There are many power tools that are in the market that people use to make their life simpler as professionals. While some of these tools serve a single purpose there are others that serve a variety of purposes. Versatility is what you get these days with power tools that are hand-held and can perform a variety of tasks with relative ease. They are used in different industries and serve different purposes. These tools have also made the task of humans much simpler than what it used to be in the earlier days. One such power tool that we are looking at is the angle grinder but the question is What Does An Angle Grinder Do?
It is a common misconception that an angle grinder is only suitable for grinding. However, there are a variety of other purposes this piece of equipment is capable of handling. Some of the common tasks this equipment can be used for are cutting, polishing, sand, and sharpening different materials as well as surfaces. When the angle grinder is in the right hands it can effectively have many industrial purposes that you may have not even thought about.
What is an angle grinder?
One has to first understand what an angle grinder is before they start looking at what are the variety of tasks it is capable of doing. It is essentially a hand held tool that is powered either by compressed air, petrol, battery or electricity. This power tool has a cutting head that is placed at an angle that is relative to the shaft drive. These tools can both be a wired equipment or a wireless one depending on the manufacturer, design, and model and the purpose it is set to serve.
The most commonly used angle grinders are either of the size 4-inch or 4 ½ inches and can be found in almost any hardware store these days. Hardware stores also ensure that they have all the necessary accessories that you may want for an angle grinder at their disposal. There are also a variety of discs that can be attached to the angle grinder and they are as follows:
- Diamond tuck-point discs
- Wire discs
- Dry-cut diamond discs
- Grinding discs
- Metal cut-off discs
- Wire cup brushes
Like the variety of purposes, the angle grinder serves these discs are used to perform different tasks making them as versatile as any tool that has ever been built. An angle grinder that has anywhere between 5 – 7 amps should be ideal for any task that you wish to perform. This includes cutting through material that are made of stubborn components. For optimal performance you would be best suited to purchase an angle grinder that is best known for its reliability.
We list out some of the most important tasks that the angle grinder is capable of performing. It would also throw light on why you should purchase one, how you can use them for different purposes, and what it is capable of doing.
Metal Working Purposes
An angle grinder can be used on different types of metals for various purposes. They include cutting metal, cleaning metal, sharpening metal, and polishing metal. By using a wire cup or a wire wheel you can clean rust, dirt, cement, as well as fragments from your tools.
For polishing purposes, you can first choose to use a sanding disc to effectively remove scratches. After this you can choose to use a buffing pad or a polishing disc to bring back the perfect sheen on the metallic surface. This is commonly used in the automobile industry on with car garages.
With the use of a metal cutting wheel you can cut through almost any type of metal in no time at all. You may alternatively also choose to use a metal cut-off blade for this purpose. However, for sharpening purposes you would need expertise and is not advised for DIY purposes.
Wire wheels are also the perfect choice for rust removal from almost all metal surfaces. You can also have the oxidized surface cleaned with these wheels. Any metal that has rust accumulated can have it removed with minimal effort and time.
Masonry Purposes
In the field of masonry, the angle grinder can be used to cut ceramic tiles. By using a dry cut diamond wheel, you can achieve even and crisp edges without much effort. Although it replicates a wet tile saw, it requires more precision when you choose to work on this.
If you require to have a stone cut to shape you can choose to use a dry-cut diamond blade. With this you can have a smooth surface on the stone and shape it to precision. You would however require patience for this task as too much pressure on the angle grinder would end up heating the blades.
Mortar removal can be made simpler with the use of an angle grinder powered with a diamond tuck-point wheel. This makes the cleaning process simpler without damaging the bricks. However, one has to be aware of the dust and flying debris.
Carpentry Purposes
Sanding wood can be made very simple with the use of an angle grinder along with abrasive flap discs. These are turbo powered that enables smoothing the surface of the wood within minutes.
Carving wood can also be done with the use of an angle grinder powered by an abrasive carving disc. Swathes of wood cutting can be made simpler and is suitable only for rough shaping wood. However, for fine cuts you would have to use alternative discs on the angle grinder.
Using a carving wheel, you can make planning wood an easier process that you would have ever thought. The wheel has teeth that looks like a chainsaw edge which is very much unlike the disc. However, it still has the purpose fulfilled with no fuss at all. The angle grinder with a skilled carpenter can do wonders when it comes to its use in carpentry.
Things to Remember
One has to always keep in mind that the above-mentioned purposes may not be suitable for all angle grinders in the market. However, most angle grinders in the market are capable of performing these tasks with relative ease. One has to be careful about which model, design, manufacturer that they choose. They would also have to be clear about what purpose they intend to use the angle grinder for. Based on this the process of selecting the angle grinder can be made simpler.
In case you are not aware of what type of angle grinder you should choose it is always better to seek advice. There are loads of blogs and forums that are out there on the internet which can guide you to purchase the ideal angle grinder. Selecting the right motor capacity is equally important so as to ensure that you are able to perform the tasks that you want.
Most experts suggest that purchasing a powerful angle grinder is the best option for professionals. This is because of the versatility that it brings to the table. They can be used for almost any of the above-mentioned purposes without you having to break a sweat. All would be required to do is change the wheels in accordance to the purpose you would want the angle grinder to serve.
Safety Measures
While we have seen the various purposes the angle grinder is capable of serving one also has to be aware of the precaution that has to be taken. If you do not take the necessary precaution while handling this equipment the changes of you losing a leg, arm or a finger is quite high. In order to keep yourself safe it is always advised that you follow the necessary safety protocol before using an angle grinder.
Using industrial gloves, goggles, helmet, boots, and ear plugs is a must for people using an angle grinder. Beware of kickbacks that the angle grinder is capable of producing. Hence maintaining a firm grip on the equipment is always a must. Always remember to go through the instructions or user manual before you start using an angle grinder. This can be vital not just for first time users but also professionals as well as each angle grinder can work a little different from the other at times.
In short, one has to always ensure that they only purchase the equipment that is suitable to serve the purpose intended. After all you would not want your investment to go wasted by any means. Looking at reviews, testimonials, and doing research on the internet can always help you find out the different uses of angle grinders. It can also throw ample light on which model or design that you should choose to purchase.
Suggestions can be obtained from blogs and forums on which manufacturer sells the best angle grinder in the market. Rather than relying on the hype a manufacturer has or the price the angle grinder comes at you can better rely on the information that is available online. This way you can be assured that you are making a wise investment and getting the full worth for your money.
