If you think your angle grinder is only for grinding, you might be surprised. It has a multitude of uses, some more obvious than others.
We examine angle grinders to find out just how versatile this power tool is. Let's take a look.
Angle grinders uses: from metallurgy to machine shop
While angle grinders are great for grinding and cutting metal, there are many other uses for them. You can grind, polish, remove rust and even drill. The construction industry has many uses for an angle grinder, cutting tile, removing old grout and sharpening tools. The auto industry uses angle grinders to polish metal and remove paint from car bodies.
angle grinder used
No matter what industry you are in, you will be familiarangle grinder. From construction to metallurgy, automotive to carpentry, we'll show you how versatile these power tools are.
construction
cutting tiles
Angle grinders are great for cutting straight, clean lines, and when you need to shape and cut ceramic tile, it's the ideal tool. It's better than cutting every tile with a tile cutting tool and makes the job faster. They do pretty much the same job as awet tile saw, minus the water.
Smaller angle grinders are best for this task and you should use a diamond coated cutting wheel as this puts the least stress on the tile which reduces cracking.
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sharpening of tools
If you are missing oneBank slip, an angle grinder is the best piece of equipment when you want to sharpen your old, dull tools. You must have a certain level of skill to perform this task correctly or you risk doing more harm than good.
You also need to find a way to secure the tool so it doesn't move while you work. This is crucial when you need to find specific angles as you risk ruining the tool entirely.
Drill
Did you know you can turn your angle grinder into a drill? Not one of the most common uses. You can purchase a drill chuck attachment that attaches to the shaft of your grinder. Once rolled up, you can change themdrilland increase the sizes.
The most common drill accessory is the diamond-tipped variety, which drills holes in ceramic tiles and bathroom and kitchen appliances.
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Metallurgy
Remove rust
Whenever you work with metal, rust removal is always a factor. You can remove the layer of rust with a wire brush attachment and prepare the metal underneath for repainting. It also helps preserve the metallic finish and keep it healthier.
For this reason, machine shops also love angle grinders. In addition, thanks to its shape, you can get into the tightest corners and angles.
metal cleaning
Similar to rust cleaning, you can use a wire brush attachment to easily remove corroded layers from metal surfaces. When preparing metal surfaces for treatment and finishing, you need to achieve the smoothest possible results.
Uneven, uneven metal makes painting difficult, prevents it from adhering properly, and looks messy when dry.
cutting metal
It is generally accepted that angle grinders are the best toolscutting metal. That's what they were developed for.
They can process all types of metals from steel, iron and alloys such as aluminium. With the right accessories you can shape and smooth the edges and achieve spectacular results. You must protect yourself from sparks and make sure the area is free of flammable objects.
Clean welds
When you're making new welds, unless you're the most experienced welder alive, your efforts need to be cleaned up a bit. An angle grinder is a perfect tool for removing rough edges on welds and leaving a professional finish.
When choosing an angle grinder for this task, try to get one with AC/DC capabilities so you can run it from your welder.
Restoration of old tools
You can even bring old rusty tools like shovels back to life. Use a grinding wheel to remove superficial burrs or blemishes, as well as long-lasting rust. You can save money in the long run because you don't have to go out and buy new tools.
Also, nothing is more satisfying than restoring an old tool, bringing it back to a usable condition, and actually using it to complete your project. There is also a collectors market for antique tools.
carpentry
wood carving
This is possible with the right wood carving discShaping and carving of large wooden surfaces, as well as the shaping of table and chair legs. However, don't expect precision and fine detail. Angle grinders are not the best tool when you want to achieve complex results.
You must beWatch out for angle grinders, especially when carving wood as the material is combustible. So to avoid increased friction, work in shorter bursts and have a bucket of cold water handy.
planing wood
Planing wood is possible if you use the same carving wheel. Remove large amounts of material and get quick results. If your project is irregularly shaped, an angle grinder is designed to be great at handling it.
grinding wood
Sanding discs are the perfect accessory for removing large amounts of material from wood surfaces. Angle grinders operate at 10,000 RPM or more, so you're essentially revving up your sanding.
You can also use a grinding wheel to remove old paint and varnish and increase the grit of the wheel for a smoother finish.
Sanding wood (sanding tips)
color removal
If you've painted wall paneling that has seen better, weather-damaged days, an angle grinder will easily remove the peeling, peeling wall paneling to reveal the smooth wood underneath. It gives you a key surface to apply the new coat of paint.
