The Fein tools I have seen are first class. Would I pay $229 for a 4 1/2" grinder? No Way. For that sort of money it better grind by Itself.
I don't know about Fein but just ordered a W14 Metabo to replace my dead Milwaukee....just over a year old. Guess I talked to highly about it and it laid down on me. So, next stop metabo. If that only lasts a year....maybe Fein.....if that don't work guess I just need to buy a gross of cheap grinders to tote in a trailer behind the truck. Do a search on google for Fein reviews. I've got a 4" makita I bought for $25 back in 98', used it like mad until about 3 years ago, now it just rides around in the truck as a back up and works good. I think it's just about what day the particular grinder was built. Met a guy who only used the $70 or so dollar bosch and swore by them, lasted years and when they quit just got another one. Don't know how much grinding he actually did with them though. I buy something at $50-70 and it's dead within months....or a year. Good luck
One of My friends has burned up several 4 1/2" Metabos, but He leans on them real hard. He should be using a heavy duty grinder like a Wild Cat, but they are too heavy...
That might be my problem Dave, perhaps I need to break out that heavy dewalt that rides around in my toolbox more often!
I got 3 - 6" Metabos & 1 - 9" Metabo the early ones were great the newer ones don't last as long. My oldest one I had the gear in the head replaced 2 times since 2000. My newest one I have replaced the gear in the head once and the switch on & off 3 times since 2008. In the past year I got a 6" Fein I haven't had any problems out of it yet but it is hard to use with the way the switches are.
How much did the Fein cost? I wouldn't mind paying if they last forever but most grinders I 've tried die within a few months . Makitas usually last a couple of years and I've got a pile of old ones that I use for parts. Where did do by the Fein?
It cost a little over $200 I got it at Sidney Lees Welding Supply, I haven't really used it that much because of the way work has been but in a few months I got some 72" Girders to Splice and I'll make it earn its money then.
If it will hold up to beam splicing work then it is a good one.
Makita is made where with what kind of labor ? Fein is made where ? Currency exchange rates ? Think about it.
Let me guess? Makita is made in China by little boys because girls are not keepers and Fein is made in Germany by the same big breasted Amazons that make the Fein Multi-Master vibrating tool?
I live about 20 miles from the Makita plant in Buford, Ga. As far as I know they are american made. But I still would not take a dozen for one of my Metabos.
Where is Fein made ? I assumed Germany but I don't really know. I'm just wondering if they are worth the price . I've done the math and if a 4-1/2" Fein Grinder will last 5yrs. then it would cost me less than a Makita .I don't mind paying for for quality I just want to know that I'm paying for quality and not hype.
I like My old Black & Decker 6 amp paddle switch 4 1/2" grinders. They are the easyest to use one handed that I have used. They might not stand up to what You are doing, but some of Mine have been used pretty hard for pretty long. I got most of them used.
Thanks I'll check out those sites .