What Can You Do with an Angle Grinder?

What is an angle grinder? And what can you do with it?

An angle grinder is gaining popularity because of its ability to do a wide range of jobs. All you need to do is, pick the right attachment or disc as per the project requirement.

Let’s look at the more detailed discussion of angle grinders.

What is an Angle Grinder?

An angle grinder is a power tool consisting of a rotating disc and is efficient in doing grinding and polishing jobs. They have a cutting head located at an angle relative to the driver shaft, and because of this design, they received the name Angle Grinder.

It is powered by electricity and runs on petrol and an air compressor. Also, corded and cordless options are available.

When buying an angle grinder, you will find tons of models in the market. 4” – 4.5” grinders are commonly used by craftsmen. As a result, discs also available of this size angle grinders are in any hardware store.

You have to pick an angle grinder depending on the material to be cut. For example, if your project is to cut masonry, you should pick an angle grinder that comes with a 5 – 7 AMP powerful motor.

Let’s move to the Uses section.

What Can You Do with an Angle Grinder?

An angle grinder is a common power tool used in construction and repair sites for many applications. Here we will discuss the 6 main applications of this device.

Sharpening and Grinding

This is the most common application of an angle grinder. Install a disc in your grinder, and the tool is ready to accomplish cleaning or welding joint tasks. An angle grinder will deliver the best result in eliminating excess material tasks.

An angle grinder is also eligible to sharpen any even and flat surface, restore any edge, etc.

Be mindful that when you use it without taking any break on a surface and at the same place for a long time, an angle grinder can create massive heat. To get rid of such a problem, ensure moving the angle grinder through the operation. Or you can use a wet sponge or cloth to drench out the metal repeatedly.

Metal Cutting

Yes, an angle grinder can cut metal; you have to use the right attachment for this. Cutting rods, bolts, or bars can be tiresome work with a hacksaw. In contrast, an angle grinder will give you faster cutting results compared to a hacksaw.

You can cut sheet metals quite effortlessly by installing a thin, rough cutting metal in an angle grinder. On the construction site, workers use an angle grinder to cut rebars used for strengthening concrete.

Undoubtedly, these are heavy-duty tasks. With a powerful motor, an angle grinder will deliver brilliant results when handling cutting steel or other likely materials.

Tile Cutting

Tile or concrete cutting is an inevitable task of any home improvement or renovation work. But without a dedicated tile saw, cutting tiles can be a painful job. The good news is with an angle grinder. You can comfortably do this job. Install a dry-cut diamond disc in it and start cutting tiles or concrete.

Keep one essential note: a professional tile saw is the most useful tool while cutting tiles or concrete following a straight line. But an angle grinder is the best power tool when the project is to replace the old tiles.

Masonry Cutting

An angle grinder is not only suitable for cutting tiles or concrete, but also it can be used for masonry cutting.

All you need to do is, install a diamond cutting disc in the angle grinder head, and the tool will take all the responsibility in its shoulder to give you efficient masonry cutting results.

Mortar Removing

Are you worrying thinking of which tool to use for removing old mortar from bricks? Without thinking twice, you can shake your hands to an angle grinder.

The great thing about using an angle grinder in this project is that the bricks will remain undamaged. Pick a diamond tuck-pointing disc, and the disc thickness should be close to the mortar width. To remove old mortar entirely, you will require to run the grinding disc over the mortar multiple times.

Wearing safety gear like goggles and a face shield is mandatory in this task since it creates a lot of dust. Otherwise, serious injury may happen because of the flying dust.

Metal Cleaning and Polishing

A cup brush or wire wheel is an efficient and quick performer in removing rust. Although both attachments are manufactured for specific jobs, such a cup brush is suitable for removing paint from even and flat surfaces. In contrast, a wire disc is an ideal option for cleaning metal from hard-to-reach areas.

Install a buffing wheel in your angle grinder and work with it to polish metals like steel and aluminum. But use a grinding disc to remove burrs or deep marks from the metal surface before you start polishing the metal.

How To Use An Angle Grinder, a quick video tutorial by – Ace Hardware

Do I need to take any Safety Precautions While Working with an Angle Grinder?

The maximum rotating speed of an angle grinder is 10,000 – 11,000 RPM. It means accidental slip-off while handling an angle grinder can lead to severe injury.

• Ensure wearing hand gloves, goggles, face mask when working with an angle grinder.
• Avoid working with an angle grinder beside flammable material because an angle grinder creates sparks when cutting metal like steel or aluminum.
• Ensure safe storage when not in use; keep it away from kids.
• When changing the disc, unplug the grinder.

Last Words

Hopefully, you have already understood that an angle grinder is a versatile tool from the above discussion. To accomplish a wide range of tasks, only you will need to replace the attachment or wheel.

One important note is – always pick an angle grinder that meets your project requirement.