The Fein Company is smaller than the power tool giants, but has an enviable reputation for innovation. Machines to its innovative credit include the first portable telephone (1885), the first power drill (1895), the electric screwdriver and first sabre saw (1927). The tool for which Fein is now most well known is the Multimaster. Up until recently, when the patents ran out, Fein had developed this into an incredibly useful tool that was unique to Fein. With competition, no doubt the market will become even more cutthroat, but my guess is that Fein will continue to innovate.

I have used other Fein tools through the years and my experience of them is that they are of “fine” quality. They are made with an eye on a long and reliable working life alongside careful and thoughtful design.

So when a new angle grinder from Fein was dropped off for me to test, it came with a set of expectations so high that perhaps I would have to stop myself from being unfair to it, especially in comparison to commonly used angle grinders on the market.

I have heard the following argument so many times from so many people, that I think it is almost a credo in some quarters. However, and perhaps because I am spoilt enough to have been able to use high quality tools most of the time, it is not an argument I subscribe to. The argument goes like this:-  why bother to buy expensive tools because cheaper, mostly Far Eastern made, tools are available at pocket money prices. If they get broken or stolen they can be easily and cheaply replaced without bothering the police or your insurance premiums.

For some jobs, this is a compelling argument. Why bother buying a Fein grinder when the job will only take ten minutes and the tool will never be used again?  

I can understand the last point, especially for occasional users, but I can’t really subscribe to the argument when it comes to professional users. To me there is every point in buying the best quality tool if it is frequently used and used to its limits. Then the argument about cheapness and replaceability is lost to the more compelling arguments about safety, longevity, reliability and sheer efficiency. Let’s face it, given the choice between using an inferior tool that has to be coaxed on its way and a superior one that simply gets on with the job allowing the operator full and safe control, why would one would choose the first?

I was sent a fairly basic FEIN WS14 to test. The WS14 range is twelve strong with the very basic single speed model at the one end up to an industrially rated electronic speed controlled model at the other end. They all share a common body shape and layout, but each one is carefully differentiated for different purposes, so it is important that potential buyers look at what their needs are before laying out the cash.

For example, there are options like variable speed, Auto Stop, TipStart, Quick-In and auto clamping and a choice of disc size of 125mm or 150mm, as well as a110v or 240v variants.

Looking at my sample tool, it simply oozes quality, even though it is just a simple angle grinder. The orange body shape is sculpted for easy handling and relies on its unique shape for providing good grip for the user – left or right handed as they may be. Some users might want rubberised grippy stuff, but the truth is that most grinders end up covered in such awful muck that the grippy stuff soon loses its purpose. Also, most industrial users would need to use protective gloves when using this machine, so it may be of more use to have grips on the gloves.

The switchgear on the basic machine is perfect for me. A large black sliding switch is slid forward to start the motor. To stop, the switch is pushed firmly on the back. This arrangement stops any fiddling with sliding switches   that get gummed up or greasy and is of course, eminently safe.

The main hand grips the grinder firmly around its “neck” just behind the gearbox casing. Again, this is shaped for good left or right-handed use. A simple black plastic auxiliary handle can be attached just above the spindle at the perfect place needed for good control of the grinder. Again, this handle has no fancy vibration reduction system. A trawl through the accompanying operating leaflet revealed that the FEIN WS14 has no need of vibration reduction gizmos because, even at its most basic, it has been designed to keep vibration to an absolute minimum achievable.

When started, there is a brief pause before the motor gently kicks in. One is not really aware then of how powerful and torquey this grinder is.

I couldn’t start taking the tool apart, but the accompanying literature tells a story of higher power motors with fully wound armatures, metal drive heads (as opposed to plastic), optimised cooling via the motor fans and sealed ball bearings to keep out dirt. Only manufacturers that produce the highest quality tools make such efforts, and for industrially rated tools, they are necessary features.

I didn’t have any specific jobs to do with this grinder as I am “between” houses at the moment. But I borrowed a workshop and found some large pieces of rusty metal to grind and cut. The person whose workshop I so kindly left covered in small metal filings really took to the FEIN WS14.  He was a stranger to the brand, having used other German made tools, but the FEIN made him take notice. Largely it was the simplicity and ease of use that impressed him. The grinder comes with a large spanner to tighten the disc into place and the spindle lock is perfectly placed. I had the quick release guard system on this grinder. It stays in place all the time but is easy to move when it is time to redirect the sparks, by pushing in the little lever near the front of the spindle.

There is a comfortable 3 metres of good quality rubberised cord attached to the back of the grinder. I know that you aren’t supposed to lower the grinder by its cable, but you can bet that it will happen, so FEIN has made a robust cable gripper as it enters the body.

I felt that the motor was smooth and powerful, and as quiet as this kind of motor can be.

Once again, my prejudice in favour of using high quality tools was reinforced. They are simply just nicer to use, especially on an everyday basis. I am sure you could make a “green” argument too – recyclable at the end of a long working life, more able to be repaired and more energy efficient too. I rest my case.