And you're not just limited to removing paint from wood surfaces. An angle grinder works equally well on metal and masonry.
masonry
remove mortar
When you need to restore an old wall, crumbling mortar needs to be removed. An angle grinder is perfectly shaped to place the grinding wheel in the gaps between each brick layer. For best results, use a diamond coated grinding wheel.
It's much faster than using a chisel and you're less likely to damage the brickwork in the process. For best results, make a few 0.5 inch passages in the mortar, making sure there is enough play in the masonry.
stone cutting
Not all walls are made of blocks or bricks. In older houses, especially in rural areas, many of the walls are made of stone. An angle grinder cuts the stone, shaping and cutting the pieces to the exact size you need.
If you need to cut smaller pieces of stone, it may be better to use a smaller grinder for precision.
Car
remove ink
Machine shops use angle grinders to remove paint. With the right tool, you can scrape off the surface layer without damaging the underlying metal. Also, because angle grinders are lightweight and versatile, they can handle difficult car body contours.
They also prepare the metal so that the new coat of paint adheres well, keeping your restoration looking good for longer.
polishing metal
Use a buffing wheel when polishing metal surfaces. It is particularly effective on aluminum and steel and achieves high-gloss surfaces. You can also use the same polishing accessory to bring the old paint back to shine.
When restoring an old classic car, a buffing pad achieves spectacular results.
what is the angle
Don't think that your angle grinder is only for grinding and cutting. You have many more strings on your bow. However, you can buy other tools that will do some of the jobs better than an angle grinder.
If you have an impromptu attitude, these additional uses will be tempting, but most people wouldn't consider drilling with an angle grinder, opting instead for a drill press to get the job done.
The finish also needs to be considered. Angle grinders are rough tools designed for heavy-duty applications. They are not famous for their delicacy and intricate detailing.
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FAQs
What are the three main uses of an angle grinder? ›
Angle grinders typically have three basic functions; cutting, grinding and polishing. In terms of cutting they run at a high speed and facilitate cutting tasks with ease as well as giving better precision in terms of grinding than stationary grinders as they are handheld.
What is the main use for an angle grinder? ›You can use an angle grinder for grinding, polishing, sharpening, cutting, and much more. With their rapidly rotating discs, angle grinders are versatile power tools that can cut, grind, polish, sharpen, and clean a variety of difficult materials, including iron, copper, brass, brick, tile, stone, or mortar.
What is the advantage and disadvantage of using angle grinder? ›Angle grinders offer a fast and effective way to cut and smooth a variety of surfaces and materials. But they can also be dangerous. Angle grinders are a type of abrasive wheel. They are powerful, sharp, and can cut through hard materials with ease.
How can we use a grinder safely explain? ›never use a grinder between your legs while sitting on the floor. stop at regular intervals for a short break to rest your hands and arms. never put a grinder down until the disc stops rotating. remove the plug from the power point before changing discs.
Can an angle grinder cut through anything? ›You can use angle grinder to cut metal and all types of it, including bolts, angle iron, rebar, and even sheet metal, when it's equipped with an abrasive metal-cutting disc. However, as you use the discs, they wear down fast, cut slowly, and reduce in diameter.
What can an angle grinder not cut? ›While an angle grinder or drill might cut through the outer layer of a Proteus plate, it will not be able to go through or harm the embedded ceramic spheres, which uses destructive vibrations to blunt any cutting tools.
Can I use angle grinder to cut wood? ›Angle grinders are fitted with abrasive wheels, not blades. These wheels operate by abrading the material they come into contact with. These wheels are not suitable for cutting wood: they have no teeth.
Do I really need an angle grinder? ›It's the most versatile tool in the box and should be a staple of any shed or workshop but we aren't just saying that because they work perfectly with many of our abrasives! An angle grinder tool with the right disc can replace numerous tools and make the most tedious, labour intensive jobs quicker and easier.
What is the difference between a grinder and an angle grinder? ›The main differences between the two grinders are their design, size, and power. An angle grinder is for cutting and rough grinding while a die grinder is a rotary tool used for precision work. The angle grinder is larger so it should be operated with two hands.
What are the risks of a grinder? ›When operating, the cutting or grinding disc may come into contact with a body part, or shatter and throw off pieces at extremely high speed. An operator could easily sustain cuts, abrasions, burns or eye injuries.
Which is the best angle grinder for home use? ›
Our top choice is the Makita 18-Volt LXT Angle Grinder, which is a cordless tool that still has plenty of power, as well as excellent performance.
