Guard for a wire wheel on a bench grinder?

[mslim]

My 1/2hp Craftsman block grinder came with two grinding wheels. One was so coarse I really have no use for it so I replaced it with a nice 6" Weiler wire wheel from Zoro.

It fit inside the stock wheel guard housing and runs with no interference but I was wondering what the upside and downside was to having a guard with a wire wheel?

 

[kapster]

Guard is ok but I don't like having a work rest with a wire wheel. Since the wheel gives, it can pull parts in between them. I have had the same experience with a scotchbrite deburring wheel, it took a chunk out of the wheel and wrecked the part (machine shop environment).

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[dwcon1431]

My 1/2hp Craftsman block grinder came with two grinding wheels. One was so coarse I really have no use for it so I replaced it with a nice 6" Weiler wire wheel from Zoro.



It fit inside the stock wheel guard housing and runs with no interference but I was wondering what the upside and downside was to having a guard with a wire wheel?

Mostly just wire containment. Using my drill motor with a wire wheel, I'll find wire bits in my jeans hours later. Think about wire bits ending up in your eyes, face, arms, etc when using a bench mount.

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[lafester]

I use the guards and tool rests for light and medium duty cleaning. I have an open wheel for harder work.

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[bobcatdan]

I have the guard on wire wheel side, but the rest is turn backwards down out of the way. I don't find a need for a rest with the wire wheel.

 

[evh]

I removed my guard as well for my wire wheel. I am happier with it that way. Note, I always, and I mean always, wear safety goggles (not just glasses). My current wheel can throw those wires and I can't imagine the damage that would happen if one stuck in my eye. I am going to buy a very expensive wire wheel and see if that helps, but those wires do fly.

I should probably wear a full face shield.

 

[mslim]

Yep I picked up a Uvex Bionic on my Zoro order.

 

[exmaxima1]

Yep I picked up a Uvex Bionic on my Zoro order.

+1
Uvex faceshield and open wire wheels gives me the most access to work on parts.

 

[ZRX61]

Mostly just wire containment. Using my drill motor with a wire wheel, I'll find wire bits in my jeans hours later. Think about wire bits ending up in your eyes, face, arms, etc when using a bench mount.

Sent from my SM-A102U using Tapatalk

I've pinned my ballsack to my leg, my **** to my leg & my **** to my ballsack. I now keep pliers right next to the wirewheel because it's no fun *walking* across the garage to get them. Learned that the first time. Thick leather aprons might not save your life, but they will prevent a considerable amount of pain...