Reply to "Welder"

Few more thoughts.
I use the HF orange grinder (not blue, the blue tools are not worth taking for free). I get a lot of service from them and they run about $21. After torturing them for some time I used to pull them apart and replace the brush and clean up the stator. Any more I just get another one. I use them every day and torture them and they do hold up quite well for a $21 tool!

We have a Makita which is more powerful. I tried using the cut off disk in the Makita but the extra power is a bit much. It actually becomes a more dangerous exercise.

I use the HF cut off disk. I tried more expensive disk which last a lot longer, but the HF cut better. They wear down faster but they do cut better.

They also emit more nasty dust from the wheel wearing down so a mask is a must.

These are not suppose to be used as grinding wheels but to be honest, I have not used a regular grinding wheel in years. These disk work better and are far easier to control the grind.

**I cannot say that without pointing out that the cut off disk are not meant to be grinding wheels**. I stay on the tip and the cut off wheel flying apart is rare but does happen. Never grind on the flat side of the wheel; stay on the tip! It is an art but once you learn it, the tool is invaluable.

To be clear, a face shield is a must! Never on a Makita, always the lower power HF. Keep the trajectory of the wheel away from things like your face, neck, belly, etc. Once in a while look up grinding wheel failures to understand the dangers of what you are dealing with. You will find pictures of grinding wheels imbedded in peoples faces; most likely from a grinder like a Makita.

Finally, understand that around flammables, grinders are far more dangerous then a welder. To demonstrate, grind at night once with low lighting and see how far the embers go.

Loose clothing like the apron I am wearing in the last photo is just asking to be wrapped up in a spinning grinder. That's ok, I set it on fire with burning embers. Grinding away going "man, smells like something is on fire....oh yea, that would be me!"

The grinder is one of my most powerful tools in what it can do. I can cut things so accurate I can only be out done by my laser. A hand held plasma torch could not come close.

However it is one of the most dangerous tools in the shop!