanding and if you are into power carving I would think that feature might be very beneficial. Other items of note for the grinder is that you get a 5 year warranty on the tool and 3 year warranty on the battery. Overall I would definitely recommend this grinder. It had a lot of good features, is very easy and smooth to use, and comes Milwaukee’s 5 year warranty on the tool. The tool is well balanced with the battery attached and weighs under 6lbs. You really should consider this grinder if you are in the market for a new one.

Part of the Red Lithium M18 Fuel line of tools, Milwaukee has a 4 ½” Angle Grinder, which is rated equivalent to an 11 Amp corded unit, boasting 135 cuts per battery charge. As part of the M18 line, the grinder has a built in “Redlink Plus” electronics board which permits wireless synchronization with a mobile app for tool use and record keeping. The kit 2881-22 includes 2 High output Lithium batteries, charger unit which accommodates the M12 and M18 battery series, a spanner wrench, grinder wheel safety shield, positional auxiliary handle, and instruction manual all wrapped up in a Milwaukee logo red Cardura carry bag. When the unit arrived, I had to complete minimal assembly of the grinder. The safety shield must be installed correctly to rotate it into a desirable working position. (Read instructions for proper installation and see pictures attached.) The arbor is a standard 7/8”, which accepts many brands of cut-off wheels, grinder wheels, and polishing attachments. The auxiliary handle can only be attached at either the 3 or 9 o’clock position relative to the grinder body. The thumb controlled on/off switch can be locked to a steady “on” on position. (See attached picture.) I placed one new battery on the charger unit and was acutely aware of a constant hissing or boiling sound emitted from the battery itself. The charging indicator lights on both the battery and charger were synchronous with the level of energy delivered to the battery during the charging process. At the completion of the charging cycle the 4 red lights on the battery bar remain lit, and the charge indicator light on the base changed from solid red to flashing green. For the new battery the charge cycle took approximately 30 minutes. I am using this grinder with a cut-off wheel for lopping off pieces of Aluminum fence panels in preparation for installation. On a full charge I did not notice any lag or motor hesitancy cutting through ¼” Aluminum gate posts. I will be comparing run times versus using a 110 volt hard wire grinder for the same task. If the Milwaukee unit provides enough cut time, it will be nice not to have power cables running all the way out to the work site from the house.

POWERFUL; LIGHT WEIGHT; SLIDE SWITCH; EASY-ON GUARDS; NO FIXTEC NUT; POSSIBLE BATTERY HOG — The Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 4-1/2 in./5 in. Grinder, Slide Switch Kit with Two 6.0 Ah Batteries is a significant upgrade with many advantages over my current 4 ½" cordless angle grinder of another brand. This angle grinder is lighter in weight and even with the 6.0 Ah battery, it is not too heavy. The grinder is well-balanced and easy to use. I miss not having the capability of having a handle at the top which I used when cutting, but I will get accustomed to using this grinder without one. It is more powerful with 11A power which should allow me to perform a few tasks such as removing thin-set or smoothing concrete which did not work well with the current grinder. It is noisier but ear protection was not needed. I really like that it comes with a Type 1 guard. With the Type 27 guard in place, the Type 1 guard fits easily onto it and provides for a safer operation and reduces the amount of dust and debris directed at the user when using a Type 1 grinding wheel. The positioning of the guard is easier. It has an anti-vibration side handle which reduces user fatigue. The slide switch is much easier to use. Restart prevention is a great safety feature for absent-minded users. It also has kickback protection with the electronic clutch. The contractor bag is high quality and it is indeed large. It has fewer rpms (8,500 vs. 10,000). The dust screen which is easy to take off to clean or replace is a useful feature for extending the life of the tool. After getting a 4 ½” guard for this angle grinder, part number, 43-54-1200, I will use it for the tasks noted above. Until then, I tested the grinder by cutting a brick. For straight cuts, a circular saw or the Milwaukee cutoff saw worked better for me. However, if a curved cut on a brick or paver is desired, then the angle grinder is useful. It used 25% of the battery to make the two cuts (straight on left and curved on the right) on the brick on the right shown in the photo (the left brick was cut with a circular say). So the battery usage is a concern. Despite what it says on the box and the online description, it does NOT have integrated FIXTEC nut technology. You need to use the spanner wrench and spindle lock to change a wheel. It should be a great tool to have for the many tasks for which no other tool will work as well. After getting the 4 ½" guard, it should obviate the need for my current angle grinder. The tool and charger are made in Viet Nam with parts made in China.

