Angle grinders are the most versatile tools. It is one of those tools where one tool can do the work of at least 5. Whether it’s cutting metal, grinding concrete, or polishing something, uses of an angle grinder and lifesavers in various industries. Moreover, as they are portable, they provide superior precision in terms of grinding compared to stationary grinders and run at a high speed, facilitating cutting chores with ease. Also, depending on your suitable attachments, they can be utilized to clean and heal scratches on metal.
While we know that they are a flexible tool with several applications, here we have a comprehensive list that will explain what all they can actually be used for.
Uses of an Angle Grinder
Angle grinders are mostly used in the metalworking and woodworking sectors, but there are various other uses of an angle grinder as well. Let’s find out:
Metalwork & Fabrication
Metalwork is one of the primary uses of an angle grinder. Here are five primary ways Angle grinders are used in Metalwork and fabrication:
- Cutting Metal
Cutting metal is the primary use of an angle grinder. Metal like rebars and metal sheets often require trimming to fit various shapes and lengths, and it’s impractical to carry an entire metal cutter in such a case. This is where an angle grinder comes in handy, with attachments like cut-off wheels and thin abrasive discs, the angle grinder becomes an ideal tool for cutting metal.
- Grinding Metal
Metal, when cut, often leaves rough edges that can injure anyone. After cutting, the rough edges are also quite hot and can burn as well. The cut area can be sharp and hurt people who are working with the metal sheet, bolt, or rebar. An angle grinder can be used here. With a proper grinding wheel attachment, you can make full use of an angle grinder.
- Welding Preparation
Welding isn’t simply joining two pieces of metal together. Welding needs to make sure that the metal is free from any dust particles, as dust can hinder the ability of the metal to stick properly with welding. The angle grinder that has been your friend till now can also be used in this case, just use a Wire Brush attachment and you’re good to go.
- Weld Removal
Welding joins two pieces of metal by temporarily melting and making them solid again after they’re joined together. But in these scenarios, we are often greeted with excess metal that not only ruins the aesthetics, but can also be dangerous as it can be hot or sharp. This makes leveling that weld super important. This can be done with an angle grinder, which uses grinding wheels or flap disc attachments.
- Deburring Metal
Burrs are unwanted raised edges or small pieces of material remaining attached to a workpiece after a machining process. They can affect the performance, safety, and aesthetics of metal parts. This can also be removed with an angle grinder, where Flap Discs and Wire Wheels, both of which are effective in this case, are being used.
Woodworking & Construction
Apart from Metalwork, there are five uses of an angle grinder in Woodwork and construction as well.
Cutting Wood
Wood cutting is another use of an angle grinder, where plywood and lumber are some of the most commonly used types of wood. It is also more convenient, considering carrying an entire chainsaw isn’t worth it. The catch is, you need to use an attachment that is more suited for wood cutting, as wood, while not as hard as metal, has a different structure, and blades should be different as well. Wood-cutting discs, such as the GRAFF Speed cutter or Tovia wood carving discs, are engineered to handle the high-speed rotation of angle grinders while minimising the risk of kickback.
Carving & Shaping Wood
Wood doesn’t just need to be cut; based on different needs and occasions, it needs to be carved and shaped into various pieces as well. But if you have ever visited a carpenter’s shop, you might have noticed that carpentry tools are quite big and are often inconvenient to carry until and unless you have the good old angle grinder. Chainsaw Tooth Discs and Carbide Carving Discs are some attachments that can put the heaviest carpentry machinery to shame when used in an angle grinder.
Sanding Wood
Wood and metal have one thing in common: when they’re cut, they’re rough and can make small cuts or even big injuries at times. While metal is often ground, wood needs to be sanded to smooth it out. But let’s be real for a second, sanding with sanding paper manually is tiring. But your angle grinder is here to save the day, with sanding attachments or flap discs, it can sand your wood in seconds.
Cutting Concrete & Masonry
In construction, apart from wood and metal, the sure shot thing that is used is concrete, and often, concrete, when dried, needs to be cut due to various factors. Now, if you ask any worker, you will get to know how much of a lifesaver an angle grinder actually is. With diamond blades, which ensure precision and durability, an angle grinder can cut through concrete or bricks like butter.
Removing Mortar
During demolitions and renovations, removing old mortar in between buildings is a hassle; often, the bricks are reused, and the best possible way to keep the bricks intact is by removing the mortar and taking it out brick by brick. But there are barely any tools in the market that can handle such a job unless we have our good old friend, the angle grinder. A diamond tuckpointing wheel can efficiently remove mortar from between the bricks.
Home Improvement & DIY
Angle grinders are a great asset when it comes to home improvement and DIY. Here’s how:
Tile Cutting
Tiles, the very same tiles that we use to decorate our floors and bathroom walls, need to be of very specific shapes and sizes to actually fit the requirement. Cutting tiles is one of the primary uses of an Angle grinder. They’re used to making accurate cuts in ceramic, porcelain, or stone tiles. A diamond blade is the perfect attachment for this
Sharpening Tools
Tools can get worn out and dull, and a tool sharpening stone is not always readily available. But what if your angle grinder could do even that? An Angle grinder with an abrasive grinding disc is the perfect tool for sharpening your other tools. It also lets you sharpen your tools on the go before their next use.
Rust Removal
Rust removal with your own hands is a hassle, and with readily available angle grinders, this hassle is quite pointless. An angle grinder, equipped with a Wire brush drill attachment, is the perfect tool when it comes to removing rust.
Paint & Coating Removal
Before you repaint or reapply a new coating, the old one needs to be meticulously removed. Now, it can be done manually, but much like rust removal, it is a total hassle when an angle grinder with a paint stripper disc can do it for you.
Polishing & Buffing
Suppose you need to polish or just bring some shine to your metallic surfaces. You need not buy some expensive polishing brush; doing it by hand would be more work than simply using your angle grinder with a taper adaptor to do the job.
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