Always inspect cutting wheels for damage before using them. Damage to the flange or arbor hole can weaken the wheel and lead to product failure in addition to posing a safety risk. Damage to the flange or arbor hole can be caused by:
Excessive pressure. This can happen when you’re using a cutting wheel that’s too thin for the job. If you feel yourself needing to apply too much pressure and it’s causing damage to the wheel, switch to a thicker wheel.
Excessive side load. A cutting wheel is designed to cut on its edge, so there is no extra fiberglass reinforcement to support side grinding. If the operator tries to use the side of the wheel, similar to how they’d use a grinding wheel, it damages the fiberglass reinforcement keeping the wheel together. Once a defect starts in the wheel, it will continue to grow and create cracks and the wheel can fail.
To prevent this, use a product with two layers of fiberglass and maintain a 90-degree angle to the workpiece during the cut.
Workpiece not properly clamped. Improperly clamped base material can create vibration, which can lead to loss of wheel control, binding, and structural damage to the wheel. Properly clamping the workpiece keeps it firm and steady while you’re cutting. It also allows you to maintain the 90-degree angle and use a slight rocking motion.
Product binding and vibration. When using any cutting wheel, it is important to maintain a consistent, straight line. Twisting or bending a wheel during a cut or attempting to cut rounded corners or arcs can cause the wheel to bind and potentially break. Binding can also cause a wheel to kick back toward the operator.
If a wheel does bind or stop during a cut, never attempt to restart the wheel while it’s in the cut line. Remove the wheel and check for damage. Start the wheel away from the work piece and allow the wheel to come to full speed before re-entering the cut line.
Never try to correct or re-straighten a crooked cut. It’s safer and more efficient to remark a new line. Twisting a wheel to get it “back on course” creates an unsafe condition and will cause the wheel to bind.
Improper mounting. Take care not to over-tighten a cutting wheel when installing because it can damage the arbor hole and create a stress-riser during cutting. Adapting nuts come in different diameters, but it’s also very important to use adapting nuts with the same diameter to help prevent wheel damage. Using different diameters can cause the wheel to “cup,” making the wheel unbalanced and difficult to control.
Post time: Jun-14-2022