What Is An Angle Grinder And How To Use One?
Angle grinders are powerful cutting tools used by professionals for trimming or reshaping metals of various types. They are used to make the most labor-intensive and tedious jobs faster and easier. Angle grinders can be used to cut metals or other materials in certain shapes or sizes in a few strikes. This eliminates the need for human labor or extra cutting equipment. Angle grinders come in small size and are suitable for many DIY projects. In other words, you do not need to use additional tools or help others to cut metal into small pieces or shapes.
If this is the first time you are using a Bosch GWS 600 Angle Grinder for your DIY project, you would like to know how to use it before proceeding.
What is an angle grinder?
Depending on your DIY project, you can buy the angle grinder of your choice. Although there are different angle grinder sizes available, beginners prefer the 115mm angle grinder due to its light weight and ease of use.
All angle grinder models come with various accessories such as abrasive wheels, also known as discs or blades. The abrasive wheels spin at thousands of revolutions per minute (RPM), which is strong enough to cut metal in a single strike.
Depending on the size of the angle grinder and the different uses for it, the wheel or disc type can vary from model to model.
So, it is essential to know the type of metals or other materials you will be working with before choosing the right angle grinder.
What is an angle grinder used for?
Grinding and polishing metal
One of the primary uses of an angle grinder is metal grinding and metal polishing. Most manufacturers and construction companies use angle grinding for the purpose of flattening, smoothing, or removing the pieces from the metal structure. You can control the angle of the wheels for a smooth surface on your metal structure. The process of smoothing or polishing involves the removal of the fine layer of metal from the metal sheet to leave a smooth and glossy finish similar to that of metal surfaces.
Cutting metal
An angle grinder can also be used to cut metals into various sizes and shapes. For example, if you are a welder or a plumber, and you are cutting galvanized iron pipes or lead pipes, you will want to use a welding or plumbing angle grinder. This way, you can cut your structure in the shape you want and complete the job without any mess and in a short amount of time.
Metal cutting discs are typically thinner and made of stronger materials.
Cleaning metal
Generally, removing dried paints, rust and lacquer from metal using liquid solutions is quite difficult. Liquid solutions leave residue and may damage your metal structures. Using angle grinders you can easily peel off the layer without damaging your metal structure’s core.
During the cutting process, the wheels can sometimes discharge small pieces of bent wire that can cause injuries. Always wear protective gear to prevent physical injuries.
Sharpening tools
Did you know that you can also use an angle grinder to sharpen other tools? This is one of the best yet hidden uses of an angle grinder as it helps extend the life of your other cutting tools. When you sharpen the tools with an angle grinder you need to be very careful about the way you hold the angle grinder. A simple misstep can cut the whole structure in half.
Removing mortar
Leaks, drafts, and repeated insect infestations are more likely to happen on weak and damaged bricks over time. You can easily remove these problems by replacing the mortar on your wall. Standard quality angle grinders can remove mortar from brick. Extracting mortar from brick requires a thick abrasive crushing disc that can easily penetrate the mortar.