angle grinder and face- off disc

[FairweatherDave]

By post I have just received my "face-off" disc for my angle grinder in order to remove all the residue on the grp in the forecabin where I am re-doing the headlining. Unfortunately it does not fit the angle grinder unless I remove the safety guard, as the face off disc must be 10mm thick. It goes completely against the grain to remove safety guards but it seems from a search to be common practice. I would put the guard back as soon as possible. My question is does the face off disc at slowest speed setting pose much risk if used with safety goggles gloves ear defenders and common sense? I can see high speeds and cutting discs are a different hazard altogether. (Can you tell I am an angle grinder virgin?)

 

[SteveTibbetts]

By post I have just received my "face-off" disc for my angle grinder in order to remove all the residue on the grp in the forecabin where I am re-doing the headlining. Unfortunately it does not fit the angle grinder unless I remove the safety guard, as the face off disc must be 10mm thick. It goes completely against the grain to remove safety guards but it seems from a search to be common practice. I would put the guard back as soon as possible. My question is does the face off disc at slowest speed setting pose much risk if used with safety goggles gloves ear defenders and common sense? I can see high speeds and cutting discs are a different hazard altogether. (Can you tell I am an angle grinder virgin?)

I use angle grinders lot for DIY (115mm version only, nearly died when a 12" version blade broke through mis-use). I'd have no qualms removing the guard as one of the sanding discs I used recently specified that this should be done but always use goggles, wear overalls so you have tough sleeves and gauntlet type tough gloves.
After the accident I said I'd never use one again but the damn things are so bloody useful!

Steve

 

[FairweatherDave]

Cheers Steve. Mine is the 115mm version too. I have read enough scary stories to be wary of discs shattering etc. Just a bit suprised the guard prevents the thick face off disc going onto the spindle. Looking forward to getting on with the headlining job, sounds really mucky!

 

[rob2]

I'm not familiar with the face-off disc, but from your comments I assume it is brittle, like an ordinary disc? As you will be using the face rather than the edge of the disc it should be OK to remove the guard, but it is good that you have concerns about it. Possibly the greatest risk is that the disc does not stop for some time after releasing the switch, so be sure you check it has stopped before allowing it to touch anything (changing your grip or putting it down...). No prizes for guessing why I should emphasize that - luckily I was wearing wellies at the time. Be very careful that you are in a stable position, don't overstretch and don't apply undue pressure. Anyone using an angle grinder will have incidents, but with care they won't become accidents.

Rob.

Just had a look at the adverts for the discs and they are plastic. Not sure whether they are used with or without a backing disc, but certainly less risk than shattering a grinding disc at many thousand revs!

 

[savageseadog]

I've had a disc burst on me on a 9" grinder, a meaner machine I grant you, I had a guard on and could have died if I hadn't. As it was, some of the pieces hit me on the inside of the thigh with enormous impact and was lucky to survive that. I've also had a tiny speck of grinding debris in the eye. The pain and discomfort before, in and after hospital has to be experienced to be believed.

 

[rob2]

Never had a disc burst, but a 9 inch grinder is quite a beast. The starting torque takes everone by surprise the first time! I used one to cut scaffolding poles to make my cradle and my prefered position was evenly balanced on both feet and cutting between my legs, like a croquet mallet. Still had it jump and put a smear across my wellies, though.

Rob.

 

[Plevier]

By post I have just received my "face-off" disc for my angle grinder in order to remove all the residue on the grp in the forecabin where I am re-doing the headlining. Unfortunately it does not fit the angle grinder unless I remove the safety guard, as the face off disc must be 10mm thick. It goes completely against the grain to remove safety guards but it seems from a search to be common practice. I would put the guard back as soon as possible. My question is does the face off disc at slowest speed setting pose much risk if used with safety goggles gloves ear defenders and common sense? I can see high speeds and cutting discs are a different hazard altogether. (Can you tell I am an angle grinder virgin?)

Not sure what you mean by a face off disc. If it's 10mm thick is it possibly Scotchbrite type of stuff? If so are you sure it's meant for angle grinder speeds? Will not be nice if it bursts and bounces around. Or it and the stuff you're trying to get off may melt.
You say "slowest speed setting" - I've never seen an angle grinder with a slow speed setting (not that I'm expert on them) they usually seem to be 10k rpm or so. You don't mean a polishing machine do you?

 

[sarabande]

there might be need for caution here.

