DeWalt 6 in. (150 mm) High Performance Angle Grinder

Why I reached for this grinder

On jobs where I’m cutting plate, chasing welds, and blending edges for hours, I prefer a corded grinder that just keeps going. This 6-inch DeWalt grinder has become my go-to for those sessions. It sits in a sweet spot: more reach and bite than a 5-inch, without the heft and intimidation of a 7-/9-inch. After several weeks on structural steel, shop fab, and some field maintenance, here’s how it actually performs.

Power and speed under load

With a 13-amp motor and a 9,000 RPM no-load speed, the grinder has the torque you want for 6-inch wheels. DeWalt rates it at 1700 Max Watts Out; in practice that translates to steady cutting and grinding without the bogging you sometimes feel in smaller, high-RPM 5-inch units. I ran 6-inch Type 1 cut-off wheels to slice 3/8-inch plate and angle, and it stayed composed as I pushed—no sputter, no need to baby it. For weld removal, a 6-inch Type 27 grinding wheel chewed through fillets with convincing authority.

The speed is well matched to the wheel size. It’s not a screamer for thin-sheet finesse (this isn’t an 11,000 RPM 5-inch), but for thicker stock and aggressive grinding, the balance feels right. Corded torque also means consistency: no tapering off midway through a heavy bevel because the “tank” is running low. If your workload leans toward prolonged grinding, this is exactly the kind of dependable power curve you want.

Control, safety, and the E-CLUTCH

The standout safety feature is the electronic anti-rotation E-CLUTCH. When I intentionally pinched a cut to see how it behaved, the motor shut down immediately. It’s not a mechanical brake (there isn’t one), so the wheel coasts to a stop, but that quick motor cutoff is a real wrist-saver when a disc binds. In practical use, it triggered a couple of times in awkward cuts across tube and didn’t feel finicky or overprotective.

Two other safety notes I appreciate:
- Power Loss Reset: If a cord gets unplugged or a breaker trips mid-cut, the tool won’t restart as soon as power returns. You need to cycle the trigger. That’s the behavior I want on a grinder.
- No lock-on: The trigger does not lock. For safety, I like that; for long, uninterrupted grinding passes, your finger will feel it. Tradeoffs.

What’s missing is a kickback brake or any active wheel braking. If fast coast-down is critical for your workflow, you won’t find it here.

Ergonomics and feel

At roughly 8 pounds, the grinder isn’t light, but the weight is well distributed. The longer body gives you leverage to steer larger wheels without feeling like the tool is steering you. The grip and trigger placement make it easy to maintain a neutral wrist angle in either hand. The side handle can be mounted on either side, and it’s stout enough to actually lean on. Vibration is in the “normal for a pro grinder” range—no fancy anti-vibe handle, but after a couple hours of flap-disc blending I wasn’t buzzing.

There’s no lock-on, so for long flat grinding you might miss being able to set-and-hold with the side handle. The upside is cleaner control during cutoffs and less risk of a running wheel when you set the tool down.

Dust management and durability

DeWalt’s Dust Ejection System isn’t a filter; it’s a venting strategy that kicks grit away from the intake path. I ran this in a dirty fab bay and later on a dusty slab, and I noticed fewer fines settling inside the housing compared to some older grinders. It still needs routine blowouts, but the vents didn’t clog quickly and the motor kept breathing. The gearcase stayed surprisingly cool during long bevels, which speaks to the load handling and airflow.

The overall build feels jobsite-ready. Guards and flanges fit cleanly, the spindle thread is standard 5/8-11, and the gearbox tolerances felt tight—no chatter or wandering under hard load.

Setup, guards, and wheel changes

Out of the box, you get:
- 5-inch Type 27 guard
- 6-inch Type 27 guard
- 6-inch Type 1 (cut-off) guard
- Side handle, inner/outer flange, and a hex key

That spread covers the common setups you’ll want, and switching between 5-inch and 6-inch is straightforward. The 6-inch cutoff guard is a must if you’re doing through-cuts; it preserves the safety geometry while unlocking the main advantage of a 6-inch wheel—more depth-of-cut than a 5-inch. Using the supplied hex key for wheel changes is secure and positive with gloves on, though it’s not as fast as some tool-free flange systems.

The lanyard-ready point is handy if you’re working at height. The cord is roughly 6 feet; it’s on the short side, so plan on a 12- or 14-gauge extension cord to avoid voltage drop and keep performance snappy.

Real-world productivity

• Cutting: A 6-inch cut-off wheel gets you that extra reach to sever 2-inch angle and thicker tube in one pass more often. With the 9,000 RPM motor, the cut speed is consistent and it tolerates a bit of side-load without bogging—still, keep the kerf straight to avoid binding.
• Grinding: On heavy welds and bevel prep, it’ll take a firm feed rate without stepping down. If you’re chasing fine finishes or heat-sensitive stainless, note there’s no variable speed, so pairing with appropriate abrasives and pressure is key.
• Flap discs and wire wheels: Flap discs run great; wire cup brushes are fine but mind the fixed speed—choose industrial-rated brushes for 9,000 RPM.

Noise is what you’d expect for a grinder in this class—use hearing protection along with eye, face, and respiratory PPE. The tool’s balance and control make spark management easier, which matters indoors.

Limitations and wish-list

• No brake: The wheel coasts. It’s normal, but once you get used to brake-equipped grinders, going back feels slow.
• No lock-on: Safer, but some users will miss it for long grind passes.
• No variable speed: Not ideal for polishing or delicate stainless finishing.
• AC-only: Labeled as no AC/DC capability, so it won’t run off DC welding power sources. On standard AC generators it’s fine; just size the generator and cords properly.
• Short cord: Six feet goes fast around plate tables and scaffolding.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re worth knowing so you can match the tool to the job.

How it fits in a kit

If your work leans heavily on 5-inch cordless grinders, this corded 6-inch complements them nicely. I use cordless for quick prep and light cuts, then grab this for sustained grinding, thicker stock, and anything where stalling a small grinder would cost time. It won’t replace a big 15-amp 7-/9-inch for massive material removal, but it covers most fab and MRO tasks with less fatigue and more control.

The included guards make it easy to stay compliant as you swap between grinding and cutoff tasks, and the standard 5/8-11 spindle means your existing wheels and cups will likely fit. Warranty coverage is solid for a pro tool: 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, and a 90-day satisfaction period.

Recommendation

I recommend this 6-inch DeWalt grinder for metal fabricators, maintenance techs, and contractors who need sustained, corded performance in a manageable package. It offers strong torque for its class, excellent control, and meaningful safety features like the E-CLUTCH and Power Loss Reset. The ability to run both 5-inch and 6-inch wheels adds flexibility without jumping up to a heavier platform.

Choose it if you value consistent power and control over long sessions and don’t require a braking system or variable speed. Skip it if fast spin-down, a lock-on switch, or DC compatibility are must-haves for your workflow. For most pro users, it’s a reliable, well-balanced grinder that earns its space on the cart.