What is the best size of angle grinder for home use? ›The most commonly used sizes are the 4” and 4 ½”. These grinders typically have the capacity for wheel diameters of up to 7”, with particularly small versions having the capacity for 3” discs.
What are the safety rules for angle grinders? ›Angle grinders generate sparks. When required obtain a hot work permit before use. Keep work area clear of debris and flammable materials. Do NOT use in areas where there is grain dust or other combustible dust accumulation.
What should you not do with a grinder? ›Never use an abrasive tool that has a lower recommended RPM than your angle grinder is capable of spinning at. The abrasive discs are designed to work only up to the recommended speeds. You risk destroying the discs when used at higher speeds that also causes more force/pressure than the disc can safely handle.
What are the safety features of angle grinder? ›Purchasing an angle grinder:
Consider safety features first. A dead-man switch (automatic cut-off) is a life-saving function. Also suggested are adjustable handle for left and right-handed operators, vibration-reducing handle, anti-kickback clutch and noise-reducing discs.
Allow the wheel to pull itself through the workpiece rather than trying to force it through. This minimizes friction and force, and helps extend the life of the cutting grains. Don't push too hard.
Can you cut a pipe with an angle grinder? ›Because you can adjust angle grinders for precise cutting, professionals often use them in their preparatory work. These machines are excellent options for cutting metal pipes, cutting sheet metal, and cutting through metal in bolts quickly and cleanly.
Can an angle grinder cut rebar? ›Angle grinders are now more compact than ever and can cut just about anything. They are the perfect tool if you are looking for fast work and able to cut your rebar.
Can angle grinder cut glass? ›Angle grinders will follow some of the same routines as flat lap grinding but with a few more steps. Since it is difficult to cover the entire area in one grind like you can with a flat lap grinder, you'll generally want to add more steps to the grinding process to make a smooth transition on the glass.
Can a grinder cut a screw? ›Angle Grinder. Angle grinders are heavy-duty tools, capable of chopping through concrete, thick bolts, and rebar. However, angle grinders can also be used with finesse for polishing, sharpening, and cutting or shortening screws, nails, and other metal fasteners.
What are the most common angle grinder injuries? ›
Serious incidents can occur when cutting and grinding discs are fitted onto hand-held power and air tools. Common injuries include amputated fingers, severed tendons and deep cuts to the face, upper body or legs.
How thick can you cut with an angle grinder? ›It can be used for small jobs as cutting wood or metal with a maximum thickness of 2-3 cm. It's not recommended to use it for cutting stones and concrete.
Can an angle grinder be used as a sander? ›Yes, converting your angle grinder into a sander is the easiest and most cost-effective way to remove or sand a large amount of surface wood.
Do you need to wear a mask when using an angle grinder? ›If you are working with your face very close to the grinder, the sparks could bounce off the workpiece and come at you. If you're working inside or in a confined environment like inside of a tank, then you should wear a dust respirator of some sort. You need to be aware of the material that you're working on.
Which is better 4 inch or 5 inch angle grinder? ›The number of cuts achieved with the 5” Angle Grinder were 100% greater than the 4 1/2” Angle Grinder. The 41% output power and 36% torque provided by the 5” Angle grinder, meant that the disc speed remained at its optimum, allowing the disc to work more efficiently.
What are the 3 common types of grinders? ›Three of the most common types of grinders are angle grinders, surface grinders, and die grinders.
How deep can you cut with a 5 inch grinder? ›A 5-inch grinder can cut through several feet of wood in no time at all. However, using that same grinder on a larger project like cutting beams for a deck would quickly become a chore. Grinder sizes are particularly important once you consider the materials.
What is the disadvantage of grinder? ›The following are the disadvantages of using grinding machines: The tools are highly expensive. Materials are removed little by little, making it a time-consuming process. Operation is carefully done to avoid damages.
What are the most frequent problems during grinding operation? ›- Overly high infeed. ...
- Grinding with too little coolant lubricant. ...
- Grinding with the wrong process parameters. ...
- Grinding with wrong and/or wrongly aligned nozzles. ...
- Grinding wheel loading. ...
- Insufficient cooling during grinding. ...
- Summary.
Yes, it can. Grinding metal creates sparks. Sparks can set petroleum based fumes on fire. The metal can get hot enough to ignite butane and methane gas if concentration is met.
What is the most popular grinder size? ›
Grinder's come in lots of different disc sizes, but the most common sizes are 115mm (4 ½”) and 230mm (9”). You can purchase different discs/heads/wheels depending on the task you want to complete - just make sure they're the right size for your grinder!