This is a powerful grinder and not dealing with a cord is very nice. I have the corded Milwaukee 4 inch grinder and it is a great tool. I’ve done a lot of work with it and burned through a lot of wheels. My last projects with it were building a large welding table and a large mailbox out of 3/16 steel. But as nice as that tool was there were times during those jobs when I was thinking it sure would be nice to not have to deal with this cord. So I’ve been wanting to try the cordless version for a while. The inclusion of the cutting mode cover that just snaps on to keep sparks out of my face is a nice feature. I like the slide switch. It is clever how you just press down with it slid forward to lock it down then on the back to release it. So easy to use. After using it a bit this is way better than the paddle switch on my corded model. That paddle switch wears me out holding it in when I’m using the grinder for long periods. If that slide switch holds up well over time that feature is a winner. And it looks to be simple and solid. Makes operation simple and easy. Outside these 2 improvements over my corded one, it is basically the same tool but no cord. It is good to have a supply of batteries of you have a lot of grinding to do. And this kit gets you a good leg up on that with two 6aH batteries and a rapid charger that should keep you working without any waiting on batteries. I also have a bunch of batteries so I’ll run out of energy myself long before the batteries do. The M18 batteries are the best I’ve tried. Battery life is very good. The bag it comes with is a good fit if you need to carry the kit with you somewhere. I really like the bags over the hard cases. Easy to load and easy out and pretty compact. Simple and rugged like it should be. It’ll hold your stuff and a supply of accessories like wheels and a mask with ease. If you do any metal work or need a cutoff tool this just can’t be beat for convenience. It does cost more than the corded version but it sure is nice not dealing with a cord and watching out that you do not cut it especially in awkward spots. (And who that works with corded tools a lot has never cut a cord ? It happens to almost everyone at some point.) It still has all the power you need. I have the M18 7inch grinder too but this will also fit into places the M18 7-inch grinder will not fit and it is of course lighter and less tiring in places where you can use the smaller tool. The only thing I see you are giving up with switching from corded to this is the $ to buy it and the inconvenience of dealing with a cord and being tied to where you have A/C close by. With this you can work anywhere. In my eyes it is worth the difference. I’m very happy with it. I don’t know if I will ever use my corded one again.

This is a lighter weight battery operated grinder and I can use it much longer and with two 6-amp batteries I can get the job done quicker. As with most grinders I own it has a switch that can be turned on an off with your thumb and the handle can be placed on either side. This comes with an additional shield which comes in handing when cutting pipe most sparks are contained. It also has a neat function on being able to move the guard with a guard lock feature it also takes a 5 inch cut off blade. The last feature I love is I can charge both kinds of batteries in this charger. I did notice when I charged the batteries that it made a hissing sound and it stopped when charged .I have never noticed this with my other chargers maybe because it was so quite when I plugged it in.

Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 4-1/2 in./5 in. Grinder, Paddle Switch Kit with Two 6.0 Ah Batteries The Milwaukee M18 FUEL Grinder Paddle Switch generates 11 Amp corded power, and delivers up to 135 cuts per charge. It works with all the M18 batteries. The kit comes wioth JUST ABOUT everything you need to get to work IT does not have any grinder disks or blades in the kit. SO remember to buy what you might need - or you will be going back to the store... The Motor delivers maximum sustained power and 8,500 RPM to remove material faster and increase productivity. Grinder includes an electronic clutch for kickback protection which is a nice feature. Batteries deliver 50% more power while running 50% cooler. Instructions say tool-free accessory and guard adjustments, BUT you need the included specialty wrench to remove the nut holding the grinder disk. Works well on metal, concrete, bricks, blocks...

