DeWalt 60V MAX brushless cordless 4-1/2 in. – 6 in. grinder with kickback brake (kit)

Why I reached for this grinder

I keep a few cordless grinders in rotation, but I grabbed this 60V DeWalt grinder for jobs where cords and underpowered 20V units bog me down: cutting rusty fasteners under a truck, grinding welds on 3/16-inch plate in a driveway, and cleaning up a trailer frame. On paper it promises 13-amp corded performance and a 6-inch wheel option—two specs that matter when you want more bite and deeper cuts without dragging an extension cord.

After a few weeks of mixed metal and light masonry work, here’s how it actually performs.

Build, setup, and first impressions

Out of the bag, it’s a substantial tool. The bare head and gearcase feel rigid with minimal flex, and the fit of the guards and flanges is precise. With the included 9.0Ah FLEXVOLT pack, the balance is slightly rear-biased but controllable. It’s not a compact grinder, and you’ll feel it overhead, but the side handle and the 60V battery give it a stable, planted feel on horizontal work.

Guard swaps between the included 4-1/2-inch and 6-inch Type 27 guards are straightforward. Wheel changes are standard fare with the supplied flanges and wrench; nothing fancy, just the usual 5/8-11 arbor and a positive lock button. The trigger has a safety lockout you must press before squeezing—the edges of that insert are a touch sharp bare-handed; light gloves made it a non-issue.

Power and speed

The headline claim is “13-amp equivalent.” In practice, with a 6-inch Type 27 grinding wheel, it spins up fast to 9,000 rpm and holds speed better than any cordless unit I’ve used short of much larger 7-inch class tools. On structural steel, it kept pace with my midrange corded grinder for material removal. Where smaller 20V grinders tend to stall on an aggressive cut with a 6-inch wheel, this one muscles through with less coaxing.

• Grinding welds: With a 6-inch 1/4-inch grinding disc, it chewed down MIG welds on 3/16-inch plate without bogging. A modest, steady feed pressure worked best; push too hard and the electronic protection steps in.
• Cutting: With a 6-inch cutoff wheel, it gets you that extra depth a 4-1/2-inch can’t. I sliced 1/2-inch rebar and notched angle iron cleanly. Expect a little gyroscopic “wheel walk” with the larger disc; two-handed control with the side handle keeps it predictable.
• Surface prep: Wire cups and twisted wire wheels ran smoothly. The brushless motor vibe is controlled, and the tool’s mass helps dampen chatter.

There’s no soft-start here; it snaps to speed quickly. It’s not obnoxiously loud for a grinder, but it’s still a grinder—hearing protection recommended.

Safety systems that actually do something

Two features stood out: the kickback brake and the E-CLUTCH. I intentionally pinched a cutoff wheel in a shallow kerf to see what would happen; the brake clamped the wheel almost instantly, and the E-CLUTCH killed power. I felt a short, muted tug instead of the usual violent twist that makes you regret your life choices. That’s the kind of intervention you appreciate once, and then you work to avoid needing it again.

The electronic brake on trigger release is also quick—around a second or two depending on wheel size—so you’re not waiting forever before setting the tool down. With a 4-1/2-inch bonded wheel it stops fast; the 6-inch wheel’s extra inertia stretches the stop slightly, but it’s still notably quicker than grinders without an electric brake.

Ergonomics and control

The trigger-and-lockout arrangement is glove-friendly once you get used to it, but it’s less “effortless” than a broad paddle switch for awkward cuts. The head shape and guard give good sightlines to the cut. The side handle can be threaded left or right; I wish there were a top position for chisel-grinding on flat plate, but that’s a minor quibble.

Weight is the real trade-off. The tool itself feels around mid-pack, but add the 9Ah battery and 6-inch guard and you’re in the “hefty” category. On horizontal work it helps you keep the disc planted; for overhead grinding, you’ll want breaks.

Runtime and charging

With the included 9.0Ah FLEXVOLT pack, I got roughly:
- Continuous heavy grinding: around 20–30 minutes of actual grinding time before low-voltage protection stepped in.
- Intermittent work (cut, reposition, grind): a couple of hours of stop-and-go tasks on a truck frame before swapping packs.

The included fast charger brought a fully depleted 9Ah pack back to full in a little over an hour in my shop at room temperature. Heat management was solid; the pack got warm but not alarming. If you’re planning a full day of cutting and grinding, a second FLEXVOLT battery is a wise purchase.

Dust and sparks

For metal work, the Type 27 guards do what they should. For masonry or concrete scoring, plan ahead: the kit doesn’t include a Type 1 cutting guard or dust shroud. You’ll need the appropriate guard and a vac to keep silica dust under control. Running a 6-inch diamond wheel without proper extraction throws a lot of fines and isn’t something I’d do indoors.

Durability and maintenance

So far, no play in the spindle, no odd noises from the gearcase, and the electronic protections haven’t been finicky. Brushless means no carbon brushes to replace, which is one less wear item. As with any grinder, discs, flanges, and guards take the brunt of abuse—keep threads clean, blow out the vents, and check the guard latch for grit.

Warranty coverage is the standard 3-year limited with 1-year free service and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. As always, keep your receipt and register the tool. Wear parts are often excluded in the fine print, so treat it like what it is: a professional-grade grinder that rewards basic care.

What I’d change

• Weight with the 9Ah pack: It’s the price of big power. A smaller FLEXVOLT pack trims weight but also cuts runtime.
• Trigger ergonomics: The safety insert edges could be smoother. It’s fine with gloves, but I noticed it bare-handed.
• Electronic protection threshold: In very aggressive, wedged cuts, it can trip sooner than a corded grinder. That’s by design—and it’s safer—but it occasionally interrupts your rhythm.

Who it’s for

• Excellent for: Pros and serious DIYers who need corded-level power off the grid—mobile fabricators, automotive work, farm and ranch maintenance, on-site metalwork, and demolition tasks. The 6-inch capability adds real versatility.
• Consider alternatives if: You mainly do quick, light cuts or long overhead work. A lighter 4-1/2-inch 20V grinder may be more comfortable and cheaper. If you’re tethered to a bench all day, a lighter corded 13-amp unit still makes sense.

The bottom line

This 60V DeWalt grinder delivers on its promise of corded-like power with the convenience of cordless. It cuts and grinds aggressively with 4-1/2- and 6-inch wheels, stops quickly when you release the trigger, and clamps down kickback better than most. The trade-offs are predictable: it’s heavier with the big FLEXVOLT pack, and the safety electronics will occasionally pause a too-aggressive cut. Neither stopped me from reaching for it first for field work and jobsite tasks.

Recommendation: I recommend it to anyone who wants a do-it-all cordless grinder with real muscle and values safety features that actually intervene. It’s especially compelling if you’re already in the FLEXVOLT ecosystem. If budget and weight are your top concerns and your workload is light, a smaller 20V model will save money and forearm fatigue. But for serious cutting and grinding without the leash, this is the one I’d buy again.