Shop Uses for an Angle Grinder

[Mark Ashmeade]

I'd value some advice. I need to buy an angle grinder to grind down some concrete and remove some tile mortar before re-tiling over it. I don't see myself doing much work of this nature in the future, but this job needs doing, and it needs a grinder.

So my choices are 1) Buy a cheap and nasty one from HF and more or less consider it a one-job tool, cost about $25. 2) Buy a better one and expect to use it in the future if a need arises. Cost up to $100. 3) Buy a good one because there's a use for it in the shop and I want it to last. Perhaps up to $150 (That would buy a Bosch Litheon to match other Bosch tools I have).

However, I can't think of a good job for the shop for one. I don't particularly like the idea of spending money on a disposable tool, but neither do I want money tied up in a rarely used tool. I do like playing with OWWM, but I can't see me needing to grind the things too much. Am I missing a shop application?

[Michael Moscicki]

Cutting metal. Other than that, I don't see much use for it.However, you can still get a top notch tool at a great price.

Factory Reconditioned Bosch 1380SLIM-RT 4-1/2-in 7.5 Amp Small Angle Grinder $39.99

Factory Reconditioned Makita GA4030K-R 4-in Slide Switch Angle Grinder $39.99

Factory Reconditioned Makita 9557NB-R 4-1/2-in Slide Switch AC/DC Angle Grinder $39.99

[Ron Kellison]

I bought a cheap $30 angle grinder years ago and it didn't get much use on metal in my shop. I took off the grinder blade and fitted it with a Lancelot carving head (Lee Valley). It's quite handy to quickly rough out a piece and you have a surprising amount of control over how much material is removed. I found the carving head on a LV sale table and figure I've got $50 invested in the whole rig.

Regards,

Ron

[Peter Aeschliman]

For woodworking, I use mine to help me strip bark off of live edges.

I have also seen David Marks use a grinder for sculpting work (like the divots for your butt on a stool).

[Victor Robinson]

Actually I've been grappling with the same issue so your post is timely...need a grinder for a one-off job and wondering what else you can do with one. I'm looking at a fairly expensive one (Makita 5-inch) because my one-off job is cutting granite. It has a pretty wide speed range that almost dips into polisher realm, though it might still be too fast for most polishing tasks.

As far as I can tell, cutting metal and shaping wood are the only major shop uses and like you, I'm having a hard time justifying the purchase.

[Jerome Hanby]

I've seen one used with some kind of blade to carve out chair seats.

[Mikail Khan]

Consider gettin a mid priced grinder ($40)

I have a 12 year old skil I paid $20 for that is still going strong and a 3 year old makita I got on sale for $25.

Used with:

Kutzall discs for carving seats
Grinding discs for grinding welds.
Cutting discs for cutting metal and old padlocks.
Sanding disc for shaping
Diamond blades for cutting concrete or tile.

MK

[Mark Ashmeade]

Thanks guys! Come to think of it, I have a granite slab that needs the edges tidying up before becoming a big shop table, but I had my circular saw in mind for that, if I don't pay a granite guy. Perhaps I could rig up a sled of sorts so it cuts more like a circ saw. I like the idea of carving chair bases too, so perhaps the HF idea isn't such a good one.

[Jerome Hanby]

I'd be really tempted to buy one new, also. Angle grinders are a tool that gets used up over time and you have to replace them. I think that's why you see such big piles of them in pawn shops...

[Peter J Lee]

I've seen countertop guys take smaller granite pieces outside, mark with a piece of blue tape and freehand cuts with a harbor freight grinder. I've got a couple pieces of granite I was thinking of trimming for end table tops and was considering buying one of these:

http://www.harborfreight.com/safety-...ers-45921.html

On another forum, trim guys have said they were great for doing cope joints. I'd guess they were using the sandpaper "flap disks" but I don't know.

The HF one can be had for 15 dollars or so when on sale. I've only used it for cutting a line in a plaster wall and some other odd masonry things. I don't have any complaints.

[glenn bradley]

My dad bought the HF for about $10 and it has done everything he or I needed. My HF recip saw is something I bought for one demo job 7 years ago. They are noisy, they vibrate and sound like every job will be their last but, they keep on going. Don't get me wrong. As far as a serious tool, they are a joke but, for the times I needed them (and dozens of times beyond my expectations) they were fine. Look at it this way; spend $10 - $15 and if you find out you use it a lot, then buy a good one. Just like router bits ;-)

[Bruce Wrenn]

HF (95578) is on sale this week end for $9.99. Buy a hand full, or least two in case the first should quit.

[Dick Brown]

Interesting that you mentioned OWWM. I have a weakness for old iron and use mine a lot with a wire wheel on rusty saw tables and removing paint. Even put a flapper sanding disk on and shape things in the wood lathe that have a habit of chipping out. Have two 4-1/2" and like the cheap Skill one best.

[Jim Heffner]

Mark, I don't know what types of things you work on in your shop, but as for mine ....
I wouldn't want to be in the shop without it! I do some wood working, some metal working, some repair work on all kinds and types of things, and the more I use it the more useful it becomes. I was in HF the other day, just looking around at a newly opened store and was thinking about buying one of the circular rasp type blades they have to use on the 4" side grinder I have in the shop.It may be one of those things I wish that I had bought but didn't pick up at that time.If you are like me and do a little welding and cutting of steel...nothing like it when it's time to clean up a weld or cut line on some assembled parts, makes it look a lot better in the end! Pick one up...you won't regret it later, they are always handy to have around. Jim

[Jerome Hanby]

Interesting that you mentioned OWWM. I have a weakness for old iron and use mine a lot with a wire wheel on rusty saw tables and removing paint. Even put a flapper sanding disk on and shape things in the wood lathe that have a habit of chipping out. Have two 4-1/2" and like the cheap Skill one best.

I've got a Dewalt, mostly because the local Borg had them on the shelf and it looked like the best of the lot. I bought it specifically to use with a wire brush. I used it to clean up my CL florescent light fixtures aftr i tore them down, pulled the old ballasts and sockets, and repainted. Did a great job. I'll be using it when I get to my Unisaw refurb for the same tasks.