Milwaukee tools has many models of grinders and this has a slide on/off and has the no tools attachment for disks and wheels. Simple flip, turn and replace a wheel. 11Amp Power corded equivalent. Comes with 2 batteries for 6.0 Ah HO for low heat and long power. The power with the TWO 6.0 Ah Batteries gives a lot of run time. All M18 batteries fit. The grinder does draw a lot of power. I ground ½ inch rebar studs in concrete and it has a lot of power. It is very light compared to the 7/9 inch grinder and fits all M18 Batteries. Brushless Fuel power makes this a full power tool, on demand. Gets 8500 RPM almost instantly. Electronic clutch for kickback protection. Standard 5/8 inch spindle. Type 1 and Type 27 guard included. Contractor bag and charger with the two batteries. Side handle for control and spanner.

I have been using a corded angle grinder for a long time which requires a long power cord depending on the location of the work site. With this Milwaukee cordless grinder I can take it anywhere and complete the task at hand. This grinder kit has many attractive features including two batteries, a charger and a "no tools required" adjustment feature to rotate the wheel guard, which I really find convenient. Just compress the tool free guard adjustment lever and move the guard to the desired position. In addition, this has a significant amount of torque that makes job completion quick and easy. The only thing needed to get started is a 4 1/2" to 5" wheel, everything else is included in the kit. I HIGHLY recommend this for anyone's tool collection.

Engineered with quality and attention to detail throughout. A powerful cordless angle grinder with brushless motor and two improved 6 ampere-hour batteries that provide extended cordless operation comparable to 11 amp corded performance. The M18 REDLITHIUM High Output HD6.0 battery pack delivers more power and runs cooler during heavy use than the predecessor. Integrated electronic clutch protects user from kickback and motor from overload. Metal housing and gears for durability. Paddle switch improves comfort and usability. Vibration-absorbing side handle. This kit includes the grinder, two batteries, charger compatible with M18 and M12 batteries, one type 27 guard, one type 1 clip-on guard, spanner wrench, and carrying bag. Extended cordless operation is a great advantage on the work site. Performance has been excellent. Warranty is 5 years on tool, 3 years on battery packs. Recommended for performance, thoughtful design, and usability. Tool and charger made in Vietnam. Battery cells made in Korea with further processing in China.

Another great performing tool from one of the leaders, if not the leader, in the industry of professional tools. The Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless grinder producing the equivalent to 11 amps of a corded grinder from an 18 volt 6Ah battery. This translates into a heavy-duty cordless grinder for the professional. The battery and tool are rated at 135 cuts from one battery. This tool illustrates what a first-class tool is meant to be. Comes with a tool bag, rapid battery charger, 2-18 volt 6 amp batteries, a 4-1/2" to 5" grinder blade guard that has the slide switch (Lock-On-Guard) for ease of repositioning for optimal protection of the operator, and a Lock-On blade switch. Weighs just 5.5 pounds with a battery attached for operator comfort. I really like the anti-vibrating handle and the E-Clutch / Kickback Protection. The brushless motor and the M-18 batteries will stand up for years of service. The batteries are interchangeable with all M-18 tools in the Milwaukee line of professional tools.

The tool has a great feel to it, being sturdy, heafty, and well balanced. I’ve used it for a few projects around the house, from grinding down concrete subfloors with a cup wheel to cutting paver blocks with a diamond blade. It definitely feels like it has the power to handle any job. The main drawback here is that this monster CHEWS through batteries. If you’re a professional, or have plenty to spare, them you’ll probably be fine, but a 5ah/6ah HO battery equates to barely 5 min. of runtime with the cup wheel or maybe 4-8 patio block cuts depending on the size of the block. Even with a few of them, having a charged battery is my limiting factory with a single charger. I can run through three batteries quicker than I can charge one. My bigger concern however is that mine died after just FOUR months - and thats with limited nights and weekend use. Given my battery situation, it barely gets warm before I run out of juice (20 min runtime max over a few hours) yet the motor still managed to fail. Luckily Milwaukee’s warranty service is FANTASTIC and had it fixed and returned within a a week, which is why I’m happy to keep expanding my M18 collection, but it’s still concerning given it’s DIYer workload.

