Vince, I have a Bosch X-Lock grinder and it's terrific! Another advantage is that you don't have to keep track of the lock rings and bushings that many standard grinders have when you use screw on wheels, they end up in the bottom of the tool box or lost. Translation; more lost time. Makita, as usual, has made a very smart move in adopting this tech, can't wait to see it with their new 40V platform!
Besides the ease of use, this would be the reason I get one. Most people love the fact that cordless makes it so much nicer because of not having to deal with plugging it in. This is the same kind of advancement just on the other end of the tool. There are some people who are just too hardheaded. I’m not a professional and that’s why it will probably be a while before I spend the money to get a new grinder.
You can buy it and buy an adapter and use your milwaukee batteries on it. I have a makita platform but I use a milwaukee one hand recip fuel m18 tool with my makita batteries no problem with adapter
I’m thinking same thing. I will wait for dewalt to use something like this. I can’t start with another battery platform when I have so much invested in dewalt already
im a roofer and have the dga519 5inch x lock and literally done hundreds of metres of chasing for lead work and general roofing absolute beast of a grinder super durable lasted 3 years and got totally abused, just ordered new 1
I have a little, milwaukee angle grinder that defies any attempt to tighten the flange nut with just your hand. I always use the wrench. When someone else saw me doing this, and told me you can tighten it down without the wrench, I told them to try it. They did. Then, they turned it on. The motor ramps up in a way that it spins the flange nut loose if you didn't actually lock it down properly. Seeing that cutoff wheel wobble on the arbor made them nervous, and they didn't bother me about why I'm not a tough guy who throws away the wrench (and the handle, and the blade guard), again. It's always the same people that tighten by hand, that also leave the grinder plugged in while putting the their hand on the disc, too. Funny how laziness tends toward laziness. Lol. If there's any handheld power tool you should FEAR, it's the angle grinder. I think so, anyway. It's one of my all-time, most-used tools. But, I don't ever let myself start thinking that that m'fucker wouldn't straight-up MURDER me if I gave it the chance. Lol. All of that to say that I am very interested in a tool-less blade change angle grinder that doesn't involve putting people in the hospital. Haha.
So you're saying that your grinder runs in the same direction as the threads on the ring nut? I think Milwaukee would be interested in seeing that tool. I suspect that you have your flange backwards for the thickness of the consumable you are using.
I think the only valid argument is the extra cost of the discs but I can totally see this for a mechanic or fabricator who constantly needs to go back and fourth between flap discs, cut off wheels and grinding wheels but for me if I’m bringing a grinder to a jobsite I usually only need it to do one thing so not worth buying a new one but my next grinder after my Milwaukee craps out will probably be an X lock
Hi Vince, nice vid, i have a xlock bosch grinder almost 2 years, and very happy with her, you forget mentioned one thing about xlock wheel, its the best option for noob like me, i always have problems in place the wheel with xlock i always know, i cant mess it.
"Keep your hands off my trusty grinder!" 🤣🤣 Now, THAT'S priceless! Makita and Bosch ftw. Thank you, Vince, and God bless! 😁👍✌ P.S. oh, and Diablo discs. 💯
Been watching Vince for awhile now and I like his videos. Informative and fun to watch, but ever since I started I thought man this guy reminds me of someone else..........TAZ from E>C>W anyone else getting that?
I bought a Makita x lock cordless, I was worried because the first Makita cordless grinders where useless, but as I’ve got all makita tools I thought I would try the new X lock grinder… fantastic bit of kit doesn’t stop when you put pressure on it. Definitely recommend.
man i remember one time my locking nut got so ceased up so badly it took me close to an hour and alot of scraped knuckles to remove, wanted an x-lock ever since.
Here in the uk x lock grinders are priced pretty much the same as ordinary grinders so, if you need a new grinder sure why not take advantage of newer technology, if you already have a grinder I wouldnt really buy just for that feature already owning that dewalt shown on the video. Nice video guys as always :)
I actually bought the new Bosch x lock Bluetooth all singing all dancing one before cancelling it and getting the standard one because I couldn't find an x lock mortar rake/chasing blade. It was a couple months ago though. Shame because the braking on x lock grinders are so much faster.
