Home Maintenance Tips

How to

Materials on which they can be used include masonry, metals and tiles. They can even be used to sharpen garden tools.

The thing is of course, that while angle grinders are very useful, they can also be very dangerous if not handled carefully. So you need to know what is available, the uses, and how to use them properly.

First of all, choose a grinder that is best suited to your project. Cutting large paving slabs, for instance, will be best accomplished with a large grinder – a 2000W grinder driving a 230mm diameter since paving slabs are not only hard, but also thick – as thick as 35-40mm or so.

For smaller jobs, you can consider a grinder driving a 115mm or 125mm disc.

Discs…
Choose the proper discs… not only for the application, but also for the material on which you are working:

  • Cutting discs are used for cutting tile, masonry, steel or pipe
  • Sanding discs and polishing pads are used for finishing work and for removing rust or paint.
  • Grinding discs are also available for grinding metal and stone.
  • You must always use the right disc for the application. For example, do not use a cutting disc for grinding – or a grinding disc for cutting, or a disc made for cutting steel, on masonry or tiles.

Read the instructions…
Yes, we know many of us do not – but we must… read and ensure you understand all the instructions and guidelines, before using your grinder.

Keep it secure…
You must ensure that your workpiece is clamped in a vice or to a stable surface.

Keep your guard up…
Always ensure that the guard is secured properly in position and make sure that the guard is properly secured.

Use both hands…
Grinders are sold with a detachable handle that bolts into the body, so that one hand is near the trigger, and the other grips the extra handle. On some models, the handle can be attached in any one of as many as three positions. ALWAYS USE BOTH HANDS!

Using the grinder…safety first…
Before using the grinder, safety first…

  • Always unplug your grinder when you change the disc or adjusting the guard.
  • Grinding can cause sparks, so be sure to work a safe distance from flammable materials such as paints.
  • Use your grinder’s guard whenever possible to avoid injury.
  • Wear heavy-duty work gloves and impact-resistant safety glasses or a face shield and protect your ears with earplugs or earmuffs.
  • You should also wear a sealed respirator facemask to avoid inhaling dust fragments or metal shavings – you will be amazed at the amount of dust and fragments you generate when cutting a brick or slab for example.
  • We know you need to be surgically detached from your mobile phone, but do yourself a favour… put it to once side – you need to avoid all distractions – so also keep children well away from the work area or right out of it.
  • Wear closed shoes and slacks and avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing that could be caught in the grinder… when cutting metal the sparks fly and in addition, if cutting a piece of metal and the cut end detaches and fall on your foot, you will know all about it… hot and heavy!

Using your grinder…
Move the grinder across your work in the direction of the handle and keep it in the same vertical or horizontal plane, to avoid the disc jamming and the grinder kicking back. You could be injured and your work could be marred.

Tips…

  • If you are grinding metal, use light pressure. This will help prevent the metal overheating. To aid the process in keeping it cool, keep a bucket of water and a rag handy to drench the metal and keep it cool.
  • Position your work so that any debris is deflected down toward the floor, and not into your face.
  • Always ensure that the disc locknut has been tightened properly and the handle bolted in tightly. Then run your grinder for a minute or two before using it to be sure that the wheel and handle are attached properly and that there are no defects.