Any machinists in the house?

[Ash]

I picked up one of these on sale a while back and it reduces a lot of the angle-grinder trepidation. It turns an angle grinder into a mini-chopsaw. I couldn't justify the shop space for a real chopsaw, and this thing just lives on a shelf above my workbench. There's a cheaper version that's about half the price if you don't need the sliding feature:

https://www.princessauto.com/en/universal-sliding-heavy-duty-angle-grinder-stand/product/PA0009004409

 

[nobbie48]

I picked up one of these on sale a while back and it reduces a lot of the angle-grinder trepidation. It turns an angle grinder into a mini-chopsaw. I couldn't justify the shop space for a real chopsaw, and this thing just lives on a shelf above my workbench. There's a cheaper version that's about half the price if you don't need the sliding feature:

https://www.princessauto.com/en/universal-sliding-heavy-duty-angle-grinder-stand/product/PA0009004409

I'll take a look at the non-slider version. Sometimes I need to chop up a lot of 1/2" brass rod. It's tedious but not tedious enough to justify building an automatic feed.

One of the problems with adapters is that the power tool doesn't usually have designed in anchor points or flats. I sometimes tape the tool up with clear shipping tape and then shove it into a blob of body filler. The body filler sets in a few minutes and the tape acts as a release, and you have a perfect fit recess. Fasten down appropriately. Obviously, pull off the tape before using the tool. Watch that you don't plug air vents.

 

[nobbie48]

In metalwork you'll find an angle grinder is your best friend.

Use it with a cutoff wheel to cut your plugs.

A 2" cut with an angle grinder means a big angle grinder unless you work your way around the piece. Angle grinders scare me when they're used as angle cutters. They have a lot of power for something that isn't easy to hold onto.

 

[Mad Mike]

A 2" cut with an angle grinder means a big angle grinder unless you work your way around the piece. Angle grinders scare me when they're used as angle cutters. They have a lot of power for something that isn't easy to hold onto.

I use angle grinders all the time - not a scary tool.

Hand drills can be scary. I was installing an under cabinet microwave 2 weeks ago, the 1-1/4 spade bit jammed in the hole I was drilling. The drill spun out of my hand and the I saw stars when the butt of the drill whacked my jaw.

 

[Jampy00]

I picked up one of these on sale a while back and it reduces a lot of the angle-grinder trepidation. It turns an angle grinder into a mini-chopsaw. I couldn't justify the shop space for a real chopsaw, and this thing just lives on a shelf above my workbench. There's a cheaper version that's about half the price if you don't need the sliding feature:

https://www.princessauto.com/en/universal-sliding-heavy-duty-angle-grinder-stand/product/PA0009004409

I like this, for the few times I need to cut metal, this would be perfect

 

[Mad Mike]

I like this, for the few times I need to cut metal, this would be perfect

Looks like a good idea, but I can't see many taking the time to set this up unless there are a lot of repeat cuts.

I think most people have trouble with angle grinders because they never learn how to use them, or use the wrong blades when cutting metal.

A few tips:

1) Put the handle back on. I rarely see angle grinders in use that have the handle in place. This makes them a 1 handed torque demon, getting sideways in a cut may grenade your blade or twist the tool out of your hand. Just the startup torque of a decent grinder can twist the tool from a careless operator's hand.
2) Never grind with a cutoff blade. Cutoff blades are designed to cut o the leading edge of the blade. You can get a grind off the blade face, but you instantly compromise the blade and increase the liy kelihood it will shatter as you use it.
3) Use the right blade. A cutoff blade is for cutting, a grinding blade for grinding, and a flap disk for sanding.
4) Put the guard back on. A skilled user can ut and grind without the guard, and sometimes it's necessary to remove it for clearance. Never use a wire wheel without the guard - the wheels ALWAYS spit their wires and digging them out of your belly, arms, or eyes is not pleasant.
5) Use regular work gloves (not the latex grease monkey types) and safety glasses. A full jizz shield protects your face from sparks and fast-moving debris.

Like any spinning tool, learning to use it properly and following good safety practices will minimize risk to the operator.

 

[GreyGhost]

Looks like a good idea, but I can't see many taking the time to set this up unless there are a lot of repeat cuts.

I think most people have trouble with angle grinders because they never learn how to use them, or use the wrong blades when cutting metal.

A few tips:

1) Put the handle back on. I rarely see angle grinders in use that have the handle in place. This makes them a 1 handed torque demon, getting sideways in a cut may grenade your blade or twist the tool out of your hand. Just the startup torque of a decent grinder can twist the tool from a careless operator's hand.
2) Never grind with a cutoff blade. Cutoff blades are designed to cut o the leading edge of the blade. You can get a grind off the blade face, but you instantly compromise the blade and increase the liy kelihood it will shatter as you use it.
3) Use the right blade. A cutoff blade is for cutting, a grinding blade for grinding, and a flap disk for sanding.
4) Put the guard back on. A skilled user can ut and grind without the guard, and sometimes it's necessary to remove it for clearance. Never use a wire wheel without the guard - the wheels ALWAYS spit their wires and digging them out of your belly, arms, or eyes is not pleasant.
5) Use regular work gloves (not the latex grease monkey types) and safety glasses. A full jizz shield protects your face from sparks and fast-moving debris.

Like any spinning tool, learning to use it properly and following good safety practices will minimize risk to the operator.

The smartest person I know had a brain fart while using a cupped wire wheel on a 9" grinder. It instantly stopped and he let out a bad noise. Turns out he got lucky. It caught his sweatshirt and wound it in. Grinder stalled with wire cup aimed at his chest and just a few scratches. Lucky guy.

 

[nobbie48]

Looks like a good idea, but I can't see many taking the time to set this up unless there are a lot of repeat cuts.

I think most people have trouble with angle grinders because they never learn how to use them, or use the wrong blades when cutting metal.

A few tips:

1) Put the handle back on. I rarely see angle grinders in use that have the handle in place. This makes them a 1 handed torque demon, getting sideways in a cut may grenade your blade or twist the tool out of your hand. Just the startup torque of a decent grinder can twist the tool from a careless operator's hand.
2) Never grind with a cutoff blade. Cutoff blades are designed to cut o the leading edge of the blade. You can get a grind off the blade face, but you instantly compromise the blade and increase the liy kelihood it will shatter as you use it.
3) Use the right blade. A cutoff blade is for cutting, a grinding blade for grinding, and a flap disk for sanding.
4) Put the guard back on. A skilled user can ut and grind without the guard, and sometimes it's necessary to remove it for clearance. Never use a wire wheel without the guard - the wheels ALWAYS spit their wires and digging them out of your belly, arms, or eyes is not pleasant.
5) Use regular work gloves (not the latex grease monkey types) and safety glasses. A full jizz shield protects your face from sparks and fast-moving debris.

Like any spinning tool, learning to use it properly and following good safety practices will minimize risk to the operator.

The typical 4-1/2" angle grinder is light powerful and compact and especially with the guard and side handle removed, great for working in tight quarters where having a defensive stance is difficult. The reasons I consider them tools of the devil.

 

[Ash]

Looks like a good idea, but I can't see many taking the time to set this up unless there are a lot of repeat cuts.

Yes, you definitely don't want to swap a grinder into that stand thing just to make a couple of cuts. I semi-permanently mounted my worst grinder in the stand, and then went and bought a nicer grinder for handheld use.

In terms of control, I always used the handle on the old grinder, but the body was so fat that I couldn't get my hand around it. It didn't really have any good gripping surface on the body. The newer/nicer grinder that I bought to replace it has a much slimmer body and feels way more controllable.