PSA: Be Safe With Wire Wheels!

[Mark in Indiana]

Hello GJ Friends:

Last night, I was cleaning rust off some old c-clamps with an 8" wire wheel. The hub came apart and wheel flew off. Unpleasant surprise.
Thankfully, my wire wheel machine is always used in its enclosure, to catch most of the shrapnel. The enclosure kept the wheel from flying across the shop or worse, at me.
I also religiously wear safety glasses, a clear face shield and other PPE.

Another lesson learned: Avoid wire wheels with plastic hubs. This one is a Hitachi, which I thought was a good brand. Served me well for 5+ years.

 

[joel63]

Hello GJ Friends:

Last night, I was cleaning rust off some old c-clamps with an 8" wire wheel. The hub came apart and wheel flew off. Unpleasant surprise.
Thankfully, my wire wheel machine is always used in its enclosure, to catch most of the shrapnel. The enclosure kept the wheel from flying across the shop or worse, at me.
I also religiously wear safety glasses, a clear face shield and other PPE.

Another lesson learned: Avoid wire wheels with plastic hubs. This one is a Hitachi, which I thought was a good brand. Served me well for 5+ years.

Thanks for the PSA.

 

[AreBeeBee]

I use metal hub ones (bought, gulp, at HF), and I have no metal housing for the wheel. However, when a wheel first spins up, that's when you're most likely to get flyaway wires, which I have imdeed found in my shirt and apron. Hence I have always used a full-face shield.

I have to say I've never had a catastrophic self-disassembly such as you describe, but I think I'd avoid plastic-hub wire wheels anyway. Yes, thanks for the heads-up warning!

 

[BMWBOB]

A week ago I was wire-brushing some rusty steel. When ********** afterword I realized I had a wire stuck in my thigh about 1/4"!
Of course it didn't hurt me at all, but had the grinder been turned over... a REALLY good reason to where eye protection!

 

[Mark in Indiana]

All:
I don’t know of any wire wheels that don’t throw shrapnel. I’ve used everything from bra cup wheels to fine, straight wire wheels. With all of the wire that I picked out of my skin over the years, it’s a wonder that I never got tetanus.

 

[seber]

High quality wheels rarely shed wires, but it still happens.

 

[GaryM909]

I got a couple 6" wire wheels for an angle grinder from a tool crib on a job I was on. They were off brand. I put one on my grinder and every wire went flying. Same with the next two. No more no name for me. Too dangerous.