Best of Machinery
  • Tools & Equipment
    • Power Tools
    • Hand Tools
    • Air Tools
    • Tool Accessories
    • Planes, Chisels and Files
    • Welding & Soldering
    • Measuring & Layout
    • Heating, Venting & Cooling
  • Outdoors & Garden
    • Mowers
    • Grass and Hedge Trimmers
    • Chainsaws
    • Leaf Blowers and Vacs
    • Pressure Washers
    • Lawn Care
    • Generators
    • Watering, Hoses & Ponds
    • Winter & Snow Equipment
    • Lighting
  • Paint & Decorating
  • Tips & Guides
  • Home
  • »
  • Tools & Equipment

What Are Angle Grinders Used For?

  • Anna Ryan Editor

    Anna Ryan

    Anna Ryan is a writer, copywriter and editor. She has a wide range of knowledge and, because of this, has been able to contribute to a variety of different genres, including article and blog writing.

    As an editor, she has polished and perfected an array of pieces for diverse readerships and audiences.

    Read More »
  • Updated: May 16, 2022

We may earn commission from our brand partners when purchasing products through our links. Learn more.

angle grinder cutting a metal poleAs tools go, angle grinders are an invaluable tool for any workshop, service garage, auto repair shop, or home hobbyist. Angle grinders are used for a variety of projects that include:

  • Cutting and grinding iron
  • Steel
  • Metal roof cladding
  • Corrugated iron
  • Steel sheeting
  • Brick
  • Stone
  • Concrete
  • Slates and building tiles
  • PVC pipe
  • Rusted bolts
  • Rebar in concrete
  • Sharpening garden tools
  • Sanding wood
  • Removing paint
  • Cleaning rust from steel
  • Cutting up trash for disposal
  • Removing grout for tuck pointing
  • Scoring tile
  • Polishing metals to a shiny luster.

Angle grinders use various wheels or discs that are designed for different tasks, and it’s this what makes an angle grinder so versatile. With a wire cup brush attachment, you can easily remove caked-on cement, rust, and paint from your other tools.

Just secure the tool with vice grips or clamps, and make sure the brush is spinning away from the edge to prevent kickback. With a metal cutoff wheel attachment, you can easily cut rebar, rusted bolts, and welded wire fencing, which is much easier and quicker than using a hacksaw.

To Cut Tile, Stone, or Concrete:

Use a dry-cut diamond wheel. It’s super thin for a more accurate, sharp cut. It’s also perfect for scoring out the middle of a ceramic tile to fit over an outlet, for example.

To Sharpen Edges:

Grinding wheels or discs are used to restore edges on rougher tools such as shovels, garden hoes, and ice scrapers. They’re also useful for the initial grinding of lawn mower blades, hatchets, and axes.

When it’s turned off, position the grinder so that the wheel spins toward the edge and away from the body of the blade. Then rest the wheel against the tool’s blade and match the angle of the grinder to the blade’s bevel – you will want to maintain this angle as you grind the edge.

Lift away the grinder from the edge and turn it on, moving it into the blade. Stroke the grinder in the direction of the handle, lift off, and repeat this motion, making sure you maintain the correct angle throughout the strokes.

To avoid overheating the metal, only apply light pressure and keep the grinder moving. It’s also a good idea to keep a bucket of water and sponge handy to wet the metal frequently. This will help the metal stay cool.

sparks coming off a angle grinderFor Removing Old Mortar from Bricks:

Nothing beats an angle grinder in speed and ease (read our extensive review on this here). Using thicker tuck pointing wheels will remove old mortar quickly without harming the bricks. Remember to wear a dust mask, however, as this job gets very dusty!

Conclusion

These are just a few of the many ways to use an angle grinder for your projects. To get a better idea of all the attachments you can use with your grinder, just browse your local hardware store. These tools will ultimately save you a ton of time.

    Related Posts

    • The 10 Best Angle Grinders

      The 10 Best Angle Grinders

    • What Size Angle Grinder Should I buy?

      What Size Angle Grinder Should I buy?

    • What Is An Angle Grinder?

      What Is An Angle Grinder?

    • Best of Machinery Logo

      At Best of Machinery, we deliver tips, tricks and helpful guides for your everyday DIY and gardening needs.

    • Categories

      • Tools & Equipment
      • Outdoors & Garden
      • Paint & Decorating
      • Tips & Guides
    • Quick Links

      • Home
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Sitemap
    • Social Media

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Instagram
    © 2023 Best of Machinery
    DMCA.com Protection Status

    Search