Craftsman CMEG100: problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-10
Summary
A 4.8 lb corded 4-1/2 in. angle grinder with a 6 amp motor, a 3-year limited warranty and a wheel, side handle and wrench in the box. Owner-reported problems are thin: the manual’s FAQ covers a grinder that will not start, and the real running wear is the abrasive wheels, discs and brushes. It costs little to keep running because it is corded — no battery or charger — and at $49.95 (RB Tools) it is an easy occasional-use buy; at $69.00 (Acme Tools) compare the 7.5 amp Craftsman CMEG200 first.
Common problems and fixes
- Grinder will not start — the user manual FAQ carries troubleshooting for a grinder that will not start; the sources checked do not reproduce the steps, so check the manual page before assuming a fault. If it is a defect, the 3-year limited warranty applies. [2][1]
- “Variable Speed: Yes” on the spec sheet — an odd claim for a budget corded grinder; Craftsman does not say whether it means a user-adjustable dial or speed regulation under load, so do not buy it expecting a dial. Not a defect, so the warranty does not apply. [1]
- Conflicting no-load speed figures — Craftsman’s page says 12,000 RPM and a manual aggregation site lists 11,000 RPM, an unresolved conflict; treat 12,000 RPM as a no-load number that drops under load. [1][2]
- Brushes wear out — the manual lists brush replacement as routine maintenance; standard angle grinder brushes may be available through Craftsman/ToolServiceNet channels, with no CMEG100-specific part number published. [2][1]
- Guard and spindle upkeep — keep the guard aligned and the spindle clean, and give the tool ventilation instead of running it flat out for hours; replacement guards come through Craftsman service. [2]
Parts and consumables
- Side handle and wrench — included in the box; keep the wrench for wheel changes, since the spindle lock holds the shaft. Not a consumable. [1][2]
Yearly running cost
No battery or charger to replace — the tool is corded. The only recurring cost documented is the grinding and cutting wheels and discs owners consume; the sources checked publish no per-disc prices or typical annual consumption, so a yearly total cannot be computed. [5]
When it is a good buy
Prices observed 2026-10-10: $49.95 at RB Tools; $69.00 at Acme Tools, where the product page marked the price valid until 2026-09-20. [5][3]
- At under $50 it is a competitive entry-level corded grinder, and the 3-year limited warranty is the selling point.
- At $69.00 or more, compare first: the Craftsman CMEG200 steps up to a 7.5 amp motor and a paddle switch, and DeWalt, Makita and Milwaukee 4-1/2 in. grinders sit in the same band.
Named alternatives: the Craftsman CMEG200 (7.5 amp, paddle switch) is the better choice for frequent or heavy grinding; DeWalt, Makita and Milwaukee 4-1/2 in. grinders are the cross-shop at $69 and up. [1][5]