Hitachi, which recently came out with a brushless oscillating multi-tool, is also coming out with a new 4-1/2″ paddle switch brushless angle grinder.
As with other tools of its kind, the new Hitachi G18DBALP4 cordless brushless angle grinder is said to deliver high cutting performance and long runtime. They say that the new model delivers up to 1.5 times the number of cuts when compared to their previous brushed motor angle grinder.
Additionally, the new Hitachi grinder has a slim grip, compact size, and is lightweight. There is also an automatic speed mode, which adjusts the wheel RPM speed when the tool is in use. When it’s not in use, and is powered on but idle, the auto mode will decrease the speed, resulting in lower noise, vibration, and wasted energy.
It also features kick-back protection, a soft start motor, zero voltage release, battery indicator, tool-free wheel guard, cleanable mesh filters, and Hitachi’s dust and water resistance.
See More Brushless Angle Grinders: Milwaukee (Braking), Makita
- 4-1/2″ wheel diameter
- 9,000 RPM at full load
- 5,500 RPM when idle
- Paddle switch
- Soft start brushless motor
- Mesh filters remove for cleaning (tool-free)
- Zero voltage release (anti-restart protection)
- Auto mode option that slows RPM when tool is not under load
- Resin-coated circuit boards protects electronic parts from dust and water
- Battery fuel gauge
- Kick-back protection
The grinder comes with a side handle, grinding wheel, spanner wrench (for grinding wheel changes), and tool-free wheel guard. It’s sold as a bare tool, and works with Hitachi’s 18V slide-style Li-ion battery packs.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Amazon is the only retailer to list this new product, and has given it a $160 price as of the time of this posting. Amazon’s preorder prices sometimes change, and so I don’t know how much I’d trust this figure.
One more thing – the image above was taken from an international product page for the G18DBAL angle grinder. The one that’s listed on Amazon, G18DBALP4, has a slightly different aux handle that lack a vibration dampening zone. Other than that, the USA and overseas versions look identical.
The grinder is sold with either a standard type handle or vibration-absorbing type. Hopefully we’ll see another version here in the USA that’s sold with the vibration-absorbing handle, or maybe it will be available as an add-on accessory. Anything that lowers the vibrations that travel to your joints and nerves is a good thing.
There are several variations of this grinder available internationally, that might be available here too:
- G18DBAL – this is the one discussed here
- G18DBL – slide switch instead of a paddle switch
- G18DBVL – slide switch with variable speed control dial
First Thoughts
As for the tool itself, I find the auto speed mode to be quite interesting. With a lot of tools, such as cordless drills and saws, a tool is only powered on when it’s being used. With angle grinders, I suppose one might touch it to the work, reposition, and then work a little more, all the while with the tool powered on. Well, at least when grinding. When using a cut-off wheel, I imagine that the tool will be used on-off on-off as you would with other cutting tools.
And so, with the auto mode, the tool spins down when not being used. Because it’s still spinning but only at a slower speed, there’s less noise (makes sense), less vibration (makes sense), less wasted battery charge (makes sense), and less downtime (I suppose this makes sense). That does seem like a neat way to prolong runtime and increase user comfort.
What do you think about this new Hitachi grinder, especially the auto mode option?