Angle Grinder PPE

[mjac]

After getting my leg nearly lacerated, amongst other worse possibilities, with a 4-1/2” angle grinder, started looking into some PPE, guards, explosion proof guards, full coverage guards for cutting, clip on guards, handles, Walter Ceramic Cut-Off Wheels. My Metabo does not have a top threaded hole for a handle, only side threaded holes and could not see how you could use a side handle for cutting. Came across this handle that looks interesting and ordered one, have not gotten it yet.

This is on Zoro Supply, the Website works very well, the customer service is very good and right now if you enter the promo code “ XGYVHCTMLJ5L” at check out you get $25 off an order of $100 or more. ..BUT THIS CODE IS ONLY GOOD FOR TODAY, 1/23.

 

[Old tool guy]

Would a good leather apron provide any protection?

 

[woodscaper]

Chain saw chaps would work. Gloves (ask my finger!) and a face shield too.

 

[KwikFab]

Some of us are curious as to how this happened.

And was the angle grinder one of those on a toggle switch? I try not to use those even though 2 of mine have such a switch. The other 3 must be depressed to run and shut off as soon as you let go.

 

[PCustoms]

Some of us are curious as to how this happened.

Locked thread all about it, have fun

Cheap Discs and Angle Grinders

Do not use cheap discs in an angle grinder, you could pay a very steep price… Edit: This is Black & Decker Thanks mjac

www.garagejournal.com

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

My Metabo does not have a top threaded hole for a handle, only side threaded holes and could not see how you could use a side handle for cutting.

Handle fitted on left side of grinder.

Right hand on handle, left hand on trigger, stand to the side (out of the plane of the wheel). Grinder is pulling away, and sparks come back towards and mostly past you. But real world situations are complicated.

As I understand it, the top handle position makes that body positioning easier, and in the case of kickback would be less likely to pull the handle out of your hand.

 

[LXCam]

Would a good leather apron provide any protection?

And face shield

 

[mjac]

Locked thread all about it, have fun

Cheap Discs and Angle Grinders

Do not use cheap discs in an angle grinder, you could pay a very steep price… Edit: This is Black & Decker Thanks mjac

www.garagejournal.com

@PCustoms, I meant to ask someone about this, is this a normal procedure to lock a thread after a certain amount of time with no activity or did some moderator lock it because of some objection to it?

Thanks
mjac

 

[mjac]

Handle fitted on left side of grinder.

Right hand on handle, left hand on trigger, stand to the side (out of the plane of the wheel). Grinder is pulling away, and sparks come back towards and mostly past you. But real world situations are complicated.

As I understand it, the top handle position makes that body positioning easier, and in the case of kickback would be less likely to pull the handle out of your hand.

I see how it is doable, but a top handle appears to be far better in a lot of ways, especially safety, which is what we are looking for. That is why that Hitachi handle looked so attractive. You did hit on just about every mistake that was made, except for wearing loose pants, grinder rotation wrong, grinder pulling into you, sparks flying away and being in the field of plane of the grinder. Paid for it…

Thanks
mjac

 

[PCustoms]

@PCustoms, I meant to ask someone about this, is this a normal procedure to lock a thread after a certain amount of time

Not usually.

If you have further questions I'd PM a moderator. It's also typically not good to re-hash items from a locked thread in a new thread.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Yeah let's make sure we can keep this thread open to discuss PPE and safe working techniques.

 

[mjac]

Some of us are curious as to how this happened.

And was the angle grinder one of those on a toggle switch? I try not to use those even though 2 of mine have such a switch. The other 3 must be depressed to run and shut off as soon as you let go.

Disc was wearing down, changed to a Black & Decker disc as that was all that was left, came over the top of some 1/8”x1” angle iron to go down the back side, disc caught and grinder violently kicked back and went into the leg, twice. I blamed the disc, everyone else blamed the technique, wrong grinder rotation, disc pulling against the cut, sparks flying away. Had made that cut several times right before using a Warrior disc. But the technique was wrong and didn’t help matters any.
Toggle switch, Metabo HTP grinder, very difficult to engage and impossible to disengage when buried into your leg.

Thanks
mjac

 

[SouthernIllinois]

I used to be a lot more careless but as I have gotten older, I have gotten more cautious.

Last year I got a piece of metal in my eye despite wearing safety glasses.

After that I won't touch a grinder or a cutoff tool without heavy leather gloves, heavy, canvas type long pants (Milwaukee or Carhartt work pants). I have even taken to wearing leather, welder sleeves if I am wearing short sleeves.

I upgraded from safety glasses to a full face shield which I really like - makes wearing reading glasses under it easy.

 

[mjac]

Not usually.

If you have further questions I'd PM a moderator. It's also typically not good to re-hash items from a locked thread in a new thread.

Well, I would like to know the reason.

