The future of angle grinders?

[tarbellb]

Industrial design(ers) are responsible for most the innovations and designs you use everyday. Tools are no exception. Ergonomics, better performance, safety, etc... are all things a good designer is looking to improve on.

Check out this angle grinder/ sander combo concept that made the notable list on Core77 (Industrial Design site).

http://designawards.core77.com/Commercial-Equipment/46813/sFlex

Certainly safer, but using two hands all the time and tight spaces could prove a real turnoff for many.

 

[Superbec]

to bad most of those "designers" never actually use the tools...

 

[srvctec]

to bad most of those "designers" never actually use the tools...

THIS!!! [emoji106]

 

[Know Wosad]

No way. I think the slim styles currently on the market are at the peak of possibilities for spinning a small disk. I also think until they have a battery the size of a watch battery I'll stick with corded. The slim design couples with the soft=start and anti vibration handles are tops

 

[B_Bimmer]

Ew, I will keep what I have thanks.

 

[dr_clyde]

Every time I've been hurt by a grinder it was because I was either doing something I shouldn't have been, or because I was just being stupid. Either way, it wasn't the tool's fault, it was mine.

Most tools are dangerous in some way. We can't expect engineers and designers to save us from ourselves. I would really like to see that grinder do half of what they say it will do. For crying out loud, he shows a friggen circular saw blade in the "existing accessories". If he puts that on it, no amount of fancy guards and handles will protect you from the havoc you are about to see.

If you do dumb things with power tools, you probably deserve whatever injury you sustain. I will fully admit accidents happen. Honest to goodness accidents that happen to skilled tradesman with a lot of experience. But no amount of fancy engineering will stop all of it, all of the time.

Tools in general, but especially rotary power tools deserve your full attention and respect, as well as proper training and instruction. Don't wear gloves when polishing on the lathe. Keep your fingers out of the table saw. Wear safety glasses. Long hair on the drill press is a no-no. This is stuff we learned in shop class and stuff our dads taught us.

When we set tools up to be idiot proof, we get idiots using them. If you are afraid of the grinder, you probably will hurt yourself and shouldn't be using one anyway.

My 2 pennies anyway. Sorry for the rant.

 

[pepi]

to bad most of those "designers" never actually use the tools...

No truer words written.

I would not buy that thing, has a very limited grinding angle . I cannot stand the paddle on/off switch that totally ***** all by itself..

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

to bad most of those "designers" never actually use the tools...

Truth

 

[Strouty]

Grinders are one of those tools that I almost always use unsafely. I am aware of it, and I know that at any time I can get hurt, but the guards just get in the way. The only time I like the guards is if I need to direct sparks, but even then, they are a PITA. Some of the newer ones are a bit easier to reconfigure, but honestly with the guard on you really can't do what you need to do.

 

[gdocktor3]

No way. I think the slim styles currently on the market are at the peak of possibilities for spinning a small disk. I also think until they have a battery the size of a watch battery I'll stick with corded. The slim design couples with the soft=start and anti vibration handles are tops]

We also thought those old makita drills with the long skinny batteries were the pinnacle of cordless technology and the Motorola car phones with their 5lb brick battery in a suitcase as well. I'd never by that thing. I'm just sayin...

 

[Reese]

I couldn't use that grinder unless the guard is removable. The only time I use the guard on my angle grinder is when I am cutting water pipe loose. It makes a great blast deflector for the water that leaks out of the pipes. The rest of the time it sits in the tool case.

 

[justanengineer]

While I admire the idea and style, as others mention I'm not convinced that grinder is practical outside of very limited, light duty use. Personally I like a corded grinder with the biggest handles I can get bc after a few cutoff disc explosions I wear gloves.

Not to nitpick but I'd disagree with your first couple statements as a matter of semantics. True "industrial designers" aren't involved with engineering functionality, they are artists dictating appearance and style. Granted, many with that degree go into drafting and even occasionally engineering, but in reality they are three separate careers that take many years to be proficient in individually. Some folks will suggest they've mastered two or more of those but in talented circles those folks are often referred to as "CAD jockeys"....

