DeWalt 4-1/2 in. (115 mm) Paddle Switch Small Angle Grinder

Why I keep a 4-1/2-inch grinder on the front of the cart

A compact angle grinder is one of those tools that either earns its spot by being ready for anything or gets shoved to the back of the shelf. This DeWalt 4-1/2-inch grinder has lived near the top of my cart for months because it strikes a practical balance: small enough to sneak into tight spaces, powerful enough to do real metalwork, and straightforward enough to set up and use without fuss.

Build, ergonomics, and switch layout

The low-profile gear case is the first thing I noticed. It slides into corners where bulkier housings just won’t go—inside channel, along brackets, and between gussets. The body is slim and easy to index in the hand, and the two-position side handle is simple to move over depending on the cut. With gloves on, the paddle switch feels natural, and the lock-on detent is handy for long grinding passes on flat stock or when using a wire cup. If you’re used to non-locking paddles, the lock-on will take a minute to get comfortable with; it’s convenient, but respect it and be deliberate about switching off.

Fit and finish are what I expect from DeWalt’s mid-tier corded line. The jam-pot gear case feels solid and doesn’t rattle, and the guard adjusts with a single action lever that stays put. I’ve knocked it accidentally and it didn’t slip; it takes intentional pressure to move. The 6.1-foot cord is workable on a bench, but for field work I nearly always add a 12- or 25-foot extension. A rubber boot at the strain relief would be nice, but the cord has held up.

Power and speed in the real world

On paper, the 7.5-amp motor and 12,000 rpm no-load speed place this grinder in the light-to-mid-duty category. In practice, it’s stronger than the amp rating suggests as long as you pair it with the right accessory and let the wheel do the work. With a quality 0.045-inch cutoff wheel, it chews through 1/8-inch angle and 3/16-inch flat bar quickly. On 1/4-inch material, cuts are clean but require a steadier hand to avoid binding. I’ve pushed into 3/8-inch steel when needed; the grinder will do it, but you’ll feel it lean on the motor and it’s smart to back off and let speed recover.

Grinding welds with a 36- or 40-grit depressed center wheel is squarely in its comfort zone. The tool’s size makes edge blending and small bevels easy. Switch to a 60- or 80-grit flap disc and the finish gets surprisingly decent with minimal chatter. Where it’s less at home is with oversized wire cups and very aggressive ceramic grinding wheels that shine with 11–13-amp grinders. It will run them, but you’ll be babysitting speed and heat more often.

The motor tone is typical of a high-rpm 4-1/2-in grinder—sharp but not shrill—and the vibration is well controlled for this class. After a few longer sessions on a bumper project, forearm fatigue was more about the task than the tool. Heat management is good; the head gets warm on extended grinding, but I never hit a thermal shutdown.

Guard and accessory changes

Two features keep workflow smooth:

• One-Touch Guard: Rotate to position with a single lever—no hunting for a Torx or Phillips. This is especially useful when flipping between grinding and cutting orientations. It’s strong enough to resist minor knocks, but grime can make the detents feel crunchy; a quick blast of compressed air keeps it precise.

• Quick-Change wheel release: Tool-free wheel removal is a real time saver when swapping between a cutoff wheel and a flap disc. The included hex wrench is there if you encounter a stubborn flange or an accessory that prefers more persuasion, but most routine changes don’t require it. The 5/8"-11 spindle fits standard accessories, so your existing discs, wire wheels, and backing pads will thread right on.

A small tip: make sure your wheels are rated at or above 13,000 rpm. Many bargain discs are, but it’s worth checking; this grinder spins fast and you don’t want to risk an under-rated wheel.

Safety and control

There’s no electronic clutch and no brake. That’s normal at this price, but it has implications. Spin-down takes a few seconds, so set the tool down carefully and keep your guard orientation disciplined. In a bind-up, there’s no e-clutch to save you, so use the side handle, keep a straight line through the cut, and avoid wedging the wheel. If you do a lot of cutting in awkward positions or overhead, a grinder with an e-clutch is a worthy upgrade. For bench and flat work, proper technique and the guard do the job.

The paddle switch itself gives good control—easy to feather, easy to kill. I do like having the lock-on for wire brushing and long cleanup passes, but I only use it with two hands on the tool and a clear path if things grab. A GFCI-protected extension is a good idea in damp or outdoor environments.

Dust and durability

Metal dust is brutal on grinders. The venting on this unit keeps airflow decent without directing grit straight at you. I blow it out with compressed air at the end of the day and it’s kept the brushes and windings cleaner than I expected. On concrete or masonry, I’ll use a shroud and vac; the grinder has no dedicated dust features, and concrete dust will gum up the guard detents if you don’t stay on top of cleaning. The gear case has held up to typical abuse—light drops, clamp scuffs, and the occasional spark shower—with only cosmetic wear.

The jam-pot design (where the gears live in a single housing) tends to be tougher than split cases, and that seems true here. No gear lash, no oil weeping, and the head screws haven’t walked out.

Where it shines, where it doesn’t

Strengths:
- Compact head and slim body make it excellent in tight, awkward spaces
- Quick guard and wheel changes reduce downtime during multi-step tasks
- Respectable power for cutting and grinding common steel thicknesses
- Comfortable paddle with optional lock-on for long passes
- Runs on AC/DC, so it’s generator-friendly on jobsites
- Competitive warranty for the class (3-year limited, 1-year free service, 90-day satisfaction)

Limitations:
- No brake, e-clutch, or kickback protection—requires mindful technique
- Shorter cord means you’ll almost always pair an extension
- Not ideal for the most aggressive wheels or heavy stock removal compared with 11–13A grinders
- Guard detents can feel gritty if you work heavily in masonry dust without cleaning

Best practices from the bench

• Use the side handle. It’s tempting to go one-handed with a small grinder; don’t. Control is your safety net without an e-clutch.
• Let it spin up before contacting the work. This motor rewards a light touch and consistent pressure.
• Match discs to tasks. Thin cutoff wheels for plate and tubing, coarse depressed-center wheels for weld knockdown, flap discs for blending, wire wheels for scale and rust.
• Keep air moving. Blow out vents after dusty jobs; a few seconds of maintenance pays off in motor longevity.
• Check guard orientation every changeover. The one-touch system makes it easy—use it.

Who it’s for

If you need a compact, no-nonsense 4-1/2-inch grinder for shop work, hobby fabrication, metal art, light automotive, or general maintenance, this one fits well. It’s a great second grinder to keep a flap disc permanently mounted while another runs a cutoff wheel, and it’s friendly enough for newer users who want quality without jumping straight into high-amperage weight and cost. If your daily workload includes heavy beveling, thick stock removal, or aggressive masonry grinding, you’ll appreciate a higher-amp grinder with more torque and added safety electronics.

Recommendation

I recommend this grinder for anyone who values compact size, quick adjustments, and dependable performance in light-to-mid duty metalwork. It has enough power to handle cutting, grinding, and surface prep on common steel, and the ergonomics make longer sessions manageable. The lack of a brake and e-clutch means it’s not the right choice for frequent overhead or high-risk cutting, and the cord length nudges you toward an extension. But judged for what it is—a small, fast, well-built 4-1/2-inch grinder—it delivers. Add the solid warranty and the convenience of the one-touch guard and tool-free wheel changes, and it earns a permanent spot near the front of the cart.