I fully agree about rehashing an old thread and was not the purpose. After looking around for quite a bit for ppe, I thought this handle was very interesting. I have never seen anything like it and it is a genuine Hitachi handle at a darn good price, especially with the promo code. That is the only reason why it was posted and because the prom code ends today.

Thanks
mjac

 

[whateg01]

After getting my leg nearly lacerated,

Nearly? I thought you did get injured.

I see how it is doable, but a top handle appears to be far better in a lot of ways, especially safety, which is what we are looking for.

Interesting...

... I blamed the disc, everyone else blamed the technique, wrong grinder rotation, disc pulling against the cut, sparks flying away.

Smh

Had made that cut several times right before using a Warrior disc. But the technique was wrong and didn’t help matters any.
Toggle switch, Metabo HTP grinder, very difficult to engage and impossible to disengage when buried into your leg.

Thanks
mjac

Here we go again...

 

[mjac]

Yeah let's make sure we can keep this thread open to discuss PPE and safe working techniques.

After what happened to me, I was going to open a new thread on suggestions of proper technique and ppe with angle grinders. As someone mentioned, angle grinders are in a class by themselves with the risk they present. There is little margin for error and a mistake can be very serious. I have seen Skil Worm Drives kickback, that is nothing compared to how that grinder kicked back. I didn’t even see it, until it hit my leg.

Thanks
mjac

 

[whateg01]

PPE is important. Safety glasses, some leather, closed toed footwear, all good. Proper technique is more important though. The way you use tools should go a long way to preventing the need for the ppe. The ppe is there for those instances where technique can't do it all.

 

[mjac]

Nearly? I thought you did get injured.

Interesting...


Smh


Here we go again...

I have been told not to rehash the old thread and I am not, it was severely bruised and cut up, but they were mostly superficial, not deep gouges. Could have been bad.

mjac

 

[mrb1]

Sorry I missed it the first time

 

[mjac]

I used to be a lot more careless but as I have gotten older, I have gotten more cautious.

Last year I got a piece of metal in my eye despite wearing safety glasses.

After that I won't touch a grinder or a cutoff tool without heavy leather gloves, heavy, canvas type long pants (Milwaukee or Carhartt work pants). I have even taken to wearing leather, welder sleeves if I am wearing short sleeves.

I upgraded from safety glasses to a full face shield which I really like - makes wearing reading glasses under it easy.

I have a similar shield by Honeywell, after everything that happened I am debating whether or not to wear safety goggles under the shield, do you wear yours without safety goggles and feel good about it? I am looking at some leather welding aprons ( they are surprisingly reasonable) and was wondering whether or not to get sleeves, I guess so, things can go i to your arms too. That was the first thing the tech guy at Walter Abrasives asked, did it go into your arm.

Thanks
mjac

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I have had a piece of grinding metal bounce off my cheek, ricochet off the face shield, and get past my glasses into my eye. Had to see the eye doc and have the metal removed....
So, I got the boss to buy the face shield as pictured above, and bought prescription safety glasses with side shields for work. Also I wear supple leather gloves, long sleeves, and jeans at the least. Always have worn safety boots.

After thinking on it after the accident, I had my head tilted back so I could see better under my glasses. Dirty face shield and glasses... Now I make sure both are clean and shield new.

 

[Steve_P]

I used to be a lot more careless but as I have gotten older, I have gotten more cautious.

I think this is normal. At least I have also gotten more cautious with age and protect myself as much as possible; when you're young, you view yourself as invincible. Decades ago, no one wore nitrile gloves (even in the parts washer), safety glasses, a dust mask, ear protection..... at least where I worked; and I've lost some of my hearing because of it, and who knows what else is lurking. Now I rarely do anything that makes noise, throws sparks, is dirty.... without PPE. When 2 cycle string trimmers first came out I was using one edging without safety glasses; I got hit with a small rock in the lip, luckily, and got a ******** lip. If it hit a tooth I would've lost it; if it hit an eye I would've lost it; I was extremely lucky that it only hit my lip, and I took that as a valuable lesson to wear safety glasses for the rest of my life if I wanted to keep both eyes; and I have.

The reality is that whenever I stab myself with a screwdriver, whatever, some type of very minor injury, I can sense it beforehand that there's a possibility that it's coming. When you get older you should realize that you're doing something unsafe before the grinder digs into your leg. Obviously **** happens no matter how careful you are, but I think that most accidents are "I know I'm doing something wrong, but I'm going to do it anyway because..."

 

[mjac]

I am going with this…

PS: Does anybody have anything to say about the OP handle? I thought people would be all over that. That is the coolest retrofit handle I have ever seen.

mjac

 

[Steve_P]

I have had a piece of grinding metal bounce off my cheek, ricochet off the face shield, and get past my glasses into my eye. Had to see the eye doc and have the metal removed....
So, I got the boss to buy the face shield as pictured above, and bought prescription safety glasses with side shields for work. Also I wear supple leather gloves, long sleeves, and jeans at the least. Always have worn safety boots.

