DeWalt 60V MAX 7 in. - 9 in. Large Angle Grinder

A 9-inch wheel on a cordless grinder used to be wishful thinking; this 60V large‑angle grinder makes it practical. I put it through several weeks of steel prep, demo cuts, and masonry work to see whether it can stand in for the big corded brutes many of us still rely on. The short version: it has real muscle, best‑in‑class safety features, and jobsite-friendly smarts—but you’ll want the right batteries and a good plan for runtime.

Power and cutting speed

The brushless motor is rated around 3,000 MWO, and it feels every bit of it. On 7-inch depressed-center wheels it tears through scale and mill slag with an urgency that’s very close to a 15‑amp corded grinder. With a 9-inch cutting wheel, I made long crosscuts in 3/8-inch plate and buried it into 1-1/2-inch black pipe without nursing the tool. No‑load speed is 6,000 RPM—appropriate for 7–9 inch wheels—and the grinder holds speed well until you really lean on it.

Under sustained heavy grinding, you can reach the limits where the torque management steps in (more on that below). That’s not a knock; it’s what keeps your wrists safe and your wheels intact. In practical terms, it means you get excellent burst power for aggressive work and very respectable sustained power. If your day is continuous beveling on thick plate, corded still wins for sheer endurance. For everything else, this cordless platform is genuinely viable.

Safety systems that actually help

I forced a few pinches on purpose to see how the safety stack behaves. In a hard bind, the kickback brake snaps the wheel to a stop quickly, and the torque reaction at the handle is minimal compared to older big grinders. The E‑CLUTCH kicks in when you overload the wheel—think heavy gouging with a hard wheel or side-loading a cutoff wheel—and it shuts the motor down before the grinder twists. It’s fast enough that you notice the stall rather than the wrenching torque.

The No‑Volt function matters too. After a battery swap or any power interruption, the grinder won’t auto‑restart if the switch is still on. I had one moment on staging where that saved me from a surprise spin-up. Taken together, these features make the tool feel predictable and controlled, which is not something I say lightly about large‑diameter grinders.

Handling, balance, and ergonomics

This is a big grinder at roughly 10.5 pounds bare. Add a high‑capacity 60V pack and you’re holding a serious tool. The upside is stability: that mass calms vibration and keeps the wheel planted, especially with 9-inch cutting discs. The side handle threads in solidly and gives the leverage you expect for edge grinding or vertical cutting. With the battery on, the balance sits slightly rear-biased but not tail-heavy, which helps reduce forearm fatigue over longer grinds.

Controls are straightforward. The paddle switch is positive and large enough for gloved hands, and the lock-off doesn’t fight you. Spindle lock engagement is sure, and the included spanner does what it should. Guard swaps are painless, and the kit includes 7-inch and 9-inch Type 27 guards plus a 9-inch Type 1 cutting guard. Having the right guard for each task makes a real difference when switching from grinding to cutting on the same day.

Noise is what you expect at this size—still hearing-protection territory—but the tool’s tone is less shrill than many high-speed smaller grinders. Vibration is well managed for a 7–9 inch class machine, helped by the weight and the motor’s smoothness.

Runtime and batteries

Cordless grinders are defined as much by their batteries as their motors. With an appropriately large 60V pack, this grinder does well. For heavy grinding, expect a handful of concentrated work sessions per charge rather than an all‑day slog. In my use, continuous heavy grinding on a 7-inch wheel will drain a big pack in the ballpark of a short work break. Cutting is less demanding; a stack of steel cuts or a few long masonry scores per charge is realistic.

Heat management is decent. If you push it constantly, you’ll feel the pack get warm and occasionally trigger a protective pause. Swapping between two high-capacity packs keeps you moving. My recommendation: pair it with the biggest battery you can justify and keep a second pack on the charger. That’s the difference between a cordless grinder that’s a backup and one that becomes your primary.

Dust control and Wireless Tool Control

For masonry and concrete scoring, dust containment can make or break a cordless grinder. Wireless Tool Control (WTC) is genuinely useful here. Pairing the grinder with a compatible extractor lets the vacuum start and stop with the tool—no reaching for a separate switch with a cloud of dust waiting. You still need the right shroud for your wheel and the right CFM extractor; the included Type 1 guard is for cutting protection, not a full dust shroud. But once set up, the WTC experience reduces fuss and keeps you focused on the cut line.

Build quality and serviceability

Fit and finish are what I expect at this level. The gearcase feels robust, threads are clean, and there’s no slop in the guards. The brushless motor’s controlled ramp‑up and the quick, decisive brake add confidence. The tool is chip‑ready, meaning there’s a pocket to install a tracking chip for inventory management if your fleet uses that system. Warranty support sits at three years limited, which aligns with pro‑grade expectations.

Compatibility and accessories

The standard 5/8‑11 arbor means your existing 7 and 9‑inch wheels should fit right in. Always check RPM ratings; most quality 9-inch wheels are compatible at 6,000 RPM, but it’s worth confirming before you squeeze a trigger. The box includes a side handle, the three guards mentioned above, a spanner, and the outer flange. There’s no battery or charger, so if you’re not already on the 60V platform, factor that into your cost and workflow planning.

What could be better

• Weight and fatigue: The mass that makes it stable also makes it tiring above shoulder height or on long vertical passes. This isn’t an overhead demolition tool; keep your technique tight and take breaks.
• Runtime under continuous grind: It’s good for cordless, but a crew that lives on the cup wheel all day will still be happier with a cord or a generator nearby.
• Accessory assumptions: Out of the box you’re protected for cutting and grinding, but you’ll need a separate dust shroud for best practice on masonry work, and a WTC-enabled vacuum to take full advantage of the wireless control.

Who it’s for

• Steel fabricators and welders needing a mobile, big‑wheel grinder for prep, beveling, and cutoff work without dragging cords.
• Remodelers and demo crews that cut structural steel, cast iron, or masonry in areas where a cord is a tripping hazard or impractical.
• Concrete and hardscape pros who want on‑the‑spot scoring or paver trimming with synchronized dust extraction.

If your day is 100% continuous heavy grinding, corded remains more efficient. If your work is varied—cut, grind, move, repeat—this grinder shines.

Bottom line and recommendation

I recommend this 60V large‑angle grinder to pros who want corded‑class power with cordless flexibility, along with best‑in‑category safety features. It hits hard, stops fast when something goes wrong, and plays nicely with dust extraction through WTC. The tradeoffs are predictable: weight you’ll feel at the end of the day and runtime that demands big batteries and a charging plan. If you’re already on the 60V platform—or you’re ready to commit to it—this grinder earns a spot as a primary tool for heavy metal and masonry tasks.