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by Peter Brett - Dec. '08/Jan. '09
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Not a white knuckle ride
Own brand angle grinders in my experience, tend to be used for one-off jobs where no other tool will do. They have a working life expectancy measured in hours rather than years and most (DIY) users would be unlikely to suffer the effects of harmful vibration since they do not use for them long enough periods of time. While these tools have to comply with EU regulations, their price means that it will be at the minimal levels required.
This leaves the professional users who may be putting themselves in danger of vibration injuries by using poor quality tools for long periods, despite EU regulations.
From my observations on building sites and the backs of white vans, there is a growing awareness of the need to protect oneself by choosing the right tools and safety equipment. I hope the recession (there, I mentioned it) doesn’t cause a culture of shortcuts and quality-free zones to flourish.
Metabo is rightly proud of the fact that many of their products continue to be made in Germany with the quality that follows from that. As a company it has come up with many innovations and it is true that some of my own favourite power tools have the Metabo stamp. In order to produce a class leading angle grinder Metabo has now tried to improve the already low level of vibration on its angle grinders by introducing autobalancer technology. The idea is quite a clever one because it uses the ball bearings in the main spindle bearing. These appear to have been allowed to have a bigger space between them than normal so that the individual ball bearings can move around a bit.
This movement seems to allow the bearings to move to counterbalance any vibration in a cutting disc as it wears, or that may be present as a result of its manufacture.
But the autobalancer is not the only innovation on the new grinders.
The Metabo VibraTech auxiliary handle is also used to reduce vibration to the hand. This handle looks conventional until it gets to the connection to the grinder itself. Here there is an elastic polymer to help absorb vibration. The bolt connecting this handle to the machine does not contact the grip area, keeping this end “free floating,” thus helping to reduce vibration.
The new slimline bodyshape of the grinder has generous rubberized areas, that provide good gripping, but also help to keep vibration to the hand lower.
Other innovations on the Metabo grinder range are just as attractive in my view. For example the “Metabo Quick “ disc fixing system that does away with the need for a spanner to wrestle the grinding disc off when it needs changing. I have done many battles with discs in this situation. Being able to use a milled screwhead tightened with your fingers to hold a disc on and then get it off again equally easily seems like a very good idea.
Equally good is the slip-on cutting disc guard. It simply clips on above the spindle and is held in place by a spring-loaded lever.
When it needs to be moved the lever is raised, the guard moved and then clicked into place wherever it is needed.
A couple of other little innovations add to the Metabo’s charms - the new motor exhaust vents flow from the front of the spindle housing and help to blow dust and filings away from the operator, and the disc brake system stops the grinding wheel less than three seconds after the motor is switched off.
Metabo has also tried to shape the ABS body to be held as easily as possible with a nice little hook effect at the end of the body.
Lastly, there is a really effective spindle lock button that works positively and doesn’t slip easily in the middle of operation.
Now angle grinders are not my favourite tools because they are used for jobs I don’t like doing - but they are essential because no other tool can do them. So why not use a good angle grinder if you have to?
In order to compare the vibration levels I dragged out my own grinder
I last used cutting up a steel garage doorframe. It is another good German brand and should have therefore been comparable.
Using the same make of steel cutting disc on each, I did a few sample jobs on an old steel frame I keep for testing purposes. While there was not a noticeable difference in cutting performance, by the end of half an hour of constant use I did come to the opinion that I would prefer to use the Metabo. Not only are the vibration levels noticeably less (I have no scientific way of measuring vibration except what makes my hands tingle after ten minutes or so) but the whole package is just so much more up-to-date. The body shape is easier to hold, the switch easier to lock on and snap off, the exhaust vents keep the dust away and the guard is quickly adjustable. And you get a good length of cord with the Metabo too. I didn’t use the variable speed dial much, but it was handy to slow the disc down when I needed more control.
In short, my 5-year old grinder was thoroughly outclassed by the new technology on the Metabo.
With a retail price of around £139.00 the WEA14-125 model with Quick release disc action and a vibration level of about 3.6m/s2 the Metabo is not one of the cheaper models around, but it does feel like it is worth the money.
Independent Review by Peter Brett
Airstream Communications