DeWalt 13 Amp Corded 5–6 in. Brushless Small Angle Grinder (Paddle Switch)

A 6-inch grinder that actually feels small is a rare find. This DeWalt brushless small-angle grinder hits that sweet spot where power and safety tech meet manageable size, and after putting it through steel prep, beveling, and a handful of cutoffs, I came away impressed—with a few caveats you’ll want to know before you buy.

Design and ergonomics

At 6.1 pounds and about 13.6 inches long, the grinder balances well with a 6-inch Type 27 wheel installed. The paddle switch is the no-lock style, which I prefer for jobsite safety. DeWalt adds a two-stage trigger—so you have to move a safety and then squeeze the paddle—to cut down on accidental starts. With gloves on, I found the motion natural after the first hour. If you’re used to lock-on switches for long grinding sessions, you’ll feel the difference in the forearm; it’s safer but a touch more tiring on extended runs.

The 6-foot cord is on the short side for a shop or site tool, so plan on an extension cord. The integrated lanyard loop is a smart addition for work at height, and the 5/8-11 arbor takes the usual suspects: grinding wheels, flap discs, wire cups, and cutoff wheels.

Power and performance

Spec-wise, this is a 13-amp, 9000 RPM grinder with 1800 max watts out. In practice, it pulls like a higher-amp brushed unit but with a smoother, more controlled feel. With a 6-inch grinding wheel, it chews through mill scale and handles bevels on 3/8-inch plate without begging for mercy. On structural steel, it maintained speed under moderate pressure better than many 11-amp class grinders I keep around as loaners.

Cutting with a 6-inch wheel is where the format shines. You gain depth without moving up to a heavier 7-inch platform. Expect roughly two inches of useful depth with a Type 1 guard, depending on guard setup. Just make sure your wheels are rated at or above 9000 RPM—6-inch accessories often are, but it’s not universal.

There’s no variable speed. For hard, aggressive grinding and cutting, I didn’t miss it, and the brushless motor carries load nicely. For stainless finishing, flap discs, or wire brushing where a lower speed helps control heat, spatter, and wire throws, you’ll wish you had a dial. This is a go/stop grinder, not a finesse finisher.

Safety systems that actually help

DeWalt stacks several electronic systems into this platform:

• Electronic brake: With specified wheels, the brake stops the wheel in about a second. In the real world, I consistently saw the wheel dead still by the time I set the grinder down. It’s a meaningful safety upgrade in tight shops and on ladders.
• E-CLUTCH: If the wheel binds, the grinder senses the event and cuts power quickly to reduce kickback. I forced a few bind-ups in notch cuts; the tool shut down fast and saved my wrist.
• Power-loss reset: If power drops and comes back, the grinder won’t restart until you release and re-engage the trigger. It’s simple and it works.

These are the safety features I want on a 6-inch grinder. They reduce risk without making the tool feel neutered under load. You can still stall it if you really lean on it, but the systems intervene predictably.

Electrical behavior: what to know about trips and cords

Here’s the part worth your attention. The combination of a brushless motor and an aggressive electronic brake means you’ll see higher inrush at start and a strong deceleration event at stop. That’s normal for this class of electronics, but it has knock-on effects:

• GFCI/AFCI outlets: I did experience nuisance trips on some GFCI-protected circuits, particularly older devices and cheaper jobsite boxes. On standard, properly loaded circuits without GFCI, it ran without issue. If you must run on GFCI (wet locations), understand that this grinder may trip certain devices. That’s not unique to this tool, but it’s real.
• Extension cords: Long, light-gauge cords increase voltage drop and make breaker trips more likely—especially if you “feather” the trigger in short bursts and the brake cycles repeatedly. I had the most reliable results with 12-gauge cords up to 100 feet. Avoid 16-gauge cords entirely for this tool.
• Circuit loading: On a 15A circuit carrying other loads (compressor, lights, chargers), I could pop the breaker with repeated short trigger pulls. On a dedicated 15A or 20A circuit with a heavy-gauge cord, no issues.

Practical tips:
- Use a short, heavy-gauge extension (12 AWG preferred).
- Avoid rapid on/off cycling; let the wheel stop before restarting when possible.
- If you encounter consistent GFCI trips, test on a different GFCI device or a dedicated standard circuit where code allows. If trips persist on a healthy standard circuit, contact service.

Control and feel

Startup is assertive rather than soft. The paddle switch gives excellent control on awkward cuts, and the two-stage safety is easy to manage with gloves. The brake is strong—you can feel it tug the tool down as it stops. That’s a net positive for safety, but it’s one reason not to machine-gun the trigger.

Vibration is in the “typical DeWalt pro grinder” range. With good accessories, it’s comfortable for a 6-inch platform. As always, wheel quality matters more than folks admit; cheap wheels make any grinder feel bad.

Durability and maintenance

Brushless means no carbon brushes to replace, less internal arcing, and less routine maintenance. After several hours of heavy grinding, the housing stayed warm but not alarming, and there was no detectable power fade. The guard mechanism is solid and holds position. I can’t speak to years of jobsite abuse yet, but the build feels ready for it. The warranty package—3-year limited, 1-year free service, and a 90-day money back—is a good safety net for a pro tool.

Compatibility and setup

• 5/8-11 arbor fits most accessories you already own.
• Designed for 5- to 6-inch wheels; use the correct guard for wheel type and diameter.
• No variable speed; avoid low-RPM-only accessories.
• The integrated lanyard loop is genuinely useful in aerial work.

If you’re cutting masonry, plan on a dust shroud and extractor; this platform doesn’t add dust-specific features out of the box, but it plays fine with standard shrouds.

What could be better

• No variable speed limits its finesse for stainless finishing and wire brushing.
• The electronic brake and brushless drive can trip GFCI/AFCI or breaker on marginal circuits, and the tool doesn’t love long, thin cords.
• The no-lock paddle is safer but more fatiguing for marathon grinding sessions.
• The 6-foot cord is short for shop work.

None of these are deal-breakers for me, but they’re worth knowing so you can set up your power and workflow accordingly.

Who it’s for

• Steel fabricators and welders who want a compact 6-inch grinder with real power and modern safety.
• Jobsite users working at height or in tight spaces who benefit from fast stopping and a no-lock paddle.
• Pros who value low-maintenance brushless drives and can provide a proper circuit with a heavy-gauge cord.

Who should look elsewhere:
- Finishers who need variable speed for sensitive materials.
- Users who must run on finicky GFCI/AFCI circuits all day with no option to switch power sources.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt 6-inch brushless grinder for pro users and serious DIYers who prioritize safety and power in a compact form. It grinds and cuts with authority, the brake and E-CLUTCH work as advertised, and the brushless motor keeps maintenance low. To get the best experience, run it on a dedicated 15A or 20A circuit with a 12-gauge extension, avoid rapid trigger cycling, and choose high-quality, properly rated accessories. If you need variable speed or you’re locked into using sensitive GFCI circuits all the time, there are better fits. For most steel work, though, this is a well-executed, confidence-inspiring grinder I’m happy to keep in rotation.