DeWalt 4-1/2 in. Paddle Switch Small Angle Grinder

A compact workhorse with a few setup quirks

I put this 4-1/2 in. DeWalt grinder to work on a mix of projects—cleanup on MIG welds, trimming rusted fasteners, and prepping plate for paint—and it has settled into the “reach-for-it-first” spot on my grinder wall. It’s a slim, 9-amp unit spinning around 12,000 rpm, and while it won’t replace an 11–13A grinder for aggressive stock removal, it hits a sweet spot for control, access, and everyday steel work.

Setup and first use

Out of the box, the body feels lean and balanced. At 4.4 lbs, it’s light enough for overhead work without becoming a forearm workout, and the low-profile jam-pot gear case slides into corners where a bulkier head won’t. The two-position side handle installs quickly; I do wish there were a top (third) position for more control in certain grinding orientations, but the slim body invites a solid two-handed grip regardless.

Guard installation is straightforward once you’ve done it a couple of times. The One-Touch guard uses a small steel lever to release and lock around the collar. Align the tabs, depress the lever, seat the guard, and rotate it to the position you want. It rotates a full 360 degrees in detents, which is handy for controlling spark direction as you change cutting or grinding angles. A tip: don’t over-rotate past the detents when it’s off the tool; it can pop free and take a minute to reseat.

My unit came with a paddle switch and no lock-on. That’s my preference for grinders—let go and it stops driving the disc—but if you want a lock-on, check the specific listing. There’s no brake, e-clutch, or kickback brake here, so you need to treat it like a traditional compact grinder: keep your stance squared, let the wheel wind down before setting the tool down, and don’t bind cutoff wheels.

Power and performance

For a 9A grinder, this DeWalt feels lively. Rated at roughly 1,140 max watts out, it snaps to speed quickly and holds rpm well in light to medium grinding. I used 36- and 60-grit flap discs for weld blending on 1/8 in. and 3/16 in. mild steel. It stayed planted and predictable, with enough headroom to keep the wheel cutting without bogging. On heavier beveling or when leaning into a 1/4 in. grinding wheel, you’ll find the limits—you can stall it if you push hard—but that’s expected for this class.

Cutoff duty is where this grinder shines. With a quality 0.045 in. wheel, it chews through corroded bolts, angle iron, and sheet goods quickly. The slim gearbox and compact diameter let me make close-in cuts flush to surfaces, and the 12,000 rpm helps thin cutoff wheels stay efficient. It will handle occasional masonry or tile with the right wheel, but keep in mind there’s no dust shroud included, and a 9A motor is better suited to short bursts than continuous stone cutting.

Control, ergonomics, and safety

The paddle switch is nicely shaped and gives you a long activation surface. With gloves on, it’s easy to feather on and off, and the overall grip is excellent thanks to the narrow body. Vents are placed to keep air moving without blasting grit directly into your face.

Two points to understand with this model:
- No active safety electronics. There’s no e-clutch or brake, so kickback control is on you and your technique. I always run the side handle installed, keep my wrists aligned, and avoid twisting a cutoff wheel in a kerf.
- Free spin-down. Without a brake, the wheel coasts for a few seconds after you release the paddle. Get in the habit of waiting it out before you set the tool down.

Noise levels are typical for a compact grinder—rated around 91.5 dB(A) sound pressure—so hearing protection isn’t optional. Vibration is moderate. For grinding, it’s in the typical small-grinder range; for sanding or flap discs, it’s noticeably smoother. Over a long session, fatigue is more about noise and fine vibration than raw weight.

Guard and wheel changes

DeWalt’s One-Touch guard is the highlight of the user interface. Being able to spin the guard to aim sparks where you want without reaching for a tool keeps you moving. The action is positive, and it hasn’t loosened on me during use.

Wheel changes are fast. The grinder uses a standard 5/8"-11 spindle and a spindle-lock button. DeWalt includes a quick-change wheel release on this series, which means you can often pop the flange free without reaching for a wrench. In practice, that’s true as long as you haven’t really torqued on the wheel; heavy grinding can “lock” the flange and you’ll still want a wrench on hand. My routine:
1) Unplug or disconnect power.
2) Press and hold the spindle lock.
3) Crack the flange loose (quick-release or wrench) and spin the wheel off.
4) Seat the new wheel and snug just past finger-tight. The motor’s inertia will tighten it on startup.

If you’re switching between grinding wheels, flap discs, wire cups, and cutoff wheels, the standard thread makes life easy. Just make sure the guard orientation is correct for the accessory you’re using.

Durability and build

The jam-pot gear case is stout, and the overall build feels more industrial than homeowner. After multiple hours of grinding and cutting, the head stays warm but not scorching, which lines up with a gearbox that’s well meshed and greased. The cord strain relief is flexible and doesn’t fight you on wraps. Brushes are accessible when they eventually wear. As with any grinder, compressed air is your friend—blow out the vents and gear head after dusty work.

There’s AC/DC capability, which means it’ll run on a suitable DC source (common with some welders and power supplies). In the real world, that’s a niche feature, but it’s there if your jobsite power is unconventional.

Where it fits in a kit

• Metal fab and repair: Excellent. Weld cleanup, edge prep, and general grinding feel dialed in for a 4-1/2 in. wheel.
• Quick cuts: Very good. It’s compact enough to get into awkward corners and strong enough for frequent cutoff tasks.
• Heavy grinding: Adequate but not ideal. If you live on 1/4 in. grinding wheels with lots of pressure, step up to a higher-amp model.
• Precision work and detail grinding: Strong. The slim body and low-profile head help you see your line and keep control.

What I’d change

• A third handle position would expand control options.
• A clearer quick-start guide would help new users install the guard and understand the wheel-change mechanism the first time.
• Optional brake/e-clutch variants would be welcome for users who prioritize active safety, even at a higher price tier.

Practical tips

• Position the guard so sparks shoot away from you and anything flammable; the 360-degree rotation makes it easy to adjust as you change grip.
• Don’t over-tighten the flange. Let the motor’s inertia snug it; it’ll save time on the next change.
• Match the wheel to the task. Thin cutoff wheels for slicing, flap discs for blending, grinding wheels for heavy removal, and wire accessories for cleanup—all are fair game on the 5/8"-11 spindle.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt 4-1/2 in. grinder for anyone who needs a compact, reliable corded grinder for metalwork, repair, and general fabrication. It delivers strong performance for its 9A class, the paddle switch and slim body give you excellent control, and the One-Touch guard speeds up real-world workflow. You trade off modern safety features like a brake or e-clutch, and power users may want a higher-amp model for relentless heavy grinding. But as a day-to-day grinder that’s easy to handle, fits where others won’t, and runs standard 4-1/2 in. accessories, it’s a solid value and a tool I’m happy to keep on the bench.