Not all company’s will be willing to pay the extra premium for the blades since company’s have to pay out for consumables they’ll get the cheapest but most effective options they can to cut cost and of course your average worker isn’t going to be willing to pay out for consumables as such (especially if he has to fork out of his own pocket for tools because the company won’t) since tools are used all day everyday for commercial work use and most company’s won’t even cover repairs. So yes it would be nice but as your average joe tradie I think I’ll just stick with the normal blade makita grinder I have. I use it without the ratchet anyway but I get what he’s saying about using it for reinsurance, got to take extra precaution with grinders man
@@ZAPATTUBE metal fab shop owner, I like to have 4 grinders it’s less time saves 12 sec of changing wheels based on this new tech. It looks promising, if Milwaukee incorporates the tech I would buy them, looks easier to manufacture, I have m18 platform so if it were available in bulk and was still cheaper which wasn’t the focus of this vid then it would be compelling over the alternative no thread option pricing
That's great. You forgot to remove battery with xlock. Wouldn't it be even better to have 2 grinders fully loaded and no change discs? That save even more time, as no need to go and look for the discs also. Working with metal, one to cut, one to grind. Makes sense.
@@ZAPATTUBE not everyone works X metres up the ladder. That is probably the extreme. And probably you should not start changing discs up the ladder either, not only for the one doing it but the people underneath to get flying discs falling from the sky as the xlock starts spitting all the discs. That's probably the muscle dumb
I bet these same people didn’t think keyless chucks were a time saver either. lol I like tools with no tool blade, bit, or whee changing for one reason: I keep misplacing the wrench or Alan key that comes with the tool and I wind up spending 10 minutes looking for it. Great fair review Vince as always.
But Vince, is like taking the gamble of thing in the middle of my grind, "Did I torque that nut down enough? I was in a hurry and forgot if I made sure it was tight. Let the dice roll begin!"
Maybe the prices are comparable to other home depot brands, but not harbor freight.. 10 cut off wheels for 8 bucks or 2.50 per flapper disc.. yes they aren't the quality of Diablo, etc.. but that dollar + adds up after a while.. and I have never had issues with the HF discs.. Although... I needed new Makita batteries at 230 for 2 of them.. ended up getting this deal at Home Depot 399 for brushless hammer drill, impact driver, xlock grinder , jigsaw and 2 5amph batteries with charger.. extra 150ish and get a bunch of tools with the batteries.. thats a steal!!
I normally use the grinder disc's to lock the nut down I never use a spanner wrench never had any problems using the disc to tighten the nut I would never say the way I do it is faster then x lock but I got 15 different grinders that use the old way don't need to do blade changes to different items as often when you have a different disc on each grinder @Vcgconstruction
Ya know whats faster? Just having 2 or 3 grinders if you need to change discs back and forth alot during a job. Multiple grinders will always be the fastest.
Exactly I weld for a living and I only change my disc like once a week and I keep 2 grinders with me one with a wire wheel. I'm shure this fits for some people just not me.
As a professional tile installer I’m not changing blades all the time and a lot of tile cutting blades don’t uses x lock. So I’ll stick with my cordless Dewalt at least until there’s more options for x lock blades
The beautiful thing about Bosch is that it is owned by a charitable foundation. Every time you purchase a Bosch tool, some portion of that money is going to a reputable charity.
@@CP-ok1gv Yeah they can be. Their router is really nice. So is their worm drive saw. The only reason I held back from purchasing the worm drive was parts availability compared to the Skil 77.
Christian P it is a regional thing I guess. Here in Germany the Bosch stuff is cheaper than Milwaukee. In the US Milwaukee is cheaper than Bosch... Europeans pay a premium for American brands, Americans pay a premium for German brands...
This is legacy of the company founder, Robert Bosch. He stated it in his will that some of company profit be donated to charitable causes. He was not the typical early 20 century industrailist. He introduced 8-hour work days, employee training and personal development programs, social benefits for employees like paid vacations, health insurance, and company pension plans, which included survivor's pension; something almost unheard of in the industrial envirnoment of early 1900s Germany. He was also vehemently opposed to war. During WW1, his factories were turned into hospitals. He donated artificial limbs to WW1 amputees. As a pacifist, he had no interest in arms contracts before and during WW2, but Hitler wasn't asking nicely, so he didn't have much of a choice. Nonetheless, he ran secret resistance efforts against the Nazi regime. There is a quote attributed to Robert Bosch: "I don't pay good wages because I have a lot of money; rather, I have lot of money, because I pay good wages."
