Angle grinder with saw blade?

[4 Ever-Fish N]

I was watching one of the home remodeling shows and saw someone using what appeared to be an angle grinder with about a 4" diameter saw blade on it. The guard had been removed. To me it looked like it may be a good tool to cut off the rotted rafter ends on my garage. If not an angle grinder, what could the tool have been? When I did the other side of the garage, I used a Sawzall. My old body is pretty messed up so I'm looking for the easiest way to do this.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Probably a jamb saw. They are super handy, but super dangerous too.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I'd say jamb saw as well...

For rafter tails I would absolutely not recommend a like tool. But I would recommend a small, lightweight, corded or battery chainsaw. Those cheapie harbor freight corded have good reviews for light duty stuff. (And I love my M18 chainsaw)

 

[tarbellb]

Couple of wood carving companies sell essentially a 4" blade with carbide teeth and/or chainsaw blade for mounting on a small angle grinder.

Often called a "shaping disc" used for heavy carving applications like cupping out the seat of chair.


Oh, and yes, super dangerous.

 

[rlitman]

Couple of wood carving companies sell essentially a 4" blade with carbide teeth and/or chainsaw blade for mounting on a small angle grinder.

Often called a "shaping disc" used for heavy carving applications like cupping out the seat of chair.


Oh, and yes, super dangerous.

About that:

 

[scooterbum46]

Couple of wood carving companies sell essentially a 4" blade with carbide teeth and/or chainsaw blade for mounting on a small angle grinder.

Often called a "shaping disc" used for heavy carving applications like cupping out the seat of chair.


Oh, and yes, super dangerous.

Pretty sure James Hamilton - ("Stumpy Nubs" on YouTube) would agree strongly about the danger of those carving disks - check out his videos from about six months ago to see the damage one of those can do to flesh and bone..

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Couple of wood carving companies sell essentially a 4" blade with carbide teeth and/or chainsaw blade for mounting on a small angle grinder.

Often called a "shaping disc" used for heavy carving applications like cupping out the seat of chair.


Oh, and yes, super dangerous.

I have that scary thing... Lancelot King Arthur....even being strong and healthy it scares the ish outta me.

I also have an Arbortech grinder...has an extended arm with a 2" carbide cutter wheel...safer, but still ready to put you in the ER.

 

[brianh]

I have that scary thing... Lancelot King Arthur....even being strong and healthy it scares the ish outta me.

I also have an Arbortech grinder...has an extended arm with a 2" carbide cutter wheel...safer, but still ready to put you in the ER.

I have the Arbortech 4" put my grinder in an old chainsaw handle and wired a switch to the trigger better control than right up close. The carbide cuts way nicer than the lancelot. Though I use chainsaws for 99% of shaping

To the OP original question no way in hell would I use a grinder with a sawblade and no guard. Bind it and it's coming after you.

 

[matt_i]

I would use an oscillating multi-tool.

Its slower but extremely safe to use in tight quarters and up on ladders and where you have to cut next to other good materials.

And then, you will find many ways to use the tool afterwards.

 

[DMAR]

What could go wrong....?!

 

[seber]

I have a carbide saw blade that fits an angle grinder. It looks just like any other saw blade except being 4". I've never been brave (foolish) enough to mount it. It just looks like an accident waiting for a place.

 

[rlitman]

Now I wonder if it could have been a Twinsaw? They expose a lot of blade and look super scary, but are supposed to be safer, because of the counter-rotating blades.

 

[The Cobbler]

a saw blade on an angle grinder is very dangerous. especially sans guard .
a jambsaw is not any more dangerous than a circular saw, if used the right way. thios would not be one of the right ways.

 

[BD1]

Get a small DeWalt battery circular saw.
Lightweight and pretty safe


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tarbellb]

I didnt mean to derail the subject with the carving blade chat...

For your application there are a couple of possible solutions, and youve already put to use the most common - sawzall.

But a jamb saw is fairly capable and likely what you witnessed. There are several battery powered small diameter cutters like the Milwaukee M12 Cut off tool- 2522. It only has a 3" blade tho..

One more might be a track saw, they have a very tight cut distance from saw body to blade (maybe 1/2"), and can plunge up to ~3". Not ideal, but possible.

Whats the depth of your cut?

 

[McFarmer]

I have a chain saw chain on an angle grinder.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SGL42P1/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[e36jon]

I bought a 5" Dewalt angle grinder a few years ago that had a skill-saw base and guard, with dust collection, that I could use for concrete & tile cutting (dry). It behaves just like a Skill-saw. That said, it won't do what you need to do since it can't cut all the way through.

I also have an oscillating multi-tool and love it. That said, making a straight and square cut on multiple rafter ends would be beyond my skills. Ditto for using a Sawzall.

I could see a 'team' effort where you make most of the cut with a cordless skill-saw (straight & square) and then finish the cut with the oscillating tool. That's what I would try, especially since it would allow me to justify buying a cordless Skill-saw...

Just remembered the 'flush-cut' Sawzall blade: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0052A1PWA/?tag=atomicindus08-20 I have one of these and it does actually allow for a straight cut if I really pay attention. They also make a similar blade for a jigsaw which might be the best bet yet...

 

[iamrfixit]

This was on another forum a while back, didn't end so well for the OP.

If you have a properly engineered, shielded and guarded attachment that can convert the grinder to a saw that's one thing, just throwing a blade on an angle grinder like the above link is entirely another.

 

[Git]

About that:

I was thinking the same thing - I watched that video before

 

[BreeStephany]

I would start your cuts on rafter tails with a circular saw and then finish the cuts with a multi-tool / Fein tool. A little slower, but a lot safer than putting a carving disc on a grinder. All it takes is one good, strong nail and the time spent doing it a little slower and safer would have paid for itself, especially if you are without insurance. If you are doing this for a customer, your boss, workers compensation agents, etc. would likely agree.

Just my two cents.

 

[neophyte]

As everyone has mentioned, a circular saw blade on an angle grinder is a really dangerous idea.
there are circular saw blades that will fit on angle grinders, but the blades are sort of obscure in most cases, possibly very intentionally.
There was a thread a bit ago by someone looking for an aluminum cutting blade for an angle grinder.
If you do want to try this, a paddle switch angle grinder is a must.
As has also been mentioned, an oscillating multitool is a way safer alternative.
There are also mini circular saws based off angle grinders, that would be a better alternative, since the saws have the normal circular saw safety features such as a pivoting guard built in.

4-1/2 - Circular Saws - The Home Depot

Get free shipping on qualified 4-1/2 Circular Saws products or Buy Online Pick Up in Store today in the Tools Department.

www.homedepot.com

 

[kelpaso1]

Can't believe a blade like that would be legal for sale. A disaster waiting to happen. Just look at what happens when using a chainsaw and the nose of the cutting bar gets jammed in a cut and sends the whole saw towards you. And you have a lot more leverage with a saw than a grinder. That is such a dangerous thing to put on an angle grinder.