 

[VC455]

No way. I think the slim styles currently on the market are at the peak of possibilities for spinning a small disk. I also think until they have a battery the size of a watch battery I'll stick with corded. The slim design couples with the soft=start and anti vibration handles are tops

Please forgive my ignorance but is this grinder switched on there for no hands needed?

 

[Farmall450]

to bad most of those "designers" never actually use the tools...

Amen.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Please forgive my ignorance but is this grinder switched on there for no hands needed?

Yes, latching switch style.

 

[BD1]

Power tools are only as smart as the users.

 

[VC455]

No way. I think the slim styles currently on the market are at the peak of possibilities for spinning a small disk. I also think until they have a battery the size of a watch battery I'll stick with corded. The slim design couples with the soft=start and anti vibration handles are tops

Please forgive my ignorance but is this grinder switched on there for no hands needed?

 

[Dirtydan69]

Yes it is. I have the same one. I also just purchased a new Bosch grinder which has a flat bar running along the the finger side. You depress it and go. It does have a lock on button near the base

 

[DekeT]

to bad most of those "designers" never actually use the tools...

THIS!!! [emoji106]

No truer words written.

Amen.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

. The slim design couples with the soft=start and anti vibration handles are tops

I don't have any Bosch grinders, but I use their handles on my other ones.

 

[ZRX61]

I have two Dewalt 4.5in angle grinders with the paddle switch. Twice I've accidentally turned them on just by picking them up. Both times resulted in my buzzing my other arm with the grinder as the torque twisted it.

 

[Wamsutta]

I have a Bosch grinder like the one pictured above. I can not think of anyway to improve upon it; in other words, they nailed it when they designed it. That slide switch on the left side is awesome. You push the switch up to turn the grinder on and it instantly locks into place. To turn the grinder off, you slide the switch downward, but it has a spring loaded assist to help you turn the grinder off quickly. The switch can be operated entirely with your right thumb.

 

[Tejaas]

I'll admit to doing some reckless stuff with tools/machinery - i'll even admit to cutting plate with an O/A torch in flip flops..

But the angle grinder is the one tool that gets 100% of my attention, every time. I've seen too many scenarios that could have come out of a 'Saw' movie.

I may not wear gloves when i'm welding, but i -always- wear a set of Miller Arc-Armors when using cutoff wheels.

With that said, I'll stick with my half dozen paddle-switched 4.5" Dewalts.

I do a lot of out-of-position work with them, and i wouldn't even humor the idea of using a fixed switch unit for overhead work.

Even if it only spares me of a split second of carnage, i'd like to know that if a grinder DOES work it's way out of my clutches, it's at least -spooling down- as it drops towards my head/face/throat/shoulders.

Now, if they can make a cordless angle grinder worth a damn, i'd consider THAT a worthwhile improvement.

I've got two of the Dewalt 18V cordless models that were free, i just hardly bother to use them.




~Tejaas~

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I have a big B&D 'Industrial' that has a 2 stage trigger at the back I like , pull the finger trigger for momentary run, 2 fingers and it locks on till the trigger is pulled again.

 

[Monte]

Looks like Festool could sell it

 

[Spudland_Dave]

If you are afraid of the grinder, you probably will hurt yourself and shouldn't be using one anyway.

I think its the opposite actually. Most tool/industrial injuries are due to complacency.. its always the "I've done it a million times before" that bites people.

A rookie that's scared will hold the grinder so tight they hurt their hands. A seasoned pro will grab the grinder and do what he's gotta do without any safety glasses, 1/2 busted wheel, etc..

 

[scotts_4x]

Industrial design(ers) are responsible for most the innovations and designs you use everyday. Tools are no exception. Ergonomics, better performance, safety, etc... are all things a good designer is looking to improve on.

Check out this angle grinder/ sander combo concept that made the notable list on Core77 (Industrial Design site).

http://designawards.core77.com/Commercial-Equipment/46813/sFlex

Certainly safer, but using two hands all the time and tight spaces could prove a real turnoff for many.

as someone that uses a grinder daily in their profession, I have to say that hand position would get you hurt every time. there are other things at play besides comfort, namely the forces which are applied to the grinder by you and the work/torque from the disc. I could not grind anything accurately with my hands placed in that manner, nor see what I was doing. this is the case of an office engineer building a tool for a job which he's never done.

