Metabo vs Cutting Torch

see full article here goo.gl/LJj1B6 visit the weldmonger store here weldmongerstore.com/ A day at Apex Welding with my friend JD.
JD has a job coming soon fabricating a mezzanine for a local factory.
So a large metal delivery was due in a few days and he needed a way to unload full lengths of 6" square tubing and beams off the truck.
I asked JD in a prior video what tools he would buy if he had to start all over with only $2000.
A 6" Metabo grinder was one of the tools on his short list.
After filming this video, i can see why.
I was very surprised to see that a grinder can hold its own against a cutting torch on some jobs.

[@jdbrewer6638]

Jody, Thank you for everything you do for the welding community! Your videos are top notch and I am truly honored to work with you and be part of the videos. Your videos have helped me numerous times, from getting a job to simple troubleshooting, your videos have helped me immensely. Your representation of welding (from Down&Dirty to textbook) is the best on the internet and whoever watches your videos to learn is always better for it. Great video too! Thanks for showing how an affordable grinder ($250) compares to a traditional oxy-fuel setup ($500-750). There's not much that the grinder can't handle for the average welding g job!

[@jimgam730]

Great video. Really like that straight edge for the torch. And I found it interesting showing the time difference between the torch and the grinder when cutting. Can't wait to see more videos with JD.

[@bryankirk3567]

A big "Thank You" to J.D. and you just keep 'em comin' bud.

[@Blute72]

So many good tips when you hang out with JD! He has so many gadgets and great ideas in his shop.

[@toolman9081]

Thanks Jody. As always, very informative. Thank you JD for allowing us to see it all. I appreciate it very much.

[@Aristotle1982]

Great video guys. I'm close to finishing up with welding school so I appreciate these little peeks into the real world of welding. Thanks!

[@andrewgensler5502]

It's always interesting to see what projects JD is working on or the different tools he had. makes for a great quality video. great job guys!

[@thebubbacontinuum2645]

Every time I get the big Metabo out, I think of this video. Changed my life. Thanks.

[@randyharris1991]

Amazing informative demo with using a tortch and grinder to justify time. Im extremely impressed with the rolling gantry JD and his helper(s) had made, that is a slick piece of equipment to have.

[@miguelgalicia9180]

One of the coolest videos I’ve seen on your channel, Jody. Even though there’s a lot. Always nice to see something being built!

[@protonhead1]

It's awesome to see craftsman at work,Thanks Jodi for some great videos.

[@FredMiller]

Great segment Jody. I really appreciated the in-site on how to move big chunks of metal around. Thanks for taking the time to shoot and share and I would love to see more shop type set up work for hints on improving my shop. Great stuff! Fred

[@Turbo44mag]

Excellent Video! Fantastic Teamwork, excellent safety. Great unloading method, I love it!

[@jrperez3088]

Thanks for sharing. Always good to see out on the job site. JD should make his own KZbin channel.

[@jdbrewer6638]

Working on it, Thanks!

[@wfletch88]

I hear ya on this GA heat! I'm so ready for fall down here in Valdosta! Thanks for another great video!

[@v-performance]

I have already almost all tools from Metabo - around 8. They never let me down. Top notch.

[@intjonmiller]

+Mark Fryer There's nothing like having your tools walk off a site to make you want to find other work entirely. So many unprofessional guys out there. I learned from the owner of one shop that the tools don't have to be pretty. He spray painted all of his loaners red so you couldn't mistake them for your own. (If you painted yours red he would claim it for himself.) I adopted dayglo orange for mine. Some tools have to be disassembled before you can safely spray the case, while others are easy to just hit as-is. Make sure you get enough nooks and crannies so it would be a major PITA to try to remove the paint. Then no one can claim them as their own. And if one does disappear it's easy to alert the local pawn shops to look out for that tool with that paint issue. Still no guarantees, but it's a cheap way to improve your odds.

[@v-performance]

Never seen them counterfeited

[@intjonmiller]

+Defnotdemas That's increasingly common. Same is true of DeWalt tools. Big box stuff is much cheaper (built) than from a real dealer. May also be true of Milwaukee, but I've seen actual evidence of it with DeWalt.

