Unique Ryobi Angle Grinder

[dnschmidt]

As many know I'm Metabo all the way with respect to angle grinders but for use with a cut off wheel I've never been comfortable using one without the guard and in many cases that's a real problem as the guard gets in the way. So, I went in search of what I though would be a perfect angle grinder for use with cut off wheels. The two things needed for safety in my opinion was a rat tail design to let me grip the grinder from a considerable distance from the bare blade and a hole in the top of the grinder where I could place the handle thereby moving my hand several inches away from the spinning wheel. Nobody in the big five grinder manufacturers had such a model. Metabo, Bosch, Dewalt, Makita and Milwaukee. All force you to place your hands too damn close to a spinning cut off wheel.

It turns out that Ryobi makes the perfect cut off wheel grinder. It's model AG454 and cost $40. Best feature of all is the rotating handle that enables you to use the grinder vertically, as you do with a cut off wheel, without having your rear hand vertical. This thing is the absolute nuts. You put your handle of the top of the gear case and rotate the rear handle so that you're in normal grinding position with the blade vertical. WORKS PERFECTLY. I use 6" cut off wheels because they give you more bang for the buck and with this setup it's about as safe as it could be without the guard. I'm amazed.

 

[chickenfarmer]

I had the old (blue) version of that grinder and it was my favorite to, the rotating handle is awesome

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[rlitman]

Wait, what?!?

You're afraid of cutting wheels (that's quite reasonable), so you want a grinder that can place your hands a few inches further away, because you feel that is safer (it is not)? When (not if) you get a wheel that explodes, it won't have slowed down all that much over those few inches on the way to one of your arteries.

And then, you put a 6" wheel on a 4-1/2" grinder. You do realize that 6" grinders turn slower than 4-1/2" grinders, and 6" wheels are often not rated to run at 4-1/2" grinder speeds (some are, but you need to be careful of this).

And you complain that the guard gets in the way, BUT a 6" wheel (which is bigger than the guard was in the first place) fits?

But what bothers me the most here, is that the guards that come with angle grinders aren't even rated to be used with cutoff wheels. Look at the manual. Cutoff wheels actually require a guard that provides more coverage than the normal grinding guard (though I don't generally use such a guard myself, and opt for the included guard).

 

[mbshop]

I would think that shrapnel would not travel in one direction thus you are still putting yourself in danger of some serious injury.

 

[dnschmidt]

I understand the safety concerns but I only use Walter and Pferd cut off wheels and they are rated for that speed (10,000 rpm) and I've never had one come apart or even come close to coming apart over many years of use. I only eschew the guard when I absolutely have no choice which isn't common. I have many 6" Metabo grinders with cut off wheels that are guarded and use these whenever possible. I understand the risks and accept them.

 

[audioworks04]

I agree, I won’t use a grinder with a disk of any kind without a guard. The guard is only “in the way” because you are used to not having one. Once you get used to having one you don’t even notice it is there and better yet you’ll feel safer so you will take your time and get a better product. In the commercial construction world not only are handles and guards required but most companies also require a face shield along with safety glasses and of course gloves. Yes, the quality of the blade helps but that goes not guarantee that it will not fail, especially if side loaded.


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