Some face-off discs contain warnings about max speed (e.g. 6000rpm) and contain carbide grit.

A quick check might save some painful experiences.

 

[ianfr]

I used one recently, and left the guard on, the disk could still just move and within a few seconds had lost various bits to enable the disk to rotate freely.

Use any power tool without the safety guards at your own peril!

Regards

Ian

 

[FairweatherDave]

The face off disc (Right Lines Strip Clean) has a max speed of 10500 rpm, my angle grinder has a rated speed between 3000 and 12000 rpm. The disc does look like scotch brite type stuff on a backing plate (total thickness 16mm which is why the guard cannot take it.) Supplied by Hawke House specifically for the job so I believe I am in good hands. I will be more than wary though (thanks for all the concerns).

 

[Plevier]

The face off disc (Right Lines Strip Clean) has a max speed of 10500 rpm, my angle grinder has a rated speed between 3000 and 12000 rpm. The disc does look like scotch brite type stuff on a backing plate (total thickness 16mm which is why the guard cannot take it.) Supplied by Hawke House specifically for the job so I believe I am in good hands. I will be more than wary though (thanks for all the concerns).

Like this? http://orders.rightlines.ltd.uk/Strip-Clean-Angle-Grinder-Stripping-Discs.aspx
Fair enough, good luck with a horrible job, I would start slow!

 

[capetown]

By post I have just received my "face-off" disc for my angle grinder in order to remove all the residue on the grp in the forecabin where I am re-doing the headlining. Unfortunately it does not fit the angle grinder unless I remove the safety guard, as the face off disc must be 10mm thick. It goes completely against the grain to remove safety guards but it seems from a search to be common practice. I would put the guard back as soon as possible. My question is does the face off disc at slowest speed setting pose much risk if used with safety goggles gloves ear defenders and common sense? I can see high speeds and cutting discs are a different hazard altogether. (Can you tell I am an angle grinder virgin?)

Yes I often use my small angle grinder without it'guard, it just gets in the way sometimes.

I've used one of these discs to clean up before fitting new headlining, but in a mains drill so that the speed can be controlled, I found a slow speed worked for me.

It's a messy job and didn't want the bits flying and embedding everywhere.

I think a conversion mandrel is available, so it will fit a drill.

Hope this helps?

 

[ostell]

Did that scrape off the glue bit a couple of years ago. Not nice. Suggest full overalls, with extra fastenings to keep the collar up and tape round the cuffs. Gloves, goggles, respirator (not those paper things) and a hat. As little skin exposed as possible!

Take a tepid shower afterwards NOT hot. Hot opens the pores in the skin and little bits of glass get in and the itch continues. Tepid and the pores are closed and the glass washes off and the itch stops.

It goes against the grain to take the guard off but you need to. A light touch gives a better finish. And you'll get through twice as many disks as you first thought you'd need.

Good Luck!

 

[Lakesailor]

I've not come across this shattering disc problem with a 4" grinder. The edge speed isn't that great and the cutting discs normally just fall apart into soft mush. I've been using the 1mm discs recently (much better performance) and they just evaporate if they break.
I used 35 discs recently to cut a lot of steel on a trailer. Probably about 6 or 7 broke. You need to use a light touch with them
Apparently they are made with a vegetable bonding agent which becomes softer in damp conditions. That's why the 1mm discs come in an airtight tin.

I agree about 9" grinders. Wicked things.

 

[quimby]

I found the wire brush fitting for the grinder better and certainly a lot easier to use.

 

[ostell]

I found the wire brush fitting for the grinder better and certainly a lot easier to use.

I found that I was blunting wire brushes within a couple of minutes on the glass.

 

[Zen Zero]

The guard doesn't do much anyway when grinding from the side, so you can do without it quite happily. Protect yourself from sparks. I once managed to set my shirt on fire with the sparks off an angle grinder.

 

[Niander]

(Can you tell I am an angle grinder virgin?)

Yes!
I use without guard sometimes
would be advisable to have thick gloves on
and of course always safety glasses i also like earplugs or similar..as they are so noisy
respect ALL discs even 1mm ones they are spinning incredibly fast and when you see how easily they slice through steel....!
but do not force the cutting or grinding be nice and gentle not too much pressure.

 

[Lakesailor]

I wear leather gloves, ear defenders, visor.

 

[BERT T]

+1 for the full face visor especially if you are working at cabin roof. I would also suggest a disposable boilersuit complete with hood (similar to what the forensic people use).