After thinking on it after the accident, I had my head tilted back so I could see better under my glasses. Dirty face shield and glasses... Now I make sure both are clean and shield new.

When my parents got married, my dad had an eyepatch on because of a similar injury. Made for great wedding pictures . I'm sure my mom wanted to kick him in the nuts, but she probably didn't because he already felt stupid enough.

 

[whateg01]

I am going with this…

PS: Does anybody have anything to say about the OP handle? I thought people would be all over that. That is the coolest retrofit handle I have ever seen.

mjac

As somebody else mentioned above, and as I mentioned in your other thread, the side handle is fine and gives better control. Ever notice the handle on top of a chainsaw?

Any handle perpendicular to the body is going to be an improvement over no handle though.

 

[mjac]

As somebody else mentioned above, and as I mentioned in your other thread, the side handle is fine and gives better control. Ever notice the handle on top of a chainsaw?

Any handle perpendicular to the body is going to be an improvement over no handle though.

You think a side handle sticking straight up while cutting with a disc is more stable and controllable than a top handle pointing out to the side perpendicular to your body. I don’t see it. Like the poster said that brought it up, the top handle to the side helps you position your body better outside of the plane of the grinder and stays on your hand better in case of a kick back. I will try it both ways and see how it feels. Also got a stirrup handle real cheap, going to see how that feels, because, safety first with the equipment. Since I can’t improve on my technique.

mjac

 

[whateg01]

You think a side handle sticking straight up while cutting with a disc is more stable and controllable than a top handle pointing out to the side perpendicular to your body. I don’t see it. Like the poster said that brought it up, the top handle to the side helps you position your body better outside of the plane of the grinder and stays on your hand better in case of a kick back. I will try it both ways and see how it feels. Also got a stirrup handle real cheap, going to see how that feels, because, safety first with the equipment. Since I can’t improve on my technique.

mjac

Yeah nobody else knows better than you what works. Good luck! Good thing you have another leg

 

[mjac]

@Nobody-named-Olli , @oops is giving me Shadenfreude…

mjac

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

I don’t see any Schadenfreude coming from @whateg01 . What I see is a user with probably a lot more time on a grinder, wondering what all the fussing about the side handle is about. And to be honest, I agree. The side handle works.

Everything else is up to the discerning user. There is a sh*t load of different grinders, accessories and PPE available - chose what works for you and your application. I’m not getting into this.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[Hakeem]

You think a side handle sticking straight up while cutting with a disc is more stable and controllable than a top handle pointing out to the side perpendicular to your body. I don’t see it. Like the poster said that brought it up, the top handle to the side helps you position your body better outside of the plane of the grinder and stays on your hand better in case of a kick back. I will try it both ways and see how it feels. Also got a stirrup handle real cheap, going to see how that feels, because, safety first with the equipment. Since I can’t improve on my technique.

mjac

As I recall, you weren’t using ANY handle originally. So I’d think either side- or top-mounted would be a massive improvement over your original setup. Not sure which is optimal, that’s likely a matter of personal preference.

 

[MOS3522]

Chain saw chaps would work. Gloves (ask my finger!) and a face shield too.

Chain saw chaps are not ideal. They are constructed of a relatively thin outer layer with a kevlar or fiberglass mesh underneath that is designed to entangle the chain and stop it. While they might work on a grinder they are not designed for that. Also the outer layer would melt from hot sparks.

FR duck cotton jeans are more-or-less the standard for grinding and welding. There are some inexpensive and heavy duty options out there.

Or you could wear leather chaps. No judgment here if you do. If you have bears in your area you will be more popular.

 

[98ssuck]

You’re looking for a ppe solution to a tool selection issue.

Yes for decades an angle grinder and zip cut was the tool for cutting metal.

But carbide blades have advanced so much. A metal cutting circular saw is a much better tool for cutting stock. The blade guarding is so much better on a circular saw.


I cut metal several times a week at work. Haven’t used a grinder to cut stock in years. Even the real tradesmen at my work, welders and fabricators. Have more or less stopped using zip cuts unless absolutely necessary. They’re using circular saws

 

[PCustoms]

You’re looking for a ppe solution to a tool selection issue.

Sometimes the best PPE is between your ears

 

[GaryM909]

I always use double eye protection. Safety glasses and my welding shield with a 2" x 4" clear lense.
And leather welding gloves. I also leave my guards on except when using fibre discs or flap discs.

I would consider buying a new 5" or 6" grinder with all the attachments.

 

[mjac]

I don’t see any Schadenfreude coming from @whateg01 . What I see is a user with probably a lot more time on a grinder, wondering what all the fussing about the side handle is about. And to be honest, I agree. The side handle works.

