DEWALT DWE4012

Which model this is

This page covers the DEWALT DWE4012, a 4-1/2 in (115 mm) paddle-switch small angle grinder that has been in production since 2014. It is the US 120 V variant, listed with ASIN B00L42M4VQ (UPC 885911351638).

Two instruction-manual revisions exist, Type 1 (N359279, dated 2014-02-19) and Type 2 (NA112887), both downloadable from DEWALT. Do not confuse the DWE4012 with the 11-amp DWE402, the DWE4011, the DWE4120, or DEWALT’s cordless grinders.

Power and where it fits

The DWE4012 sits at the bottom of DEWALT’s corded grinder range. Its 7.5 amp motor is enough for thin metal, masonry and general grinding, but it is the least powerful of the group next to the 11 amp DWE402 and the 13 amp DWE43115. The DWE402 adds a dust ejection system, auto-off brushes and, on some variants, E-Clutch; the DWE4012 has none of those. What the smaller tool keeps is the One-Touch guard, the quick-change wheel release and the jam-pot gear case, in a body that weighs 3.9 lb against roughly 6.2 lb for the DWE402.

As of 2026-10-12, Home Depot listed the DWE4012 at $98.98, Global Industrial at $99.95, MSC Direct at $100.60 and AIW at $87.62. The tool typically sells in the $88-100 range. The 11-amp DWE402 often sits at $89-109 (Northern Tool lists it at $109.95), so the gap between the two can be small or nonexistent. A two-pack, the DWE402-2W, is listed at $129.00 by The Power Tool Store.

Below $90 the DWE4012 is a reasonable entry-level grinder, though the DWE402 is often the same price with more power. Between $91 and $100 the case weakens, and above $100 it is hard to justify unless you specifically want the lighter body.

Repairs, parts and running costs

DEWALT backs the grinder with a 3-year limited warranty, a 1-year free service contract that covers worn parts under normal use when the tool came from DEWALT or an authorized seller, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. The manual says repairs, maintenance and brush inspection should go to a DEWALT service center or other qualified personnel. The jam-pot gear case is sealed and not user-serviceable; carbon brushes are reachable through the brush caps. No exact-model failure rate has been published.

What owners say

Retail reviews and forum posts praise the compact size, the tool-free guard and wheel changes, and DEWALT build quality at the low end of the range. The recurring complaints are a motor that bogs down under load, an awkward paddle lock-on, the lack of a wheel brake and, on some units, gear-case oil leaks. Owners who run a grinder all day tend to reach for the more powerful models; for occasional cutting and light grinding it does the job. There is no dedicated long-running DWE4012 thread, so treat the leak reports as an anecdotal signal rather than a known defect rate.

Sources

Manufacturer:

• DEWALT DWE4012 product page (US)
• DEWALT DWE4012 product page (Canada)
• DEWALT DWE4012 instruction manual (Type 1)
• DEWALT DWE4012 instruction manual (ManualsLib)
• DEWALT warranty information (US)
• DEWALT warranty help centre (USA & Canada)

Independent reviews:

• PowerToolGuide: best angle grinders of 2026
• EBMag: DEWALT improves small angle grinders

Owner reports:

• DEWALT owners’ subreddit (r/Dewalt)
• Need a 4-1/2 angle grinder (r/Tools)
• 4-1/2 circular saw or angle grinder (r/Dewalt)
• Garage Journal: best angle grinders 2024

Parts and stores:

• Home Depot DWE4012 listing
• Global Industrial DWE4012 listing
• MSC Direct DWE4012 listing
• AIW DWE4012 listing
• The Power Tool Store DWE4012-2W two-pack
• Northern Tool DWE402 listing