I need to cut a (long) slit in a masonry wall, to fit roof flashing. The
wall is solid cement blocks. (No cores.) I've done this before with a
borrowed (7") angle grinder, which has since moved away. So, I'm
looking for one of my very own.

Lowes has a 7" dewalt grinder; but, it's rated 12 amp. Most that I see
on factory web sites (well, Milwaukee and Dewalt) are rated 15 amp. This
makes me suspect that the Lowes one is maybe not-so-great quality - just
a 'named' label on a Harbor Freight product.

Any thoughts or information on this would be appreciated.

Thanks.

George wrote:

I need to cut a (long) slit in a masonry wall, to fit roof flashing. The
wall is solid cement blocks. (No cores.) I've done this before with a
borrowed (7") angle grinder, which has since moved away. So, I'm
looking for one of my very own.

Lowes has a 7" dewalt grinder; but, it's rated 12 amp. Most that I see
on factory web sites (well, Milwaukee and Dewalt) are rated 15 amp. This
makes me suspect that the Lowes one is maybe not-so-great quality - just
a 'named' label on a Harbor Freight product.

Any thoughts or information on this would be appreciated.

Since masonry dust isn't the best thing for a grinder-- and you don't
seem to be needing one every day- I'd get out of this a cheap as
possible. Get the HF special-- and pass on the extended warranty.

I'm surprised at how much abuse those buggers take. I have a couple
$10, 4.5inch ones that get abused in the worst possible ways-- but
they keep on ticking.

The 7inch will set you back $40.

Jim

George wrote in
:

I need to cut a (long) slit in a masonry wall, to fit roof flashing. The
wall is solid cement blocks. (No cores.) I've done this before with a
borrowed (7") angle grinder, which has since moved away. So, I'm
looking for one of my very own.

Lowes has a 7" dewalt grinder; but, it's rated 12 amp. Most that I see
on factory web sites (well, Milwaukee and Dewalt) are rated 15 amp. This
makes me suspect that the Lowes one is maybe not-so-great quality - just
a 'named' label on a Harbor Freight product.

Any thoughts or information on this would be appreciated.

Thanks.


Have you considered renting an angle-grinder (or a proper concrete cutter)
from an industrial-supply rental place?

--
Tegger

Will a circular saw fit/ride along your proposed cutting path? If so,
maybe get a used circular saw from a pawn shop and a masonery blade.

Sonny

"George" wrote in message
...
I need to cut a (long) slit in a masonry wall, to fit roof flashing. The
wall is solid cement blocks. (No cores.) I've done this before with a
borrowed (7") angle grinder, which has since moved away. So, I'm
looking for one of my very own.

Lowes has a 7" dewalt grinder; but, it's rated 12 amp. Most that I see
on factory web sites (well, Milwaukee and Dewalt) are rated 15 amp. This
makes me suspect that the Lowes one is maybe not-so-great quality - just
a 'named' label on a Harbor Freight product.

Any thoughts or information on this would be appreciated.

Thanks.

I vote +1 for the cheap harborfreight model. I have not managed to kill
mine yet.

If space and position permit the use of a small circular saw then I would
have to suggest this little jewel:
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-dry-tile-saw-68298.html

With the inexpensive diamond blade it is a fast cutting little demon. It is
about 10 times faster than an abrasive disc in an angle grinder.

There is an optional water fork you can use but then you need the pump to go
with that.


--
Colbyt
Please come visit http://www.househomerepair.com

George wrote:
I need to cut a (long) slit in a masonry wall, to fit roof flashing.
The wall is solid cement blocks. (No cores.) I've done this before
with a borrowed (7") angle grinder, which has since moved away. So,
I'm looking for one of my very own.

Lowes has a 7" dewalt grinder; but, it's rated 12 amp. Most that I
see on factory web sites (well, Milwaukee and Dewalt) are rated 15
amp. This makes me suspect that the Lowes one is maybe not-so-great
quality - just a 'named' label on a Harbor Freight product.

Any thoughts or information on this would be appreciated.


Here's the $18.00, HF model which runs at a whopping 4.3 amps! This is more
than sufficient to cut a groove in a concrete block.

If it craps out on you in the middle of the project, return it for another
one.

Chances are it will work swell and you'll find more and more uses for it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-1-2-h...der-95578.html

On Tue, 21 Jun 2011 06:44:27 -0400, George wrote:

Thanks to all who replied. In the end, Amazon had a 15 amp Milwaukee
(6088) for $130. Happy day.

"George" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 21 Jun 2011 06:44:27 -0400, George wrote:

Thanks to all who replied. In the end, Amazon had a 15 amp Milwaukee
(6088) for $130. Happy day.

Last week, I got a Makita 14" 2414NB chop saw WITH a 4.5" paddle switch
grinder as a bonus. $204 for both. Quite a deal in my estimation.

Steve

George wrote:
On Tue, 21 Jun 2011 06:44:27 -0400, George
wrote:

Thanks to all who replied. In the end, Amazon had a 15 amp Milwaukee
(6088) for $130. Happy day.

FYI that is a 9 inch grinder; HF currently sells one of those for $50, and
it is also 15 amp.

Jon

"Jim Elbrecht" wrote in message
news

Since masonry dust isn't the best thing for a grinder-- and you don't
seem to be needing one every day- I'd get out of this a cheap as
possible. Get the HF special-- and pass on the extended warranty.

I'm surprised at how much abuse those buggers take. I have a couple
$10, 4.5inch ones that get abused in the worst possible ways-- but
they keep on ticking.

The 7inch will set you back $40.


Harbor Freight has a coupon special on right now (available in the ad pack
or magazine of the Sunday paper), for $9.95 and 4 1/2" angle grinder.
I have picked up a handful of them at that price in the past, and set them
up with different blades
Don't have to waste time changing blades.