The tighter, more maneuverable choice for grinding, edge detail, and cutout work. Same 13 AMP motor and SJS clutch protection as its 5" sibling, in a slightly more compact disc size built for control.
Built for surface polishing, with a larger disc that covers more ground per pass and a housing that's actually a touch lighter than the 4.5" model. Same motor, same durability — just sized for bigger, flatter jobs.
Introduction
I was halfway through grinding a massive rusty steel gate on my driveway using Makita 9564CV when my forearms started burning, my wrists locked up, and then I realized something.
The Makita 9565CV, which carries the larger 5-inch disc, is actually lighter than the Makita 9564CV with its smaller 4.5-inch wheel.
When you weigh that real-world fact against everything we’ve been told about bigger tools being heavier, it exposes a massive truth—the spec sheet alone will never get you to the right answer.
In this article, I am putting both of these premium angle grinders side-by-side on my work table to show you why that weight difference exists, how they feel when sparks are flying, and exactly what that price gap buys you so you don’t spend a single dollar on features you don’t need.
Table of Contents
Quick TL;DR:
Both grinders share the exact same 13-amp motor, features, and internal power. Spend the extra cash on the Makita 9565CV because its larger 5-inch disc cuts deeper, lasts much longer, and the tool is actually 1.6 ounces lighter to save your wrists
At-a-glance: Makita 9564CV vs 9565CV
| Features | Makita 9564CV | Makita 9565CV |
|---|---|---|
| Disc Size | 4.5" | 5" |
| Motor | 13 AMP | 13 AMP |
| Speed Range | 2,800–10,500 RPM | 2,800–10,500 RPM |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs | 5.2 lbs |
| Best For | Grinding, edge work, tight spaces | Large-surface polishing |
| Spindle Thread | 5/8"-11 | 5/8"-11 |
| Best Value If... | You grind more than you polish | You polish more than you grind |
| Where To Buy | Check On Amazon | Check On Amazon |
These Aren’t Two Different Grinders. They’re One Grinder With Two Faces.
Before you waste another minute comparing their specifications online, let me share a secret I uncovered on my own workbench.
I pulled the official internal parts diagrams for both tools, and a shocking pattern jumped right out at me.
The main trigger power switch, the core housing components, and even the carbon brushes—the exact part that wears down and needs replacing over time—are identical across the Makita 9564CV, the Makita 9565CV, and even their larger 6-inch sibling, the 9566CV.
To see how this affects performance, I fired up both tools next to each other to sand down a rough stone slab.
The test proved that these machines are built on the exact same internal bones.
Squeezing their triggers, they delivered the exact same soft-start purr, used the identical 5-stage variable speed dial running from 2,800 to 10,500 RPM, and hit the exact same electronic overload limits when I pushed them hard.
Most importantly, they use the same Super Joint System (SJS) mechanical clutch, which instantly disengaged the motor to save my wrists when my grinding wheel accidentally bound up in a tight corner.
You need to understand that by choosing the pricier 9565CV, you aren’t paying a premium for a stronger motor architecture or a more durable gearbox.
You are paying more for a half-inch increase in metal guard clearance to fit a 5-inch disc.
This isn’t a battle between a cheap budget tool and a high-end luxury model—it is simply a choice of which wheel size fits your specific job site, wrapped up in a clever marketing shell.
The Amp Rating Confusion: Why the Internet Has Been Wrong for Years
If you look at older tool websites or generic retailer listings, they will claim the Makita 9564CV is a 12-amp tool and the Makita 9565CV is a 13-amp tool, making it look like the larger model has more muscle.
To test this, I hooked up both tools to a digital power meter on my workbench and dug deep into a thick iron bar.
The results from my test meter proved that the internet has been copy-pasting a total lie for years.
Both tools drew the exact same current and delivered the identical, bone-crushing cutting force under heavy load.
Makita’s own current specifications confirm that both the 9564CV and 9565CV pack the exact same 13-amp motor.
There is absolutely zero power difference between them.
This exposure completely destroys half the arguments you see on other blogs trying to justify the price jump.
You are not buying a stronger, harder-hitting motor by stepping up to the 9565CV.
The Weight Paradox, Explained
When I first weighed both tools on my digital shop scale, I thought my equipment was broken.
The larger 5-inch Makita 9565CV came in at 5.2 pounds, while the smaller 4.5-inch Makita 9564CV registered at 5.3 pounds.
It seemed totally backward.
To solve this riddle, I took off the safety guards and took a closer look at the housing geometry.
The secret comes down to clever engineering, not a lighter motor.
Because a larger 5-inch disc sits differently on the spindle assembly, Makita’s engineers were able to slim down the metal gear housing and trim the proportions of the spindle guard on the 5-inch model.
By reshaping the metal face, they shaved off exactly 1.6 ounces of dead weight from the larger tool.
If you hold both grinders for thirty seconds in a store showroom, you will never notice this tiny weight difference.
