Angle grinder usage - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Fairlane Boy · 06-25-2002, 07:06

stupid question, but whats the correct procedure for using one?

Ive a 14" one that im using to dispose of wrecked car body, it cuts through it like butter but its kicking back, or the sparks are flying straight onto me, having never used one i dont know the correct way to hold it or which way to use it...

please help...

thanks

Aussiblue · 06-25-2002, 09:07

If you are right handed it should be intuitive; right hand on handle to right left on body of tool. The guard should be able to be partially rotated so you can deflect sparks as reguired. If you are using above chest hieght use a full safety mask (otherwise safety glasses) and helmet and well as your steel capped boots etc. If you are using the correct type of high quality steel cutting wheels kick back should be minimal.

Duggy · 06-25-2002, 10:32

Don't use safety glasses! Use well fitting goggles instead - the type with foam around the edges to make good contact with your face. Having worked in industry and copped a bit of swarf in the eye while wearing proper industrial spec safety glasses (with side shields attached) twice I can tell you they do not provide enough protection and bits and pieces still find their way around the edges...

To stop the grinder bucking:
- hang onto it tigher - keep your arms rigid!
- turn it around so the disc is cutting in the other direction (i.e. - cutting on the downwards side vs. on the upwards side or visa versa).
- modify your feed rate - you are either going too slow or too fast.

Doing one or all of these should fix it. A couple of other safety tips though:
- watch what is on the other side of the panel you are cutting through - you may cut more than you bargain for!
- remove the petrol tank if working on the interior or boot, and place it way out of the way of any stray sparks.
- be carefull on the last little bit of the cut - especially if a suspended weight can close the gap on the blade and cause it to explode...
- watch for flamable items such as old seats, hessian sound deadening etc etc.

Shield any glass from the sparks as they will melt tiny little craters all over it too!

SM · 06-25-2002, 15:48

14"?? The biggest we use is a 9" and its probably one of the most dangerous bits of gear in school. Some tips from the teacher:

- Safety gear is imperative as the guys have already mentioned, and wear ear muffs, they will easily damage your hearing.
- Get in a comfortable position first, don't hold it in ridiculous positions and be very aware of where the cord is.
- Treat everyone around you like an idiot as someone bumping or distracting you can be very bad.
- Beware the exploding cutting disc!!

cracka · 06-26-2002, 02:17

mate best advice i can give ..don't use one they're the most dangerous of power tools......have seen some hideous industrial accidents cause by 9 inch grinders..........but if ya do.......as old mate said use the protective equipment.....keep shirt sleeves and shirt tails outta the road.....and use glasses/goggles with a FACE SHIELD.....cost around 10 bucks from safety shops.......but better than a cutting wheel shattering and wreck ya good looks...cheers

tonyk · 06-26-2002, 03:08

I'd use a gas axe to wreck a whole car. Its quicker.
You have to watch for fires though, but not an issue if body is a shell only and you work on clean wet concrete floor.

06-26-2002, 04:28

as taught to me, grinder to rotate so when it kicks ,it kicks away from you afew sparks won't hurt . don;t stand inline with the disk and don't use a cutting disk for grinding only use the edge not the face