How do you cut tile with an angle grinder? ›- Angle grinders are handheld power tools. ...
- Begin by measuring the tile. ...
- Secure the tile to a work bench or other work surface with a clamp.
- Pull the angle grinder carefully along the cut line to score the tile.
- Make deeper and deeper cuts along the score until you cut through the tile.
Speed and performance of angle grinders
for polishing: 500 watts. for grinding: 1,000 watts. for cutting through simple materials: 1,500 watts. for cutting through strong metals: 2,500 watts.
- Disc diameter – angle grinders with larger diameters take bigger discs that make deeper cuts.
- Wattage – higher wattage gives more power to cut through denser materials.
- Speed – multiple speeds give more control for precise work.
Do not use wheels that are cracked or those that excessively vibrate. Do not operate grinder on wet floors. Use both hands when holding the grinder. Keep the power cord away from the grinding wheel and the material being ground.
How do angle grinders explode? ›An under-rated, worn, damaged, or clogged grinding wheel can fracture and explode – releasing tremendous amounts of energy in the form of high-hardness shrapnel. This is a severe hazard and often results in operator fatality.
When using a grinder two most important pieces of PPE are? ›Wear a face shield or goggles when you use the grinder.
What happens if you put a coin in your grinder? ›By placing a sterilized kief coin into your grinder's storage chamber and giving it a hearty shake, you'll make sure all those THC and terpene rich crystals sift down into the kief catcher. Once that dusting of trichome crystals is deep enough, scoop it out and give whatever you're smoking an extra kick.
Should you clean your grinder after every use? ›As a general rule, clean your coffee grinder every two weeks. However, if you're grinding every day, or using oily beans, you'll want to clean your grinder about once a week. When your coffee grinder is clean and dry, it will stay fresher, longer, and it will keep your coffee tasting delicious.
What are 3 things you should do to use a grinder safely? ›never use a grinder between your legs while sitting on the floor. stop at regular intervals for a short break to rest your hands and arms. never put a grinder down until the disc stops rotating. remove the plug from the power point before changing discs.
What are the three basic types of surface grinders? ›
There are three basic types of surface grinders: horizontal-spindle, vertical-spindle, single disc grinders and double-disc grinders.
What is a 3 piece grinder? ›3-Piece Grinder
These grinders have the top or lid, the center or grinding chamber full of holes, and the bottom or collection chamber. These three pieces combine to make a double chamber grinder, separating the ground and unground material for ease and convenience.
A grinder is a tool used to break down cannabis into small bits so they are a similar size and consistency. Weed is commonly ground down for rolling joints, blunts, and spliffs, but can also be done for packing bowls in pipes and bongs for a smoother, more consistent burn.
What is the most popular angle grinder size? ›The most commonly used sizes are the 4” and 4 ½”. These grinders typically have the capacity for wheel diameters of up to 7”, with particularly small versions having the capacity for 3” discs.
How do I choose an angle grinder? ›- Disc diameter – angle grinders with larger diameters take bigger discs that make deeper cuts.
- Wattage – higher wattage gives more power to cut through denser materials.
- Speed – multiple speeds give more control for precise work.
While belt grinding machines are typically used for finishing processes, surface grinding machines are most commonly used for material removal. When compared to other grinding machines, surface grinding machines are able to remove significant amounts of material, making them desirable for such applications.
What is Blanchard grinding? ›Blanchard grinding, also known as rotary surface grinding, quickly removes stock from one side of a part. Blanchard grinding services are best suited for single-sided material removal and grinding applications too large for double-disc grinding.
What are the 4 types of surface grinders? ›Four types of surface grinders are commonly used in industry: the horizontal spindle/reciprocating table; the horizontal spindle/rotary table; the vertical spindle/reciprocating table; and the vertical spindle/rotary table.
Why do you put a quarter in your grinder? ›It helps break more trichomes off your ground cannabis, and the weight also presses the fine resinous particles through your grinder down toward the kief catcher, improving the overall generation of kief over time. People who already utilize a grinder coin go at harvesting their kief in a few different ways.
What does a 5 piece grinder do? ›Using a 5 piece grinder is simple, especially if you have experience using another grinder style. A 5 piece grinder is no different except that it separates out your weed so you have better control over the finer powder, ground herbs, and pollen.
What's a 4 piece grinder for? ›
Grinders are used to shred and crumble cannabis flower to prepare it for consumption.
Do you need to be trained to use a grinder? ›Thanks to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER 98), everyone who uses an angle grinder, petrol-driven saw or bench grinder for work needs to be properly trained to do so.