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We know an angle grinder is a versatile tool but do we know what all the tasks we can do with this powerful tool are?
You may know it can be used to cut metal, but it is also effective at cutting metal. Not only that, it is good at cutting other stubborn materials like rebar, paver, concrete, brick, tile, wood, etc.
Besides cutting, it is an ideal hand tool for metal polishing. What’s more? You can use it for grinding metal, car paint removal, fabrication jobs, sharpening mower blades, etc., and much more. Great, isn’t it?
In short, if anyone knows how to use it, this tool will be a decisive cutting, polishing, and grinding tool.
I have used this angle grinder for a lot of work and will share my experience with you by covering its 10 most effective uses.
Let’s See What the Best Uses of Angle Grinder Are
The grinder is a handheld power tool equipped with a fast rotating disc. It has various sizes and settings with various uses. All grinders can perform the same jobs related to fabricating and metalworking.
This multifunctional tool can handle a multitude of the task as long as you attach the correct wheel. Let’s see angle grinder uses:
1. Grinding and Polishing Metal Surface
First of all, let’s start with what almost every DIYer knows. Angle grinders are mainly used to grind a range of materials. Hence, many angle grinders come with grinding disc attachments, such as carbide, aluminum, and diamond discs.
The grinding disc will help smooth, flatten and remove access materials from the metal surface. It does other fabricating jobs, including deburring, polishing, chamfering, etc. Some wheels are dedicated to polishing/ smoothing made of soft materials. It uses to remove a metal layer to acquire a clean finish. The disc can recover the metal finish when used at a lower speed. If the speed isn’t right, the polishing wheel can remove excess material from the surface. You can see this type of grinder disc in removing the car’s paint.
Things to Note:
The metal grinding disc can heat up quite fast because of friction. That’s why I keep several discs on hand and use them repeatedly throughout the task. You also can do it to be safe sider.
Moreover, using a grinder for polishing requires a bit of extra effort. Angle grinders don’t put extra pressure while scrubbing. So, you need to put on a bit of light pressure to get the best result.
2. Cutting Metal
An angle grinder can cut through metal. It uses a tapered cutting blade to slice through metals with ease. On that note, the handheld tool is widely used on construction sites.
Professionals use it to cut through rebar or cut into sheet metal. Also, the plumbers use it to cut galvanized iron or lead pipes. Then, welders use grinders to cut metal pieces.
Fast-moving cut-off blades are used to cut through small and medium gauge metals. These blades come in several thicknesses and are thinner than grinding discs. The thinner disc spins pretty fast to cut through metal.
Also Read: How to Use an Angle Grinder to Cutting Metal
Things to Note:
Cutting blades prone to bend and break naturally. So, make sure to cut through metals at a moderate speed. Moreover, cut-off wheels tend to spread a bit of debris and sparks. Always follow and wear safety gear.
3. Cutting Tile, Stone, Pavers, Concrete & Other Masonry Materials
In addition to cutting metals, angle grinders are used to cut brick, tile, stone, concrete, pavers, and other masonry materials. Professional masons use an angle grinder to accomplish all masonry cutting tasks.
See How to Use Angle Grinder to Cut Paver
Instead of a cut-off wheel, you need a masonry cutting wheel or diamond cutting disc for this. You can cut tiles at a custom angle for bathroom repairs, make a garden pathway, and replace broken pieces.
Since the masonry cutting disc is specially designed for cutting masonry materials, they aren’t as fragile as the cut-off wheel. It can withstand a large amount of pressure. It doesn’t mean you can forcefully drive it into tile or stone.
Things to Note:
Old/ several used masonry cutting discs are more prone to break. Make sure to replace the disc regularly. In addition, masonry cutting tasks can be “dry.” It can create a lot of debris. So make sure to cover your eye and mouth adequately. Also, use a dust shroud to avoid dust and dirt.
4. Cutting Bars, Rods, And Bolts
An angle grinder with an abrasive metal-cutting disc can efficiently cut through bars, rods, and bolts. The abrasive disc wears down fast as you use the disc.