Im a contractor and you know that a cuttingweel or diamondblad don't need changing every 5 sec so for me if it takes 5 or 15 sec to change a disk don't matter to me .plus I will garanti you the disk with fastluck is almost a 1/2 time more 💰then the normal one. Plus you don't need to use a wrench on your angelgrinder to put on a disc it.s made to self Tighten wen you use it .and to take it of just get a fast key 🔑⚙you DONT NEED A WRENCH TO TIGHTEN just snuk it with your ✋and your good to go..I thought all contractors new that😁😁😁😁best regards from Denmark to you and your family stay safe and🇩🇰
I think x lock is cool, but I'm not too concerned about 20 seconds. Although, when the grinder I have finally dies (because they all do eventually) you can bet I'm upgrading to x lock.
If you have a Milwaukee one, it will never die. But you may want a fancier one with Bluetooth, Internet, and active noise cancelling like your headphones, LoL
I know but people are you saying that the X-Lock wheels are not at the local HD 😭 what about when they don't have them in stock at the local Home Depot then you have to wait for them to come in the mail from Ebay ouch 😭💦 ? There goes the 15 seconds. Great video n I appreciate the information n evaluation. Im looking to buy a mobile grinder but I don't think I can do X-Lock yet it probably makes sense for somebody that is constantly constantly grinding as long as those wheels are available.
Kinda reminds me of the ez lock dremel accessories. Where those can save you from overtightening the bit and cracking the cutoff wheels on the old style. I use to hand tighten till one came loose and had some lets just say unexpected results... so I always tighten with the wrench... but this one I don't need a wrench... when the time comes for me to buy a new one.. I'm switching up.
I was just gifted an X-LOCK grinder recently, and I think it's awesome, but I have one huge complaint, and that is I have flap discs that use Scotch-Brite material instead of sandpaper of various grits that I use for restoration work, and even a year after this video, similar flap discs aren't available in X-LOCK. If I want to use those discs, I'll either need to modify the center of the discs so X-LOCK will grab them (Definitely not safe) or stick with the old style of grinder
If youre worried about grinder down time, I would start with not using a cordless solution, lol you'll change your battery 50 times before your grinding wheel.
But seriously, watching you change the wheels with the battery in freaked me out a bit. Honestly I just a dude that works in IT, the extra saftey features are probably worth it seeing I need my fingers.
Oh my goodness; where are all the Ironworkers’s, !! Grinders are our best friend!! Like a pair of pliers, to a rod buster , a stinger to a welder 👨🏻🏭 , a sliver bar to a structural worker!!!!
That's crazy and unsafe 2 change grinding discs that way at least my grinding nut has a wing that's flips up to changing blades easy but I like with the XLock blades is the washer around the blades making them safer and that's great 😎👍👊
I know this video has been out a while now. I have an X- Lock Grinder. I'm an electrician and it has been more cost effective to use. But it's also safer to use. Some disc's I use daily are directional. The X-Lock system will not let you install them the wrong way around. This also makes sure you get the full life of that disc every time. Also Thanks for your content, it's always well done...
I love the technology. Just going to wait on Milwaukee to see if they get with the program. If they don’t within the year then I’ll just have to go Makita set to make it worth it
In a tru professional/production setting where there is consistent need for various types of cutting and/or grinding, they will typically have multiple grinders each with a particular grinding wheel. This type of system is really only worth while for low volume or occasional use.
True which is why I stuck to my 414 DeWalt grinder for the last 2 years recently picked up the 418 DeWalt though these Makita and Bosch are great grinders I'll stick with DeWalt
So they are giving promotions and selling cheaper so x lock is adopted then what?? prices will go up for the accessories and no more promotional deals??
