Woodchips2
Established Member
I had a Black and Decker Professional angle grinder for many years and it was well built and got through a lot of work. Recently I overworked it cutting up a central heating radiator that was too heavy to cart to the tip, something snapped internally and it died.
I replaced it with a Makita 115mm angle grinder thinking it would be greatly superior to the B&D but after less than an hours use, not continuous, it got very hot, started smoking and rattling as if the bearings had gone. It was less than a week old so I took it back to the retailer in Newton Abbot assuming I would get an exchange or my money back. I was amazed when the retailer said they couldn’t deal with the problem but it would have to go to a local specialist repair shop that dealt with Makita repairs. I told them no way did a want a machine that had had less than an hours use repaired.
To cut a long story short I ended up dealing with the retailer’s Head Office who initially held the same line that Makita insisted on no exchange or refunds by the retailer until they had received the report from the repairer. I quoted the retailer’s responsibilities under the Sale of Goods Act and told them I was rejecting the goods as not fit for purpose and would be ringing Trading Standards with a complaint. I got a refund within an hour!
This experience wouldn’t encourage me to buy Makita tools again. Firstly I thought I was buying a good quality industrial machine which failed after very little use. Secondly I don’t like a manufacturer trying to prevent a retailer complying with their legal responsibilities.
Anybody recommend a corded 115mm angle grinder other than Makita? I've looked at the Stanley Fatmax which has a three year warranty (sold by Argos who don't quibble if there is a fault) and the JCB (sold by B&Q) which has a five year warranty and both are less expensive than the Makita.
Regards Keith
I replaced it with a Makita 115mm angle grinder thinking it would be greatly superior to the B&D but after less than an hours use, not continuous, it got very hot, started smoking and rattling as if the bearings had gone. It was less than a week old so I took it back to the retailer in Newton Abbot assuming I would get an exchange or my money back. I was amazed when the retailer said they couldn’t deal with the problem but it would have to go to a local specialist repair shop that dealt with Makita repairs. I told them no way did a want a machine that had had less than an hours use repaired.
To cut a long story short I ended up dealing with the retailer’s Head Office who initially held the same line that Makita insisted on no exchange or refunds by the retailer until they had received the report from the repairer. I quoted the retailer’s responsibilities under the Sale of Goods Act and told them I was rejecting the goods as not fit for purpose and would be ringing Trading Standards with a complaint. I got a refund within an hour!
This experience wouldn’t encourage me to buy Makita tools again. Firstly I thought I was buying a good quality industrial machine which failed after very little use. Secondly I don’t like a manufacturer trying to prevent a retailer complying with their legal responsibilities.
Anybody recommend a corded 115mm angle grinder other than Makita? I've looked at the Stanley Fatmax which has a three year warranty (sold by Argos who don't quibble if there is a fault) and the JCB (sold by B&Q) which has a five year warranty and both are less expensive than the Makita.
Regards Keith
