What Are Grinders Used For?

Grinders are powerful and versatile power tools that are typically found in workshops and used for a variety of different purposes. You can use grinders to polish materials, grind, shape, sharpen, and more. All you need are the appropriate attachments or wheels. Then you can use them on various materials, including plastic, wood, metal, and even stone.

Grinders usually have wheels, which indicate what you can do with the machine. You can cut hard materials like metal and concrete and even remove rust and polishing. 

Different Types of Grinders 

There are many different grinders available on the market. Still, before purchasing one, you should consider what you will be using it for, the materials you will be using it on, and how big of a grinder you need. Additionally, you should consider what kind of wheels and attachments you need. By considering these factors, you should be able to purchase a grinder that will fit your needs best.

More About Bench Grinders

A bench grinder is essential in most workshops because it helps you maintain the rest of your tools. This useful tool allows you to do various tasks, but most bench grinders are used to sharpen different tools. Investing in a bench grinder can prolong the life of multiple tools, such as blades. 

These machines are also excellent for heavy-duty cleaning, polishing, painting, and rust stripping. Although you can do these tasks with a smaller grinder, they are not as well-suited. Bench grinders are also long-lasting and durable. 

This machine comes in various sizes and is also extremely easy to use.

More About Compact Angle Grinders

Angle grinders are handheld grinders used for grinding, cutting, and polishing purposes. These grinders are also known as disc or side grinders and are powered in one of three ways. They can either use petrol engines, electric motors or compressed air. 

Angle grinders consist of abrasive discs, side handles, geared heads, and adjustable guards, which allow the grinder to fulfill its purpose. The geared head is mounted at a right angle and holds either a wheel or a disc. This disc is responsible for polishing, grinding, and sanding the different materials.

Angle grinders are commonly found in construction sites, car repair stations, and metalworking shops. Their primary use is cutting and making notches in various materials. The angle grinders’ discs allow the machine to be used in multiple ways. Depending on the disc used, you can use the tool on different materials. 

What To Consider When Purchasing a Grinder?

When purchasing a grinder, you need to ensure that you are buying one that fits your needs. Otherwise, you may get stuck with a tool that is too big or too small to use. Additionally, the frequency with which you use the grinder is also essential when deciding on a grinder. Here are a few factors you should consider when buying a grinder.

The Size

Bench grinders come in a variety of sizes. Depending on your shop’s size and intended use, you may need a small or large grinder. If you do more heavy-duty work and are considering investing in a grinder, you may want to purchase a larger one with a large motor. Such grinders also have large wheels capable of supporting the weight of the large design. 

Some bench motors have handle wheels up to eight inches, which allows you to grind a larger area. This helps speed up the process immensely and makes grinding large things much more manageable. 

Motor 

In a bench grinder, the motor is usually arranged in the middle and available in different horsepowers. The horsepower number determines the number of revolutions or RPM of the grinder. The higher the RPM, the more powerful a machine is. If you intend to use your grinder on harder materials like steel, you may want to purchase a grinder that has a high RPM. Most grinders have a speed range of 3000 RPM to 3600 RPM.

For angle grinders, you need to focus on the volts and wattage of the grinder to ensure you are getting a powerful device. Ensure that you purchase a grinder with a rating between 110 and 230 volts AC. The wattage should also be at least 500 watts and around 2500 watts on the upper end. A high-wattage angle grinder will serve you well if you intend to use it on steel, iron, or any other hard material.

Spark Deflectors

A spark deflector is an essential part of bench grinders because they prevent sparks from flying toward you. On these machines, the grinding wheel is hooked onto the side of the grinder and goes into a housing, which is a spark deflector. 

These usually cover around seventy-five percent of the wheel, leaving the front twenty-five exposed. This gives you enough space to work. Spark deflectors are also designed to protect the wheel in case an object falls from above the grinder and hits it.

When purchasing a bench grinder, ensure that the spark deflector is made using a sturdy material and is attached properly. 

The Right Wheels

When choosing a bench grinder, you should also ensure that you are picking the right wheel for the job you are about to do. You need to ensure that the wheel is rated for the speed of your grinder. If the wheel you choose cannot handle the speed of your grinder, it may explode. There are many different kinds of wheels available. 

Easy to Use

When purchasing a grinder, you must choose one that is easy to use. The buttons should be large and well-marked so that you can operate them even if you are wearing gloves or in dim lighting. 