-scott

 

[jchaneng]

I have a Bosch grinder like the one pictured above. I can not think of anyway to improve upon it; in other words, they nailed it when they designed it.

slightly off topic,,, but i agree, bosch gws 9-115 is a great tool! im a maintenance engineer for an engineering company and we must have over 50 of these things around the place. they live forever! some are so old and beaten up that its amazing they still work, but they just keep going day after day. a real workhorse. only improvement i would make is to improve the strain relief where the cable enters the body, only bit that lets them down as with most power tools.

 

[dr_clyde]

I think its the opposite actually. Most tool/industrial injuries are due to complacency.. its always the "I've done it a million times before" that bites people.

A rookie that's scared will hold the grinder so tight they hurt their hands. A seasoned pro will grab the grinder and do what he's gotta do without any safety glasses, 1/2 busted wheel, etc..

I understand what you're saying, but IMO, there's a difference between fear from inexperience and complacency from use. One is avoidable through making good decisions.

The seasoned pro knows not to do the dumb thing, and does it anyway and ends up injured. Avoidable.

Hobby homeowner picks up a grinder and doesn't know that using a cracked wheel is bad or whatever and gets hurt.

It's a hard thing to nail down because everyone is different.

 

[Pipe]

I prefer the on/off no hands needed switch just out of habit. I used a paddle switch dewalt this afternoon and it was different but not bad. I keep the guard on mine just so I can rest it on my homemade holder attachment hanging off my bench.

 

[2oolhound]

I had a close call the other day. I was using a 7" ridgid with a 40 grit friction pad and was really laying on it. It's 15 amps and it threw the breaker. Pissed off, I dropped it on the bench and went looking to see if it was the main breaker inside or if there was a breaker on the 6' long power bar. Sure enough it was on the end of the power bar and I could just reach it with a long wrench. When the power came on I'd forgotten I had the grinder locked on and it did a dance on top of the bench then finished on the floor. There wasn't time to even look at the power bar to see what cord to yank out, I had to keep watching the grinder so I could decide instantly what to sacrifice if it came at me. Fortunately the trigger must have hit something to disengage the lock on switch just after it hit the floor and as I was hopping on top of the bench to get my feet clear. While I was changing my shorts I was thinking "I won't be letting that happen again".

There's something for the engineers to plan in the next generation. Lock switch cuts off in the event of a power failure or interruption.

 

[jt777]

I can deal with any injuries i bring upon myself with a normal grinder. You give up to much versatility when they are stationary. But bench grinders are still nice for more fine work.

 

[2oolhound]

The big bench grinders are tops when you want to chew metal fast. I have a 1 hp 10" and my buddy has a 2hp 12". Both of those are real hard to stall . If I'm cutting a pattern out of plate with a cutting torch I like to finish it on my 10" bench grinder, it's fast.

 

[jkwilson]

Power tools are only as smart as the users.

In way too many cases, they are smarter.

 

[Loscaldazar]

I have two Dewalt 4.5in angle grinders with the paddle switch. Twice I've accidentally turned them on just by picking them up. Both times resulted in my buzzing my other arm with the grinder as the torque twisted it.

Does your DeWalt not have a safety on the paddle switch? Or is it because of how DeWalt designs their safety? Never had a problem with my corded milwaukee paddle switches (but they have a really well designed safety IMO)

There's something for the engineers to plan in the next generation. Lock switch cuts off in the event of a power failure or interruption.

A lot of angle grinders actually come with this now! Even the cheap Ridgid 4.5" angle grinders I recently bought have it now. Also prevents you from bumping the angle grinder into the on position when taking it out of storage and plugging it in.

 

[ADSR]

I prefer the on/off no hands needed switch just out of habit. I used a paddle switch dewalt this afternoon and it was different but not bad. I keep the guard on mine just so I can rest it on my homemade holder attachment hanging off my bench.

So do I. A lot of times, I'll turn it on, flip it disc up, step on the handle with my foot and take the piece of metal to the grinder.

 

[sberry]

I use the guards, they are an asset, there is a lot of expertise can be used with a grinder.