7.0 Amp 4 1/2" Small Angle Grinder

Bought last year and have not used it very much. Laid it down on the garage floor and the plastic start stop button broke off. Now I have a less than year old tool which is useless. It would be a fine tool if the switch was made of metal rather than fragile plastic. It's a nice small grinder that is fairly light weight, but if I can't turn it on it is not of much use. Had to pull out an old grinder I have had for close to 20 years to finish the job. Not happy or impressed. Looking at other reviews it seems I am not the first to have this problem. Milwaukee fix this problem.

In addition to my previous review, I want to say that there are two designs of grinders with respect to the lateral handle: Those like Bosch and most makitas that place the handle ANGLED to improve ergonomics, and this one which places the handle at precisely 90° to the body, and this is quite practical if you get an inexpensive hinged base that converts small hand grinders into extremelly helpful small Miter saw, that uses the threaded holes where the grinder uses to attach the side halndle as a convenient place to attach the grinder to the swiveling attachment base. I don't give it 5 stars because Milwaukee COULD have provided a third theaded hole in line with the grinder head, as a third posible position for the handle (evidently, their engineers still have to do their homework!).

This is a note that the on-off slider switch with lock has moved from the side (in the picture) to the top. I just bought it (4/7/2015). Not sure when this change was made, and I was surprised. Would this will be an issue, but I see this may be due to feedback from another poster/s who say the switch being on the side was bad because the thumb accidentally bumps and switches off. I'll leave at 5 stars so as not to skew the rating too much, and I did bought it due to the comments.

I use this grinder extensively, every weekend on and off for 5-10 hours, fabricating a custom rock crawler. It just keeps going without any problems. The switch locks on, rather than one you have to keep depressed, which is the style I want, because it allows you to hold it in different positions for grinding, cutting, or tight spaces you're trying to fit into. Easy on/off with the thumb though. I've had it for a couple years now.

I agree with the two other commenters that noticed the switch is not easy to operate even without gloves! The switch type cannot be used to power the grinder momentarily, as it locks inmediately. And it requires a somewhat heavy pressure to be actuated. A better switch and better locaton is required (mine has the original side switch). Noise and vibration are NOT as low as my METABO, but Price was sensibly lower.

Nice and light weight for single hand use. The switch takes some getting used to. But the safety shield/guard is a joke. I've only used the tool twice on simple small projects and the guard broke. The little tab that prevents it from spinning and locks it in place broke off under easy use. Been trying to figure out how to register it online to see if Milwaukee can send me a new one.

I use this grinder along with a bandfile for finishing and blending welded corners on 16 and 20 ga. stainless steel countertops and doors. This grinder is small, light and powerful. I have both versions, one with the side switch, one with the top switch. I much prefer the side switch as the top switch is awkward and difficult to lock in the on position.

Love milwaukee but this is the first time I have managed to burn out a tool. I'm really disappointed in this grinder. On top of overheating the fumes from the burning coils are noxious and dangerous and I imagine if i kept going it could have seriously turned into a hazard working around water. Won't be buying this again.