Metabo has announced 3 new bench grinders, two 6-inch models, and an 8-inch.
The new bench grinders include the DS 150 M and DS 150 Plus 6-inch grinders, and DS 200 Plus 8-inch grinder.
Metabo says that the DS 150 M is an “entry model suited for general workshop use,” while the Plus models are “better suited for professionals who use bench grinders more often.”
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The Plus models feature LED work lights, more premium adjustment options for guards and rests, and higher arbor capacity for accommodating wire wheels.
Metabo 6-inch Bench Grinder DS 150 M
The DS 150 M is advertised as featuring a “maintenance-free, low noise, and low vibration” 370W motor that delivers a no-load speed of 3,600 RPM.
It’s described as being ideal for sharpening, grinding, and deburring applications.
The grinder comes with two adjustable steady rests, adjustable eye shields, and spark deflector covers on both sides.
It comes with 2x vitrified aluminum oxide grinding wheels in coarse 36P and fine 60N grit sizes.
Price: $110
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Metabo 6-inch Bench Grinder DS 150 PLUS
As mentioned, the Plus version of the DS 150 has improved guard and rest adjustments, as well as LED lights.
It also has a slightly more powerful 400W motor and the same no-load speed of 3,600 RPM
The DS 150 Plus can also accommodate wire wheels. It comes with vitrified aluminum oxide grinding wheels in 36P and 60N sizes.
Price: ~$177
Metabo 8-inch Bench Grinder DS 200 PLUS
The DS 200 PLUS is similar in design to the 6-inch model, but designed to accommodate 8-inch grinding and wire wheels.
It features a 600W motor and no-load speed of 3,600 RPM.
The bench grinder comes with adjustable eye shields and spark deflectors, LED work lights, adjustable steady rests, and vitrified aluminum oxide grinding wheels in 36P and 60N grits.
Price: ~$225
Intro Video
Here’s a quick ~30 second intro video showing the new bench grinders in action:
Albert
Except for the name, I don’t see anything special. Stamped steel tool rests, no dust collection, flimsy shields, no variable speeds, no handle.
Matt F
Agreed!
Diego
You think you could get some cast tool rests at that price
fred
I may be out of touch with pricing – but at the advertised prices I would not be expecting industrial quality. I also would not know what to recommend in its place – as I’ve seen some rather mixed reviews even for Baldor and Dayton machines.
Albert
For industrial quality, I recommend Jet. Cast iron tool rests. Cast iron wheel guards with dust collection ports. Thick shields, easily replaced with a DIY rectangular piece of acrylic or polycarbonate. Still no handle though.
John
What do you mean by a handle?
fred
Hmm? The one that I use – similar to what we had in the fabrication shop – is mounted to a pedestal secured to the floor. So, Like you, I’m not sure what a handle is in this situation.
MM
Maybe lever handles for the adjustments on the work rests and the guards instead of knobs?
Peter
There are some older made in USA industrial ones that had a handle on top.
Not sure who made them or the real use because like it was said how often do you really move an industrial one?
Albert
I meant a top mounted carrying handle so I can stow the grinder when I’m not using it.
Mopar
From the specs on Acme’s website, these 6″ bench grinders only weigh about 19lbs. You pretty much HAVE to bolt it to a workbench or stand to safely use it.
I’ve seen a few 75-100yr old grinders with a handle, but those things musta weighted 50lbs and even those were bolted down when I saw them.
Nathan
What’s a grizzly cost of similar spec. I was half expecting them to be cordless. Or hybrid powered ..
Crazy I know. But I could see a few applications. Cordless 36v +bench grinder.
MM
I don’t know if they still make them as I didn’t see them with a quick check of their catalog, but Grizzly used to have a series of heavy duty bench grinders that were great value for money. 8, 10 and 12 inch sizes, the blade guards were 100% cast iron, they were white rather than Grizzly’s normal green finish. They were quite often on sale as well.
They resembled this “South Bend” model, though they were all white and didn’t have the variable speed control. Perhaps this is the updated replacement model? I didn’t see an 8 or 12″ size listed anymore though.
https://www.grizzly.com/products/south-bend-10-variable-speed-heavy-duty-bench-grinder/sb1494
Mopar
This seems kinda disappointing for Metabo.
I have a Delta that I bought years ago for like $75. Looks like I can still buy it from Lowes for $129.
The Delta has variable speed (meh), cast tool rests, an arbor length that supports wire wheels, simple, easy to replace shields, a water tray, and it came with a wheel dresser. Judging by the fact the Delta also appears to be about 7-8lbs heavier than the Metabo, I’m guessing the Metabo has a lot more plastic.
Jolly beans
Are these rebadged grinders?
Stuart
It’s hard to say.
Metabo is known for their handheld grinders, but these are the first bench grinder I’ve seen from the brand.
fred
Now that KKR owns the brand – they may be branching out and/or using the brand to apply to outsourced products from other OEM’s
Steve
At that price point I’d consider saving my pennies up and restoring an old Baldor. I’ve had a HF bench grinder for at least 10 years and it’s never let me down for hobby welding and general homeowner/automotive stuff.
surfjungle
Not a fan. If you want a proper bench grinder, check out Flott. They’re German and know what they’re about. While not cheap, I doubt you’ll find better in either single or 3 phase.
Shawn Y
I looked at Metabo when shopping for a grinder around 2015. They were about the price of a Jet, maybe slightly cheaper. Likely this one: https://www.amazon.com/Metabo-DS-200-8-Inch-Grinder/dp/B0054M9546. One reviewer commented his Metabo from 2005 was of much higher quality.
I got their pedestal stand instead because it looked cool and I happened to see it during an unusually low price drop according to ccc.
In any case, it’d be a bummer if metabo’s sliding down market but honestly, if I were 2015 me looking at spending Delta and Wen money then saw a Metabo at this price, I’d have instabought the Metabo.
PS: I ended up finding a good deal on a Palmgren. Still working great.
JR Ramos
First thing I look at on a light diy bench grinder like these is the tool rests. These are crap – hard pass.
Back in the day, Delta still had decent cast aluminum tool fixed tool rests (very similar to what Jet still offers on their models these days, albeit from cast iron) and it was only the extra cheap imports that had these janky weak vibrating bendable “tool rests”. They’re unsafe, they’re a pain in the rear, and they really limit what can be done at the grinder. What DeWalt has on their models is passable but still fairly flexy and fiddly to adjust. It’s just stupid. Possibly the most important part on the bench grinder after a true-running wheel, and the majority of them are hot garbage.
Depending on the inner guard some grinders can upgrade to decent rests from Jet or whomever if you want to pony up for them…but some can’t utilize a simple parts swap like that.
Even if these Metabos have a good motor, I’m moving on to the next brand who cares about the user experience and safety and thus provides “real” rests.
Albert
I’m going to wait for some reviews and a 25% coupon for this:
https://www.harborfreight.com/collections/new-tools/8-in-heavy-duty-professional-bench-grinder-70557.html
Franco
If you want a really good bench grinder, a true commercial grinder will easily cost over $1000…all cast iron, industrial motor..etc. Your best bet is used. Some of the old bench grinders, sweet spot, late 60’s to mid 80’s. They don’t make them like that anymore.
I found an old Ford Smith 10″ grinder, with a Robbins Myers 13 amp motor. Paid $150. If they made anything remotely similar today, it would be $2000 or more…simply, a beast!