angle grinder aluminum cut off wheel

There are several best practices operators can follow to maximize performance and efficiency of their cutting wheels. Here are six tips: Use motion through the cut: Cutting abrasives are like knife blades. Downward pressure results in the blade dulling much faster compared to a slicing motion. Abrasive grains are similar. It’s recommended to use a sliding or rocking motion in the direction of the cut — moving the wheel into and through the workpiece rather than straight down. 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: Pressure and heat are the biggest enemies of abrasive cutting products. Pushing too hard is a common pitfall, since it’s human nature to think pushing harder on the wheel will make it perform better. But pressure doesn’t provide better cutting speed and only builds heat and friction, potentially binding or damaging the wheel. Increased heat and friction shortens wheel life considerably. Let the wheel do as much of the work as possible in the cut. Clamp the workpiece properly: When the workpiece isn’t properly clamped to a work surface, the metal can move and slide around as the operator is cutting it. A clamp that’s too far away from the cut line of the workpiece can also result in greater vibration that can bind or damage the wheel. It’s important to clamp the workpiece properly and for the operator to consider how they can best see the piece to control it. The clamp can be oriented differently depending on operator preference and comfort. Never attempt to make a cut of any length or depth without properly and securely clamping the workpiece. Approach from the proper angle: Cutting wheels are designed to make straight, inline cuts. They should be used at a 90-degree angle perpendicular to the work surface; an improper angle can cause binding. The thinner the wheel, the more critical it is to use a 90-degree orientation to approach the part. Thicker wheels are more tolerant and will generally last longer. Thinner cutting wheels cut faster and leave a cleaner cut line with smaller burrs. Operators should find an ergonomic position for their body that allows them to actually see the wheel entering the cut line — whatever is most comfortable for them to follow proper technique. Always enter the cut from the point of least resistance. When cutting corners or square profiles, this means entering from the sharp corner for the least amount of surface contact to start the cut. Follow the direction of rotation: Every right-angle grinder is marked with a directional arrow on the head of the grinder that indicates the direction the wheel is rotating when in use. For optimal performance, it’s important to orient the cutting