Angle Grinders 101 | How to Use an Angle Grinder

A straight to the point explanation of grinders, wheels and safety.

My 4.5 inch angle grinder may be the most useful tool in my small workshop. It can be used to cut metal if you don't have a band saw or a chop saw or to grind welds. I usually keep a second angle grinder with a wire brush installed to remove slag from stick welding or flux core welding. In this video, I show my favorite disks and wheels for metal fabrication with an angle grinder. For cutting, I use abrasive cutoff wheels and diamond cutoff wheels. For grinding, I often use flap discs.

****Affordable self-paced welding courses taught by me****

****Links to Items Mentioned****
(These provide a small commission from sales to help support this channel. Thank you for your support.)

****Related Videos****

****Where to Buy Practice Metal and Weld Kits****
USE DISCOUNT CODE 'TIMWELDS' TO SAVE 10%

****Where to Buy Top Quality Welding Machines and Accessories****
USE DISCOUNT CODE 'TIMWELDS' TO SAVE 5%

[fastbusiness]

Thanks for the safety tips. Of all the tools in the shop, I have injured myself more with an angle grinder than anything, and I try to be safe. A few things I've learned: 1) After grinding a piece of steel, it gets very hot -- don't forget it. 2) A grinding wheel will cut through your skin a lot faster than metal -- it will take time to heal. 3) Wire wheels usually throw off wires at high speed -- they penetrate easily through cloth, so think how much easier they will go into your eye. 4) Don't think it will make you look like a pro if you take the guard off.

[firesong]

I am 73 and just learning to work with tools. You are one of the best teachers I have met. Sir you know how to "keep it simple".

[trishfitzpatrick]

Wow. This is a how-to video of precision and perfection. There isn't a single word wasted yet the information is abundant, to the point, and all in order. There are no jump-cuts, no pauses, no annoying background music. I played it repeatedly to learn about this tool but I also played it to appreciate the first rate job you did. Thank you.

[jenwhitedesigns]

Great tip to pass on—zip tie your wheel wrench to the plug-end of a corded grinder. Not only will you never lose your key, you’ll never forget to unplug the power when changing out a disc. (Can’t remember where I picked this up, but thanks to original source! Works like a charm.) Tim, you do a fantastic job and your videos are my favs. I’ve learned so much from your channel. 🙏

[woodennecktie]

the first YT that shows angle grinders with the shrew or safety cover on the machines

[alanmcrae]

Nice video. I recently started using an angle grinder for cutting angle steel, and for removing old paint, primer & rust from a steel I beam bridge. We found that the Bauer Surface Conditioning Tool with the 40 Grit Stripping Drum was superb at removing a large swath right down to the bare metal, but we needed angle grinders with both the knotted & wire cup brushes to get into the tight curves & welded corners. Together both tools did a great job getting down to bare steel, so we could come back in paint with a metal primer & a top coat to restore the steel bridge to very good condition.

I wore a Tyvek coverall w/ hood, booties, safety goggles, 3M P95 respirator and gloves because these tools really throw out some fine grindings that you don't want to breathe or get in your hair, skin or clothes, for that matter. We also used a large tarp to catch the grindings rather than let them get into the environment. Take care of yourself, take care of your fellow workers and take care of the environment. And use the right tools to get the job done efficiently.

[deerhunter]

I've been using grinders for 38 years and couldn't find a flaw in your video mate, great stuff 👌

[billyblackie]

Best video on angle grinders I have seen. Good man Tim and a million thanks

[simonc]

I rarely comment on YouTube but could not pass this without saying what a fabulous and concise video this is. Thank you so much for this. I learned an awful lot. The only thing I would add is some safety glasses. I am sure this video will undoubtedly prevent many accidents

[kenday]

A LOT of information in a short period of time! This is an excellent primer for a new user but there is also a gem or two in here for even an experienced user. All in all this is an outstanding presentation! 😀

[tink]

Just purchased my first personal grinder and full face shield. The grinder at my work always made me super nervous to use, no guard and no handle. Great tips! Feeling so much better now

[AutoExpertJC]

Great video Tim.Also a good safety tip is: Keep your head and body out of the plane of rotation of the disc, because in the event of kickback or wheel failure, you're not in the most likely path of shrapnel. Also, gloves can be an entrapment hazard between the guard and the disc. Very impressed you said clamp the work and put both hands on the grinder - I see a lot of YouTubers not doing this - very dangerous practice to hold the work with one hand and operate the grinder with the other.

[عليمحمدالطائي-مي]

Good greeting from an Iraqi Arab guy I respect you and all craftsmen ❤️

[MH-rpjx]

I ordered an angle grinder earlier today and happy I came across your video. Incredibly informative for novices like me! Thank you!

[bryce_hello]

I just bought a ginder today with multiple different wheels... then drive home and see you posted this. Perfect timing!

[Candelariasart]

Thank you! Found your video by accident. But great to see you focus on Safety! The information you provide is great for new/future metal enthusiasts.

For 15yrs, I have offered welding and metal working to mostly novice students. And Safety is a constantly being taught. At the end of the day, most students appreciate the safety aspect of my class.

Again, thank you for your safety information.

[billabram]

As a newbi to angle grinders your video is unequalled! Great video, Thank you.

[vincej]

Thank you very much, I ordered an angle grinder today and while I waiting it to be delivered, I thought it was wise to learn some tips since I have never used one before. Thank you once again for this video which was very helpful.

[melgross]

I can certainly agree about wearing safety equipment for your face with these, or even Dremel type tools. Just a couple of weeks ago, I was wearing safety glasses and a face shield, and still got something in my right eye. I was moving around a large part I welded together, and didn’t realize that the massive sparking was traveling around the wheel as I was moving. It ended moving around right at my face. That’s a huge amount of sparks. One managed to get through, and in my eye. Fortunately, it wasn’t too hot when it got there likely bouncing around inside my gear before entering my eye.

But, if I didn’t have that protective gear, I could have had a massive problem. I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I’m normally pretty careful (don’t listen to these guys on YouTube who tell you to take the guards off the grinders). But the more you do, the greater chance something will go wrong. Don’t be stupid, it’s not manly to go blind.

[tinkeringinthailand]

Great post Tim. I tend to have 3 grinders on the go at any one time. 1 with a cutting disk, 1 with a grinding disk and one with a wire cleaning wheel. I used to use my grinders without a guard but after seeing many horror stories when things go wrong, I always use the guard and eye protection.