[@intjonmiller]

+Defnotdemas I disagree entirely. I could not be more pleased with my Milwaukee tools. They are pushing innovation in power tools, especially cordless, more than any other company. Others, including Makita, Festool, Bosch, and Fein, have made significant innovations. But no one is putting out more than Milwaukee. Incidentally, you do know that Ridgid is made by the same company, right? I agree that Ridgid is a better value, but only within their more limited line of tools, as they make but don't own Ridgid. Only the most common tools get Ridgid and Ryobi versions. Milwaukee is TTI's flagship brand, and they keep some of the best tools within that brand. And with their acquisition of companies like Empire Level they are expanding their reach while also innovating in those lines. And I have not seen the quality go down in recent years at all. The quality did go down substantially when they stopped making metal-constructed tools in the U.S., but that was well before TTI bought them out.

[@v-performance]

Actually I noticed that some time ago, more to say that Hitachi recently bought Metabo so you can expect more ASIA production in the future. I have 3 or 4 Metabo tools already made in China and I see no difference what so ever. Everything is made in Chine those days - China doesn't automatically means bad as long the production process is supervised.

[@natecranmer4816]

thanks for the video really nice way to switch up the format and bring different things to KZbin.

[@001Elan]

Thanks Jody for more quality content, shop or site related instruction is sure to be of interest to many of us , your a good guy and a great teacher..

[@stanwooddave9758]

Great video. Thank's for sharing. Also a big thank you to J-D and sharing some Tip's & Trick's for moving some heavy metal without a Forklift.

[@patmancrowley8509]

Lots of fun and very interesting. Thanks Jodi and JD.

[@jonarbuckle1560]

sweet. I like "on the site" type stuff like this. Thanks J.D and Jodi

[@bchant19]

now there is a guy that aint fucking around all the gear and absolutely all the ideas to boot just shows you what is possible with minimal equipment if you just think about what you're doing and what you need to get the job done nice work guys

[@unclefrankonap1953]

Really enjoyed this video. You always show us new guide bar and marking tools. thanks so much.

[@qqquuu1000]

This is the best welding channel of youtube.

[@owpeterj]

Thanks for bringing the friendly atmosphere to life here - both of you. Nice rig up there JD and I mmm very like the generator-welder. Well, you'll all be occupied non stop to achieve some elbow room for inovation. All the best wishes and hopes for interesting projects.

[@MotorCycleTheray]

I had to cut some angle steel today and yesterday, used a grinder and being new to fab, I still have my reservations with the grinder grabbing and wanting to fly out of my hands. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a plasma cutter real soon, but regarding the times JD achieved on that metabo, that's actually pretty impressive

[@rolandgsl]

Thank you for including the weld symbols, I'd love to see more of that in future videos.

[@jkj1459]

This grinder is just unbelievable , such big i beam cuts in minutes , what king of grinding wheel is that .

[@travisrider7314]

Thanks for putting out all of these great videos

[@aly-tek7190]

Great vid to show the cutting between two sources. Not sure if it's been noted elsewhere but I must mention that he used the Stainless/Metal "inox" cut off discs. You must use these as the std ones don't last as long. Also don't apply too much pressure and let the disc cut itself. I already knew the results as they are exactly what I use but still great to see others around the world doing the same ;)

[@gregkral4467]

Fun vid man, thanks, makes me feel a little like back in the shop and field days. thanks a bunch.

[@timwestendorf8303]

I have 6" dewalt grinders and use them more than my plasma cutter for slicing through material. I Will agree that the time.thing is probably just gonna be based on what you use every day and how neat you want you're finish. I rarely use my plasma ( one it's old) but I can cut faster with a torch on plate (ppl don't realize a tip and pressure settings can be changed in order to get a perfect cut on every thickness) and slice through sheet metal with a grinder, way faster than getting.both tools out just to use the grinder after I make a plasma cut... Just my thoughts everyone has a preference

[@jsk8drummer]

Thats a badass grinder. Metabo should use this in their marketing cause I never thought I could justify the cost of one but now I'm sold.

[@ulfpe]

I have Metabo oscillating sanding tool that my father bought in the 60ties, it's heavy but it still works perfectly

[@BlueFlyer83]

Ok....this officially makes me want to pursue welding. I'm a facility maintenance technician and have been training with a mentor who is a black smith from childhood. He's been showing me the ropes with welding and man alive is it fun. But your videos....they make me want to get after it! Great info!

[@sshep7119]

Metabo metalworking tools are the way to go, there are few tools that can compare. As always great video giving a different perspective on a task that is often overlooked for time savings, especially when it comes to field work. Another tool that may be of interest in this regard is the Fein ASTX-e 649 pipe saw, it works as a portable saw station when used properly. There are several videos on here about it, I will try to do a time comparison with similar sized structural shapes at my shop this week and post the results.

