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Downsizer Forum Index -> Make Your Own/DIY

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sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 18 10:13 am Post subject: New toy...
Got an angle grinder and a couple of packs of blades from Lidl this morning. Twenty-six quid for the lot. Time will tell but it comes with a three year guarantee and I don't anticipate being a heavy user.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 18 1:27 pm Post subject:
HSE is a PITA. Use eye protection. Sparks or dust will get in your eyes with one of them.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 18 5:34 pm Post subject:

grinders can be tricky beasts.

you call it a grinder but for that price i am assuming it is probably a 4 1/2 in , side handle, plug in , it has switches of some sort, a guard, several collets and a variety of things to spin.

that assumed without plugging it in , how do the switches feel? if ok goto

read instructions, fit grinding disk. take edges off securely fixed scrap metal. still unharmed and want to play some more? if ok goto.

do it to a line. if ok goto.

read instructions, fit offcut disk, cut securely fixed stuff. ok? if ok goto.

practice.if ok goto.

do jobs.

ppe is a bit tricky with grinders , ballistic goggles are good. gloves need to be protective but practical for manipulating the machine. you dont want owt dangly of/or on your person.

stuff catches fire just to add to the fun
a disintegrating disc is best seen from a distance so pay attention to the instructions re choosing or fitting disks

even some of the little ones have a bit of a twist kick when you turn em on if they dont have slowstart.

all of them have personal quirks and between em can kick in a variety of ways .

be careful with it,

ps if it does not have autostop if you drop it make sure it will miss you if you do drop it. a running grinder doing a python round your thigh is a bad day at work.

buzzy

Joined: 04 Jan 2011
Posts: 3708
Location: In a small wood on the edge of the Huntingdonshire Wolds

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 18 5:46 pm Post subject:
You need a good mask, I think. Don't want to be breathing in finely minced debris of whatever it is you are cutting. Make sure you get the right filter size. Henry

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 18 7:13 pm Post subject:

sorry im a slacker, did i mention ear defenders?

chances are with a cheap machine you need 40d'B cans rather than the cheapo diy ones but £15 or 20 is better than hearing damage.

you might have got lucky but my money is on it screams like a banshee

another thing the charming little critters do is separate themselves from their spanners , a bit of string and tie it to the plug end of the wire is a neat trick

keep it all in the box or tool bag is the first casualty of the fog of cutting

re wire brushes just dont with a small domestic grinder unless it came with a proper brush set and a cup guard for cup brushes.

wires flying out is nasty but wires catching something can be really horrid.

grinders dont cut flesh, they tangle it, then they cut bone if they can, or they chuck stuff at high energies.
careful is best.

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4613
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 18 7:39 pm Post subject:
One thing you missed regarding safe use, Make sure the cable is behind your legs in use.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 18 8:28 pm Post subject:

yep

what else have we missed?

switches:
if it has a lock on in run mode it might be in that when the plug is switched on.
if the off function in normal use is a positive act rather than " dead man " style be prepared to unplug it when you drop it . it will happen, it is exciting, sorry brutal but true.

i hope im not putting you off they are handy tools although they are somewhere above most hand help power tools in the H n S list.
a bit more dangeroos than drills and a bit safer than a chainsaw or gas axe

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 18 8:40 pm Post subject:
my new toy of the month is a double bevel mitre saw, pretty safe unless i am really stupid. my i should not have done this month that was using a 1980's rather knackered jig saw to cut a 5 minute curve on a work surface which ruined my hand and arm with vibration damage did we mention vibration? grinders are not too bad but if if buzzes a lot in the hand bin it. vibration injury is horrid

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 18 10:38 pm Post subject:
Doesn't lock on. Needs trigger and safety button pressed to start. Seems solid enough, not too vibratey and I've dealt with the bolts, nails etc that were sticking out of the newly visible garden wall without injury or deafness so I'm reasonably happy so far.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 16002

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 18 6:43 am Post subject:
It never ceases to amaze me that things like angle grinders, chain saws and other dangerous beasties are sold in places like Lidl or even mail order or on line with no checks on a persons competence, whether they have training, PPE or anything. And then they are worried about knives being sold in the same way. Crazy!!!!!

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45676
Location: Essex

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 18 8:10 am Post subject:
Bit harder to stab someone with a mains powered angle grinder

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 18 8:27 am Post subject:
Ignore the nay sayers. Whack in your flip flops, shorts and wife beater and get the job done. Turning the radio up loud will make any noise the grinder makes irrelevant and if you do it in the rain, any dust will be dealt with. They’ve got chainsaws next week.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 18 8:28 am Post subject:

tahir wrote:

Bit harder to stab someone with a mains powered angle grinder

Get a decent extension cable.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 18 9:07 am Post subject:
if it isnt raining a hose pipe will deal with the dust and sparks. glad it seems fairly tame and safe so far. do be careful, they have quite a nasty bite when they get stroppy.

sgt.colon

Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 7380
Location: Just south of north.

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 18 9:26 am Post subject:
Nick. I bet you wished you'd not mentioned it now don't you Sean?

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