Electric Grinders

CPSC Recall #03-048 - December 18, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number03-048
Recall DateDecember 18, 2002
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 24,000
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Home centers
hardware stores and industrial distributors nationwide sold these grinders from June 2001 through November 2002 for between $165 and $175.

Product

Electric Grinders

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp., of Brookfield, Wis., is voluntarily recalling about 24,000 electric grinders. The grinder's switch can stick in the "on" position, which could pose an injury hazard to consumers. CPSC and Milwaukee Electric Tool have received 12 reports of grinder switches sticking in the "on" position; however, no injuries have been reported. The recall includes the 15 Amp grinders that have a seven or nine inch disc and have the following catalog and serial numbers, which can be found on a nameplate on the top of the grinder:  Catalog NumbersSerial Numbers6086-20Serial Prefix 991A and 991B only6088-20Serial Prefix 994A and 994B only6089-20Serial Prefix 992AThe grinders were manufactured in the United States. Home centers, hardware stores and industrial distributors nationwide sold these grinders from June 2001 through November 2002 for between $165 and $175.Consumers should stop using the grinders immediately and return them to their nearest Milwaukee factory service center or authorized power tool service center for a free repair. For more information, consumers can contact Milwaukee Electric Tool at (800) 414-6527 between 6 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday. Consumers can locate the nearest service center by visiting the firm's web site at www.heavydutytool.com (the recall announcement on their site can be found at www.milwaukeetools.com/pdfs/15-amp-grinder-recall.pdf).

Hazard

The grinder's switch can stick in the "on" position, which could pose an injury hazard to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and Milwaukee Electric Tool have received 12 reports of grinder switches sticking in the "on" position; however, no injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the grinders immediately and return them to their nearest Milwaukee factory service center or authorized power tool service center for a free repair.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.