[@Rambone224]

dang thats pretty neat. i was slightly surprised of the results. you should make some more comparison videos!

[@AlamarianJ]

I used a 7" Metabo grinder in welding school (which the instructor guarded like a damn hawk) and I wasn't surprised the 6" model was faster than a torch. Those things are no joke. Wish I had one.

[@monkfry]

Metabo 9" swivel handle grinder, Rhodius (German) cut off wheels and Polyfan 80 grit do it for me. Then again, all I weld is stainless anymore. Nice video. I've always thought that you're one of the few guys on the tube that actually know what he's talking about. Thanks for another great post.

[@monkfry]

Knows

[@Rylonim]

man i sure love to watch this kind of videos, especially the ones you present to be honest. but i am honestly not surprised by the fact that the angle grinder would be the faster tool in a situation in the hands of a experienced worker, just as it have been shown in this clip. and im not even mentioning or comparing the learning curves between the acetylene torch and the grinder :D. nuff said, i just came home from a rough pass in the elevator shaft in the renström mine and now its time to go to bed :D. love your vids man, keep on making em ;). warm greetings from northern scandinavia.

[@gregkral4467]

man those burning guides/ cutting guides are so nice, hardly ever got to use one, but did once.... sure nice.

[@gregg4164]

I have been using Metabo 6" grinders for about 20 years now. Ever since they first came out with a 6' for pipe liners which is what they were first designed for.

[@Bespoke-metal-fabrications]

The I beam marking tools are great for site work, you can mark mitre with them and they also work on pipe or square tube, I have a real old one without a mag base or angle scale but same operation. As far as torch or grinder, after a few years of messing about I'm now a big fan of getting anything that won't fit in our saw cut to size by the steel supplier, normally its only a pound or so per cut, no messing about, nice straight cuts. Steel turns up ready to weld.

[@RenatSavi]

thx for sharing some ideas of hulking metal materials around and in the shop!

[@fatsolutions]

Fantastic idea and awesome work

[@get-the-lead-out.4593]

I LOVE USING TROLLEYS! I'm a recovering paraplegic that still has to mainly use a wheelchair to move around in. I always did the work of moving things the ol' fashioned way of using what muscle I had, but then inherited my grandparents property which has an I-beam ran down the whole length of the garage that supports the trusses, and WOW I was TICKLED with FASCINATION at how much work this saved me and had SO MUCH fun in beginning just giving things a push and watching it move so effortlessly from end of the garage to the other! Oh and yes, I definitely tried riding the trolley but eah I'm like the kid on the playground who could never find anyone to push them on the swing lol

[@88888888homer]

awesome video Jody !

[@hiquality_distraction4084]

good to hear your voice. I hope all is well.

[@mz6027]

thank you and your team for guid us

[@mmix224]

Too bad I didn't find this channel years ago before I moved out of GA. Fabrication seems like really cool work

[@brownietheking3397]

So haven't said much in awhile but I wanted to thank you. Ordered tig finger pack deal. An I like them it's helped me to be able to glide my hand better an to get closer to my welds. I'm learning from what my dad has showed me an I work at a metal shop. so now a welder there says I could do it. be good just need to keep it up an just get better. So I thankm u an hopefully it will all help me in my future for welding. Since I haven't gone to college or any school I learn best in person an in hand but don't have funds for a school degree but with hard work an taking in all I can at work hopefully it will work my way not to go to school just yet. But thanks again tig fingers are the bomb

[@Ntmoffi]

I really like this guys tools!

[@uncleputes]

We only cut stock with abrasives now at work, it's quicker for us to just pop down the road and pick up more discs than it is to take tanks to get swapped. Heck, my boss has even sent me on my motorcycle to quickly pick up a couple dozen cutting discs.

[@mathewmolk2089]

Most pro shops have the gasses delivered,,,,but let's get to cost....Just how many disks at 6 bucks a pop do you go through to do the same amount of cutting as you can do with 300 cu ft of oxygen? In our shop we could pay for the CNC plasma/Oxy fuel machine in 2 months with the number of disks it would take to do the amount of cutting we do here. Sorry but from where I am standing cutting with grinder is strictly for a Bob Villa

[@uncleputes]

@@mathewmolk2089 Have carrying all your gas gear up ladders and through narrow access to the site vs a grinder and box of discs

[@SquirrelsForAll]

Great video, thanks for posting.

