Angle Grinder

The petrol engine, compressed air or electric motor for usage in a plenitude of tasks ranging from cutting and grinding through materials, to cleaning and polishing surfaces. Angle grinders comprise of a spindle washer and spindle nut that can be installed in multiple configurations for accommodating thicker or thinner wheels.

Renowned for sheer versatility, the inbred ability to handle different wheels and accessories makes angle grinders essential must-have devices in your arsenal of power tools if you work on welding or construction projects. Besides, buying angle grinders has become a brisk walk-in-the-park thanks to the advent of the Internet– you can now instantaneously choose from major brands such as DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, etc. at the click of a mouse!

How to Use an Angle Grinders

However, many people face acute adversities when it comes to judiciously use angle grinders. Following the tips mentioned below will help you fathom the maze that angle grinders are made out to be.

Let’s get started-: 

No. 1- Use the Right Tool

Since angle grinding discs are consumables, you would want to use the appropriate grinder that can grasp the requisite amperage for the task in hand. For instance, if an application requires between 8 and 10 amps of pressure, you are best advised to use a right-angle grinder rated 8 or more amperes to derive optimal results.

No. 2- Maintain Safety

Whenever working with angle grinders, outfit yourself with protective equipment such as goggles, gloves, and ear protectors. They offer a good shield against the debris that flies around especially when you are cutting stones. Similarly, don’t take the guard off and squeeze in a right-angle grinder when you want to grind in tight areas.

Instead, use a file grinder for getting the job done swiftly and safely. Also, unplug the tool first when changing out the abrasive media. For replacing the media, turn up the head of the power tool to lock the key button and then take the abrasive off while it’s facing upwards. This lends you better control and averts you from dropping the abrasive during a change-out. 

No.3- Inspect The spark flow

An ammeter is a perfect supplement for revealing whether the operator is pushing too hard or going slow. The optimal pressure in a run-of-the-mill industrial grinding application draws between 8 and 10 amps through it may variate depending upon the tool and grinding wheel’s individual ratings.

If you aren’t pushing hard enough or are going too hard, the spark flow won’t be as pronounced. Remember, pushing too hard overheats and overloads the disc, propelling the grains to glaze over and smoothen up. When you aren’t pushing hard enough, the grains barely remove any weld metal with every disc rotation.

No. 4- Listen To the Grinder’s Sound

When operated properly, a grinder emits a sound with a slightly constant pitch. You’re overworking the tool if the pitch goes lower with a repeatedly sounding dip resembling that of a paper shredder. The remedy here: you need to lighten up a bit! Likewise, you need to apply more pressure if there is a high-pitch that tends to chatter or skip when the grinding disc bounces off the ridges of the weld metal.

No. 5- Keep persistent pressure

Effective grinding behoves a constant pressure going backward and forward that is neither excessively hard nor light. You might be inclined towards applying more pressure when you push the disc forward and vice versa.

The disc’s edge turns into an orange hue when excess pressure going forward overheats the disc grains. Similarly, when you lighten up on the backstroke, you are well disposed to hear chatter. Therefore, you must maintain persistent pressure whilst using an angle grinder’s discs.

No. 6- Choose Quality Disks

Never settle with a cheap or knock off disc for your angle grinder. For instance, a diamond disk, albeit a tad expensive, always makes a straighter, cleaner cut and lasts much longer than an abrasive disk!  In the long run, you wind up salvaging more time and money with diamond discs.

No. 7- Setting up materials before the grind!

To avert your angle grinder from touching the ground whilst cutting stones, etc. make sure you elevate the stone so that it is off the ground with the help of small chocks of wood.