I'm planning on upgrading my angle grinder. My primary usage will be grinding/surface prep using discs, wire cup wheels and the like with cutting being secondary. Many positions will be involved, including overhead.

For safety reasons, I intended to get a model utilizing a paddle switch however several experienced users suggested a locking slide switch instead.

I really like the idea of the grinder shutting off if I just let go should I find myself not 100% in control of it while in an awkward position.

Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

I have the locking slider. I bought it to strip a steel stair railing to bare metal. A momentary paddle switch would have been terrible. With all the awkward angles I was constantly holding the grinder in different manners.

If I could only have one it would be a locking switch.

I have both.

I MUCH prefer the paddle switch. IMHO, the minor inconvenience of occasionally having to hold the paddle in an awkward position is outweighed by the safety factor, no contest at all.

And trust me, I'm the LAST person that will ever be accused of being a Safety Nazi.

The only reason I even keep the locker is that it's physically smaller and gets used from time to time to get into tight areas.

I really like mine that has the paddle switch. Most of mine have sliders. If doing a job with a large continuous area the locking slider is better but for detail on and off work the paddle rocks. Pun intended...

I prefer paddle.

I have four grinders of both styles. I prefer paddle switches. In reality, I use a Milwaukee M18 Fuel grinder for everything now. It hurts my feelings to drag around a cord now.

I prefer paddle, I like that in order to turn it off I have to move away from from any potential danger not toward it.

A paddle switch it shall be. Thanks for the replies. sigcrazy7, I envy you that cordless M18 Fuel grinder. I have several M18 Milwaukee tools and what you say about dragging around a cord is so true.

The locking slider on my grinder turns off very easily - you brush up it against anything and it disengages. Makes it much easier to use than a paddle which often is constantly interrupting power while changing your grip.

I have both. Kids and "helpers" (non-mechanic friends) get handed the paddle switch. I prefer the locking switch.

quote:

Originally posted by sreding:
The locking slider on my grinder turns off very easily - you brush up it against anything and it disengages. Makes it much easier to use than a paddle which often is constantly interrupting power while changing your grip.

I like the lockers, too, though I have both. They all (the modern ones) have a quick disconnect. Usually you just hit the same paddle you had to use to start it while holding down the lock button, only to stop it you just hit the paddle. You can always toss a locker away from yourself if you encounter problems, and cannot disconnect easily. Angle grinders scare me into super safety mode, full face shield, leather welding jacket and gloves, etc. A cut off disk that disintegrates can easily embed pieces into your body.
 

I've mostly used locker type but there are times I wished I had a paddle.

what size gringer? We have a couple 9" angle grinders and several 4 to 4.5" ones (all wired). I would not want anything but a paddle on the 9" ones, but I actually prefer the sliding switch on 4" ones. Most of the paddle switches we have can be "locked on" so you don't have to hold the paddle. A quick press on the paddle releases the lock.

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:
what size gringer? We have a couple 9" angle grinders and several 4 to 4.5" ones (all wired). I would not want anything but a paddle on the 9" ones, but I actually prefer the sliding switch on 4" ones. Most of the paddle switches we have can be "locked on" so you don't have to hold the paddle. A quick press on the paddle releases the lock.

4.5"