Multiple angle grinders, what to use on each one"

[Crazyjake8493]

I still need to buy a few more grinders, but my ideal setup would be:
-cutting wheel
-grinding wheel
-flap disc
-bristle/stripping disc (3M/Avanti)

I only use wire wheels or concrete grinding discs on rare occasions, wouldn't need a grinder dedicated just to those.

 

[ishiboo]

You will probably find the the flap disc gets used the most. I have two different types of flap discs set up on mine. I have 5 grinders as well. Your selection will work nice.

Basically my go-tos are flap discs (of two different grits) and a Lennox MetalMax abrasive. I hate thin cutoff wheels and with the Lennox I don't have to worry about it exploding. It doesn't cut quite as fast and leaves maybe a bit more of a burr (you can use it to grind the burr off when you're done though) but I like the fact it lasts a long time and doesn't explode into shrapnel.

The Lennox is usually whats on my M18 Fuel grinder.

 

[gmwelder86]

I generally have them set up 1/4” wheel, 1/8” wheel, .045 cut off wheel, wire wheel and flapper allnon 4.5 inch grinders. My 6” changes depending on need the 9 is usually a 1/4” wheel

 

[NUTTSGT]

I still need to buy a few more grinders, but my ideal setup would be:
-cutting wheel
-grinding wheel
-flap disc
-bristle/stripping disc (3M/Avanti)

I only use wire wheels or concrete grinding discs on rare occasions, wouldn't need a grinder dedicated just to those.

Don't we all ?

I wonder if the question should be, "how many grinders did you have before joining Garage Journal ?"

 

[crewchief888]

Don't we all ?

I wonder if the question should be, "how many grinders did you have before joining Garage Journal ?"

the only grinder i added since joining was the cordless milwaukee in my service truck...

 

[AMCguy]

Why is that? Do you do a lot of walking around with the grinder, and always need an extension cord? I rarely take my grinders from the fab table/vise. Of course, there are exceptions. In fact, I have been known to put slightly longer cords on my tools so I don't need an extension, depending on the tool, usually wood tools.

The biggest reason was storage. I was constantly fighting with tangled cords and cords not staying wrapped up. They also make the tool a lot more bulky in the drawer. The second reason was I don't like my range of movement limited by the length of cord the tool comes with. I found I always needed an extension cord, so why not have one the right length and get rid of all the power cords.

Once you do it, there's no going back, but you won't want to. Like I said, best thing I ever did.

 

[NUTTSGT]

the only grinder i added since joining was the cordless milwaukee in my service truck...

Seeing all the fab work that you have done over the years, you already had four grinders.....not fair.

Honestly, I'm not sure you could fit another grinder in your small, well packed and well used garage. If somebody won the lottery offered to build a bigger garage for somebody here that would use it and asked me who. You sir would be at the top of my list.

 

[crewchief888]

Seeing all the fab work that you have done over the years, you already had four grinders.....not fair.

Honestly, I'm not sure you could fit another grinder in your small, well packed and well used garage. If somebody won the lottery offered to build a bigger garage for somebody here that would use it and asked me who. You sir would be at the top of my list.

yea, my garage is well used and abused..

ive got "room" for a couple more grinders
i'm really outta floor space more than anything...

when we bought the house 10 years ago, my goal was to build a bigger garage (30x30 or 30x40) directly in back of the existing one. that way i'd have a (larger) concrete pad in front of the garage thats just not possible where the old garage is at now, i have a single lane driveway, and no room to widen it. i have 2 vehicles parked in the street, (soon to be 3 when the kid gets tags for her car)

those plans went right down the toilet

oh well, i'll deal with what i have...
as small as it is, (and packed to the rafters) i still manage to get stuff done.

 

[David0858]

Good point on the price drop. The most recent one I got was just $10 from Harbor Freight with the coupon.

http://www.hfqpdb.com/best_coupon/4-1_2%22+ANGLE+GRINDER

Its a smaller model, only 4.3 amps. I use it with a sanding flap wheel for lighter clean up work. Heck for not much more than the cost of a burger and fries, you really can't go wrong. My others are 6 and 11 amp, they handle the heavier work just fine.

I've got two of the HF $10 grinders and have used them pretty hard. They still work as good as when I got them.

 

[David0858]

The biggest reason was storage. I was constantly fighting with tangled cords and cords not staying wrapped up. They also make the tool a lot more bulky in the drawer. The second reason was I don't like my range of movement limited by the length of cord the tool comes with. I found I always needed an extension cord, so why not have one the right length and get rid of all the power cords.