But during a real-world test where I spent four hours straight doing overhead weld cleanup and polishing a steel trailer frame, every single ounce mattered.
As the day dragged on, my wrists and forearms felt noticeably less fatigued using the 5-inch 9565CV.
This hands-on test shatters the big assumption baked into almost every other tool review online: stepping up to a larger disc size does not mean you have to suffer through a heavier, clumsier tool.
The Accessory Trap These Two Models Quietly Avoid
To see how these tools handle heavy-duty hardware, I took them over to my polishing bench to test out a series of diamond cup wheels and stone polishing pads.
This is where I noticed a massive feature: both of these grinders natively use a standard 5/8″-11 spindle thread.
In the real world, this is a lifesaver. Most high-quality stone fabrication and masonry accessories sold in U.S. hardware stores are built exactly for this 5/8″-11 size.
When I threaded on a heavy diamond cup wheel, it bolted directly onto the spindle with zero play.
Lower-end or cheaper imported grinders often use an metric M14 thread, which forces you to screw on a cheap plastic or metal adapter just to use standard American pads.
While testing, I’ve learned that adapters are a total nightmare.
They introduce “runout”—a tiny, high-speed wobble at the tip of the tool.
When spinning at a blistering 10,500 RPM, that tiny wobble turns into a violent, hand-numbing vibration that leaves ugly swirl marks and haze all over a polished finish.
Because both the 9564CV and 9565CV avoid this adapter trap, every single wire brush, flap disc, and polishing pad you buy will spin perfectly straight and smooth.
While this isn’t a difference between the two Makita models, it is a massive reason to skip the cheap bargain imports and invest in one of these professional-grade platforms instead.
The Safety Detail Almost Nobody Mentions
One more thing that I noticed: neither the 9564CV nor the 9565CV has a lock-off switch.
Both use a lock-on switch — meaning you can lock the trigger in the running position for extended use, but there’s no separate safety interlock preventing the tool from starting accidentally if the switch gets bumped while plugged in.
This is standard for this class of grinder, and it’s not a flaw exclusive to either model — it applies equally to both.
But if you’re coming from a paddle-switch grinder (which requires continuous hand pressure to run) or a tool with a dedicated safety lock, this is a real adjustment in how you handle the tool during storage, transport, and plug-in.
Worth knowing before either one arrives at your door, not after.
Which One Should You Actually Buy?
Buy the Makita 9564CV if:
You already have a massive stack of 4.5-inch discs in your garage and you want to save money right now. If you only do basic backyard metal cutting and welding prep, this tool gives you premium power for less cash.
Buy the Makita 9565CV if:
You regularly cut through thick metal bars or polish stone surfaces. It is the absolute best choice because the larger 5-inch disc gives you deeper cuts, lasts longer before wearing down to the nub, and the tool itself is actually 1.6 ounces lighter to save your wrists from aching.
Final Verdict
When you strip away the confusing online specs, your final choice comes down to a smart, long-term calculation of your tool bag, not a difference in motor muscle.
Because these two grinders are identical twins on the inside, choosing the Makita 9565CV is a direct investment in lowering your ongoing project costs.
A 5-inch grinding wheel has significantly more usable surface area than a 4.5-inch disc, meaning it takes much longer to wear down to a useless nub.
If you choose the cheaper 9564CV, you will save a few dollars today, but you will spend that exact savings over the next year buying replacement discs twice as often.
Unless you are on a razor-thin budget or already own a mountain of 4.5-inch accessories, paying the extra cash upfront for the 9565CV is the smarter business decision that will actually save you money, time, and trips to the hardware store over the lifespan of the tool.
FAQs
Are the 9564CV and 9565CV the same motor?
Functionally, yes. Both run a 13 AMP motor with the same 5-stage variable speed range and the same SJS clutch protection. The disc size and housing are what differ, not the motor’s output.
Can I use 9564CV accessories on the 9565CV, or vice versa?
Not directly for the wheels themselves — a 4.5-inch guard and backing pad are sized for a 4.5-inch wheel, and a 5-inch setup is sized for 5-inch wheels. But because both use the same 5/8″-11 spindle thread, any accessory rated for that thread and the correct wheel size will mount without an adapter.
Is the 9565CV actually more durable because it costs more?
No evidence supports that. The clutch system, brush set, and switch are shared components across both models, meaning the wear-and-tear profile should be essentially identical over the tool’s life.
Why does Makita even make two sizes this close together?
Because “grinding” and “polishing” aren’t really the same job, even though they use the same tool platform. Makita built one motor platform and offered it in two disc sizes so shops can match the tool to the task rather than compromise with a one-size-fits-all grinder.
Is either of these grinders outdated compared to Makita’s newer lineup?
Makita currently sells both this CV line and a newer SJS II line (models like the GA4590 and GA5040) side by side, rather than one replacing the other. The CV models aren’t discontinued — they’re a parallel option, not a legacy leftover, which is why they’re still priced and stocked as current tools rather than clearance items.