DeWalt DWE43244N Brushless Paddle Switch Small Angle Grinder 5" / 6" - OB*

DeWalt's DWE43244N Heavy Duty Brushless Small Angle Paddle Switch Grinder is definitely that and more. The side handle can be switched for right- or left-handed use. When I used the side handle on the right side, I found the paddle switch and the safety lever awkward to use with my left hand, but when I switched the side handle to the left side, the paddle switch and safety lever were very easy to operate. In fact, the grinder felt as though it were custom fit for my hands. It doesn't come with a case, which for me is a slight drawback, however the it does come equipped with a lanyard connection for use at heights that could also be used to hang up the angle grinder for storage when not in use. Safety features: Brake – when the paddle switch is released, the motor immediately stops, and electronic brakes stop the rotor from spinning within one second. DeWalt has E-Switch protection which means that the paddle switch must be cycled off then on to restart the grinder in the event of a power outage or other interruption in power. Especially helpful when the grinder shuts off and one lays it down to find out what happened, only to have power restored and the grinder restart without anyone holding it. While I haven't had the opportunity to experience this next one, DeWalt has an E-clutch which will shut off in the event of a stall or a wheel pinch, reducing the reaction torque to the user. This is also similar to the kickback brake that is also installed. When the unit sense that there is a severe pinch, stall or bind-up, the kickback brake will engage, stopping the wheel, reducing the movement of the grinder and shutting the grinder off. When these occurrences happen, the user must flip the paddle switch off and then back on to restore power to the grinder. It also comes equipped with a constant clutch, so that if the grinder is overloaded or stalled, the torque and RPMs will be reduced until the overloading or stall is reduced. At that time the torque and RPMs will increase. If it is stalled for too long, the previous mentioned features will come into play, shutting down the grinder and causing the paddle switch to be cycled to restart the grinder. The main handle of the grinder has a built in LED indicator light that will flash in different patterns to indicate to the user an issue that has occurred. It comes with two guards – a Type 27 guard for use with grinding wheels, wire wheel, wire cup brushes, sanding discs and hubbed and non-hubbed sanding flap discs; and a Type 41 guard for use with cutting wheels. The guard can be adjusted with a lever in either one-touch mode (the guard will rotate to the next adjustment position without engaging the lever) or two-touch mode (The user has to depress the lever and rotate the guard to the next position, releasing the lever and locking the guard in that position), depending on the user's preference. Don't like the one-touch mode, simply unscrew the lever, flip it over, screw it back in place and it's set up for two-touch mode. Swapping out grinding and sanding accessories is simple – depress the spindle lock button and use the provided hex wrench to loosen or tighten the locking flange and swap out your cutting/grinding accessory. Even with all of the included safety features, be sure to use hearing protection, eye protection and respiratory protection. Overall, I am very impressed the DWE 43244N angle grinder and look forward to many years of service life with it. Highly recommended. [This review was collected as part of a promotion.]