Festool AGC 18 Grinder Review: The Best of Its Kind?

Many of us are often looking for a power tool that’s just right for the price yet is packed with the features we need – theFestool AGC 18 Cordless Angle Grinderis a pricier unit compared to those of similar angle grinders, but what makes it special?

To help you decide whether to invest in this tool or not, I’ve written this review so that you’ll know the full specs, pros, and cons of the product.

The Festool AGC 18 is a well-built cordless angle grinder that’s packed with convenient specs, such as variable speed, wide battery compatibility, keyless arbor, and more – all of which are useful for jobs requiring speed and simplicity while being versatile for different tasks.

Specifications

The angle grinder’s variable speed can be adjusted from 4,500 to 8,500 RPM (step-less controls) so it is adaptable to a variety of tasks without ruining the material you’re working on (or exhausting your motor too much). It is also compatible with any of the Festool 18 Volt System’s battery packs and chargers.

What’s more, the overall weight with the battery is 5.95 pounds so it’s still lighter than most cordless angle grinders out there, which are mostly over six pounds. It fits grinding discs up to 4 1/2 inches.

Quality

As for the return policies, Festool backs them up with a 3-year warranty plus a 1-month satisfaction guarantee. And that’s not all – they have a standard repair time of two days so you will get your tool back quickly.

To further prevent damage,this Festool angle grinderhas an enclosed motor and cast electronics so it will be dust-resistant. The EC-TEC motor is also brushless, which helps in its longevity since it is maintenance-free.

Usability

This angle grinder has a lockable spindle, which helps keep your tool fixated on your task while the clamping nut helps to speed up the disc change and there’s no need to use an additional tool for it. It also has a decoupled motor and housing, which reduces vibrations so that work fatigue is minimalized.

Should You Buy the Festool AGC 18?

TheFestool AGC 18perhaps appeals most to those who are searching for a heavy-duty cordless angle grinder fit for nearly any task, since it has variable speed, comes ready with battery packs you can use, a keyless arbor and guard change, and ergonomic, low-vibration design. You will find it useful if you work in awkward angles on your job-site or shop, especially for remodeling tasks.

While the price may look a little intimidating, it’s because the tool already includes battery packs and a charger so you don’t need to buy them separately. And since the battery type is lithium-ion, you can leave it on your shed or toolbox without worrying about memory effect, which would drain the battery while in storage.
If you are still unsure about the decision, go through the below list of the pros and cons of the tool.

Pros of the Product

Let’s start with the positives.

It has variable speed.

You can adjust the speed of the angle grinder from 4,500 to 8,500 RPM. This is useful for handling different types of materials without ruining them. Many of the angle grinders out there that are cordless aren’t variable-speed so they are not ideal for a variety of jobs, unlike this one.

It comes with battery packs and a charger.

There’s no need to go to a different store and buy them separately – you have it all with just one pack, hence the price. In the end it saves you time, money, and effort if you grab this whole bundle in one go. This would be best suited for those who are new to angle grinders and/or don’t have the battery packs and charger yet.

The motor is brushless and well-protected.

A brushless type motor helps prolong the lifespan of the tool and it also reduces the overall vibration. This is useful in lessening user fatigue when operating the angle grinder for long hours, especially for industrial jobs or meeting client deadlines. It also has overload protection for motor safety.

The battery is lithium-ion.

As mentioned above, lithium-ion batteries do not have a memory effect. This means they can stay in storage without draining out automatically, even if you haven’t charged or used them in a while.

It has an ergonomic and lightweight design.

The weight is not too heavy (5.95 pounds, battery included) compared to most cordless angle grinders that are about six pounds (and more when adding the battery). While it is common for cordless tools to be heavier than corded ones because of the battery, this one seems to be a lighter option.

Cons of the Product

On the other hand, while it has good points, the product has some minor drawbacks.

It is pricier compared to other angle grinders.

With the battery packs included and the plethora of features, unfortunately, this angle grinder seems to be more expensive compared to similar models out there. However, if you are looking for variable speed, easy arbor changes, cordless operation, and other features mentioned above, this tool is worth investing in.

It can’t be used with 5-inch discs.

Although this is a given for most cordless angle grinders, keep in mind that it is only a 4 1/2-inch tool so even if you want to use it for heavy-duty tasks, you can’t use it for larger discs so it may take a longer time to finish that job.

What Are the Alternatives?

A similar 4 1/2-inch variable-speed cordless angle grinder would be the密爾沃基2680-20, which has a paddle switch design if you’re looking for easier handling. Like the Festool pick mentioned above, this one also has an adjustable guard that doesn’t require tools and also has overload protection.

TheDeWalt DCG412Bis a similar angle grinder that has a quick-release feature for the wheel so you can change discs easily. The difference is that this is a bare tool only (no batteries included). It also has a lock-off button but it is not variable speed (at 6,500 RPM only).

另一個無刷電機角磨機相似to the Festool one is theMakita XAG03MB, which also has an ergonomic design at just 14-1/4 inches long. It also uses a lithium-ion battery and comes as a complete set, which includes batteries, a charger, and a toolbox.

For more alternatives, alsocheck my article about the best angle grinders.

Summary

Overall, theFestool AGC 18is a good choice for those who need variable speed and a not-so-heavy cordless angle grinder that has a keyless arbor system. It can be used for various tasks and has a low-vibration design so your hands don’t get tired easily.

Although it is pricey, it has a lot of features and specs already plus included batteries and charger to get you started.