Angle grinder - wow

[metal1313]

when im cutting metal, or doing alot of wire wheeling i like to wear my welding abron, or a heavy shop apron. when i was first starting my plumbing job, i was spending the day cutting and beveling pipes for gas lines. cutting was easy, use a wheel cutter and a threading machine to spin the pipe, really no effort. to bevel i was using a 9in grinder. in the morning i lit my shirt on fire..twice, and that afternoon i twisted my left wrist funny and hit the blade a little. not a deep cut but my god that thing burned like hell, i still have a scar.

i love my angle grinder, but i want an air grinder for more percise cuts

 

[VegasBruce]

After awhile you'll be able to use it one handed while drinking a beverage and smoking a cigar.

Without the guard.

 

[MarshallGirvin]

Yeah, I'm still a little shell shocked from mine. I got it at auction, so I couldn't plug it in and fully test it. So the thing has no disk guard and the power switch doesn't work, so it's always on. You should have seen my face the first time I plugged it in.

 

[SSGTWC]

That's the thing about this site. Lots of guys with REAL experience - I can tell because these are all things that WILL happend with your angle grinder!!!
I ALWAYS use a FULL face mask (after discs have come apart!), Welding gloves (after several deep cuts and harsh scrapes!) and - I make sure to GRIP IT TIGHT! If the thing catches an edge, you're either gripping it tight enough to overcome it's torque - or loosing your left nut - followed by the right!!!!

I don't run a guard or 2nd handle either. It's ALL or NUTHIN!

I can't agree more!!

Respecting the tool is the most important thing, period. Being afraid of the tool? Then you have no business using that tool. I have no idea how many gloves I have ruined over the years, from sparks created by my grinders. With experience, you then know what the extremes and limitations are when using these grinders.

 

[TruckTech915]

I just got two stitches and a half cutoff finger tip from a grinder. I have used them for years but made a careless mistake two weeks ago with one. I was grinding welds off a truck where a bumper mounts and it kicked back and got my finger. Cut into my finger and my whole right side of my index finger nail gone.

Just a for warning to be extra careful with them. They don't care what there cutting whether it be metal, skin, clothes, etc. they will cut and quick.

 

[ourkid2000]

I can't agree more!!

Respecting the tool is the most important thing, period. Being afraid of the tool? Then you have no business using that tool. I have no idea how many gloves I have ruined over the years, from sparks created by my grinders. With experience, you then know what the extremes and limitations are when using these grinders.

Well.......

I said I was afraid of it but what I mean is that it has no safety mechanism like a dead-man switch of some kind that scares me.

I'm taking it easy and going slow with it. I know i'll learn! One thing I do know though, my freakin' wrist is sore from hanging on to it. I'll get used to it.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I'd be curious to see a thread poll would be on who runs them with guards and who runs them without..

My new grinder came in, and the 1st thing I did was remove the guard and put it into my misc tool. bin.

 

[35mastr]

No guards for me. I remove them right after I take them out of the box.

 

[caper]

The only ones I run with guards are at work because the company won't let us use them without.All my home grinders the guards are long gone.

 

[1320stang]

I think I use my 4.5" angle grinder with a knotted wire cup brush more than about any other power tool I own, that includes my cordless drill!!!

 

[mooman]

Please, be smarter than the guy in the picture, leave the guard on............

Accident Alert - Fatal Grinder Accident at Quarry
IncidentA welder was carrying out maintenance on a quarry excavator bucket. He was using an angle grinder to prepare surfaces for welding when the disk disintegrated.


Angle grinder and disintegrated disk

Circumstances
The hand-held angle grinder was fitted with a 230 mm diameter cutting-off wheel and when it disintegrated, fragments penetrated the victim’s chest and abdomen. He was rushed to hospital by rescue helicopter but died the same day.

Investigation
This is continuing but initial inspections show that the grinding machine and cutting disk were not compatible - and the grinder was not fitted with a guard.

Recommendation
Grinding machines and abrasive wheels should always be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

In particular:

Always ensure the maximum speed (the no load rpm) marked on the abrasive wheel is greater than the rated speed of the grinder.
Do not use grinding wheels that are larger than the maximum recommended size, or worn down wheels from other grinders.
Never use grinding wheel power tools without the wheel guard attached to the tool and positioned for maximum safety.
Store and handle abrasive wheels with care and inspect them for chips or cracks before installing. Do not use any wheel that may be damaged