[@RefinerSimilitude]

I love, love, love my Metabo. The grinder I have from the Horrible Freight doesn't even come close.

[@N.Cognito]

The Metabo is a pro grade tool. The HF is a home gamer tool. A $12 grinder obviously won't hold a candle to a $100+ grinder. But for 99% of people at home the HF should do just fine.

[@uncleputes]

I inherited a 40 year old Metabo from one of the retiring tradesmen at work, It still gets the job done faster than other brand new grinders we have.

[@erikverkade3582]

though I don't really care for Metabo (personal preference) I do agree that those crappy grinders don't stand a chance against the proper stuff. Even for the home gamer just shell out a bit more money and get a tool that will last you a lifetime (Hitachi in my opinion)

[@SDCustoms]

I had a HF $10 grinder last me 4 years of heavy side home use, surprisingly skookum for what you pay... after all, it was $10 so I can't complain at all. I have 4 grinders now, (Skil, Kawasaki, B&D, and DeWalt) never regretted the investments.

[@timmwhite9218]

Mine's only 3 years old but I'm also running (when they're not out for repair!) one Makita, one Milwaukee, two B&D Pros, an antique DeWalt from when they first came out, and one deep cut Milwaukee portaband (another tool not mentioned.) The Metabo is the only one that has never quit working and it has the quick removal, wrenchless spring centered nut on it, I can swap discs in around 12 seconds. I was surprised that you had it beating the torch, that's pretty good results! Also, to the commenter who claimed this sounded like an advertisement for Metabo, all of my tools were purchased by me, and I'll stand by the Metabo every time. They're great grinders! Have only tried the Hitachi once, didn't care for the switch/hand ergonomics of it, not to say it isn't a good grinder...

[@mikeeagle2653]

Finally some guys who know how to cut and grind properly

[@healthfullivingify]

Great video- thanks, JD. Interesting the Metabo 6" grinder beats the torch and makes for easier cleanup.

[@jarrodkelsey821]

very impressive tools and fabrication! wish I lived in Georgia cause this is the kind of fabrication that I love doing lol

[@slipperyjohnson7016]

I have a Metabo 1/2" hammer drill that has to be 40 years old and still works better than most new drills I have used. Metabo is amazing.

[@Mekhanic1]

Nice video! interesting cutting results!

[@Zerostar369]

Good stuff Jodi. Thanks.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

A guy I know has a Metabo drill that he says he has beat to death and it's still amazing.

[@BeardMan01]

I have a Metabo that I bought when I was 18, it has been the absolute best grinder I have ever had or seen. I am 32 now and that grinder has helped me through my career substantially. I have burnt up dozens of Dewalt and Milwaukee grinders and this one has yet to fail. I've had to replace a couple sets of brushes and a power cord along the way, but til this day it has more torque and better ergonomics than the newer style Metabo's. I spent almost $250 for my first Metabo, and at 18 yrs old that was an absolute fortune to spend on a grinder. It taught me a valuable lesson though. Sometimes you can buy productivity and it is absolutely amazing what a quality tool can do for you. I've seen this $250 grinder outlast almost $2000 worth of cheaper units.

[@RGSABloke]

Hey Jody, super interesting, thanks for sharing. Kindest regards. Joe

[@NwWrenchin]

Awesome vid nice to see some structural steel on your channel I work at a structural steel company in wa. And run a Burny phantom burn table

[@cptjacKtoo]

Outstanding! Thanks Jody.!

[@drew79s]

I'd love to see that cutting time comparison vs a plasma being that they're typically quicker than an oxy for thinner stuff and generally need a bit less cleanup.

[@ifell3]

Awesome stuff there, the dolly's and the hoist great stuff. Really liked the weld specifics that you might find on drawings interesting too, can you do more about this.

[@garypostell5268]

Man that JD got it going on! Excellent skills and works smarter not harder very impressive and love the duel shield FCAW 💯💪🇺🇸👍

[@Stinkytheskunkyfan]

Great video!

[@malcolmyoung7866]

Nice video Jodi.

[@63256325N]

That was a really cool vid., thanks Jody.

[@princetikki]

loved this video, thanks Jody

[@iainportalupi]

Nice video. I've always found the cut off wheels to be faster than a torch as well.

[@barajee896]

we're proud of you. Very good very nice video.

