Rating Summary
“serves many purposes”
- a do-it-yourselfer, Mr. Fix-it
- Pros
- durable, many uses, 5 year warrantee, lots of service centers
- Cons
- heavy, loud, safety equipment needed
Milwaukee 6089 20 9" Grinder, Roto Lok —
I got this tool to replace a 7 inch grinder that went by the wayside in the process of my divorce. I find more uses for it on a regular basis. I use it as a grinder, yes. With a six inch brush on it, it can remove scale in a heartbeat (or that stuff that is on the bottom of a lawnmower blade, when the blade is clamped in a good vise). It's a good sander to clean or shape metal with. With the right wheel, it makes a decent chop saw. The gaurd easily rotates and locks into place, and the after the sale service is great -- just bring it to any authorized Milwaukee service center (didn't get a wheel on tight enough once and it wouldn't come off for me afterwards) and repairs are free for the next five years.
If you've read any of my other reviews, you'll notice I work with my hands a lot. I am retired from the army and am a little too young to be retired, and a lot too independent to work for someone other than myself. I supplement my retirement with a variety of odd jobs that help me keep a fresh perspective on life.
Look. If all you want is a grinder, get a little one. If all you need is one tool to do only one thing, this might not be the tool for you. Look at the weight. Doesn't sound heavy at all, at least not until you've been using it for about an hour and wonder what made controlling a big motor with a powered gyroscope at the end of it sound like so much fun. However, if you need something that will power through a world of metalworking tasks, well, this might just be the tool for you. With the right gaurd on it and the right abrasive disk or diamond wheel, it will cut through metal, a large variety of stone, asphalt, concrete, and probably other things. It will also grind them down, brush them, sand them, and if you are quick and careful, polish them.
If you need a tool of this type, the Milwaukee 9 inch grinder with the roto lock grip is a great choice. The roto lock grip -- once you try it you will really appreciate it. If you have never used a grinder this big before, by all means try one out before you buy this. Rent one if you have to. Then, if you need one, buy this model.
Milwaukee 6089 20 9" Grinder, Roto Lok