I do a bit of grinding as a fabricator and this grinder does the trick! Only one thing I could suggest would be to include a 4 ½" guard as well...I used one off an old grinder. An adjustable circumference guard would make switching size discs a breeze!....

Used yesterday to cut right through 2-3/8 in. x 2-3/8 in. 16-Gauge Galvanized Metal Corner Fence Post like butter

Alright, let's get the obvious out of the way. The tool is easily better than I expected. I love the power and speed + it feels great. Everyone in the shop loves not lugging air lines everywhere. But the largest battery I have is an 8 amp/hour and I find myself making two trips to the charger on longer work days. I can't deny the value and quality you get from this tool but until I can get a 12 a/h battery it looks like I'm just going to have to get used to stopping by the charger.

Great product love that I can run all day on a single charge.

This grinder arrived well packaged and undamaged. Inside was the grinder, battery, charger, grinding guard, a locking tool, cushioned handle, and a nice canvas tool bag. First impression: SOLID & BEEFY! This tool is heavy duty and will grind anything you need. The auto stop works great. It is easy to change grinding wheels and with the large capacity battery, this tool can go for hours. The battery charged to full capacity in about 30 minutes. Quality is top notch. The only detractor is the weight. It is a two handed tool. Continued one handed operation is not possible unless you're the hulk. Highly recommended.

Excellent kit. I love how it came in the heavy duty Milwaukee bag. Everything fits perfectly with room to spare for another tool. it comes with TWO XC6.0 batteries which is awesome. 6.0 will last you a long time compared to the 3.0s. The battery indicator is a great option to have. The attachable grip is very grip-y and helps stabilize everything. The touch and feel of everything is great and feels heavy duty. I love how strong it is and can see it being as strong as a corded one. I love Milwaukee and have over 15 hand and power tools, the oldest power tool being 14 years old and still working like day one!

This is by far one of the best angle grinders I've owned. My primary grinder was a 4-1/2", 11 amp corded unit, but this one is much easier to use and outperforms it. It's slightly longer, but it is much more comfortable to use since the grip isn't as thick and the lack of a power cord automatically makes it easier to handle. The paddle switch is also very easy to use and the safety feels solid. Performance: it easily cuts through metal, especially if using a diamond blade. Cutting and grinding concrete is pretty effortless. Battery life: I really put it to the test one day cutting up old scrap metal before using it to working on concrete. Was able to do everything on one battery charge. I'm extremely satisfied with this grinder and highly recommend it if you're looking to replace a corded unit.

The MILWAUKEE M18 FUEL 4-1/2” - 6” Braking Grinder is another quality power tool from Milwaukee. There are many great features with this grinder. I like the spring-loaded adjustable guard. The guard has notches on its mounting plate which allows the operator to rotate the guard without tools to the most convenient position. The guard is sized for up to 6 inch grinding wheels. The new FIXTEC nut allows the operator to flip up a spring loaded ½ washer to tighten or loosen the nut that secures the grinding disc (A wrench is provided if the FIXTEC nut is too tight to loosen by hand). The paddle switch is easy to engage with gloves on and stays engaged even with slight hand movement while grinding. The braking feature works great and meets the 3 second stop criteria. No more waiting for the grinding wheel to quit spinning or touching the grinding wheel to the work surface to stop it so you can set down the tool. The tool bag is large enough to carry the grinder, battery, charger and the grinding wheels required for your job. With the 6XC high output battery you get the power of a corded grinder that will last all day long for most jobs. In your hands the grinder has a nice balance and is comfortable to hold and maneuver. The support handle can be mounted on the left or right side. I like not dealing with the power cord and having the same performance. I would definitely recommend this grinder to it DIY or professional user.

