Makita
Makita 40V XGT GAG04 Angle Grinder
Makita's mainstream 40V XGT flagship in the 4-1/2/5-inch class, with a variable 3,000-8,500 RPM brushless motor Makita claims cuts 5/8-inch rebar up to 60% faster than prior cordless. Electric brake stops the wheel in under 2 seconds, AFT kills the motor on bind-up, and it's AWS-capable for auto-starting Makita dust extractors. The GAG06 is the paddle-switch sibling; the newer GAG11 swaps the 5/8-11 spindle for X-LOCK.
Specifications
Features
Pros
- ✓Owners who moved up from 18V LXT call the 40V grinder 'well worth the upgrade' - power and runtime are in a different league than LXT.
- ✓Variable-speed dial (3,000-8,500 RPM) is rare on cordless grinders and makes it usable for flap-disc blending and polishing, not just cutting.
- ✓AFT (Active Feedback-sensing Technology) shuts the motor down on bind-up - a genuine anti-kickback safety layer many competitors lack.
- ✓Electric brake stops the wheel in 2 seconds or less, and the electric current limiter keeps you from cooking the motor under overload.
- ✓AWS wireless auto-start pairs with Makita dust extractors for tool-triggered OSHA-compliant dust collection on concrete.
- ✓Tool-less guard rotation and standard 5/8-11 spindle mean no accessory lock-in (unlike the X-LOCK GAG11).
- ✓Soft start and restart protection make it well-mannered on generators and inverters.
Cons
- ✗Heavy: 9.7 lbs with battery per Makita's own spec - noticeably more fatiguing overhead than 18V-class grinders.
- ✗At $284 bare it is one of the priciest grinders in the class, and XGT batteries add a steep buy-in if you're not on the platform.
- ✗Slide switch with lock-on is banned on some jobsites - you need the GAG06 paddle version for no-lock-on safety rules.
- ✗XGT batteries don't interchange with Makita's huge 18V LXT ecosystem without a separate adapter-free platform commitment.
- ✗No major-retailer review aggregate has accumulated for this SKU, so long-term reliability signal is thinner than Milwaukee's 2880.
- ✗Sustained grinding still drains packs quickly - corded remains cheaper for all-day bench work.
- ✗Kit pricing (~$424 with one 4.0Ah) is a big premium over 18V rivals' kits.
Common Questions
Is upgrading from an 18V LXT grinder to this worth it?
Why does a grinder need a variable-speed dial?
Is the slide switch allowed on commercial jobsites?
What safety systems does it have if the wheel binds?
Can it trigger a dust extractor automatically for concrete work?
Compare the Makita 40V XGT GAG04 Angle Grinder
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