I was hoping for a short use alternative to setting up a similarly powered air tool, and counting on the long reach handle to help brace for long weld seam removal. I didn't count on much battery life, because Milwaukee says to expect only about 12". While I still have to use air tools for most of the work, I have been thrilled with how comfortable this grinder is to use when it does fit and when there's not more than a 6Ah battery's worth of grinding to do. With my IR pneumatics, I get tingling in my fingers after an hour of carbide burr grinding weld seams but they do not have a long body to brace with a second hand like this one. The long rubber grip on this Milwaukee sits in my palm, so when its larger frame can fit, I use it.

Better then expected, Milwaukee mever lets me down

Great Tool, exceed expectations!;absolutley love this thing, going to upgrade to the fuel with paddle switch soon, but for now this thing is amazing and does exactlynwhat i neednit tondo at a great price. Great for general work, would suggest a pannel for detailing work, but this can even donthat if yor carefull.

Great for grinding weld joints

Great tool for grinding welds in hard to reach places. Get a good quality carbide bit! I thought I bought the one with LED lights but this model didn’t. A light would be nice, but I still love this tool

It's more powerful than my IR die grinder. I only use it with a cutting wheel and I can push down...

It's more powerful than my IR die grinder. I only use it with a cutting wheel and I can push down with both hands using my body weight and it never stalls. I mostly use it to cut off welded on parts for replacement and cutting hydraulic hoses and it works great. The 5 amp battery will last 20 mins and the 9 amp battery never went dead running it non-stop. The only issue is the fast paced low level vibration and the large size that restricts getting into tight spaces. After using air die grinders for a long time I say the Milwaukee is more powerful. Yes, it does get heavy after long use but you can hold it with two hands but the vibration does make it slightly uncomfortable, but I am a big boy and my type of work never was meant to be comfortable.

Loose battery connection and overheating in 2 min

The battery connector on the die grinder (15-minute usage old) is wobble. The battery connection module does not fit M18 batteries (move more than 1/8 inch). Server vibration and imbalance make the whole device hard to hold and handle. Overheating appears within 3 minutes. Lock button fails to work due to vibration. E-Service request at Milwaukee need wait 24-48 HOURS to review my submission. It means it is not sure Milwaukee receives my request or not. No phone number to call. Disappoit.

Worked great for me

I've only used it a couple of times with some carbide burrs and it worked very well. Comparing it my smaller die grinders with the same burrs, it gives you much better control since you can use both hands and have better leverage because of the length of the tool. The only cons, I wish it was variable speed and with something this big, obviously, it's not going to work in smaller spaces.

[Rewarded Review] A bit weighty, but excellent.

I needed a die grinder to wallow out gate hinge holes for larger replacement bolts. The only die grinder I had is air powered and I could not get to my project. This M18 battery powered Milwaukee did the trick. I like not being tethered to an air line or an extension cord. It means I can now grab it and go to a job with no extra hoses or cords.Noise wise, it sounds like my air grinder but noticeably quieter. Obviously the noise level is going to change when under load and depending on what material you are working with. I wear a men’s large glove and this fits my hand well. It is too big for my wife’s size small hands to hold one handed with secure control. The slide switch is easily reached and controlled with just my thumb. The tool is quite nose heavy without a ... MoreI needed a die grinder to wallow out gate hinge holes for larger replacement bolts. The only die grinder I had is air powered and I could not get to my project. This M18 battery powered Milwaukee did the trick. I like not being tethered to an air line or an extension cord. It means I can now grab it and go to a job with no extra hoses or cords.Noise wise, it sounds like my air grinder but noticeably quieter. Obviously the noise level is going to change when under load and depending on what material you are working with. I wear a men’s large glove and this fits my hand well. It is too big for my wife’s size small hands to hold one handed with secure control. The slide switch is easily reached and controlled with just my thumb. The tool is quite nose heavy without a battery. I used a XC 5.0 and it moved the center of gravity back to the handle. It was quite balanced in my hand, but also fairly heavy. The nose is rubberized like the handle, and it is large enough to grab and use for extra control, while keeping my hand safely back from the area being worked. With the battery on the back, this will not stand on end. I personally would never set it that way anyway. It is 15 1/2” long without a battery, so I’d be begging to knock it over.It has an 11/16” collet wrench with it. The lock button is well located and large enough to use comfortably. It would be nice if there was on tool storage for the wrench. I feel like it is going to be easy to misplace.Power wise, it worked just as well as my air driven one. This is far more convenient. Since it is part of the M18 lineup, I have backup batteries if I need them to complete a project. And it is brushless, so it should have extra run time over a brushed die grinder. Overall I am very happy with it.

