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handheld grind possible?

zhang

Member
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
6
I called around and didn't find any place close to me renting concrete grinders. I have a angle grinder. Is it practical to buy a blade and grind the whole 480sqft by the handheld?
 
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AlphaGarage

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 16, 2008
Messages
1,298
Location
Every Garage, AnyTown, USA
Short answer? Yes.

With a 4.5 inch grinder it can take a long time - you want a 7 - 9" model. You'll also want to have a dust hood with a good vacuum attached. Also you'll want to use a diamond cup grinder.

Here are 3 projects that were prepped with a angle grinder...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20542 – amazing floor with great tips:

ffpl2.jpg




http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26308
Roger’s retro gas station:

Roger55.jpg



http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=13347 – more fantastic tips and results:

ffpl1-2.jpg
 

rugerlady

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 15, 2008
Messages
1,378
Location
Michigan
I called around and didn't find any place close to me renting concrete grinders. I have a angle grinder. Is it practical to buy a blade and grind the whole 480sqft by the handheld?

Bummer, :(
Depending on where you are alot of Home Depots rent the floor grinders. What size is your grinder? I would recommend a 7 inch if you have no other choice.
 
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Twizzstyle

Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2010
Messages
22
Location
Kenmore,Wa
Harbor Freight has cheap angle grinders and diamond cup wheels. I was in a pinch and needed a 4.5" diamond cup wheel to do my edges and under my work bench, Sears and Home Depot only sell the diamond cup wheels online, not in the stores. But my local Harbor Freight had them in the store for cheap!

They might only have the 7" wheel online, but they carry 4" and 4.5" in the stores as well. Plus seriously cheap angle grinders. Say what you want about the quality (they're ****...) but my $12 harbor freight grinder has been running strong for 7+ years now :)

But that said... it was torture just doing the edges and under the bench in my shop, I can't imagine doing 500 ft with a hand grinder :(
 
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zhang

Member
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
6
Fred: thank you for your great examples. I've emailed you some more questions, please take a look when you get a chance.

Christine: Thank you very much too. I've called 5 HDs this morning and none of them has it. :(

Twizzstyle: Mine is Harbor Freight too. It's working fine for a year till now. Thank you for your info of their cup wheels. Am I able to get a dust hood there? So that I can hook it to my Rigid vac.
 

stmatt

Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2005
Messages
12
Location
PA
Handheld grinding is possible but is no picnic. I know this very well, as this is how I prepped my floor. I used a 7" angle grinder with zec silicone carbide grinding wheels from Diamond Blades Unlimited (great guy to deal with). I went through 5 wheels at $7.99 each. I removed an older Rustoleum epoxy floor coating on a 290sq.ft. garage. This method does create quit the dust storm, so be ready for that to happen. After the dust cleared and my wife could find me, she would just say, that she told me to rent the floor grinder and that I am too cheap. I finished the garage with a coat of Epoxy-coat (free shipping to GJ members) and am very pleased with the results
 
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