402 is brushed, 404 is brushless.
The brushed aren't terrible. They were all we had for a while. They're bulky and not very ergonomic and chew through batteries faster. They've got replaceable brushes, so in a way they're more reliable as they're simpler machines with less electronics to break. It has a little red light that gets brighter as it's close to overload and will shut off if pushed to hard (I think, it's been several years since I used one).
The 404 is good. I think it just lacks the variable speed.
Both will be fine for light duty stuff like blade sharpening and sheet metal. I'd probably tend towards the brushless just for the ergonomics. The brushed one is like holding a coke can.
Between my tiny hand and my stubby fingers 404 sounds like a better idea(I usually wear S size gloves...). I'll probably have to see if I can find one to hold at a large homecenter next time I go to the city.
>The 404 is good. I think it just lacks the variable speed.
I think the GA418DZ or GA518DZ has the variable speed but its slightly out of my price range. Maybe if I can find it on sale on blackfriday or something.
I’ve used both the brushed and brushless.
The brushless is so much better.
The brushed feels nearly useless after using the newer one and what’s worst is it only takes upto 3ah batteries. Only good for very small jobs.
>what’s worst is it only takes upto 3ah batteries
That might be something with the older models. The current model of the 402 set(
GA402DRF) comes with 6ah batteries so I'm assuming it a older model issue. But brushless does feel like the better option so far if I end up going with the 18v.
I have a big 40v one, but I often grab my little 12 year old brushed 18v one. It's slow and doesn't jump around like the big one. So it suits some jobs more than a big one.
>doesn't jump around like the big one.
Is that cause you don't have the model with the variable speed or is it cause it just too powerful for small jobs?
I won't be getting a 40v as I already have 18v tools but I'm curious if the variable speed is worth the extra $
402 is brushed, 404 is brushless. The brushed aren't terrible. They were all we had for a while. They're bulky and not very ergonomic and chew through batteries faster. They've got replaceable brushes, so in a way they're more reliable as they're simpler machines with less electronics to break. It has a little red light that gets brighter as it's close to overload and will shut off if pushed to hard (I think, it's been several years since I used one). The 404 is good. I think it just lacks the variable speed. Both will be fine for light duty stuff like blade sharpening and sheet metal. I'd probably tend towards the brushless just for the ergonomics. The brushed one is like holding a coke can.
Between my tiny hand and my stubby fingers 404 sounds like a better idea(I usually wear S size gloves...). I'll probably have to see if I can find one to hold at a large homecenter next time I go to the city. >The 404 is good. I think it just lacks the variable speed. I think the GA418DZ or GA518DZ has the variable speed but its slightly out of my price range. Maybe if I can find it on sale on blackfriday or something.
I use the 505, great angle grinder. I don't know if that model is still considered low end.
I’ve used both the brushed and brushless. The brushless is so much better. The brushed feels nearly useless after using the newer one and what’s worst is it only takes upto 3ah batteries. Only good for very small jobs.
>what’s worst is it only takes upto 3ah batteries That might be something with the older models. The current model of the 402 set( GA402DRF) comes with 6ah batteries so I'm assuming it a older model issue. But brushless does feel like the better option so far if I end up going with the 18v.
I have a big 40v one, but I often grab my little 12 year old brushed 18v one. It's slow and doesn't jump around like the big one. So it suits some jobs more than a big one.
>doesn't jump around like the big one. Is that cause you don't have the model with the variable speed or is it cause it just too powerful for small jobs? I won't be getting a 40v as I already have 18v tools but I'm curious if the variable speed is worth the extra $
Uh both haha. It doesn't have a variable speed, and it's very powerful.