Angle grinder - cut off wheel

[PassnThru]

OK - potentially stupid question. I don't work with metal much but have an angle grinder and I was going to use it for the first time tonight to cut a piece of metal. I have the proper wheel - metal/stainless cutting. But when I put it on the grinder and tighten it down it is still loose. The only way I can get it tight is to put the nut on the wrong way. Did I buy too thin a disk? Is it OK to reverse the nut - it's clearly marked which way it goes?

OK - I found and RTFM - apparently the nut goes the other way for a cutting disk.

 

[slopdog]

ive allways put the nut on backwards . flatter surface = better grip on the cutting disc .. ( don,t forget safety gear )

 

[tarbellb]

Yes its OK.

Its a flip flop nut, one side is for thicker disc (flaps, 1/4" wheels, etc..) other is for cutting disk.

 

[PassnThru]

Thanks for the responses - apparently I need to study the manual a little more. The metal didn't get cut tonight. Yet another beer was consumed while I was figuring this out. At that point I reconsidered making my first attempt at cutting metal with the grinder.

 

[the gypsy]

Like someone said before , don't forget the safety glasses a faceshield and ear protection. And I would suggest you read the safety instructions.

 

[gdocktor3]

I'd definitely recommend wearing eye protection, possibly even a face shield, and be aware of the wheels direction. You don't want the sparks shooting in your face. I've seen wheels explode and shards of material imbedded in my buddies face and arm. From that day I've always worn PPE and make sure to buy quality discs and wheels. 20,000 rpm's a few inches from your face is no joke.

 

[Slycox]

Yeah don't be like me...
Wear your damn eye pro.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=342280

 

[Loscaldazar]

Yup, reversible nut.

Ear plugs, safety glasses and a face shield every time I use a grinder. Injuries from exploded cut off discs are nasty, and $30 in protective equipment will save you thousands in medical bills (and your pretty face too...).

 

[Teenager with old tools]

Done the same thing. Wear atleast glasses when using it and ear plugs are nice. I've always been told never use gloves or long sleeves when working with power tools especially ones that rotate


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[tarbellb]

All good info, grinders are a little scary at first.

I will add:

_ always properly clamp your work

_ buy quality disc, best insurance for not having them explode

_ if the disc gets dropped or the edge shows big chunks, replace immediately

_ use two hands when possible

_ dont sink the blade all the way in, it likes to bind up

 

[md21722]

Lots of talk on here about eye and face protection, don't forget the LUNG protection.

Grinding more or less makes dust on the floor

Using cutoff wheels makes DUST and HAZE that you don't want to breath. You can get cheap 3M N95 masks at Home Depot, Lowe's, online or wherever. If you are using cut off wheels they will turn black. The dual cartridge P ones are better, then you don't even smell that stuff.

And use a FULL FACE shield. Metal can fly up under safety glasses. They are $10-15 at Home Depot. Cheaper than going to the eye doctor to have metal pulled out of your eyeball. Or ER if a wheel flies apart and gashes your face.

It's also good to wear a welding jacket or other suitable non-flammable jacket. Because if those hot sparks are blasting away at your shirt at a minimum you will have holes in it, at worst, your clothes will catch fire.

There is nothing wrong with using cutoff wheels to cut metal. If you have a LOT of metal to cut, then rent or buy a plasma.

Don't be intimidated just use some common sense. Lots of us have been doing this a while and have seen or experienced what can go wrong & we don't want it to happen to someone else unnecessarily.

 

[jimreed2160]

I have cut enough steel to wear out 100s of wheels. Safety cannot be emphasized too much.

Use safety glasses or face shield. I was wearing a face shield once but still put dingers on my eyeglasses. The face shield and glasses are only a last ditch barrier. Any operation that showers your face with sparks is too dangerous.

Use a respirator, not a flimsy paper mask. Cutting steel for hours has left mask dirt tracks all over my face. Even so, dust can get through. Make sure your mask fits properly.

Use ear protection. Even for a single cut.

Use an apron or jacket. I once set my tee shirt on fire.

Use a strong vise or clamping system to hold your workpiece.

Clean up all scrap wood. Sparks will set it on fire.

Good luck with your cutting.

 

[Zeeman]

The face shields and safety glasses I see at HD specifically say they wont prevent flying debris protection. What are you guys using?