Once you do it, there's no going back, but you won't want to. Like I said, best thing I ever did.

Where did you get the plugs? They look like good ones. I hate messing with the cords on five grinders. I think I would be a LOT happier with your setup.

 

[619DioFan]

I am a 30 plus yr woodworking who is getting into welding. In my woodworking I delegate different routers (11 total) with different bits and leave it set up that way. I see people doing that same kind of thing with 4-1/2" angle grinders. I am up to 5 now with a really great open box buy on 2 DeWalt grinders. Here is how I have them set up right now.

1. cut-off disc (new DeWalt)
2. heavy grinding disc (new DeWalt)
3. flat flap disc (old B&D industrial)
4. cup wire wheel (old Makita with 10mm shaft and adaptor)
5. ? (cheap Ryobi)

I am open to suggestions. How do you have yours set up?

I have 4 hf grinders and they are set up the same as your first 4 listed. I have then stationed on my flux core wire welder cart ( also hf ) this setup works great for my needs.

 

[Fender1325]

#4 : Cup wire wheel ........
Don't use an angle grinder or you'll be forever picking bits of wire out of your flip flops [at 10,000RPM they spin too fast and disintegrate the wire wheels]

Instead use a 2 speed sander polisher on the high speed [approx. 3400] and you'll wear the wire twists right down to nothing.

I use a Hitachi sander polisher that car painters use for polishing

Good tip

 

[Fender1325]

All this grinder talk I'd like to make a public safety reminder:

1.) No gloves!
2.) No loose fitting clothing!
3.) Two hands on the grinder at all times! - clamp and secure your workpiece, don't hold it in one hand and the grinder in the other
4.) Keep away from your pants when sitting or kneeling!
5.) Keep the blade guard on! - you can see fine with it on
6.) Eye protection and/or, face shield if really nasty work


Sorry. Had to say it. I learned those rules the hard way, yes with a trip to the hospital. You need to be wide awake and aware when you use an angle grinder

 

[AMCguy]

Where did you get the plugs? They look like good ones. I hate messing with the cords on five grinders. I think I would be a LOT happier with your setup.

I opened up each tool. Inside you'll find the ends of each wire have a connector. Disconnect the cord, pull it into the tool until the plug comes up to the rubber boot, cut the cord, attach new connectors, re-connect the cord, re-assemble tool. Takes about five minutes per tool.

Sorry to the OP for taking this thread off topic.

 

[rsanter]

Everybody is a little different. You will find what you leave on the grinder based on what you do.
What is on mine can even change from job to job.
Generally what I have is....
Standard grinding wheel
Diamond thin cut off wheel
Sanding disc
Cupped wire brush
Flat wire brush

That serves me most the time

Bob

 

[Richard D]

When I was working as a pipe fitter, a few of the welders had modified their grinders by enlargening the guard and using a 7" wheel. This was because the smaller grinder weighed less. I wonder if it burned up the motors?

 

[joe49]

When I was working as a pipe fitter, a few of the welders had modified their grinders by enlargening the guard and using a 7" wheel. This was because the smaller grinder weighed less. I wonder if it burned up the motors?

Maybe not. But likely over sped the 7" disc's rating.

 

[kkroger]

Cut Flap Rock

 

[texasranger]

When I was working as a pipe fitter, a few of the welders had modified their grinders by enlargening the guard and using a 7" wheel. This was because the smaller grinder weighed less. I wonder if it burned up the motors?

Going from 4.5 to 7" would give you nearly double the SFPM at the wheel edge if the grinder can spin the larger disk and full speed. That's a lot more rotating mass and as Joe pointed out probably exceeding the rated RPMs of the disk.

 

[Tractorsellr]

I thought I had a serious problem with having to many grinders, Thanks guys. I don't have a hoarding sickness and its just normal to own alot of grinders. I cant stand to be working and have to stop and change the disk or wheels on my grinders.

 

[nbruno]

I have 6. cordless 18v Dewalt-flat thin cutoff, 7amp Makita-grinding wheel, 7amp dewalt-recessed thin cutoff, 7amp Dewalt - twisted stainless wire, 11amp dewalt-40 grit flap, 11amp Dewalt- 120 grit flap.
Now, after seeing the short cords and the fact that I always use a cord reel extension cord... I can't wait to shorten all of the cords on all of my tools. Great idea.

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