DeWalt 5 in. Brushless Paddle-Switch Small Angle Grinder with Kickback Brake

A compact, serious grinder for metal and masonry work

I brought the DeWalt 5-inch brushless grinder onto a mixed metal-and-masonry job where I knew I’d be bouncing between cutting, grinding, and surface prep. It stayed on my cart all week. This is a corded, 13-amp, variable-speed grinder with a two-stage paddle trigger and a full suite of electronic safety features. The brushless motor is the headline, but what kept me reaching for it was the combination of controllable speed, consistent power, and a brake that actually stops the wheel quickly.

Build, ergonomics, and controls

At 6.75 lb and about 17 inches long, it’s on the heavier and longer side for a 5-inch class grinder. The extra length never got in my way, and the weight is balanced well through the body. The barrel grip is comfortable with gloves, and the included side handle threads in firmly.

The paddle switch is a two-stage design with no lock-on. You must defeat a safety before you can squeeze the trigger, and you have to keep holding it to run the tool. That’s a safety-forward setup I appreciate in awkward positions or overhead. If you live on a grinder for hours doing flat-plate surfacing, the lack of a lock-on will tire your hand sooner; that’s the trade-off.

The variable-speed dial sits at the rear and is easy to bump with your off-hand. It’s not recessed, but it holds position and never drifted. The dial maps to a top speed of 10,500 RPM, and the useful range covers slow-speed wire brushing and polishing up through aggressive grinding. The 6-foot cord is a bit short for site work; plan on a heavy-gauge extension.

Power and speed management

With 13 amps and a rated 1800 max watts out, this grinder doesn’t feel like it’s hunting for torque. The brushless motor delivers a smooth ramp-up, and it holds speed well under load. Cutting 3/8-inch mild steel with a 0.045-inch Type 1 wheel at full speed felt confident—no bogging when I leaned in. Switching to an 80-grit flap disc, I could dial the speed down to keep stainless from discoloring, and the tool stayed planted and controllable.

The brake is great. Release the paddle and the wheel coasts down in roughly two seconds with standard bonded wheels and flap discs. That’s fast enough to set it down without waiting around, and it limits the number of accidental scuffs on workpieces.

Safety features that actually help

This grinder combines an electronic kickback brake, an E-CLUTCH, and a power-loss reset. In practice:

• The kickback brake triggers when a wheel pinches or stalls. On a buried cut in angle iron, I intentionally bound a cutoff wheel; the motor shut down and braked almost instantly. It felt decisive, not jarring.
• The E-CLUTCH is effectively a bind-up sensor. Pushing a 5-inch depressed-center wheel into a corner hard enough to overload it would momentarily trip the clutch without throwing me off balance. I’d rather it be slightly conservative than the opposite.
• Power-loss reset means it won’t auto-restart if the plug gets yanked and then reconnected. You have to cycle the switch. That’s an unsung but important safety for jobsite power hiccups.

There’s also an integrated lanyard attachment point. If you’re working at height, having a rated tie-off spot on the housing (instead of improvising around a cord) is a real benefit.

Metalwork performance

• Grinding: With a Type 27 wheel and the included guard, material removal is strong at full speed. The motor doesn’t feel “peaky”; it’s linear and controlled. Vibration is well managed for the class—no numb fingers after a session.
• Cutting: With appropriate guards and discs, it stays straight in a cut and doesn’t chatter. The paddle switch is easy to modulate to ease into a cut, and the brake makes pull-out predictable in tight spaces.
• Finishing: Variable speed shines here. For flap discs on stainless or aluminum, backing off the dial reduced heat tint and helped avoid gouging. Wire wheels and cups also benefit—lower speeds reduce wire throw and extend accessory life.

The standard 5/8-11 spindle fits the usual suspects. It ships with inner and outer flanges and a 5-inch Type 27 guard; for thin cutoffs you’ll want the proper Type 1 guard. If you do a lot of wheel changes, consider a quick-change nut—there isn’t one included.

Concrete and masonry

This grinder is capable for light concrete work and tuckpointing with the right accessories. I ran a 5-inch diamond cup wheel at a reduced speed for a small surface patch and appreciated the control. For any significant dust-producing work, pair it with a proper shroud and extractor. The included Type 27 guard isn’t a dust solution, and you should plan on a dedicated shroud for silica control. The AC/DC rating is a nice touch for field work off a welder/generator, assuming clean, adequate power.

Brushless on a cord: practical benefits

Brushless on a corded grinder might sound like marketing, but there are real gains:

• No brushes to replace or inspect.
• Better efficiency, which shows up as cooler running and slightly quieter operation at like-for-like load.
• Smoother electronic control over speed and braking, which you can feel in how predictably it ramps up and stops.

The flip side is that electronics add complexity. If a control board fails out of warranty, repairs can be pricier than a brushed alternative. The 3-year limited warranty and 1-year free service help, and keeping dust out of the vents with regular blowouts is good practice.

What I’d change

• Weight and size: At nearly 6.75 lb and longer than many 5-inch grinders, fatigue creeps in faster for extended one-handed work. If you live on a grinder all day, you’ll notice.
• No lock-on: I like the safety, but on long surfacing jobs a lock-on can reduce hand strain. This tool prioritizes safety over convenience by design.
• Cord length: Six feet is short. You’ll almost always be on an extension.
• Accessories: Including only a Type 27 guard is standard, but many pros switch between grinding and cutting. A Type 1 guard in the kit would make it more versatile out of the box.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re worth noting for the way you work.

Who it suits best

• Fabricators and welders who want variable speed for stainless and aluminum without giving up power for carbon steel.
• Maintenance crews and industrial users who value the brake, E-CLUTCH, and power-loss reset for safety.
• Remodelers who need one 5-inch grinder to cover metalwork and occasional masonry with proper accessories.
• Anyone working at height who needs a lanyard-ready housing.

If your work is mostly light-duty and you prioritize a compact, featherweight grinder, this might feel like more tool than you need. If you do long, continuous flat grinding and insist on a lock-on, look elsewhere.

Bottom line and recommendation

This DeWalt 5-inch brushless grinder brings together strong corded power, true variable speed, and best-in-class safety features in a package that feels deliberate and predictable on the job. It’s not the lightest or shortest, and the two-stage paddle with no lock-on won’t please everyone. But the way it manages speed under load, the quick, confident brake, and the thoughtful safety stack make it the grinder I want in hand for most of my metal and light masonry tasks.

I recommend it for pros and serious DIYers who value control and safety as much as raw power. The brushless motor eliminates brush maintenance and helps the tool run cooler, the electronics do their job without being intrusive, and the variable speed meaningfully expands what you can do with one grinder. Add a Type 1 guard and a dust shroud to round out the kit, keep a good extension cord handy, and you’ll have a versatile, confidence-inspiring grinder that earns its space in the toolbox.