Thus, it cuts slowly, and the diameter is reduced. A diamond cutting disc rated with cutting ferrous metal is more suitable for this job. It will cut faster, last longer, and wear down much slower.
Things to Note:
Small metal chips fly over when you use angle grinders for cutting rods, bars, and bolts. Besides, they can be flaming and abrasive. So, wear proper PPE to avoid eye injury, burns, wounds, and other risks.
5. Sharpening Tools
Another reason many DIYers use an angle grinder is its sharpening ability. An angle grinder can sharpen several tools, including axes, lawn mower blades, or chisels. It is commonly used to sharpen wood carving tools.
So, attach an abrasive disc with the grinder and secure the blade in a vice.
Then, you can control the grinder and move it steadily. Align the grinding disc with the angle of the blade. So, the sharpened blade has been cut from the same angle. Changing the angle can minimize the efficiency of the blade or maybe ruin it.
Things to Note:
An angle grinder can quickly sharpen any tool. But, depending only on angle grinders isn’t enough. You need to use a sharp stone to sharpen it.
6. Paint Removal & Rust Removal
Angle grinders are efficient at removing metal paint. You can convert a grinder into a paint-removing machine with a wire wheel. It is mainly used in auto-body shops for removing paint.
Professional mechanics use it to remove even the toughest paints. It can even remove paint from a car in just a few passes. Moreover, a grinder can also remove rust from corroded metal with the same wire wheel.
Things to Note:
An angle grinder can remove rust from the metal that has a reasonably thin rust layer. If rust enters the metal’s internal structure, it will not be as effective as it should be.
7. Removing Old Mortar
This usage is unknown to many angle grinder owners. An angle grinder can remove old mortar very efficiently. I personally use it and find it compelling. It doesn’t damage the bricks too.
You’ll need a tuck-pointing wheel for this job. A thick diamond-tipped wheel can handle this job. Besides, this wheel can crush the old mortar without chipping the surrounding bricks.
Things to Note:
Removing old mortar with an angle grinder will create too much debris. Mortar dust can be harmful if inhaled. Make sure to protect your mouth and eye adequately.
8. Cleaning Metal
In addition to removing paint and rust, angle grinders can remove lacquer and other non-fused coatings from the metal. Plastic stripping blades are used to clean metal without damaging its underlying surface.
These discs are made of silicon carbide and nylon-webbed material. It provides enough abrasion to remove the coatings from metals. Moreover, with a wire brush, you can clean tools and shovels.
Things to Note:
When the disc comes in contact with a metal surface rapidly, it can sometimes throw metal pieces. So, always wear proper protection for the eye, mouth, and ear.
9. Wood Carving
With an abrasive carving disc, an angle grinder can carve large wooden items. This disc has sharp and small teeth at the end of the wheel. It can efficiently shape ad carve wood into wooden furniture.
Things to Note:
An angle grinder is suitable for making small cut-offs in the wood. It can generate dangerous kickback because of the rapid spinning grinder speed. So, you must be careful when using an angle grinder to carve wood.
10. Wood Planing & Sanding
The last thing I want to share is wood planning and sanding with a grinder. The process needs carving discs for processing wooden surfaces.
This disc is mainly a metal disc equipped with one or more cutting edges. It has teeth as found in the chainsaw. With an adequate amount of pressure, it can efficiently plane wood.
Moreover, many woodworkers use this tool for wood sanding. An abrasive flap disc is used to sand down a rough woodcut.
Things to Note:
Planning or sanding wood requires expertise. A little skill and carelessness can result in tearing up the wooden surface.
Final Word
Isn’t it good that you can do many tasks successfully with just one angle grinder? This multi-purpose tool eliminates the need for many power tools in the toolbox. More interestingly, whatever the reason of using the handheld power tool, it can do it all like a pro.
Owning an angle grinder will make you confident to try new projects at times. You just have to choose the right disc or wheel to use for the specific project.
Final word: Be mindful of the potential injuries related to using angle grinders. Good luck!
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