Angle grinder questions

DownWest said:
Long time ago, a mate worked with a sculptor. Used to cut ally castings up with an angle grinder. Lump of wax handy and dipped the disc into it before cutting. Stopped it clogging.
Never tried it myself, but he said it was easy.
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Sounds good, similar to the way one fills a file with chalk before using on ali - it stops the cut being so deep and the blade filling with the soft ali shavings.

Rob.
 
I spent years getting hit in the face with bits of metal (and wire when using twisted wire brushes), whilst wearing safety goggle. The I saw one of these in the local agricultural merchants It was about £7 +VAT.
It is really good.


Clear-Visor.jpg
 
agree with all the safety tips - I've also burnt a hole in flameproof overalls with grinding sparks.

However, I'm not sure anyone has mentioned ear protection - I gave myself permanent (well 4 years and counting) tinnitus after using a grinder without defenders. One of my biggest regrets. They're very loud if you're cutting or grinding metal! Get some decent ear defenders!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Peltor-Optime-Premium-Headband-Muffs/dp/B000NNEM76
 
Yes that is a very good point.
I used tools and mowers and model aeroplane engines without protection for many years.
Now I have tinnitus - no proof it's related but why chance it.
You don't want it.
Use ear defenders.
 
Talulah said:
Screwfix
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Troubadour said:
Do you know the Nut and Bolt Store (aka Namricks) on Portland Road in Hove?
They keep a range of grinding and cutting disks (at good prices, not silly B&Q level) including special thin ones for stainless. Might be worth calling to see if they do anything for ali. (They also keep a pretty useful range of stainless nuts and bolts.)
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Thanks to you both for the pointers. I did already know Namrick, very useful place (just don't get a parking fine buying a pair of M6 bolts like I did :mad:)

Troubadour said:
If a grinding or cutting disk is eccentric I would bin it immediately.
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Sounds like a plan. :)

Boo2
 
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catlotion said:
agree with all the safety tips - I've also burnt a hole in flameproof overalls with grinding sparks.

However, I'm not sure anyone has mentioned ear protection - I gave myself permanent (well 4 years and counting) tinnitus after using a grinder without defenders. One of my biggest regrets. They're very loud if you're cutting or grinding metal! Get some decent ear defenders!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Peltor-Optime-Premium-Headband-Muffs/dp/B000NNEM76
Click to expand...
Yep. The constant hum that for years I have thought the fault of the electric supply at every house we've lived at is probably due to years of engines and mechanical stuff without ear protection.
I had a test done, using an acoustic chamber, by a consultant once and she warned me about noise. She said that, like her, I had sensitive hearing and should protect my ears. I wish I had paid more attention.
It's just a background noise and I do use ear defenders now. (I have them marked with my name so I know I've got good ones and no-one else will swap them )

The consultant told me she wore ear defenders to mow the lawn which I thought a bit OTT, but perhaps she had a point.
 
Damn, that explains it ... have not used ear defenders but have been using the grinder a fair bit recently and had wondered why Ive developed a constant whistling in my ears. I hope it isnt permanent but its been quite a few weeks now.
 
ianabc said:
terrible photos of cutting injuries all caused by grinders.
[...]
Many caused by lack of attention to details, such as un plugging when changing cutter blades.
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I have the disk-undoing spanner fixed to the cable right up near the plug. That way I have to unplug before I can use it, and am not tempted to take short cuts.

Also avoids losing it :)

Pete
 
Lakesailor said:
Yep. The constant hum that for years I have thought the fault of the electric supply at every house we've lived at is probably due to years of engines and mechanical stuff without ear protection.
I had a test done, using an acoustic chamber, by a consultant once and she warned me about noise. She said that, like her, I had sensitive hearing and should protect my ears. I wish I had paid more attention.
It's just a background noise and I do use ear defenders now. (I have them marked with my name so I know I've got good ones and no-one else will swap them )

The consultant told me she wore ear defenders to mow the lawn which I thought a bit OTT, but perhaps she had a point.
Click to expand...

Its not just me then, my head humming came on about ten years ago, and at first i used to get up in the middle of the night and look for the cause of the noise.It took me a long time and a night under canvas for the penny to drop that the noise was inside my head.:eek:
 
Lots of great safety tips here, but I do wonder about folk getting soft.

The correct (manly) way to use an angle grinder is with the guard off, a lit fag in your gob, and to squint a bit to protect yours eyes from flying shards of steel. I'm not so manly to wear goggles, but put up with the occasional shard in the cheek. Makes the job feel more worthwhile.

As I'm sure has already been pointed out, use a different disc for each material. If you cut stainless with a blade that's been used on mild, it'll rust.

and finally, remember: grinding is fun.
 
prv said:
I have the disk-undoing spanner fixed to the cable right up near the plug. That way I have to unplug before I can use it, and am not tempted to take short cuts.

Also avoids losing it :)

Pete
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Like that Idea :) Off to drill a hole in mine and fix it to the cable. thanks
 
I have the disk-undoing spanner fixed to the cable right up near the plug. That way I have to unplug before I can use it, and am not tempted to take short cuts.

Also avoids losing it
Click to expand...

Also worth doing the same thing with drill chuck keys, for the same reasons.
 
prv said:
I'm curious. Is it a metal boat? Otherwise I can't really think of much use for a grinder on board. I don't think I've used mine for anything related to the boat.

Pete
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It is also my favourite tool. Cuts through stainless like butter, and you never know when you need to make a bracket or something. Also, with one of those blue flapper pads for deburring stuff, it's great for taking paint off an area of GRP to prep it for epoxy.

I suppose it'd get your rig disconnected pretty quickly (if the seawater didn't get to it first).

Toenail clipper?
 
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