 

[bcradio]

The face shields and safety glasses I see at HD specifically say they wont prevent flying debris protection. What are you guys using?

HF safety glasses

 

[sberry]

The guard is your friend, I use it to my advantage and learn to keep somewhat at arms length and be constantly aware of the direction of the dross. I don't blow it all in my tools as well as all over myself and don't put myself in line with the wheel. Electric grinders will also pick up grit on occasion and fling it thru the motor cooling fan and they are as viscious as direct grinding debris.

 

[IndyGarage]

Don't forget earplugs.

I used about three different grinding and cutoff wheels for a couple hours yesterday.

I put in foam earplugs. I wear welding gloves for the sparks. I wear a heavy leather welding jacket, and I wear a full face shield. Yes it's inconvenient to put all that stuff on, but I have had a disc come apart more than once. I've also burned myself pretty good right through a pair of mechanix gloves from a stream of sparks coming off a cutoff wheel.

 

[Teenager with old tools]

I never wear long sleeves or gloves when working with power saws grinders lathes


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[rlitman]

The face shields and safety glasses I see at HD specifically say they wont prevent flying debris protection. What are you guys using?

First off, double up. You should have shatterproof glasses underneath that shield. My regular glasses are already shatterproof, and while they don't provide the coverage of true safety glasses by themselves, underneath a face shield, I think they're good enough. If you don't wear glasses, or wear ones that aren't shatterproof, then you'll want safety glasses to go under the shield.

Next, as said above, pay attention to the guard and its orientation.
Not mentioned in this thread is that cutoff wheels technically require a more enclosed guard than what comes with your grinder.

Next, be careful with your grinding wheels. If a grinder was dropped onto a wheel, the wheel is probably junk. Ring your wheels with a hammer.

Finally, I've recently switched to a diamond cutoff wheel. It has its own risks, but at least it eliminates the risk of an exploding wheel. It also greatly reduces the amount of **** sprayed out of the cut.

 

[md21722]

I also use a welding jacket in addition to what I said before about eye, face, and lung protection... I think hearing protection is somewhat subjective to the tool you are using. I have a bunch of "quiet" air tools. If in the first second or two I think about the noise I grab the ear muffs.

 

[stage20]

The guard is your friend, I use it to my advantage and learn to keep somewhat at arms length and be constantly aware of the direction of the dross. I don't blow it all in my tools as well as all over myself and don't put myself in line with the wheel. Electric grinders will also pick up grit on occasion and fling it thru the motor cooling fan and they are as viscious as direct grinding debris.

OSHA would hate to see me use a grinder.

scary stuff for sure. if you are not experienced you need to be scared of it. better to be timid then go in and try to man handle it and get yourself hurt.
grinders are NO JOKE.

 

[avmaine]

We use dozens of disks a week. CORE high temp cutting disks. They allow us to cut for extended periods and create lots of heat and still cut. I saw a guy set down a grinder in front of a loading dock onto a pile of pallett scraps...and set it on fire. Those disks are still pretty hot right after you're done. Also, face shields, ears, eyes, gloves, and mask are a must. The disk can fly apart and lodge in your noggin. My guys like to use them without gloves or guards. Don't.

 

[mbshop]

What everyone has said. But I trully can't emphasize the importance of that disc shield. Its there to protect you. Just look up pics of guys with disc pieces in their heads. A friend was using one without a guard. After screaming at him I left.

 

[bp460]

It has been mentioned already... but is worth repeating. Always wear safety glasses, even under a full face shield (welding helmets included).

-Brad

 

[6PTsocket]

Yeah don't be like me...
Wear your damn eye pro.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=342280

I once removed my face shield and found an impact shatter mark that was not visable that close until I took it off. I realized what could have happened if I had not worn it.

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[gdocktor3]

Another thing that hasn't been mentioned is to utilize the side handle on your angle grinders. Of course clearance issues will sometimes prohibit their use, but there is no reason not to use it whenever possible. The location of the handle provides leverage to help control it and it just makes it easier to hold.

Oh, make sure to wear safety glasses and a face shield.

 

[Zeeman]

So what brand of face shields are you guys using? I do wear safety glasses, but still I've never felt totally protected. I wear gloves and ear protection, but am guilty of not wearing a heavy jacket when grinding or cutting in hot weather.