DeWalt 5 in. - 6 in. Brushless Small Angle Grinder, Slide with Tuckpointing Shroud Kit

Why I reached for this grinder

On masonry jobs where dust control, consistent depth, and safety matter as much as raw power, a purpose-built tuckpointing grinder makes all the difference. I’ve run plenty of standard 4-1/2 in. grinders through mortar joints over the years; they’ll do it, but you end up fighting visibility, dust, and binding. The DeWalt tuckpointing grinder kit stands out because it’s built around that workflow. It’s corded, brushless, variable speed, and it ships with a dedicated tuckpointing shroud and an AirLock connector so you’re not spending a day cobbling together a dust setup.

Build, balance, and ergonomics

With the shroud installed, the tool feels substantial without being burdensome. At about 6.5 lb, the weight is manageable for overhead work and comfortable for wall runs. The balance shifts forward once you add the shroud and blade, which I actually prefer for keeping the cut line planted against a joint. The barrel is easy to grip with gloves on, and the side handle gives enough leverage to keep the wheel from wandering in wider joints.

The 16 ft cord is a quiet win. On scaffolding and exterior runs, that extra length keeps the plug off the platform and reduces how often I’m dragging an extension connection through debris. The slide switch with lock-on is familiar and predictable; if you prefer a paddle for fast kill-switch control, you’ll need to decide if the electronics here make up for that preference (more on those below).

Fit and finish are solid. The shroud seats snugly and doesn’t rattle, and the spindle threads and flanges engage cleanly with both the included sandwich blade and other wheels I tried.

Power and speed management

The 13-amp brushless motor feels stronger than the numbers suggest. Brushless in a corded grinder translates to a bit more efficiency and no brush replacements over time. I could lean into cuts without the motor feeling choked; it recovers quickly after hitting a tougher aggregate or a packed joint.

Variable speed from 2,000 to 9,000 RPM is the real asset. For diamond tuckpointing blades, I tend to run midrange so the blade stays cool and the cut stays controllable. For light metal work or cleaning up masonry edges with a cup wheel, backing the speed down keeps sparks and dust more manageable and reduces the chance of glazing a wheel. Full speed is available and useful when you’re in cleaner material and want to move.

Dust control and the tuckpointing shroud

The included tuckpointing shroud is why this kit exists. Connected to a compatible dust extractor through the AirLock connector, capture is genuinely effective. Dry cutting mortar, stucco, or chasing a groove typically means a whiteout; here the plume is reduced to a faint haze at most, provided the vacuum has the airflow to match. The shroud rides smoothly across mortar joints and painted stucco, and the toe section guides the cut along a straight line. Depth adjustment is straightforward and holds position once tightened, which matters when you don’t want to nick lath or chase deeper than necessary.

Visibility is the tradeoff. The shroud necessarily blocks part of your view of the blade, so you’re relying on your layout marks and the joint itself. That’s not unusual, but it’s worth noting for tight, fussy work around corners. The footprint also means it’s not the best tool for inner corners or right up against protrusions—there’s a practical limit to how close you can get before the shroud body, not the blade, hits first.

Safety systems that actually help

Grinders can be unforgiving, and the combination of an electronic clutch, a kickback brake, and power-loss reset makes this one feel notably calmer on the job. The E-CLUTCH senses a pinch and cuts power fast; the kickback brake stops the wheel quickly instead of letting it freewheel down while you regain composure. Both kicked in a few times when I let the blade bind in a tight joint and when I clipped a fastener hidden in mortar. Each intervention was abrupt but controlled; the tool didn’t wrench my wrist or skate off line.

Power-loss reset is one of those features you forget about until it saves you: if a breaker trips or you unplug accidentally, the grinder won’t restart the moment power is restored. You have to cycle the switch. On a busy jobsite with shared circuits, that’s a confidence builder.

Real-world performance

• Tuckpointing: With the depth set to protect the backup material, I could maintain a steady pace along long horizontal runs without overheating the blade. The tool didn’t bog, and the cut kerf stayed consistent. Mortar with hard aggregate slowed me a bit, but the grinder had enough reserve to keep the blade from stalling.
• Stucco removal around windows and doors: The shroud kept dust under control, and the variable speed helped avoid chipping beyond the cut. The included 5 in. sandwich blade made clean, predictable cuts, though I switched to a narrower blade for tighter trim.
• Light metal work: This isn’t a dedicated metal grinder, but swapping to a cutoff wheel and removing the shroud where appropriate, it handled steel studs and small brackets without complaint. The lower speed setting is handy for reducing spark spray in sensitive areas.

Vibration is typical for a grinder in this class—not harsh, but you’ll feel it over long sessions. Hearing and respiratory protection are a must. The dust capture makes the air look cleaner, but you’re still generating fine particulates.

Accessories and compatibility

The kit is complete out of the box: side handle, flanges, hex key, the tuckpointing shroud, AirLock connector, a 5 in. sandwich blade, and a bag. The 5/8-11 spindle accepts most common 5–6 in. accessories rated for the grinder’s speed; just match the wheel size with the appropriate guard/shroud configuration and follow the accessory’s RPM rating. If you’re not on DeWalt’s vacuum system, the included AirLock connector still makes a secure connection to many hoses via adapters, but you’ll want to verify your hose diameter and plan for a snug fit.

What I’d change

• The shroud’s bulk limits access in tight spots. That’s the nature of effective dust control, but it means you’ll occasionally switch to a smaller setup or make a cleanup pass with a different tool.
• The slide switch with lock-on isn’t everyone’s preference for safety. The electronic protections mitigate risk, yet a paddle option would be welcome for users who prefer that style.
• Aggressive users will occasionally trip the clutch early when forcing a cut. It’s better than a kickback, but it can interrupt a rhythm until you adjust your feed pressure.

Who will appreciate it

• Masons, remodelers, and general contractors doing regular tuckpointing, stucco cutouts, or chase cuts in masonry.
• Remodel projects in occupied spaces where dust control and safety features matter as much as speed.
• Pros and serious DIYers who want one grinder that can handle masonry and occasional metal work with variable speed and strong safety electronics.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt tuckpointing grinder kit for anyone who needs reliable, controlled cutting in masonry with strong dust extraction and safety baked in. The brushless 13-amp motor, wide speed range, and electronic protections make it feel composed under load, and the included shroud and AirLock connector save setup time while keeping silica dust in check. It’s not the most compact tool once the shroud is on, and the slide switch won’t convert paddle-switch loyalists, but as a purpose-built kit for tuckpointing and related cuts, it’s a dependable, efficient choice that helps you work cleaner, safer, and faster.