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Mod30

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  1. Good to see you logging on again Robert.

  2. Heard a rumor about you getting a warning for scaring the daylights out of us.
  3. I agree, just created a thread in the tool section and pinned it.
  4. This is thanks to Another FrankenBurner on another thread. I regularly use an angle grinder with an abrasive cutoff wheel. I also use grinding wheels, flap discs, and cup brushes. If I were to start a new smithy with limited funds, it would be the first electric tool I purchased. I own several. I use them in my trade as well, so I have hours and hours of experience using them. I do not fear using them but I keep a healthy respect. Are there risks involved in using them, yes. Understanding these risks, helps with safety. It does not eliminate the risks, it makes you work differently to mitigate them. My advice if you are new to angle grinders: If you know someone who has experience and can show you the ropes, it's worth asking. So long as they are safety conscious. A lot of guys are careless in their use. They get away with it until they don't. Buy a regular powered model, not the new high torque models. I would rather have a tool that jams to a stop when torqued funny, than one which has enough power to keep on spinning. Never use a diamond coated cutoff wheel. When torqued funny, an abrasive wheel will shatter which is better than a steel wheel which could instead torque the tool out of your hands and keep on spinning. Never use cheap abrasive wheels as they tend to shatter easier than better wheels. The less shattering the better. Never use cracked, frayed, or damaged wheels for the same reason. Don't put a 6 inch wheel on a 4 1/2" angle grinder. Make sure the max RPM of your intended accessory is rated higher than the RPM of your grinder. I have seen cup brushes rated well below the standard grinder RPM even though they have the proper mount for the standard grinder. Never stand inline with the cutoff wheel when cutting. People tend to sight down the wheel for cutting straight lines. If the wheel shatters, you don't want to be in that lineup. Never put a sideways pressure on the cutoff wheel. The cutoff wheel is not a grinding wheel. The cutoff is designed to cut straight linear cuts. You risk shattering the disk by pressing it sideways. Never take the guard off. Not only does it guard you from shattering discs, it prevents you from sticking your fingers into the backside of the wheel, and it directs the sparks away from you when cutting. I am surprised how often I see this problem. Whenever possible, use the side handle. It is more ergonomic giving a better less fatiguing grip and two hands are better than one. Wear your PPE. For me this is generally goggles, muffs, and respirator. I also like a leather apron to save my shirts/pants from sparks. Some of my co workers like gloves. I don't personally as I prefer a better grip. No loose clothing. If something loose gets caught up in the grinder, the grinder winds it up. Sometimes pulling the grinder into the clothing. Imagine a loose t shirt, the grinder could pull itself straight into the belly/chest. The cup brushes are more likely to grab something this way than discs. Don't death grip the tool but always assume it could attempt to lurch forward at any moment. Think loose but secure grip. Never put muscle into it. Let the tool do the job. You are there to guide the tool. Extra pressure will make it cut faster. It will also wear you out faster, wear the wheel out faster, and makes it easier to jam the wheel either sideways in which case the wheel can shatter or inline which can cause the tool to lurch forward potentially out of your hands. At first, I recommend light pressure. Get used to how the tool moves and how this makes it try to move. The angle grinder wheel spins clockwise when viewed from above, this causes it to pull forward when cutting with the wheel in a vertical orientation or kick to the left when the wheel is oriented horizontally. You have to counter these movements. The more pressure you push the tool into the metal, the more power the movement will have. If you are fatigued, put the tool down. It sounds scary maybe. So does an orange piece of metal to those who don't play with them. I use my angle grinders regularly without hesitation. All that said, if I can cut it with the band saw, I will do that before the grinder. Less noise and dust. The exception being harder metals. I would rather waste a cutoff disc than a bandsaw blade. If I can grind it on the belt grinder, I will. Even clean grinding is much easier than with a small rotating disc. I also use a jig saw, sawzall, and a plasma cutter for cutting depending on what I am cutting, though they come out less often. If I could have only one electric tool as a general blacksmith, it would probably be a 4 1/2" angle grinder. You can cut, grind, and polish with one tool.
  5. Welcome to IFI. I suggest reading this to get the best out of the forum READ THIS FIRST  It is full of tips like editing your profile to show location as so many answers depend on where in the world you are located.

    1. Vt smith

      Vt smith

      Thanks ill check that out

  6. Welcome to IFI. I suggest reading this to get the best out of the forum. READ THIS FIRST

  7. Welcome to IFI. I suggest reading this to get the best out of the forum. READ THIS FIRST

  8. Welcome to IFI...I suggest reading this to get the best out of the forum.  READ THIS FIRST

    1. Tradguy

      Tradguy

      Done. Thank you!

  9. Welcome to IFI. I suggest reading this to get the best out of the forum. READ THIS FIRST

  10. On that note it's time to lock this thread and get back to blacksmithing.
  11. The OP has been banned and can no longer respond. It's time to lock the thread.
  12. Peter & Pete, the Benny Hill of the science world. Gotta love British humor.
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