My Makita Angle Grinder Stopped Working: A Safety-First Look

I was cutting a pipe last week. The noise stopped. The wheel slowed down. My Makita angle grinder just died.

It is a bad feeling. You hold the tool. It feels like a useless brick. My first thought was to shake it. I wanted to flip the switch fast.

But I stopped myself.

I have used tools for years. I know better now. When a fast tool dies, it is a warning. I want to share my steps with you. I do not guess. I use a safe plan.

Here is what I do when my Makita angle grinder stops working.

Step 1: The Safety Check I Always Do

I treat a dead grinder like a danger. These tools spin very fast. If it turns on while I hold the disc, I get hurt.

The second it stopped, I pulled the plug. I did not touch the switch.

I checked for heat. I put my hand near the motor. Was it hot? Did I smell smoke? If I smell burning plastic, I stop. That is a job for a shop. I do not fix burnt motors at home.

Check the Power First

We often blame the tool. I used to do this. I would take a grinder apart. Then I would find out the wall outlet was dead.

Now, I look at the power source. Angle grinders use a lot of power. They can blow a fuse.

I looked at my extension cord. Was it loose? Was it too thin? A thin cord starves the tool. It makes the motor hot. Then it shuts off.

I plugged a lamp into that same cord. It turned on. Okay, so the power is good.

The “Too Hot” Rule

I learned this the hard way. Many new Makita grinders are smart. They have chips inside. If you push them too hard, they stop. This saves the motor.

I asked myself: Was I pushing hard? Was the disc stuck in the pipe?

If yes, the tool might be resting. It is not broken. It is saving itself.

I let it sit. I let it cool down for ten minutes. I do not force it. If it was just hot, it works again after a break.

Why Grinders Fail

I made a list of what usually breaks. It helps to look at the facts.

Part Failure Chances

The Parts That Wear Out

If the power is good, I look at the inside parts. Grinders make a lot of dust. This dust gets inside.

The carbon brushes wear out the most. They are like tires on a car. When they get small, the power stops.

On my grinder, I can check these easily. There are small caps on the side. I took one out. The brush was still long. So, the brushes were fine.

When I Call for Help

This is where I stop.

I checked the power. I checked the heat. I checked the brushes. They were all good.

I did not open the main case. A grinder that stops for no clear reason is not safe.

If the switch is bad, it might get stuck “on”. If the wire is bad, it could shock me.

I took it to a repair shop. It was a bad wire inside the handle. It cost a little cash. But it saved me from a shock.

My Final Advice

If your Makita angle grinder stopped working, stay calm. Do not rush.

Check the plug. Check the cord. Let it cool off. If those easy fixes do not work, stop. Tools can be bought again. Your hands cannot. Stay safe.

FAQs – Makita Angle Grinder Stopped Working