DeWalt 4.5-in. Small Angle Slide Switch Grinder

First impressions and setup

I put the DeWalt 4.5-in grinder (model DWE4224) straight to work on a week of metal fabrication and light masonry cleanup. Out of the box you get the grinder, a Type 27 guard, side handle, backing flange, flange nut, and a hex-key wheel wrench. The simplified tool kit is refreshingly no-nonsense—no case, no extras you won’t use. Build quality feels solid: tight gearhead tolerances, a robust guard, and a cord that doesn’t feel flimsy. At just over 6 pounds shipped, it’s not the lightest in its class, but the balance is excellent once a disc and handle are on.

The form factor is familiar DeWalt: a compact head, medium-diameter barrel, and a slide switch on top. The ergonomics work well with gloves; the body’s diameter offers a secure grip without feeling blocky, and the side handle threads in cleanly and doesn’t vibrate loose.

Power and performance

The 11-amp motor is the heart of this grinder, and it’s a good match to 4.5-inch wheels. No-load speed is 11,000 rpm and, more importantly, it holds speed well under load. I cut 3/8-inch angle iron and 5/8-inch rebar with thin cutoff wheels, then moved to flap discs for mill scale removal and weld blending. It never felt like it was bogging or stalling unless I deliberately pinched a wheel in a deep cut. Compared to other 10–11 amp grinders in the shop, this one keeps pace and often feels a touch more eager to recover when you lean into it.

There’s no variable speed, which is typical for this price and power range. For grinding, cutting, and most flap disc work, full speed is perfect. If your focus is polishing, paint stripping with fiber discs, or specialty wheels that prefer lower rpm, you’ll want a variable-speed model. For everyday metalwork and quick masonry touch-ups, fixed speed is the right trade-off.

Brake and E-CLUTCH: meaningful safety features

Two features stand out in actual use: the electronic brake and the E-CLUTCH. The brake spins the wheel down in a couple of seconds after you let go of the trigger. That saves time between cuts and reduces the chance of a live wheel brushing something it shouldn’t as you set the tool down. Once you’ve used a braked grinder, it’s hard to go back.

The E-CLUTCH reacts to pinches or stalls and stops the motor almost instantly. I induced a pinch by twisting a cutoff wheel in a kerf—something that happens in the real world when material shifts or you misjudge the cut. Instead of the grinder trying to twist out of my hands, it shut down cleanly. You still need good technique (and the side handle), but this system adds a meaningful margin of safety without feeling intrusive.

Dust management and durability

DeWalt’s dust ejection design isn’t marketing fluff. After a morning cutting mortar joints and grinding a concrete paver, I blew the tool out and found noticeably less grit around the brushes and vents than I usually see in grinders without any dust mitigation. You’ll still want regular maintenance—compressed air, brush inspection, and not burying the vents in debris—but everything about the motor housing and vent geometry suggests longevity in dusty environments.

Guard and adjustments

The One-Touch guard is one of my favorite usability features. Press the lever, rotate, release—done. It holds its position without creeping and adjusts easily with gloves. The included guard is Type 27, which is right for grinding and many cutoff tasks. If you do a lot of straight cut-off wheel work, consider adding a Type 1 guard for better spark control and clearance.

Switch and control

The slide switch is positive and easy to find with your thumb. It’s a personal preference thing, but I like slide switches for long grinding passes because they reduce finger fatigue compared to paddle switches you must actively hold. If you work in situations where you want the switch to spring off the moment you release it, a paddle-switch grinder might be a better fit. Here, the combination of a slide switch, brake, and E-CLUTCH strikes a practical balance between control and convenience.

Vibration is well controlled for this class. Pushing hard with a 36-grit flap disc, the tool remained composed. Noise is what you’d expect at 11,000 rpm—no miracles, no racket beyond the norm. With a good wheel, it runs smooth and feels less buzzy than some budget 4.5-inch grinders.

Wheel changes and accessories

DeWalt includes a hex-key wrench that engages two flats on the flange nut, which is different from the more common pin spanner. It works, though I recommend keeping a standard pin spanner in your kit as well—especially if you’re swapping discs frequently or dealing with a stuck nut. The spindle is the standard 5/8-11, and I’ve used it with DeWalt, Norton, Walter, and generic wheels without issue. If you’re cutting thin stock and worried about binding, consider a quick-change (keyless) flange; it’s not included, but it makes disc swaps faster.

Tip: rotate the guard to give yourself a straight shot at the flange holes during wheel changes. It sounds obvious, but it makes a difference in cramped positions.

In the field: where it shines

• Metal fabrication: cutting and notching angle iron, tube, and plate up to 1/4 inch with a 0.045-inch cutoff wheel. The motor keeps up, and the brake speeds repositioning.
• Weld prep and cleanup: grinding mill scale and blending MIG beads with 36–60 grit flap discs. Good power, controllable finish.
• Masonry touch-ups: trimming pavers and chasing small mortar joints with a diamond wheel. Dust control features help, but a shroud and vac are still recommended.

For prolonged heavy grinding on thick stock, a larger 13- to 15-amp grinder will be faster. For delicate finishing or polishing, a variable-speed unit is better. This one nails the general-purpose sweet spot.

Comparisons and value

In the 10–11 amp class, competitors from Makita, Bosch, and Milwaukee offer similar headline specs. What sets this grinder apart is the combination of brake and E-CLUTCH at this price, plus the one-touch guard that actually holds up. Some rivals offer one or two of those features, but not all three together. Warranty coverage is straightforward: 3-year limited, 1-year free service, and a 90-day satisfaction period. Considering how much time the brake saves alone, the overall value is strong.

Quirks and limitations

• No variable speed. If you need it, you need it—this isn’t the one.
• Slide switch preference. Some shops standardize on paddles for safety policy reasons. The safety systems here mitigate risk, but policies are policies.
• The included hex-key wrench works, but it’s easy to misplace. I added a small magnet clip to the cord to keep it handy.
• The Type 27 guard is great for grinding; dedicated cutoff work benefits from a Type 1 guard, which you’ll have to buy separately.

None of these are deal-breakers for the intended use, but they’re worth noting.

Maintenance tips

• Blow out the tool after cutting masonry or heavy grinding sessions. The dust ejection helps, but nothing replaces regular cleaning.
• Inspect brushes periodically and keep the vents clear.
• Use quality wheels. Cheap, unbalanced discs amplify vibration and wear the tool (and you) out faster.

Who it’s for

• Fabricators, DIYers, and tradespeople who want a compact, strong 4.5-in grinder for cutting and grinding metal and doing occasional masonry.
• Users who value a fast braking action and a clutch for pinch protection.
• Anyone who prefers a slide switch and appreciates quick guard adjustments.

If your work is mostly polishing, automotive refinishing, or sensitive surfaces, look to a variable-speed paddle-switch model instead.

Recommendation

I recommend the DWE4224 as a dependable, high-performing 4.5-in grinder for general shop and jobsite use. It delivers the right mix of power, control, and safety: strong 11-amp performance, a brake that genuinely improves workflow, and an E-CLUTCH that takes the sting out of the occasional pinch. The one-touch guard and solid ergonomics make daily use easy, and the dust management gives me confidence about long-term durability. It’s not a do-everything grinder—no variable speed, and the slide switch won’t please everyone—but for the core tasks that 4.5-inch grinders are built for, this one earns a spot on the bench.