A pleasure to use! This Milwaukee M18 grinder is powerful, fast, and easy to hold and operate. It starts quickly with virtually no “torque jerk”, and stops spinning in just a few seconds, with only some extra noise and a slight jerk. It's relatively quiet and well balanced during use. The paddle switch has a lockout button that prevents the motor from starting just by grabbing the tool, but it's very easily disengaged by the trigger finger when needed. That by itself overcomes one of the main problems I have with paddle-switch tools. There is no ability to lock the grinder in the “ON” position. Another innovation is the tool-less wheel change. The arbor “FIXTEC” nut has a flip up “handle” that provides the leverage to twist the nut on or off, and it flips down after tightening. There's a slight safety concern if the user forgets to flip it down and runs the motor, but it's unlikely to cause problems. The arbor lock is convenient and easy to depress when needed. The wheel guard can be set in multiple positions to protect the user, depending on cutting/grinding configuration, but it's possible to unintentionally disengage the guard by rotating beyond any of the pre-set detent positions. Re-engaging the guard usually requires removing the wheel, but that's easy with the tool-less arbor nut. The kit comes with (2) 6.0Ah batteries and a fast charger so non-stop operation should never be a problem. The tool takes all standard accessories, but I was surprised how difficult it was to find 6” wheels/brushes/sanding disks locally. Smaller, 4-1/2” accessories are plentiful, but the tool comes with only the 6” wheel guard. I have been unable to find a part number for the 4-1/2” guard, even on the Milwaukee site and there is no parts list in the operator manual. This is an expensive tool, but like most quality tools by Milwaukee, you get what you pay for!

This is a powerful unit that makes cutting and grinding of metals as easy as cutting cheese. So much faster and easier than a hacksaw. And much more convenient than a corded grinder that restricts your use in areas without standard electricity. Can use 4-1/2 thru 6-inch accessories’ that are not included with this kit so you can purchase just what items are best suited for your needs. And no tools are required as this unit has a FIXTEC nut and tool-free guard adjustment so you have barely any downtime if needing to switch out different accessories. This Grinder with Paddle Switch has an extremely fast stopping brake of about 3 seconds that works perfectly. Nice handle that attaches and detaches from the body of the tool. And the 6.0 ah battery is unmatched in my opinion of other brands I have tried. Not to mention you can use this battery with almost any of the other Milwaukee power tools which I have quite a few and extremely satisfied with each and every one. And this kit has also a heavy-duty carrying bag with the Milwaukee logo a very nice part of this fantastic kit which I simple love and recommend as an exceptional cordless tool. I love it the more I get to use it. This is one of the best grinders on the market in my opinion and I think anyone using this Milwaukee tool will agree.

The problem with corded grinders for me is I have to have AC power wherever I go. In most cases power is not close by and when it is I have to use an extension cord. Then you have to deal with a cord being pulled around the site and hope no one damages it. So I figured it’s time to get a battery powered grinder. I like the fact I can use 4.5” to 6” grinding wheels. My next job is re-tucking parts of a block foundation and brick chimney. I purchased a new diamond tuck point blade, Sku # 133817, I also purchased a masonry blade, 130238 and a metal cutting blade, 1000010438 for other uses. Several reasons I purchased Milwaukee, almost every battery tool I now have is Milwaukee and powered by the M18 fuel , so I have lots of backup batteries I can use. Milwaukee has a great reputation for quality tools. With a brushless motor it should last a long long time. The handle is padded for comfort. You have to push the lock-off button forward then squeeze the handle to start, this is a No-Lock trigger, which I like. It has a controlled start so you don’t get a “jerk” when you first pull the trigger. Rapid stop braking system, stops in less than 3 seconds. It has what they call a FIXTEC nut that has a tightening tab as a part of it so you don’t need a wrench to tighten, but a wrench is included in the kit. The 6” guard can easily be adjusted to 5 positions. On page 5 of the Operator’s Manual it says to only use the 6” guard with a 6” grinding wheel. You have to purchase a 4.5” guard separately for the 4.5” wheels. So I E-mailed Milwaukee on their web-site looking for a parts manual and the part number for the 4.5” guard, after the first day passed I decided to research myself. Found that a 6142-30, 4.5” corded grinder has a 4.5” guard. In the parts manual it looked like the guard was the correct one. So I went to the local Home Depot, because they had one in stock. Everything with the mounting is the same. So the Part # for that guard is 43-54-1200. I would think they would have included it in the kit. I ordered one from a local power tool company. After 3 days I received an email back from support that confirmed the number I ordered was correct. Haven’t received anything on the parts manual yet.