My only reservation is what happens when the " xlock " locking mech doesn't operate properly? Flying blades, wheels & brushes? Hmmmm But if it becomes tried n true...cool. I will however save the money on accessories for now. My " not often enough" used grinder will live on....til it doesnt
In Germany x-lock is the standard since 2019. use my x-lock grinder for nearly two years now and love it. Can‘t imagine using the old system.. same as starlock! we love and use it since 2016.
Yo Vince! Just so I can understand this like a 3rd grader. The newer x lock discs are compatible with older grinders, but older discs are NOT compatible with the newer x lock grinders. Is that right? 🤔
I have a oscillating multitool with Starlock plus, and the toolless blade attachment is an absolute godsend. Once you try that, you will never, ever again, want to have anything to do with a multitool whose blade attachment involves allen keys, removable lugs, or anything else that has a potential to be dropped, lost or just wasting your time in general. And I'm convinced it's the same story with X-lock. I already have a 125 mm corded grinder with standard M14 spindle, so I'll go for a 150 mm cordless Bosch 18V (I'm already invested into their Core battery system), as soon as they releases EU equivalent to the US market's "Profactor" "Spitfire". (By the way - seriously, Bosch? That's not cool, employing 13 year old kids in your marketing department. Child labor is illegal, you know?). Anyway. I'm not even a pro contractor or anything, so I probably won't be earning much money with it (my primary job is MCR technician in a TV company). But it still makes sense for me, even when all I use a grinder for is DIY stuff and whatever needs to be done or fixed on and around my house... a 70 years old, two-story house with attic and cellar, built entirely of solid bricks, so actually the use cases are many. Enough of them to get frustrated with the wheel changes. Why? Murphy's law: - You WILL at some point accidentally drop the nut, OR the spacer, OR the spanner, and if you're working up somewhere on a ladder or scaffolding, the probability increases tenfold. - To use a wire cup, you have to remove the nut and spacer. As you put them away somewhere safe, they WILL disappear from that place the moment you leave them out of your sight. - Tightening the nut by twisting the disc is fine when it's a steel disc for masonry, but it's a bad idea with something like a bonded cutting disc that's only 1mm thin, because it WILL crack. - Sometimes, the goddamn nut just won't come off, because someone else torqued it super tight, and you WILL have to look for the spanner, and it WILL NOT be where it's supposed to be. With X-lock, all these annoyances are eliminated. They may seem insignificant, especially to someone whose only experience with grinders is arguing about them on internet, but when you're actually trying to get something done in a reasonable time, any of these things will properly piss you off.
I have been loving the x lock since I grabbed the bosch smart grinder with speed control I still use my old grinders more but the projects that I need to use multiple discs x lock is way faster @Vcgconstruction
My big concern with this blade change system is the longevity of it. With a standard blade change, you have a big nut holding the blade on. With this new system, there are a lot more working parts. I still use my old Dewalt cordless grinder with an adaptor to use Milwaukee batteries and the blade change still works on a tool that is probably twenty years old. When this grinder fails I will probably replace it with a Milwaukee grinder to save having a different set of batteries and charger to lug around with me. If I was workshop based I would have no hesitation in swapping brands.
I think you should not think about the simple and robust mechanism of the X-lock failing. Your concern should first be directed towards the electrical/ electronic components including the motor itself failing first before the locking mechanism.
Well in a realistic setting most shops or factories run more than 1 grinder, one dedicated to grinding and 1 to cutting. If you are cutting alot and chewing through disks like crazy I think you need to rethink how you are cutting and move to a band saw or oxy or something quicker. On the topic of being quick, batteries! Changing batteries takes time as well. You’d be better going corded if doing long hours. Most tradie jobs arnt all the same and you will always lose time to external factors so justifying a quick blade change will make any impact is just fairy dust.
Seriously though, the backwards compatibility make it a no brainer. The problem will come if they corner the market, refuse to license other manufacturer, jack the price until the patent expires. Every engineer and their upper management's wet dream.
@@VCGConstruction They will, but not soon. Sure. To proud to adopt it now. I think it s like the paddle switch 10 years ago.As you bring safety, it's going to be obligatory on big construction site with big construction company.
My question is how long will that X Lock last before it starts loosing tension and lock? Then you have a safety concern that you have to either fix or buy a new one. Am I right or missing something here? I’ve been looking at the Makita X Lock at TSC lately for $149 with accessories. Just haven’t decided to jump over yet as it’s a new deal.
