Angle Grinder. Perfect DIY Solution. Learn How to Choose
Among all the tools, one can single out the universal, the most popular and necessary in everyday life. This article will focus on one such tool – the angle grinder. It is a convenient device for sawing metals, concrete, tiles, etc. In addition, the angle grinder copes with grinding and polishing. You can easily saw off the necessary piece of pipe, grind it from rust for painting, or polish it thoroughly. With this tool, craftsmen sharpen metal products. There are a lot of applications. Your choice will depend on where, how, and how often you are going to use the tool. Let’s consider the main characteristics of the grinder and its features for specific purposes.
Cutting disc
Let’s start with this consumable because the grinders are made for a certain diameter of the discs. There are abrasive and diamond discs. The former is mainly used for metal. Diamond – versatile and well suited for cutting concrete, granite, marble, etc. Diamond discs operate at low speeds so as not to damage them due to overheating.
For convenience, some angle grinders are equipped with a spindle lock button, the device on which the disk is spinning. This is to make it easier to remove a used or broken disc. It is not always easy to do this, even with a special key, because the grinder discs are self-tightening. But you don’t have to worry that the mount will weaken, and it will fly out.
Typically, a nut is used to secure the disc, which is tightened with a wrench. But there is an option to purchase a quick-clamping one. You can handle it with your hands without additional devices.
Power
For domestic purposes, a power of 600-900 watts will be enough. For long-term and complex work with increased load, it is better to choose power from 1.5 kW. Standard power for grinders with 115 mm disc. from 500 to 850 W, and for 230 mm discs. minimum power 2 kW – the larger the disc, the more power is required.
The grinder may have engine overload protection. It reacts to an increase in current or temperature. Overload protection – light comes on or power is turned off.
Speed
The number of revolutions of the grinder is provided for a specific disc diameter. For example, let’s take the 2 most common diameters – 125 and 230 mm.
Grinder with 125 mm disc. you can work at speeds up to 11000 rpm, and 230 mm. – up to 6600 rpm.
The hard and thick metal is cut at maximum speed. Soft metal, such as aluminum, melts along the edges at fast speeds. Therefore, the angle grinder is poorly suited for processing plastics and lumber. High heat generation does not allow such works to be carried out with high quality.
To change the speed of rotation on some grinders, a speed control system is installed. It will be needed in the situations described above, and is necessary for sanding and polishing, especially when working with paintwork. This is due to the low melting point of the coating.
When choosing, check the presence of a speed control system. On such models, understated power is indicated in the characteristics. Due to this reserve, the grinder maintains the torque under load.
Hopefully, this article will help you to choose the right model. In order to find it just visit the B&Q website where you select your angle grinder among dozens of models.
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