Table of Contents
Introduction
Angle grinders are a versatile tool for any workshop, auto repair shop, service garage or hobbyist. An angle grinder is a handheld power tool that has a rotating disc that is used mostly for polishing and grinding. They are powered by either electricity, petrol or compressed air, and it can also be corded or cordless. Angle grinders come in varying sizes and shapes, but the most common ones are the 4 and 4.5-inch grinders. That is why it is easy to find discs of those sizes in any hardware store. There are also different cutting attachments available for different purposes.
An angle grinder can be used for a variety of different projects such as cutting and grinding iron, steel sheeting, metal roof cladding, brick, stone, steel, concrete, slates and more. They are also used to sand wood, sharpen garden tools, remove paint, remove rust from steel, core tiles and polish metals.
Angle grinders use different attachments such as wheels or disc, and they are designed for different jobs. The disc attachments are what makes an angle grinder so versatile. Using a wire cup brush attachment will allow you remove dried cement, paint or rust from other tools; make sure that the tool is secure with clamps or vice grips and to prevent kickback, ensure the brush is spinning away from the edge. If you use a metal cutoff wheel attachment, you will be able to easily cut rebar, rusted bolts and welded wire fence. It is much faster and easier to use than a hacksaw.
Uses Of Angle Grinders
Angle grinders have a lot of uses, but here are a few of the major applications it is used for:
Grinding and Sharpening
This is the most common use for an angle grinder. Attach a grinding wheel, and you will be able to grind and clean up the welded joints, get rid of excess materials, deburr and chamfer. You will be able to sharpen any surface and restore any edge with ease. If you have any rough and tumble tools that have become blunt, you could use the angle grinder to get them back in shape.
Keep in mind that you can easily overheat a metal blade with an angle grinder. Is this happens, the cutting edge will o longer be hard and become bluish-black or straw-coloured, and also wear off quickly. To avoid this, ensure you only apply light pressure and keep moving the grinder throughout the whole process and also soak the metal consistently with a wet cloth or sponge.
Cutting Metal
Using the right attachment, such as a cutting wheel, you can turn your angle grinder to a metal cutting machine. Using a thin abrasive cutting wheel, you can cut through sheet metal and rebars. Construction workers most times use metal cutting chop saws and angle grinders to cut through rebars that are used to reinforce concrete.
This is a heavy duty task, and if you want to use your angle grinder to cut steel and other similar materials, then you have to spend a bit extra to get a powerful model.
Cutting Tile, Stone or Concrete
Cutting through concrete, tiles, and stones are an important part of renovation and construction jobs. But it can get frustrating if you don’t have a tile saw. Thankfully, you can cut through these materials using an angle grinder by just attaching a dry-cut diamond disc. It is incredibly thin and will give you accurate and sharp cuts
Know that a professional tile saw is best for cutting in a straight line, and this is why they are preferred for construction work, but an angle grinder is best used in replacing old tiles.
Removing Old Motar From Bricks
When it comes to speed and ease, the angle grinder is on top. Using a diamond tuckpointing wheels attachment with a thickness that is close to the width of the mortar, you will be able to get rid of old mortar quickly without causing harm to the brick. This task can get very dusty, so remember to wear your dust mask and safety goggles because of flying debris. This is better than using a chisel and hammer.
Conclusion
The uses listed above are just a few of the many ways to use an angle grinder for your jobs. To fully know the extent at which you can use your angle grinder, go through your local hardware store and check out all the available attachments.