The real time savings come in when you drop an arbor nut and have to chase it across a floor and fish it out from under a cabinet or machine. For most pros they aren't going to save more than a few minutes during to course of an average day due to tool change outs. What they will gain is convenient 1 handed changes as well as 1 less thing to fumble and lose. The only hold up is if X-lock is just a passing thing and loses market support with time instead of gaining more and becoming an industry standard.
Only complaint is lack of styled wheels. I use a lot of dished wheels for carving wood and X-lock doesn't offer those wheels. Makes me not want to use it.
Mobile welder here. Never used an x-lock but can tell you the consumables aren't sold in stores anywhere around my area. Only place I've ever seen them is Lowes and it was a dusty pile of like 5 or 6 wheels and that was it. Shutting down a job-site because I have to mail order consumables costs north of $1000\day. This is the hurdle they have to get over if they want mass adoption. Otherwise it's just another solution to a non-problem.
X lock system "locks" you in to buying the X lock blades that on average cost 4 times more. An expensive gimmick that costs you dearly. You can no longer use any standard disk, my score is an F for proprietary failure. (Semi pro tool seller in KCMO) After more research I found out that the X-lock blades are not even available in a majority of places where you might want to buy a blade. The time you spend searching will offset the time gained by quick blade change by a factor of 10, literally a stupid system. Super disappointing. Consumers need to wholly reject proprietary systems by not purchasing them.
i want to switch over to the X-lock system but which grinder to get...makita or bosch ? 🤔 i have had corded makita grinders in the past so im kinda familiar with them but bosch does make decent stuff and those core batteries are good from what i hear.
The only issue with the X-lock is specialty blades and smaller blade companies. I'm a tile setter and while the Diablo, Dewalt and Bosch tile blades are decent....they are not great. Rubi, Pearl, Absolute Black Diamond and our polishing pads don't come in the X-Lock. There are cheap X-lock to spindle adapters, but the put the blade past the guard.
The only problem I see with this system is the fact it is proprietary and you cant seem to use old discs on X-Lock grinders, if you buy an X-Lock grinder then you have to throw out all your old stock for this system. Thats fine and all, but in 10 years time will I still be able to buy these X-Lock discs? Aside from time saving, the older system seems to have more advantages, being able to use both X-Lock cutting wheels and standard cutting wheels.
I got the makita x lock 125mm and for me its a no brainer. It's like Bosch's other great invention the SDS drill, who the hell uses large masonry bits with an old school chuck? The other aspect is safety. Ive had blades come loose and even go across the room with the old school setup. Its also so quick its like having multiple grinders
My only question is how does the Makita grinder perform compared to the Milwaukee fuel? I use a coworkers Makita grinder regularly and I like it, but was going to buy the Milwaukee just because I have more and larger m18 batteries.
As lovely as it would be, not all company’s will be willing to pay the extra premium for the blades since company’s have to pay out for consumables they’ll get the cheapest but most effective options they can to cut cost and of course your average worker isn’t going to be willing to pay out for consumables as such (especially if he has to fork out of his own pocket for tools because the company won’t) since tools are used all day everyday for commercial work use and most company’s won’t even cover repairs. So yes it would be nice but as your average joe tradie I think I’ll just stick with the normal blade makita grinder I have. I use it without the ratchet anyway but I get what he’s saying about using it for reinsurance, got to take extra precaution with grinders man. I’m definitely going to give it a try though
Don’t buy an X-Lock grinder unless you only use a few types of disks. Home Depot and Lowe’s near me only sell a few types, none of the local hardware stores near me have any x-lock disks. It may be good if you have a big job, change out cutting disks, all day, buy the availability of disks, concrete grinders, special tools, are just not there.
I’m considering getting the Milwaukee because the that’s my platform. I do wish they had the x lock. I’m sure after i purchase 6 months later they’ll have stuck a deal with Bosch to make theirs….idk what to do. Free battery atm
Firstly most grinders don’t use an Allen key unless it’s a 7 inch or larger..they use spanned wrenches .. secondly the grinding wheels and flapper discs I use are threaded 5/8 11 threaded .. I just wish they made a quick change threaded shank like an x lock..
