Looking for Angle Grinder Recommendations

[CapePizza]

Hi... I'm looking for angle grinder recommendations for shaping and fine tuning firebrick (using a diamond blade). I was looking at Harbor Freight items and was wondering if others have experience with them and how well they hold up.
Or if there are other brands to be recommended, I'd like to hear other's experiences / recommendations.
Thanks.

[JRPizza]

I have several HF 4.5 inch angle grinders. They are cheap enough that I bought 4 and have them all set up with different brushes, blades, and disks. If you search for HF coupon database you can download a 9.99 coupon. Other than being a little loud (I wear earplugs if I am doing anything constant) they work fine and take plenty of abuse, which grinding bricks will give it. I'd also recommend picking up a masonry disk for taking off any rough edges, and obviously a good pair of safety goggles.

[Chach]

I've had my Makita angle grinder for 15 years and used it for everything..my whole outdoor kitchen project...retaining wall work, my inside fireplace, and I use it at work to cut in electrical boxes in existing masonry block walls. never skipped a beat its a work horse.

Ricky

[CapePizza]

Thanks both for the follow up. I like JR's suggestion of having a couple of grinders to cut down on having to switch blades. I'll pick up a low cost grinder from HF tomorrow and after a bit of research I'm going to also get a Porter Cable grinder which seems to have some good specs and not too much more than the mid grade HF grinders (this in the $30 range). So thanks again.

[CapePizza]

Couple of other questions regarding cutting blades.

1) Are there certain brand blades that are better (last longer) that you can recommend
2) Aside from making sure I get diamond blades are there other types of blades or cutting attachments I should think about getting (for instance I've heard the expression "cup blades") Not sure what that is yet, (will investigate).
Thanks

[UtahBeehiver]

Diamond "cup" grinder wheel are good for shaping and I used this the most on my angle grinder. Diamond blades are more for cutting and I used the wet saw for these cuts

[CapePizza]

ah.... got it... Thanks!

[Neil.B]

I have been through three 4.5" blades but believe this to be from using the blade side on for shaping and smoothing rough cuts. The cutting edge closes to the guard stays sharp while the other is worn down flat.
I have bought a grinding wheel now as it only takes a few seconds to switch blades.