Review of Harbor Freight Angle Grinder (stores, China, American, brand)

[reviewer]

Working at my chosen avocation, blacksmithing, I enjoy using simple hand tools, however filing down metal is not my favorite pastime. I need a heavy-duty angle grinder in addition to my Harbor Freight bench grinder. Looking at catalogs and tool stores, I found that I could pay from $30 to $300 for an angle grinder.

They vary in amperage, wheel size, brand name and that seems to be the total story. Every one I picked up said while they bore an American brand name they were manufactured in some foreign country, mostly China. Some cases were chrome plated, while I must admit I do not understand how that would affect performance, most were plastic. Speeds of operation were similar and appear adequate.

So, back to Harbor Freight, where I found a Chicago Electric Power Tools, after all Chicago is an American city, 4-

[smwohio]

I too use the chicago brand grinders. They don't have the safety features that some of the pricier makes do but they are little workhorses that handle a reasonable amount of abuse. I did have one catch on fire while using it once, but other than that they've been ok.