DeWalt 9 in. 4.7 HP Angle Grinder, No-Lock

Why I reached for this grinder

I spent the past few weeks on a mix of structural steel work, plate beveling, and some stubborn concrete patch removal. For those tasks, I prefer a 9-inch grinder that can keep its speed under load without beating me up in the process. This DeWalt 9-inch grinder checked the right boxes on paper—15 amps, a 6,500 rpm no-load speed appropriate for 9-inch wheels, and a trigger layout that favors control over convenience. In practice, it delivered the kind of steady, confident performance I want from a big corded unit, with a few thoughtful touches that matter over long days.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, you get the grinder, a 9-inch guard, and a rubber gear case cover. The gear case cover is more than a nicety—it gives your forward hand a secure, insulated grip when you’re pipelining or guiding along a long bevel. The tool itself is substantial at a bit over 12 lb and just under 21 inches in length. That mass and length put it firmly in two-handed territory, as you’d expect for a 9-inch model.

The guard adjusts tool-free. The mechanism is secure and easy to reposition without feeling flimsy. Threading on wheels is straightforward with the 5/8-11 spindle; nothing unusual there. I used the included 3-position side handle in the “over-the-top” position for vertical grinding and rotated it to the left or right for horizontal runs. No surprises during setup—everything fits and locks with a satisfying, precise feel.

Ergonomics and control

The trigger handle has anti-vibration padding and contours that work well with gloves. The lock-off trigger requires a deliberate two-step action to start, and there’s no lock-on. That’s a safety call I appreciate on a high-power grinder. It does mean your trigger hand stays engaged the whole time. On long passes, the anti-vibe grip makes a difference; I could keep a steady pressure with less tingling in the fingers by day’s end.

Weight distribution favors the front slightly, which I like when I need to press a wheel against steel and let gravity assist. The low-profile gear case helps with access in corners and between flanges. The rubber gear case cover gives you a second comfortable handhold when the side handle isn’t positioned where you want it.

Power, speed, and consistency

On steel, the grinder pulls hard and recovers quickly if you overfeed. The 6,500 rpm no-load speed is right for 9-inch wheels and puts the emphasis on torque rather than screaming top-end speed. I spent time beveling 3/8-inch plate and cleaning welds on W-beams with a 9-inch grinding disc and a flap wheel. It stayed planted, didn’t chatter, and resisted bogging better than some 13-amp units I’ve used. Push too far and the overload protection intervenes before you do serious harm, which is exactly how I want a big grinder to behave.

For concrete, I paired it with an appropriate 9-inch diamond cup and a vacuum shroud (not included). The grinder held speed well during sustained passes across cured slab patches. It runs smoother than average for its class—there’s less high-frequency buzz transmitted to the hands, and the tone is lower, which makes it feel calmer under load. It’s still a 9-inch grinder: you’ll want hearing protection. But relative to similar tools, it’s on the “smooth and controlled” side rather than harsh.

Dust management and durability

The Dust Ejection System is internal; it doesn’t capture jobsite dust for you, but it does a good job keeping abrasive fines from settling in the motor and brushes. After several concrete sessions, I didn’t see the usual telltale accumulation behind the brush windows. Speaking of which, the brush windows are handy. You can inspect and swap brushes without disassembling half the tool, and the automatic turn-off feature prevents armature damage when the brushes are done. That’s a small thing until you’ve cooked a motor on a grinder you liked.

The thick S-style cord is rugged and has quality strain relief. It’s reasonably flexible, though in cold weather it holds some coil memory. At 8 feet, it reaches about as far as most site tools, but I’d still plan on an extension cord for most setups. This is an AC-only tool; there’s no dual-voltage or variable-speed electronics. For heavy grinding and cutting with 9-inch wheels, that’s fine.

Safety and switch gear

The lock-off trigger is a standout. No lock-on means no accidental walk-offs if you set the tool down live or get bumped mid-cut. For fabrication shops and site work where multiple people might touch the tool, I prefer this approach. The trade-off is fatigue on very long sessions, since your finger never truly rests. With the anti-vibe grip and a good glove, I found it manageable, and I was willing to make that trade for the added safety.

Balance with the 3-position side handle is good. On overhead work, the top position keeps the wheel planted without twisting your wrist. On horizontal cuts or long bevels, left or right positions keep your wrist neutral. The guard rotates easily, so you can maintain spark direction and shielding fast.

Wheel changes and guard adjustments

The Quick-Change guard is genuinely useful. It rotates and locks confidently without needing a wrench, which kept me moving between grinding, cutting, and flap wheel work. Wheel swaps are as expected with a standard wrench on the flange nut. The spindle and threads are robust and haven’t picked up grit binding, likely thanks in part to the dust management inside the head.

One note: keep the 9-inch guard on when using 9-inch wheels. If you need to run smaller accessories, make sure you use the proper guard size for the wheel and application. The included guard is sized for 9-inch, and it does its job well.

What I’d change

• Add a brake or electronic clutch: Neither is listed here, and while I didn’t miss them most of the time, a brake would shorten spin-down on big wheels and a clutch can reduce the sting of a sudden bind.
• Offer a longer cord option: Eight feet is serviceable, but 10–12 feet reduces cord management when you’re moving around beams or forms.
• Optional lock-on variant: I like the no-lock trigger for safety, but some shops will want a lock-on option for bench work. As long as the no-lock version remains available, having both would satisfy more use cases.

Maintenance and serviceability

This grinder is easy to keep in the rotation. Brush windows simplify preventive maintenance, and the automatic brush shut-off protects the armature if you forget. The dust ejection ports reduce internal contamination, extending the service interval when you’re around concrete or heavy grinding dust. Fit and finish are solid—the gear case screws, guard latch, and switch action all feel like they’ll hold up to abuse. DeWalt’s 3-year limited warranty, a year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee provide a decent safety net.

Who this suits

• Fabricators and steel erectors who need a strong, steady 9-inch grinder for beveling, weld prep, and cleanup.
• Concrete and masonry pros who will pair it with a proper shroud for grinding or cutting and want a motor that tolerates dusty conditions.
• Pipeline and field welders who value the gear case grip and predictable torque with big wheels.

If your work is mostly light-duty metal finishing or detail grinding, a 4.5–6-inch grinder will feel nimbler. If you need variable speed for polishing or specialty abrasives, this isn’t the right fit.

The bottom line

This 9-inch DeWalt grinder earns its keep with steady torque, a sensible 6,500 rpm speed for big wheels, and user-focused details like the anti-vibe trigger handle, solid guard mechanism, and service-friendly brushes. It’s not flashy and doesn’t chase every electronic feature, but it runs smoothly, stays cool, and brings a level of control that makes long grinding sessions more manageable.

Recommendation: I recommend this grinder for tradespeople and serious DIYers who need a reliable, high-torque 9-inch platform for steel and concrete. It’s powerful without being unruly, safer than many thanks to the no-lock trigger, and built to survive dusty environments. If you require variable speed, a lock-on switch, or a brake, look elsewhere. Otherwise, this is a strong, confidence-inspiring choice that should cover the bulk of heavy grinding and cutting tasks you’ll encounter.