This is by far much larger grinder in the standard 4 1/2 inch fuel grinder I was using before. They make both versions one with paddle which I prefer and the other being the standard switch. I prefer the pedal switch for safety reasons I’ve seen enough people have accidents with leaving the switch on and put the grinder down and not realizing it. I was a little skeptical about the breaking feature on this grinder whether not it would actually stop the grinder from spin Inc. within three seconds and I have a video attached to this review that shows his lesson three seconds every time it’s pretty impressive. The Innovation from Milwaukee is always impressive especially the breaking feature. The grinder itself comes with a 6 inch guard if you wanted a smaller car for 4 1/2 or 5 inch desks you would have to order that separately. This grinder is available is tool only, with one battery, or with two batteries kits. This Kit features the new 6 AM hi output batteries that give you maximum performance for these brushless fuel tools. If your homeowner and do lotta metal work or your welding shop meeting a decent grinder without the cord this is definitely the way to go.

This angle grinder is just another example of quality power tools made by Milwaukee. It really does have power equal to its corded version. First thoughts on the angle grinder is that it is high quality and will be able to handle what you throw at. After using it a few times I can already tell that it is up to any task you need it to handle. Let me go into a few of the specs and features behind this angle grinder. First it can take discs from 4 1/2" to 6". Second it uses the Rapid Stop brake so all discs you use will stop in under 3 seconds. Specifically you cutting disc in 1.5 seconds, flap disc in 2 seconds and grinding disc in 2.5 seconds. The angle grinder uses a paddle switch with safety trigger built in to the paddle switch. There is no lock so you will have to hold the paddle switch during your entire use but that is another nice safety feature. The angle grinder also feature overload protection which is super nice so you don't have to worry about wrecking your expensive investment. It also comes with an anti-vibration handle that does an excellent job. Some of the other features on this angle grinder that i really love are the tool free changes you can make to your setup. Change discs can be done tool free just need to use the lock nut that comes with the grinder as it has a tab on it to assist in loosening and tightening the disc in place. You also get a guard that can be changed tool free. The guard can also be completely removed tool free if you desire. The guard will lock in place in common guard placement positions. Additionally the anti-vibration secondary handle can be put on either side of the angle grinder without the use of a tool. Now let me cover the feel and weight of the angle grinder. The angle grinder is well balanced when using the 6.0 AH battery provided. I highly recommend that when using this grinder always go with the 6.0 battery. I tried a 12, 9, 6, 5, and 2 in the grinder and found the 6 to be the best balance. The 12 and 9 made the grinder back heavy, while the 5 and 2 made the grinder a little front heavy. With the 6.0 in place the grinder is super comfortable to hold and easy to use. Overall the performance of the grinder was pretty impressive. I used it to cut through a various metals and tiles and had no issues with it at all. The grinder easily handled rebar and porcelain tiles. The grinding was very easy and could get through whatever I needed it to do. I also used it to sand some wood and it really could eat through the wood. The other items included with this kit such as the contractor bag and rapid charger also make this a great set to get. Both are super nice to have especially the rapid charger with the 6.0 AH batteries. Overall I highly recommend this angle grinder.

I've owned the smaller version of this grinder and absolutely love it. My only concern with it was the restriction of being limited to 4-1/2 inch blades. This grinder is a terrific flexible solution. Then they include an incredibly powerful battery upgrade as well. I love this tool. The battery will let you use this grinder all day long as I have done so on a paver project. Simply holding it, you will know it is quality throughout. Changing the blade takes less than a minute. Guard adjusting is even quicker. The 6.0 Ah battery is plenty of power for any project .Excellent instructions. Includes heavy canvas bag with plenty of extra room. Highly recommend.

