Tool School: Cutting, Grinding and Polishing With Universal Angle Grinder
You won’t find a more versatile or reliable tool than an angle grinder. They are loud and dangerous, but indispensable for work that cannot be done in any other way.
Angle grinders work by rotating a small disc or wheel at high speeds (8,000 to 11,000 rpm) to cut, grind, or polish. They are available both wired and cordless or pneumatically powered (pneumatically powered) and can be purchased for as little as $ 29 for the popular Porter-Cable up to $ 345 for the Milwaukee cordless.
Angle grinders are classified by disc / wheel size and amperage. Disc sizes can range from 4 “, 4.5”, 5 “, 6”, 7 “, 9” and 12 “, but for most DIYers, the 4-4.5” range will suffice. At this size, you can handle most common tasks and you have a wide variety of rims and wheels. An angle grinder in the 5-9 amp range will provide more than enough power for your cutting and grinding needs, and if portability is not a major issue, stick with the wire model for the best price.
For a tenant, an angle grinder may not make much sense. But if you have a workshop and do any kind of welding or light construction work around your home, an angle grinder should be part of your arsenal. Here are the most common tasks an angle grinder can perform.
Metal cutting and grinding
In the metal cut-off wheel , aluminum oxide is used as an abrasive for cutting rebar, rusted bolts and iron fences. The smaller discs are less than $ 3 each and can be purchased for as little as $ 10 for $ 8 at Harbor Freight . A metal grinding wheel is required to clean weld seams.
Metal cleaning
Wire wheels and brushes are extremely effective in removing rust and paint from metal. They are available in various shapes for metal stripping or deburring. They are also great for cleaning garden tools from dirt and dried cement.
Cutting tiles, stone and concrete
Equipped with a dry cutting diamond wheel , the angle grinder can easily cut ceramics and masonry. They are best suited for trimming tiles or working in hard-to-reach places, and for tipping into sockets or plumbing fixtures.
Restoration of metal edges
Shovels, hoes and lawn mower blades can be sharpened with an angle grinder with a grinding wheel . You don’t need these tools to be as sharp as a knife blade, you just need the edges to be restored to their original shape.
Grinding solution
The first step in laying bricks is cleaning up the old mortar. The best tool for this job is an angle grinder with a diamond wheel .
Aluminum polishing
A buff or polishing pad will restore the shine of the aluminum. If the aluminum is indeed marked, you can start with a high grit grinding wheel and then move the buffing wheel.
Remember: safety comes first! Always wear safety glasses when using an angle grinder. Sparks, metal, abrasive debris and stone are always emitted from the tool. Hearing protection and face protection are also recommended in some cases. Always wear a respirator when laying.