Most everyone who does and kind of DIY has or has used a grinder. Grinders range in size and power types so greatly that I am going to limit my description to a standard 4-5 inch wheel grinder. I know that these can be powered by a plug or a battery, but we will stay with the standard plug type (120 volt). They are reasonably priced but still do the job. Below is what one looks like. They come in a lot of different brands too. This one is a Metabo brand.
Safety first
One thing that is a no brainer when operating a grinder is to WEAR SAFETY GLASSES. You should also wear long sleeves that have a cuff button and preferably made of cotton. The reason for this is that if you are grinding metal there will be a lot of sparks and they WILL be hot enough to start a fire. The cuffs on the shirt is to keep your shirt from getting wound up in the wheel…. I have seen it happen. The jury is still out on wearing gloves. I say this because some places believe that you do not have control over the grinder if you are gloved, some say it is required for protection. I personally believe that it is up to the user. This is simply my opinion, but you should check with your safety adviser if this is a job related for sure.
Grinding
First thing you do when you take your new grinder out of the box is attach the handle that comes with it. Then affix the guard to the wheel end. (there will be instructions on this if it doesn’t come attached). Then before you attach the grinding wheel, inspect it closely for any cracks or chips that may be signs of being dropped. These grinders operate at a high speed and if the wheel is cracked or damaged it will possibly fly apart at speeds that could be like firing a gun.
Before you do anything, make sure the grinder is un plugged. Attaching the wheel is done by first removing the nut from the grinder, then, placing the wheel on the grinder making sure it is seated correctly. If the wheel has a hump on one side, the hump goes towards the grinder.
After you have the wheel on and nut finger tight, use the tool that hooks onto the nut and turn it clockwise to tighten the nut. There is usually a button on the grinder that locks the rotation of the wheel for removing and replacing the wheels.
When you are ready to grind make sure there is nothing flammable around where your “shower” of sparks will be going. If you are grinding a piece that is not stable, place it in a vise or clamp it to a table before you start. There is no need to bear down like you are going to be timed on how much metal you can remove in 30 seconds. Let the grinder do the work.
Usually holding the grinder at a 45 degree angle to the work is sufficient, and keep it moving back and forth. Never grind with the wheel flat on the work as the grinder can fly out of your hands because the wheel is moving the other direction on the bottom and it WILL eventually grab. When you are done, make sure the grinder has come to a complete stop before putting it down.
Closing
A grinder is a very useful tool to have around, but it can also be a dangerous tool if not respected in its rights. Be safe and take your time when grinding any surface. You will get the hang of it . Happy Grinding!