Top 10 Tips For Cutting Piping With An Angle Grinder


Top 10 Tips For Cutting Piping With An Angle Grinder

Angle Grinders are powerful machinery; therefore, knowing how to use one appropriately is important.

Not only can they cause the operator harm if used incorrectly but also surrounding people.

Luckily for you, we have compiled a list of the top 10 tips for cutting piping with an angle grinder – so you can easily perform the task at hand.

Always Use Two Hands

Make sure you keep two hands on the grinder at all times, in the proper placements. This will ensure that you have complete control of the power tool.

Allowing you to have more leverage and control.

One hand should be placed on the handle, while the other hand is located on the grinder’s back.

For safety, make sure to never pass the tool when carrying the grinder from one place to another when turned on.

Wear Appropriate PPE

Before you even start cutting the pipe, it’s important to make sure you are wearing the essential safety attire.

This includes eye protection (preferably in the form of a fully covered mask), overalls, work gloves, and a helmet.

Due to the power tools’ fast spinning blade, you may find small pieces of debris spinning off the angle grinder at regular intervals.

Likewise, in some instances, the grinding discs have been known to break and shoot toward the operator.

Therefore, the importance and use of wearing the correct PPE can’t be overstated.

Inspect The Tool For Damage

Accidental damage is bound to happen when using these tools. Whether this was performed by you or someone else.

Therefore, if this does happen, you should look out for any damaged attachments or grinders that could make the tool unfit for use.

Before using the tool, ensure that the blade is intact, whether this is a new blade or an old one.

Cutting discs are prone to damage through either delivery or accidental drops when storing.

Therefore, check for any cracks, chips, and other damage that would prevent the blade from working at optimum performance – to keep you and others around you safe.

Use Necessary Wheel

It is crucial to choose the precise grinding wheel that is most appropriate for the job.

The wrong one can cause harm to both the body of the grinder and blade and additionally; poses a threat to the operator.

Before deciding on the type of wheel, determine what size wheel you need first. A typical disc diameter falls between the ranges of 4.5 inches and 9 inches.

For non-industrial purposes, smaller wheels are more appropriate. On the other hand, for heavy-duty industrial projects, you’ll want a larger one.

Once you have adequately examined your workpiece’s material, then you can choose the most appropriate angle grinder disc for your job.

There is a range of angle grinder discs available, below; you will find some common ones:

While these may be the most common blades, there are much more available. Therefore, examining your project’s requirements is important.

Only Use Grinders In Adequate Condition

Top 10 Tips For Cutting Piping With An Angle Grinder

Ensure your grinder is in good working condition. Inspect all the tool components, making sure there are no loose attachments and all screws are tight.

The blade must be screwed in place and properly fastened, with no play detected in the handle. Likewise, ensure the flange is secured.

Use The Safety Guard

When using an angle grinder, the wheel guards should always be used.

These safety guards aren’t an optional feature, unlike the popular notion that you can simply have one in place before the grinder.

A safety guard’s main purpose is to deflect random pieces of debris that may be thrown out.

Likewise, it prevents sparks from reaching the operator’s body. If your wheel were to break off, then it may even shield you from this.

A safety guard shouldn’t obstruct the operation of the tool in any way.

While this may be found to be untrue in older models, however; in newer models, you’ll find moveable guards that don’t impede your cutting or grinding process in any shape.

Therefore, the importance of the safety guard shouldn’t be overlooked.

Without a safety guard, you could be prone to considerable damage and injury, as a result of the wheel breaking off and becoming a dangerous target for the operator.

Start Slow First

When you’re using your angle grinder, it’s important to adjust the speed of the grinder wheel to suit your requirements.

A general rule of thumb is to begin slowly, find your flow, and steadily increase the speed into a comfortable setting.

Likewise, different grinding blades work best at different speeds. If you’re unsure what speed to choose for your grinder, then it’s best to consult your vendor.

Avoid Flammables

When using an angle grinder, you should avoid flammable materials at all times.

Objects that can easily be set alight, such as gas cans, an oily rag, or aerosols, should be removed from your work area.

The reasons for this are apparent. Due to angle grinders’ high-spinning metal disc capabilities, they can produce sparks when operated, even more so when cutting metal.

If these sparks were to fall on combustible materials, they could cause fatal accidents.

Flames can get out of control, quickly, and can damage and cause harm to your body, your property, or even your life.

Therefore, it is important to remove any flammable materials from your workspace before you begin using your angle grinder.

Don’t Customize The Grinder

While some owners may want to customize their angle grinders, this, however, isn’t recommended.

If you are looking to make any adjustments, it’s best to contact start by contacting the manufacturer.

In doing so, they may provide you with information on what can be altered and what cannot.

Likewise, you should only apply attachments to your angle grinder that are specifically designed for the tool.

If you try to force something to integrate with the grinder, you could risk injuring not only yourself but others around you.

If you’re unsure whether or not a specific accessory is applicable, then try locating the tool’s description or contact the manufacturer.

Let The Grinder Warm Up Before Use

Whether it’s your first time using the grinder, returning it from a break, or you’re borrowing it from another person, you should allow the tools to spin for a minimum of one minute before operating it.

By doing so, you’re allowing the grinder to warm up and develop full speed. This also provides you with the opportunity to ensure your power tool is in fully operational condition.

Final Thoughts

Cutting piping with an angle grinder doesn’t have to be difficult. If you follow these ten tips, you’ll be sure to finish your project on time.

One thing to remember when using this powerful piece of equipment is that safety is key. Hopefully, this guide has informed you of the top 10 tips for cutting piping with an angle grinder.

Ben Jones

When it comes to selecting the right tool for the job there are some important factors that you have to consider. I hope by sharing some of my knowledge I'll be able to educate you on a range of grinders so you can get the job done.

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