BoschGWS8-45 4-1/2 Inch 7.5 Amp Angle Grinder with Lock-On Switch, Lightweight Design, and Durable Protection Guard for Metal and Concrete Grinding

I bought this grinder to use with poly abrasive stripping discs to remove paint on an older ranch house. I appreciate that the grinder is not heavy while still being beefy. The grip is small enough to run one handed, which I needed to do often while stretching arms length at the top of a ladder.The left-side push switch took some getting used to when using left handed. The constant on function works easily...push the switch forward and then press inward.I ran this grinder continuous for up to 15 minutes at a time, through a 5 pack of abrasive discs, over three days, grinding off old paint on wood siding. The grinder got warm, but never overheated. I was impressed.I like the safety guard. It fit the 4 1/2" x 7/8" poly discs perfectly with no contact. The guard requires an Allen key to loosen and reposition it. A clamping guard would be a plus. The auxilliary handle can be used on either left or right.One thing I. like is that the Allen key for the guard, and the wrench for the blade nut are all in one piece, an interesting tool, a little different from the standard wrench. The holes in the blade nut are standard width.It took me about one minute to assemble the tool out of the box. The single speed is rated 11,000 rpms, and I note it runs constant, and has not bogged down in my use. The wheel-lock on the back is red, and is easy to use while changing a blade.Glad I bought it. This is an excellent quality tool for professionals that definitely goes to the job site.

I initially bought this angle grinder so that I could remove an old-school basketball goal. Back in the day, people had to rig their own, as they couldn't just buy from the store. The previous homeowner had, decades ago, installed said goal with a big ol' steel pipe. The plywood that made up the actual goal was rotted to the point that I worried a stiff breeze would blow it right down onto my wife's car, so I bought the appropriate tool for the job and got to work.Bosch does good work for a good price. This is a basic angle grinder that will let you use those thin cutting wheels. The included wrench makes wheel swapping quick and easy. There's an appropriate guard, and a handle, for safety purposes. (You can change the handle to the other side so that, if you're left handed or approaching from that side, you have a good grip.)This tool has helped me not just with the stupid basketball goal that needed to come down, but a few other things as well. I've used it, without problem, to break down folding chairs so that they'll fit in recycling bins. My neighbor and I cut hardware panels for both of our fencing projects--again, no problems. This grinder is a solid tool that I'm happy to have in my garage because I never know when another use for it will come up.You also have a power switch that you can slide all the way up for continuous grinding, which is great if you're buffing something or otherwise spending a lot of time working with the tool on.As always, be safe. Wear both safety glasses and a face shield while working with this tool, especially if you're cutting metal. Angle grinders are no joke, so take this seriously.

I bought this to cut some ~1/8" steel. In particular, this rack:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RYYY7C?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_detailsThe two rows of holes on each post are in line with each other so the rear set needs to be cut off. Not knowing that before I bought that rack, I bought this grinder to do the cutting. I was shocked to find that the manual claims that this grinder cannot be used for cut-off applications, because it doesn't say that anywhere on the Amazon page, or even on Bosch's website, unless you download the manual. However, other manufacturers such as Makita offer similar-sized grinders with the same or lesser specs that claim to support cut-off work, so I figured why not give it a shot. And sure enough, it works just fine. Just don't lay into it too hard and let the disc do the work. Also, wear adequate PPE and a dust mask or respirator, it generates tons of particles and stinks as the disc wears.Other 4.5" Bosch grinders claim to support cut-off applications, but it seems that Bosch has discontinued the "optional" cut-off guard, and finding guards for other brands of 4.5" grinders seemed equally challenging at this price point. It would appear that most people just toss a cut off disc in there and go, using the included "Type 27" guard that comes stock with this and any other brand of entry-level grinder. User beware, and be careful, but there are loads of videos on YouTube showing people using grinders to cut metal with Type 27 guards installed.Installing a Type 1 (flat) disc doesn't leave a lot of clearance with the included guard though, so I opted for a Type 27 cutoff wheel. This has the depressed center like the included grinding wheel, and offers better clearance. The one I got (Norton Blue Fire) says to use it with Type 27 guards, which happens to be what's included with this grinder. Despite this, the manual says not to use the included Type 27 guard for cut-off applications.It appears that there's a lot of conflicting information as to what can and can't be done. Or rather, what should or shouldn't be done. But for everyone wondering if this grinder is suitable for cutting, the answer is yes. Buy it, you'll be happy. It's inexpensive, and if you burn it out, just buy another. It'll still be less expensive than some of the other higher-end models out there. You'll be happy.

this item was shipped on time and works great. great tool for the money. would have given this 5 stars but its obvious this was a returned product as there was a part missing and the package was obiously retaped. missing an allen wrench holder for the power cord- no big deal but not what i excpected. I kept the tool and love it.