Angle grinders are one of the most common power tools, widely used for both professional and non-professional purposes. Despite being called grinders, they actually do a lot more than just grinding, thus being impressively versatile.
So, what are angle grinders used for, really? Grinding is one of the uses, but they are also perfect for cutting, sharpening, polishing, sanding, deburring, finishing, etc. As you can see, this thing has extensive uses in a large variety of professional and DIY tasks.
We’re going to give you more details about the uses of angle grinders to show you how amazing they are!
What Is an Angle Grinder?
First, let’s get properly introduce you to angle grinders. Put simply, an angle grinder is a power tool fitted with a rotating disc for grinding and polishing. It’s also small enough to be handheld. It gets its name from its unique design featuring an angled cutting head.
This tool runs on one of three power sources – electricity (wired or battery-run), compressed air, or petrol. You will find angle grinders in all sizes and shapes. However, the most common sizes are 4-inch and 4.5-inch.
You can attach different types of discs to get the job done, making angle grinders as versatile as they are. Each disc is designed for completing specific tasks. For example, a cutting disk comes with the ability to cut through tough materials like metal or concrete smoothly.
So, you must choose the right disk for your project. You can switch between the discs to make this power tool suitable for a wide range of projects.
How Does an Angle Grinder Work?
An angle grinder comes with a threaded spindle placed on its body and positioned at a 90-degree angle. The spindle features a special nut that can lock the attachments securely.
When you power the machine on with an attachment locked, the spindle starts rotating incredibly fast with the attached tool, going up to 12,000 RPM. This quick rotational movement allows it to grind, polish, or cut with remarkable efficiency.
So, when buying the discs, you have to buy the ones compatible with the grinder’s size. They should also be able to handle the maximum RPM of the device. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use the disc at all.
The Many Uses of Angle Grinders
Let’s go through the uses of angle grinders so that you understand the things you can do with them. Here are the major applications of these machines-
Grinding
Grinding is obviously the primary use of an angle grinder. But it also allows you to clean various types of material with ease. You can even remove any excess material with it. It eliminates the inconvenience of manual grinding and makes everything a breeze.
Sharpening
An angle grinder is excellent for restoring the sharpness of your rough-and-tumble tools, like ice-scrapers, hoes, and shovels. It can even be used for giving your axes and hatchets a bit of sharpening.
You must remember not to overheat the metal blade during the sharpening process, which can happen more quickly than you think.
Cutting Masonry
Attach a diamond cutting wheel to your angle grinder, and it will instantly become an excellent tool for cutting masonry. No brick or concrete will be able to stand its ground against this unit.
Furthermore, with the proper attachment, it can smoothly cut through ceramic tiles and create even edges.
Removing Mortar
If your construction project requires you to remove mortar, an angle grinder will come in handy. That’s because you can swiftly get rid of the mortar without harming the bricks. A diamond tuck-pointing wheel will be perfect for this job. It’s far easier than using chisels and hammers to remove mortar.
Cutting Metal
Cutting tough metal is undoubtedly a difficult task, but that’s not how you’d feel when you pick up an angle grinder to do it. Once fitted with a high-quality cutting wheel, this device will allow you to cut through metallic objects like rods, bolts, and bars with remarkable smoothness.
If you plan to cut thin sheets of metal, you should instead pick abrasive cutting wheels because the standard cutting wheels will do more harm than good.
Metal Polishing
If you’ve got metals that need polishing, you won’t have to look further than an angle grinder because it does an excellent polishing job. All you have to do is attach a buffing wheel to make it ready for polishing metals like aluminum and steel. Try being gentle and careful to get the best results.
Removing Rust & Paint
This versatile piece of equipment is also handy for removing rust from metallic objects and clearing old paint jobs. A wire wheel or a cup brush is all you need to get rid of all those annoying rusts that stick out like a sore thumb from your metal items. They will be shiny again!
How to Use an Angle Grinder
Using an angle grinder is surprisingly easy, as it allows you to complete your tasks without putting in much effort. Since it’s a highly versatile machine, the process may differ depending on the application. For instance, you won’t do sharpening the same way you’d do cutting, right?
Let’s give you a general idea of how to use an angle grinder.
Choose the Right Attachments
When working with an angle grinder, the first thing you should do is attach the correct disk for the job. As we’ve mentioned before, this device works with various disks for versatility.
If you want to cut metal, you will need a cutting disk. For removing mortar, the cutting disk won’t do you any good. You’d require a diamond tuck-pointing disk instead.
Check out the Manufacturer’s Manual
The manufacturers know best about their products, so you’d do well to give the manual a read. It will reveal essential steps to follow and the necessary precautions to take. Some may even include special notes and instructions that will come in handy later.
Clamp Your Project Items Securely
This is a crucial step to remember because you don’t want your work objects to move around during grinding or cutting. Whatever you’re working on must stay still so that you can finish your project flawlessly. So, please place your items on a flat surface, preferably a sturdy table, and clamp them firmly before starting.
Hold the Angle Grinder Firmly
Remember to press and hold the machine against the body of the item you’re planning to grind or cut using a firm grip. This is to prevent any injury originating from the grinder accidentally slipping. Go ahead and power it on when you feel ready.
Turn It Off After You’re Done
When you’re done with your project, switch off the angle grinder and gently take it off the work surface. Then, store it inside your toolbox or someplace safe.
Different Works Done with Angle Grinder
We know the uses of angle grinders now. Let’s dive deeper into the kind of work done with them. Being as popular as they are, you must already be familiar with most applications.
Metalworking
Metalworking requires heavy-duty and precise cutting of various metallic objects. That is no easy job unless you’re fitted with the right equipment. Angle grinders make the lives of metalworkers easier by allowing them to cut through most metals fluidly. They also streamline polishing, sharpening, and rust removal.
Carpentry
Angle grinders can also be best friends with woodworkers or carpenters because they allow them to carve and shape wood flawlessly. Furthermore, they are suitable for planning and sanding wood. So, carpenters can feel free to rely on this power tool to produce outstanding results.
Masonry
With the right attachments, an angle grinder will be able to take on a wide array of construction works. From cutting stones and bricks to ceramic tiles—you can count on it for almost anything! Moreover, it allows quick and efficient removal of mortar.
Auto Body Work
Removing the old paint job from your vehicle’s body has never been easier! An angle grinder can also remove layers of rust and make the body cleaner. If you need to cut some parts away, this machine will be suitable for that too!
Conclusion
Angle grinders are truly incredible, as they can be used for many different applications. Their versatility is quite baffling and often overlooked. If you use them once, you’ll wonder how you’ve managed without one for so long!
Our detailed information should be enough to answer the question – what are angle grinders used for? Now you know almost everything you can do with them. Having one of these power tools will complete your toolbox and expand your ability significantly!
