Reversible grinder?

[DieselSaves]

I really like my M18 fuel grinder. It lets me get quick grinding, cutting, and sanding jobs done in the field any time. This often means working around dry grass, straw, hay, and other potentially flammable stuff and sometimes in inconvenient poses. I can usually direct my grinding away from problem areas with positioning or shield placement but tonight I was taking surface rust off a frame that needed painting and catching a face full of grit to get an inside corner clean and I thought “why can’t I reverse this grinder like my drill or impact?”.

I know this is an occasional problem but what would keep a grinder from running in reverse? My slicer discs and wire wheels and cups and grinding wheels appear to be capable of running in the opposite direction. I know my flapper sanding discs won’t go backwards but that’s the only thing I can think of that I use that’s directional. Has a manufacture tried adding a reverse to their grinder or is it enough of a non issue that no one cares?

 

[cvairwerks]

Wheel attachment thread direction is why. Stop a wheel going backwards on one and the shaft stops but the wheel will try and keep going...

 

[DieselSaves]

Wheel attachment thread direction is why. Stop a wheel going backwards on one and the shaft stops but the wheel will try and keep going..

I get that. I didn’t consider that particular issue before posting.

Thinking about it, all my consumables in 5”, with the exception of a cup brush and wire wheel, have a 7/8 arbor. My drills all have threaded chucks that resists loosening in reverse so left hand bits can be used as well as for loosening screws. My M12 multi tool has a threaded bolt with a secondary clamp for securing its blades. Different engagements, sure, but if his were enough of a sell point, either a clutched nut like on some Metabo grinders or a clip system like the multi tool could be fitted.

Not a life or death issue. All my other needs have been met for grinding so now I can worry about the details.

 

[BlitzcrankJapan]

Wheel attachment thread direction is why. Stop a wheel going backwards on one and the shaft stops but the wheel will try and keep going...

This is also the reason many manufacturers have gone easy with their braking system.
It is one of the advantages that Bosch's X-Lock has - You can apply a strong brake without worry of having the fastening system loosen.

 

[steel 35]

As soon as you touch the stone everything fly’s off.
Seen it.

 

[tarbellb]

It's a interesting idea, controlling where debris and sparks go is a constant battle.

My #1 concern when running my grinders is not catching the wheel on the odd side of the rotation.
Keeping track of the rotation is tough enough when it operates one way

 

[Yankeefarmer]

Not a grinder, but my M12 Fuel cut-off tool is reversible, and I use that feature a lot for spark control.

 

[no704]

I used to use a pneumatic cutting wheel a lot and often wished for a lefty.