FourtyCaliber
08-17-2012, 06:08 PM
I've been in the market for a 4 1/2" angle grinder to replace one that was stolen out of my garage some time ago. I don't know if everyone is aware, but it is IMPOSSIBLE to find a Made In The USA grinder anymore. All of the big name manufacturers (Dewalt, Milwaukee, etc)have moved their operations overseas, mainly to China. You may not agree but I find that pretty disheartening. It's not just limited to grinders, either. It's pretty much any power tool.
Anyways, I said screw it and started looking for a decent, used Made In The USA angle grinder. The problem I kept encountering, however, is just about everyone who listed angle grinders for sale never listed the model numbers. When I would contact them and ask for the model number and where it said it was made on the grinder tag, I usually got a reply with the model number but, also, that it didn't say anything on the tag about where it was made. I'm pretty much talking about Milwaukee grinders here.
Anyways again, I decided to email Milwaukee and ask them which of their grinder models were still made in the USA before they moved all of their operations over to China. They emailed me back, surprisingly, with a list. I figured I'd share it in case anyone feels the same about this as I do. I know it's a sign of the times, but it's really starting to suck when you can't even find one power tool still Made In The USA.
Here's the list of American made Angle Grinder model numbers from Milwaukee tools:
6153-20
6154-20
6155-20
6156-20
6151
6149-20
6149-6
6148-6
6145
6141
6140-6
These are ALL defunct, not made anymore. The last angle grinder Milwaukee made that was made in the USA was the 4 1/2" 6140-6.
I think these are varying sizes of grinders. Now drills on the other hand, that's another story again. If you come across any of these model numbers on Craigslist or elsewhere, according to Milwaukee, these are all American made. If anyone knows different, please chime in.
Anyways, I said screw it and started looking for a decent, used Made In The USA angle grinder. The problem I kept encountering, however, is just about everyone who listed angle grinders for sale never listed the model numbers. When I would contact them and ask for the model number and where it said it was made on the grinder tag, I usually got a reply with the model number but, also, that it didn't say anything on the tag about where it was made. I'm pretty much talking about Milwaukee grinders here.
Anyways again, I decided to email Milwaukee and ask them which of their grinder models were still made in the USA before they moved all of their operations over to China. They emailed me back, surprisingly, with a list. I figured I'd share it in case anyone feels the same about this as I do. I know it's a sign of the times, but it's really starting to suck when you can't even find one power tool still Made In The USA.
Here's the list of American made Angle Grinder model numbers from Milwaukee tools:
6153-20
6154-20
6155-20
6156-20
6151
6149-20
6149-6
6148-6
6145
6141
6140-6
These are ALL defunct, not made anymore. The last angle grinder Milwaukee made that was made in the USA was the 4 1/2" 6140-6.
I think these are varying sizes of grinders. Now drills on the other hand, that's another story again. If you come across any of these model numbers on Craigslist or elsewhere, according to Milwaukee, these are all American made. If anyone knows different, please chime in.