Fein WS 14 Angle Grinders

While flipping through the latest issue of Popular Mechanics, we saw an ad for Fein's new line of grinders with what looks like at least one never-before-seen feature.

From what we can tell the WS 14 series is a very high-quality line of grinders (good durability, power, etc.), but it's the WS 14 T's that really interest us. This is what the Fein website has to say about those,

The "switchless" FEIN Tip Start operating system with Auto Stop provides needed safety in case of an emergency. The disc slows down as soon as the touch pads are released. The service life of this angle grinder is extended even further by the innovative optical fiber switching system and the dust-proof placement of the four touch pads.

'Switchless Tip Start?" Any ideas? Do these touch pads operate as the on-switch? We searched around a bit to see if 'tip start' is a generic term and we found this at a Dodge Nitro forum:

Tip Start: A feature that allows the driver to crank and start the engine by turning the key to the start position and then releasing it. The vehicle electronics will then take over the cranking and starting process to ensure that proper engine speed is attained, to release the starter motor at the appropriate time, and to prevent double starts.

Not really sure how that would apply to a grinder...

It also looks like the new Fein grinders utilize the same chuck system as the more recent MultiMasters, with the flip-up lever at the rear of the head as opposed to the strange little spanner wrench that all other grinders require.

No word on pricing for this new line, but we will say that the older Fein grinders are in the range of $325 for a 5" model. Putting this in perspective, we've got a great Bosch grinder that we've had and abused for a few years now and it cost us less than $100. Our best guess is that these new grinders will be in the $500 range.

September 14, 2009

Fein WS 14 Angle Grinders