[Rewarded Review] Air no more!

Living on some land with projects all over the place, this die grinder is a game changer. I no longer have to supply compressed air to get projects done or disassemble the projects to get it back to the shop to be able to use compressed air. Lots of power, decent battery live, and over all the tool is very well made and sturdy. The air intakes even have metal screens to keep out debris.

[Rewarded Review] Excellent grinder, does not bog

I have 2 other, smaller M12 die grinders that I normally use when space is at a premium. For bigger jobs - like when dealing with thick metal or welds - I lug out the M18! It does not bog down like the smaller die grinders and maintains speed even when working on steel using carbide bits. The braking feature is pretty good, however it doesn't stop rotation instantly though - it takes about a second for the bit to come to a complete stop. Still pretty good though. Ergonomically it's pretty comfortable to use, even with gloves. The grinder is pretty well balanced during use and both my hands fit on it just fine. No comment on battery life, though I have used some of the smaller M18 packs for several minutes and they've held up just fine. If I had to pick a negative ... MoreI have 2 other, smaller M12 die grinders that I normally use when space is at a premium. For bigger jobs - like when dealing with thick metal or welds - I lug out the M18! It does not bog down like the smaller die grinders and maintains speed even when working on steel using carbide bits. The braking feature is pretty good, however it doesn't stop rotation instantly though - it takes about a second for the bit to come to a complete stop. Still pretty good though. Ergonomically it's pretty comfortable to use, even with gloves. The grinder is pretty well balanced during use and both my hands fit on it just fine. No comment on battery life, though I have used some of the smaller M18 packs for several minutes and they've held up just fine. If I had to pick a negative it's that the button for the locking mechanism is a bit too inset. Would be nice if it stuck out just a few more millimeters which would make it easier to manipulate with gloves on.

[Rewarded Review] Great portable die grinder

I have lots of uses for a die grinder. I have used a pneumatic grinder for years. the problem with the pneumatic one is that large air compressor. That is fine if I am working in my shop but it means that I have to bring everything I am working on into the shop. That is not always easy. In addition you have to contend with an air hose which can get in the way. This grinder seems to be at least as powerful as the pneumatic one and is completely portable. I was pleased that it was offered as a "tool only" buy since I already have a bunch of Milwaukee M18 batteries. It is described as a tool that brakes as soon as you turn it off. It does stop quickly but I don't think it is any quicker than my pneumatic die grinder. All and all this is a very nice addition to my shop ... MoreI have lots of uses for a die grinder. I have used a pneumatic grinder for years. the problem with the pneumatic one is that large air compressor. That is fine if I am working in my shop but it means that I have to bring everything I am working on into the shop. That is not always easy. In addition you have to contend with an air hose which can get in the way. This grinder seems to be at least as powerful as the pneumatic one and is completely portable. I was pleased that it was offered as a "tool only" buy since I already have a bunch of Milwaukee M18 batteries. It is described as a tool that brakes as soon as you turn it off. It does stop quickly but I don't think it is any quicker than my pneumatic die grinder. All and all this is a very nice addition to my shop full of Milwaukee M18 tools.