[@Ddabig40mac]

building that gantry trolley system was a smart bit of problem solving. i hope JD turns a nice profit from that contract. I work for a fab shop and we sometimes use the Flexovit Razorblade cutting disks on our 4" and 9" dewalt grinders.

[@spacenomade7463]

have a nice day!

[@hammer1212]

thanks for this video.. I would like to see more like this in the future.. gread job Jody!

[@benasbury2704]

Hi

[@mjallenuk]

Smashing stuff.... cheers to all involved :o)

[@thebibidu]

very interesting (as usual Jody!) would be interesting to compare with plasma torch as well.

[@tomsdreamshopworx]

Cool video. Great to see real word application.

[@Goodwithwood69]

I think JD has earned himself a free tig finger!

[@brandysigmon9066]

That little "flange wizard" marking /layout tool looks to be a handy item. If you had to layout a bunch of "I" beams or columns it would save loads of time.

[@GermanToolReviews]

Metabo grinders are definitely top notch and are still made in Germany. Fein and Bosch also still make their angle grinders in Germany but I've always favored the Metabo.

[@johnwalt3504]

I really hope Metabo doesn't cut production in Germany now that they are owned by Hitachi

[@SandeepKumar-pz1nu]

German Tool Reviews

[@MultiAlxndr]

hikoki

[@SirMo]

Some of the new DeWalts are also made in the US.

[@Mike_Laird]

Amazing video

[@jonathangarzon2798]

Just bought one of their top grinders comes in tomorrow

[@optimistichorizon]

Great video.

[@veegee24]

The "gopro drop test" made me LOL

[@SaltyFarm]

I build automatic 12-36' swing/slide drivegates and beam trolly gates for a living and regularly cut and weld 14ga to ⅜" wall in the field (usually alone). I own a torch, chop saw, band saw and all kinds of grinders but my favorite for a lot of reasons is a regular 4-4½" hilti grinder w/ a 6" cutting wheel. It may not sound the safest but I respect grinders immensely and know how to use them. I can get 30 cuts out of 1 wheel and the accuracy is much better than a torch and I 45° almost everything. I own 6" grinders but the 4" seems to cut faster because the lower torque grabs the metal faster. I've never owned a mutaba but I've been seeing more of them lately and might give it a try for my next grinder since I usually keep 4 or 5 on my truck.

[@thebrokenbone]

thanks man for sharing, picked up a couple things AS ALWAYS. the marking tool is on my list (this is a time saver by the nth power). EDIT thanks for explaining the weld symbol (we are waiting for more of this he). is that metabo running backwards? haha. well, thanks again. these videos are super helpful for the small shop. take care. pete

[@justinbenjamin4651]

Not running backwards, but i would say he is holding it in a dangerous way that if it binds and kicks back its coming right at his arms.

[@thebrokenbone]

yup it`s a bit tricky this way, not the safest but i have done it many times to keep the sparks away from my face (two handed death grip tho). i don`t care much for grinders as i`ve become sensitive to fiberglass smoke and have to use a respirator to avoid the headache from hell i get anytime i smell the stuff. a lesson too late... use the damn ppe

[@thetinkerboys14]

Maybe try a Diablo steel demon reciprocating saw blade. Those things are wicked fast.

[@rbteric]

Jodi there are a bunch of Metabo grinders in the 6 inch size. Is it possible to find out the exact grinder used in this video. I'm in love with it after I saw it cut. Thanks, your videos are amazing even for a know nothing hobbyist like myself

[@justinmartin8887]

The 6” metabo grinder is absolutely the best grinder any job shop could buy, ever those things are an absolute beast paired with a sait .045 cut off wheel.

[@idriwzrd]

Great comparo between the torch and cut-off wheels. Another option is a metal cutting circular saw, like what Milwaukee offers. Its makes fast, clean cuts on up to 1" (sometimes more) material.

[@irgtk]

Very interesting, learned something new again. Thanks🙂

[@russhellmy]

Another great video. Interesting comparison on the Gas Axe vs the 6" grinder. Cheers

[@GibClark]

thanks that was another good one !

[@mollieleger4541]

Thanks for sharing ! Very interesting !

[@zoranbilbiloski652]

The best video ever!!!

[@TODDFINK1]

Great vid Jody! Work fatigue is a big factor with the torch vs the grinder to me. I find i am much less fatigued running a torch or plasma then clean up with a grinder than just running a grinder. After 10 hours on a grinder you are smoked. With the torch you get "breaks" from both during switch over. Just my experience.