Suppose you intend to use your grinder for various different tasks. In that case, you will need to change its tools, discs, and accessories often. In this case, ensure that you pick a grinder that makes changing these accessories easy. 

Well-Balanced

Ensure that the grinder you pick, especially a bench grinder, is well-balanced. If it is not, it may vibrate when it runs at high speeds. Vibrations can often cause it extremely hard to grind at a straight edge when working on a long piece. You can also combat vibrations by using a larger-diameter wheel, as they tend to vibrate less than smaller-sized wheels.

Attachments

Attachments make a power tool more versatile, so you should ensure that the grinder you pick has all the attachments you need. A bunch of attachments makes using grinders easier, including water trays, an eye shield, and a tool rest.

A water tray helps cool down whatever you are grinding because materials tend to heat up when you use the power tool on them. An eye shield is designed to protect you from particles that fly off when you grind. These particles are hazardous, which is why you should ensure there is an eye shield attachment attached to your grinder. 

A tool rest gives you a space where you can rest the item you are grinding, and it helps you get a straight and even edge. Another helpful tool is a dust collector, designed to catch the mess grinders make. 

Variable Speed Settings

Most bench grinders are used for sharpening and polishing tasks, and when doing such tasks, it is useful to have control over the wheel’s speed. In such situations, having a variable-speed grinder allows you to adjust the wheel’s speed to suit your job. 

Disc Diameter

When purchasing an angle grinder, it is essential that you take into account the disc diameter. The larger the disc is, the deeper the machine will be able to cut. A larger disc is much better if you plan to use your angle grinder for more intense tasks.

The most commonly used sizes include 4.5 inches and 9 inches. 

Safety Features

When purchasing a grinder, you must buy one with good safety features. Larger angle grinders often come with a slow start, allowing the motor to slowly increase to full speed. By slowing down the speed in the beginning, the battery is able to warm up before spinning at full speed.

An anti-kickback is also a valuable feature to have on a grinder. On an angle grinder, if the wheel gets bound up, this function causes the machine to cut out. 

Power tools tend to heat up when used for extended periods, which often harms the battery. Restart protection prevents you from using your grinder if it has overheated. It also cuts out the motor if left running for too long.

Comfort

A comfortable power tool is essential because it allows you to bear the vibrations it produces. The grinder’s size and weight play a massive role in how comfortable a tool is to use. Ensure that the angle grinder you purchase comes with anti-vibration handles, allowing you to use your tool without getting tired. 

Grinder Safety

You need to be careful when using grinders, such as angle grinders, as they can be dangerous if misused. Angle grinders combine a fast spinning motor and a sharp cutting disc, which is why you need to be extra cautious. If you are not, you could seriously injure yourself or those around you.

When you plug in your grinder, you must ensure it is switched off. If you do not take note of this, the grinder will start spinning as soon as you plug it in, which can be dangerous. 

Even before you plug the device, read the manual to understand how it works. When you get a new power tool, you are usually not used to the controls, which is why it is always helpful to understand your device before you use it. 

You should always wear suitable clothing and appropriate protective gear when using a grinder. These machines produce a lot of sparks and often throw up the material you are cutting, which can cause an injury if they accidentally go into your eye. 

Depending on the material you are cutting, you may or may not also need a dust mask. If you are cutting materials such as ceramics or masonry, they tend to blow up a lot of dust. So, dust masks and proper ventilation are essential.

FAQs

What are grinders used for?

Grinders are used for cutting metal, grinding and polishing metal, cutting stone and masonry, cleaning metal, clearing grout, and so much more. 

Can you use bench grinders to sharpen knives?

Yes, you can use bench grinders to sharpen knives because they have a high-speed spinning wheel. This allows you to use it on various materials, including metal, wood, plastic, and even wood. 

What are small angle grinders used for?

Small-angle grinders are often handheld power tools that can be used for metal fabrication jobs. These include deburring, polishing, cutting, and finishing. Most small grinders are either corded and powered by electricity or cordless and battery-powered. 

Conclusion

Grinders are essential tools in all kinds of workshops such as woodworking shops and more. Since there are so many different types, it can take time to choose which one to buy. The best way to go about selecting a grinder is to research all the different types and see which one fits best. You should also take into consideration the size, the power, the safety features, and how easy it is to use. This way, you’ll be able to find one that fits your needs the best.