Milwaukee does it again. This is a fabulous angle grinder. Especially not having to fight with a power cord slapping around or getting nicked. I use this for hollowing out bowls. I was inverting them over my table saw with stops set to keep bowl centered on blade. Then I would raise the blade about 1/8" at a time and rotate the bowl till I got to the depth I wanted. Wellll, with this puppy I can leave the bowl in the lathe and use a chainsaw wheel, yes a chainsaw wheel to hollow out my bowls. See photos. I know, you can gouge the center out with a lathe tool BUT I have hard and soft woods laminated and the chisel would always grab the soft wood. I feel safer hogging it out this way now. Anyway this is more fun! The paddle switch is fantastic, well positioned and it has a safety lever so you can’t pick it up and turn it on accidentally. You have to deliberately slide the lever forward. I really like the fast stop feature, under 3 seconds easy. A spindle lock makes putting wheels on/off easy and the nut has a flip up tightening tab for faster tool changing. If you need it tighter there is a spanner wrench included also. With the 5/8-11 threaded spindle you can even use a threaded hub grinding wheel. Balanced??? I‘ll say it is. AND it takes a 6" wheel too. The carrying bag is plenty roomy and even has strap hooks on 2 bottom corners for a shoulder strap when you have a handful. So grind away my friend!

Milwaukee M18 Model 2980-20 angle grinder review. I already had a Milwaukee corded 4 ½” angle grinder (model 6141-30). When I got the chance to check out the brand new 2980-20, I jumped at it, because I’ve had great service out of the corded 6141. The new 2980-20 comes with two M18 high output 6 a/h batteries, but of course will work with any of the M18 batteries. Check out the photo below, I’ve got the newly released high output 3.0 installed (not included with the grinder kit) in the grinder along with a 4 ½” cutting wheel. Note that the 4 ½ guard doesn’t come with this kit; the kit comes with a 6” guard. You’ll not want to run a 4 ½” wheel with the 6” guard, it isn’t safe. Pick up a 4 ½” guard – they’re easy to swap in and out. The new 3.0 battery has no problems running the grinder, but of course the 6 a/h included batteries last much longer. The 3.0 battery does make for a lighter, smaller package especially when combined with a 4 ½” wheel and guard. This model is a “paddle / no lock” switch (see photo below); I like it better than the “slide switch / lock” grinders; I feel I have more control over the tool. YMMV. The wheels/guards don’t require a wrench for changing out, but one is included with the kit anyway (in case you get one snugged down so tightly you need a little help in getting it free, which I tend to do). There’s no onboard storage for the wrench and, of course, since this is a cordless tool there’s no cord wrap attachment on the tool either. A ‘rapid’ M18/M12 charger is included, and this does seem to slice off maybe 1/3 of the charging times the first generation M18 chargers required to top off a battery. Of course, I’m a DIY’er, not a pro, so it’s unlikely I’ll ever deplete both batteries in the course of one day. Still, it’s nice to have a spare. The included contractor’s bag has rings for using a shoulder strap, but no strap was included in the kit. It’s a standard Milwaukee bag, no inside pockets and a single zipper. Well made. The unit comes with a very fast stop function – release the paddle and everything grinds to a halt in under 3 seconds. Nice safety feature that – and, speaking of safety, you’ll want face (not just eye) protection, hearing protection, and proper clothing when using this little beast. Wheels do break, work pieces do shatter, and it’s good to be protected. This tool isn’t particularly noisy as grinders go, but ear protection would be wise. Seriously – read the manual on this one, you may save yourself an injury. I use the tool more frequently as a cut-off tool than as a grinder (although there are projects where I’ll use it as a grinder too). With the proper blade this thing does yeoman’s work, it just plain flat slices and dices. While I’ve enjoyed having the older 6141, not having to deal with a cord is liberating. The 6141 has been relegated to the basement shop (where power outlets are abundant) and this new M18 2980-20 has been given pride of place in the garage. I had a metal flower trellis that needed removal and just being able to grab the M18 with a cutting wheel and get the thing cut down into pieces without having an extension cord run back to the house was great. Warranty – 5 years on tool, 3 years on battery, with a 90-day return policy from Home Depot. Build quality – excellent. Ergonomics – excellent. HTH Regards, Jim