An angle grinder is a versatile power tool with a fast-spinning disc that cuts, grinds, polishes, sharpens and cleans a variety of difficult-to-machine materials, including iron, copper, brass, brick, tile, stone or mortar.The tool spins the disc with high torque and an average operating speed of approximately 12,000 revolutions per minute (rpm), with some tools having variable speed operation down to 2,800 rpm.By changing the speed and disc, you can alternate between metal grinding and metal polishing, so it’s important to make sure the angle grinder is right for each project’s goals before you start.
These tools can run on batteries or connect directly via a power cord to provide a continuous power supply to the motor.Cordless grinders are a great choice for short-term projects or specific cutting or grinding tasks.If you need to use the grinder for more than an hour, it’s best to invest in a corded angle grinder.Regardless of the type chosen, users should always ensure appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn, including face shields, safety glasses, work gloves, and earplugs.
The main purpose of an angle grinder is to grind metal.It does this by using grinding discs of various materials such as aluminium, carbide and diamond grinding discs.Install the grinding disc and turn on the grinder to start the grinding disc spinning rapidly.Press the abrasive disc against the target metal to flatten, smooth or completely remove debris from the metal.
At lower speed settings, a smoothing or buffing wheel can improve the finish of the metal and enhance the color.Smoothing involves removing a fine coating from the metal, leaving a clean surface.Polishing wheels are made of soft materials like cotton, and they actually add a layer of polish to get a mirror-like finish on smooth metal surfaces.If the speed is not adjustable, the smoothing or buffing wheel may remove too much surface.Also, keep in mind that both smoothing and polishing require more time and patience than grinding.
The fast-spinning discs on an angle grinder not only smooth, polish, and grind away metal, they can also be used to cut metal.This is a common use for plumbers working with galvanized iron or lead pipes.Welders often cut sheet metal to clean up a project or prepare a piece of metal for a match.
Replace the grinding disc with a cutting disc.Cutting sheets come in different thicknesses, but they are thinner than grinding sheets.The thinner size makes it easier for the rotating disc to cut metal because it needs to remove less material than using a thicker grinding disc.However, the thin size also means that the cutting disc is more prone to bending and breaking.Avoid breaking the cutting disc by letting the grinder cut the metal at a moderate speed rather than trying to force it through at a faster speed.
Remove paint, rust and varnish from metal surfaces with the help of an angle grinder.Equipped with plastic peel discs or metal cleaning wheels to remove debris and peeling layers without damaging the metal underneath.Plastic peel discs are a good choice for removing paint, varnish, and similar coatings that have not fused to metal.The discs are made of nylon mesh material and silicon carbide to provide enough wear to strip these coatings from the metal.
If you need to remove rust, then metal cleaning wheels are a better choice.Metal cleaning wheels are made from a series of intertwined metal wires to create an effective rust removal wheel.When this wheel spins rapidly and comes into contact with a metal surface, it scrapes rust off the surface, revealing clean metal.These wheels sometimes shoot small pieces of wire, so always wear proper PPE.
Angle grinders can also be used to sharpen other tools, such as repairing the edges of lawn mower blades, axes or chisels.Equip your angle grinder with a grinding disc and make sure the tool’s blade is properly seated in the vise so you can focus on controlling and stabilizing the grinder’s motion.
When sharpening tools with a grinder, it is important to keep the angle of the grinding disc and the blade in line so that the blade after grinding has the same angle of cut.Changing the cutting angle can significantly reduce the efficiency of the tool and can actually damage the blade.Grinders are good for sharpening tools quickly, but before putting away the tool, consider using a whetstone to add a more precise edge to the blade.
While angle grinders are primarily used to handle copper, iron, steel, lead, and other metals, they can also be used to cut hard masonry materials, including tile, stone, and brick.Swap the metal cutting disc for a masonry cutting wheel and cut these difficult materials directly.The precision of an angle grinder makes it useful for cutting custom angles in tile to help repair bathroom showers, make garden pathways out of brick or stone, or replace debris from backyard fire pits.
These cut-off wheels are subject to a lot of stress, so they are not as fragile as metal cut-off discs.However, they are still prone to chipping or breaking when the grinder is forced through the material.Using an older cut-off wheel increases the risk of chipping and breakage, so be sure to replace the masonry cut-off wheel regularly to achieve smooth and clean cuts.
Leaks, drafts, and recurring infestations can be fixed by replacing the mortar on the outside of your home.However, it is not easy to get the mortar out without damaging the bricks without using an angle grinder.Get a thick grinding disc that can handle soft masonry jobs, or use a masonry cutting wheel to start cutting the lines of mortar between the bricks.
Narrow discs have no problem in these gaps, and with careful control, most of the mortar can be removed completely without touching the bricks.You can then simply fill the mortar joints with new mortar to significantly reduce heat loss and potentially lower your energy bills.Be sure to wear a face shield or safety glasses and other suitable personal protective equipment to keep you safe at work.
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Post time: Apr-29-2022