Everything else is up to the discerning user. There is a sh*t load of different grinders, accessories and PPE available - chose what works for you and your application. I’m not getting into this.

Kind regards,
Olli

All I said was, right now, with my experience, I don’t see how a side handle would be better then a top handle when cutting, but will try both and see which one feels better, which will be able to do with this new handle from Hitachi found at Zoro Supply. I think that is a fair statement.

Also, talked extensively with Bruce Rendleman, the Tech Advisor at Walter Abrasives, and he said the three year expiration date on cut-off discs was imposed by OSHA regulations and technically the discs are expired and they can not sell them after the expiration date. But, at least with premium discs like Walter because we were talking about Walter discs specifically, they are good well beyond the expiration date with absolutely no safety risk if stored halfway decently. That is what the man said. Walter Ceramic Cut-Off Discs come in a plastic canister, so will store them inside with some desiccant bags inside it.

Have looked hard into ppe for angle grinders, handles, guards, discs, shields, goggles. leather aprons, angle grinder holders, angle grinders are in a class by themselves as far as risk goes.

mjac

 

[mjac]

You’re looking for a ppe solution to a tool selection issue.

Yes for decades an angle grinder and zip cut was the tool for cutting metal.

But carbide blades have advanced so much. A metal cutting circular saw is a much better tool for cutting stock. The blade guarding is so much better on a circular saw.


I cut metal several times a week at work. Haven’t used a grinder to cut stock in years. Even the real tradesmen at my work, welders and fabricators. Have more or less stopped using zip cuts unless absolutely necessary. They’re using circular saws

You are probably right, will have to look out for a Worm Drive power saw and steel cutting chop saw and just use the angle grinder when absolutely necessary, but when it is used it will be with ppe.

mjac

 

[sqznby]

Can't blame the tool or the bit, operator error is the end result. All the PPE in the world can't help someone using a tool incorrectly.
Proper rotation should shoot the sparks down/at you and the rotation should pull the grinder away from you.

 

[rlitman]

I see how it is doable, but a top handle appears to be far better in a lot of ways, especially safety...

No, no, no. A thousand times no!

Where the handle is placed determines what forces you put on the machine.

With a proper side handle, when the wheel binds, it exerts a torque on the spindle that your hand on the side handle (and second handle on the body) can counter to.

With a top handle, your handle hand has no leverage to exert torque on the spindle, so when the wheel starts to bind, your hand allows the machine to twist in reaction, which cause the wheel to bind even more tightly. That's going to cause a dangerous kickback! And the bigger the wheel, the bigger the problem.

All I said was, right now, with my experience, I don’t see how a side handle would be better then a top handle when cutting, but will try both and see which one feels better, which will be able to do with this new handle from Hitachi found at Zoro Supply. I think that is a fair statement.

...the three year expiration date on cut-off discs was imposed by OSHA regulations...

I'm sure the side handle will feel great. Until the machine launches itself. A grinder isn't a toy. It needs positive control, and a top handle grinder is exactly like a top handle chainsaw. Bad idea all around, but a necessary evil in a few niche situations. NOT what you want.

As for exploding wheels, if you're worried about that, then just use diamond wheels. This is my go-to wheel now:

Amazon.com: LENOX LENOX 4.5" T27 Diamond Combo W : Industrial & Scientific

Buy LENOX LENOX 4.5" T27 Diamond Combo W: Cut-Off Wheels - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I will say that the diamond wheels cut a bit slower than good Walter wheels, and they're positively worthless on tool steels, but on mild steel, they're fantastic.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Locked thread all about it, have fun

Cheap Discs and Angle Grinders

Do not use cheap discs in an angle grinder, you could pay a very steep price… Edit: This is Black & Decker Thanks mjac

www.garagejournal.com

I stopped reading that at "nylon athletic pants"

 

[Crazyjake8493]

PPE should have been a forethought, rather than an afterthought. But still good to realize it at some point.

Full face shield (not glasses), heavy leather gloves, work boots (no sneakers, flip flops), and jeans. I wear a shop apron when doing a lot of welding/grinding/cutting.

Angle grinders are great, versatile tools but they're not always the ultimate solution. Bandsaw, die grinder, chop saw, circular saw, etc can sometimes be the better tool.

Paddle switch angle grinders are always preferable to a sliding switch, particularly from a safety perspective. I will only ever own paddle switch grinders -- your hand should never be in a place that isn't the main handle/body.


I don't think I've ever seen an angle grinder accident that was the fault of the tool or consumable - always operator error. Improper placement, no guard, no handle, not anticipating where the metal will bend or cutoffs will fall... the list goes on and on.

In the last ten years I've used over 100 cutoff discs from Harbor Freight, a handful of cheapos from Ace/Runnings, and a small pack from Amazon. No issues. Proper technique goes a long way.