Going cordless on an angle grinder allows you to work on areas where foot traffic is common and where a dangling wire could be hazardous. A good tool to start with, for those who aren’t used to holding a power tool for hours, would be the Milwaukee 2780-20 M18 Fuel Angle Grinder, thanks to its comfortable design.
In this article, you can decide for yourself whether this is the angle grinder for you or not, as we list down its features, pros, and cons to help you out.
Milwaukee 2780-20 M18 Fuel Angle Grinder
Designed for comfort, the Milwaukee 2780-20 M18 is a cordless angle grinder that has a paddle switch design, as well as tool-free disc changes for less hassle. This tool would appeal to those who want comfort in angle grinding and for small to medium jobs.
Specifications
This cordless grinder has a length of 15-inches, so it is longer than others in the market (commonly around 14 inches). With a speed of 8,500 RPM, it uses an 18V M18 battery system which is compatible with any REDLITHIUM XC5.0 Battery Pack (sold separately).
As for the weight, it is at 5.8 pounds, so it isn’t as lightweight compared to others that are around 4 pounds, but that’s a given since it runs on battery and it has a high RPM. It has a paddle no-lock switch type for easy use and it has a 5/8 11-inch arbor size.
Quality
Milwaukee backs up this tool with a 5-year limited warranty, which is much longer than many other companies out there (typically only 1 to 3 years).
However, to further preserve the angle grinder (in that case you won’t need to utilize the warranty anyway) it was built with metal housing and a gear system that is at par with corded grinders. It is also made with a brushless motor, which not only minimizes noise but also helps lengthen the lifespan of the motor and the tool itself.
Usability
For comfort, all accessory changes for the angle grinder can be done without any tools needed, unlike other models where you would need a wrench to adjust and replace the guard. Another plus point about the design is that it has a thin body, which reduces the weight without compromising durability. It also minimizes vibration which, in turn, reduces user fatigue.
You can choose to use either a 5-inch or 4 1/2-inch wheel because the Milwaukee 2780-20 accepts both of them. Even discs that have no arbor (those at 7/8-inch) can be used with this angle grinder. Also, gripping the handle is comfortable thanks to extra padding, allowing hours of operation. There’s even a rapid stop braking system, halting in three seconds or less so the disc stops spinning almost exactly when you’re finished.
Should You Buy the Milwaukee 2780-20?
If you work on materials such as masonry, tile, and metal, and you want a cordless angle grinder for comfort and safety reasons, you might have found the Milwaukee 2780-20 to be a good choice.
Because you can use either 5-inch or 4 1/2-inch wheels, the tool is flexible for different kinds of DIY home projects or fabrication shop work. It also doesn’t vibrate as much as other models, so it is ideal for sweaty hands along with its padded grip.
If you are still unsure about the decision, go through the below list of the pros and cons of the tool.
Pros of the Product
Let’s start with the positives.
It has a rapid stop braking system.
The tool instantly stops spinning the discs within three seconds or less. This can help a lot in terms of the durability of the mechanics and can be a safety feature for the operator as well.
You can use it for different wheel sizes.
Grinding wheels of either 5-inch or 4 1/2-inch sizes are accommodated by this angle grinder. This means you can use it for different projects as compared to those that only take 4 1/2-inch wheels.
It has a padded grip.
No more working with sweaty hands or tiring quickly – the padded grip decreases hassle when operating the tool. This is considered to be a safety measure as well, assisting a proper hold on the tool.
Adjusting the guard doesn’t require tools.
Unlike other angle grinders that require you to use a wrench to adjust the guard, the Milwaukee 2780-20 is tool-free for convenience. This is useful if you are prone to misplacing your wrench or other small tools while working.
It has a paddle switch design.
This allows you to focus more on your work, rather than on the tool itself, because switching is done smoothly, even in awkward positions. Other angle grinders don’t have this design, which can make it hard to operate at times.
Cons of the Product
On the other hand, while it has good points, the product has some minor drawbacks.
It is only single-speed.
While it does have 8,500 RPM, it can only be used for general work, since it is not a variable-speed unit. This means you might not find it applicable for buffing, polishing, or other kinds of work that requires variable speed controls for an angle grinder.
The battery may drain faster than most similar tools.
You might want to stock up on M18 batteries when purchasing this tool because it runs through battery life faster than most other angle grinders out there. This is why it is better for smaller jobs around the house or the shop, rather than for heavy-duty or industrial tasks.
What Are the Alternatives?
From the same manufacturer, the Milwaukee 2781-20 Angle Grinder is yet another M18 Fuel series tool. The difference is that this one has a slide with a lock-on feature, but all of the other specifications are the same (8,500 RPM, 5.8-pound weight, 15-inch tool length, and 5-year warranty).
However, if you want higher speed, the Milwaukee 2680-20 Angle Grinder is yet another cordless option that you can try. Although this one can only take 4 1/2-inch wheels, it has a speed of up to 10,000 RPM. It also uses an M18 battery and it also has an adjustable wheel guard (although this one requires a tool). For more details on how the two differ, read this comparison. You might also want to check out my comparison of the 2780-20 with the higher-end 2783-20.
And since the Milwaukee 2780-20 has a paddle switch, you might also like the Makita 9557PBX1 Angle Grinder, which has a similar switch design for ease of use (and it’s large, too, for comfort). This one is lighter at only 4.5 pounds of weight but it only takes 4-1/2-inch grinding wheels and is corded. Nonetheless, it has a high speed of up to 11,000 RPM.
Finally, you will also want to read this article where I compare some of the best angle grinders on the market.
Summary
To wrap it up, the Milwaukee 2780-20 M18 Fuel Angle Grinder might be your ideal choice if you just want to have something to work with on your next DIY home project or small shop. It might not be suitable for heavy-duty uses but with proper tool care and battery management, it can do just fine for many professional applications as well.
On top of that, since it is brushless, its motor lifespan can be longer than traditional ones. It is also a decent choice for those with a pet peeve for troublesome vibration and easily-fatigued hands due to its ergonomic design. And since it can take both 5-inch or 4 1/2-inch sizes, you might find it useful for different projects compared to those that only take the smaller grinding wheel.