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Cutting disc caution

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Rut

Rut

Obi Wan
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Guys,
Ive been using an angle grinder for a lot of years and except for a careless mishap with a flap wheel/finger issue I've never had problems. Over the last couple of days I've been fabricating brackets out of 1/8" steel held in a vise and I've been cutting and grinding using the pictured discs. I've never had a issue with the quality of the discs I've used, but as you can see these came apart in use. I don't remember the brand name, but I'm sure I bought them at Lowes or my local welding shop in the bulk pack.
When the first one separated it snatched the angle grinder out of my hand and hit the floor...when the second one separated it threw the angle grinder a good 10 feet and in both cases I only got bruised fingers and hands, no missing digits!
If you don't already do so wear heavy leather gloves, eye protection and use the guard and handle that came on the grinder. I tend not to use the handle on mine, but you can bet I won't use it again without one!
Rut
 

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Yeah, those things are potential deadly weapons! A friend has several stitches in his hand due to one getting the better of him.
 
We call them "death wheels". Thicker ones are less dangerous, but less useful. Be sure you do not plunge them deep, that is when they cause problems. Never go more than a hair deeper than the thickness of your metal ... no matter how determined you are to try a cut a bit further.
 
Trevor Jessie said:
We call them "death wheels". Thicker ones are less dangerous, but less useful. Be sure you do not plunge them deep, that is when they cause problems. Never go more than a hair deeper than the thickness of your metal ... no matter how determined you are to try a cut a bit further.
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Trevor,
I had the bracket mounted in a vise and was cutting with a normal scoring method. I typically cut until the excess starts to fall away and then use a thicker grinding wheel to dress it up. I may have gone too deep while cutting this part and I'll have to be more careful in the future.
Thanks, Rut
 
Good grief! Any chance that they might have been used to cut grind aluminum at some point? I understand that that is a definite no-no, with aluminum getting caught up in the grinding material and then the differential thermal expansion causing the wheel to come apart. Doug
 
Also be careful when purchasing check the RPM on disk. Do not over speed disks . Some grinders now run at insane RPMs
 
I run Dewalt angle grinders, the mid priced ones and they run at 'regular' speeds. These discs were only used on steel from new and the more I think about it I have to agree with Trevor...user error/too deep into the cut. I think these might be Gator brand discs?
Rut
 
Better to replace more often, now that you see the quality may have fallen off from the older ones. I replace mine quite frequently, but I mainly buy from a specialist not local hardware stores.
 
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