Which side should you put the cutting wheel on the grinder?

How to put a disc on an angle grinder: with the ring outward or inward
Many who work with an angle grinder do not even realize that they are doing it wrong. First of all, this concerns the installation of a disc on an angle grinder. The second point is related to the direction of the cutting wheel. All this leads to sad consequences.

For example, often when installing a disk with the ring inward, the nut sticks so tightly that even unscrewing it with a wrench becomes problematic. When directing sparks away from themselves, for fear of setting their pants on fire, many forget about basic safety rules.

What is the correct way to install a disc on an angle grinder - with the picture (ring) facing outwards or inwards? How to cut safely with a grinder so that the disc does not fly apart? This article will highlight these points.

To install a new disk, after cleaning the casing, you must perform the following steps:

1. We install the lower flange in its place;
2. We place a special gasket on top of it (if gaskets are not provided, you can cut them yourself. The optimal material is cardboard or tin).
3. Install the disk;
4. Place the second gasket;
5. We install the upper flange on top;
6. We turn the upper flange by hand in the opposite direction from the rotation of the grinder circle, while holding the disk itself;
7. Next, press the lock button again and turn the flange by hand until you feel resistance;
8. At the final stage, we perform final fixation using the same open-end wrench. To do this, insert the key into the holes and scroll a little more.

After all the actions have been completed, you can safely continue to perform work.
One of the most frequently asked questions about installing/dismantling angle grinder equipment is: “Which side should you put the disc on the angle grinder?”

Usually, inexperienced masters ask this question. Is it possible to install the circle with the wrong side - yes. Firstly, if the disk is not flat, but, for example, petal-shaped, then you will not be able to install it incorrectly; if the petals are positioned incorrectly, you just need to twist the casing and handle on the grinder. That is, the question disappears by itself.

If the circle is still flat, then you should focus on its label, the so-called “shirt”.

If the angle grinder rotates towards itself, the disc should be installed with its face outward, but if the disc rotates away from itself, then, accordingly, it must be installed with its face inward.

If you do not adhere to this algorithm, there is a high probability that the disk will fail very quickly or immediately become deformed.

Saw blades for angle grinders

Wood saw blades for angle grinders were developed by various manufacturers and, accordingly, have several varieties. The simplest and definitely the most budget-friendly option is to install a disk for a circular saw of appropriate sizes on the grinder - both the outer diameter and the diameter of the internal mounting hole. For an angle grinder, which according to its size characteristics is classified as small, a circle measuring 125x22 mm is suitable.

Technically, you can install a disk with a diameter of 230 mm on a small grinder, but to do this you will have to remove the protective cover, which is absolutely unacceptable. The angle grinder user's hands are in close proximity to rotating working surfaces and any emergency situation can cause serious injury. Using such a wheel on an angle grinder can cause serious safety violations and is strictly not recommended for beginners.

Any distortion, including those associated with the unevenness of the wood structure, can cause jamming of the disk and, as a result, a sharp jump in the entire unit, to the point where it can break out of your hands and make a dangerous, unpredictable flight. The circular saw blade is not designed for such fast speeds as the angle grinder spindle produces; this causes it to heat up excessively, which affects the strength of the steel. As a result, if the saw wheel is misaligned, it may collapse with fragments scattering at high speed in unpredictable directions.

Special attachments for sawing wood, developed for UMS, have significant differences from the circular saw blade. Let's look at the most common options for sawing wood. On sale you can find saw blades similar to circular saws, which have an increased tooth spread, which significantly reduces the likelihood of them jamming. In addition, the difference in the manufacture of such a disk is that other alloys are used, this reduces the risk of destruction of the disk when it is heated.

Further attempts to protect the blade from jamming led to the combination of a circular saw and a chain saw in one product. A chain similar to a chainsaw chain moves freely along the working surface of the disk, which absolutely eliminates jamming. There are quite a few modifications of this hybrid. Craftsmen using such a combination saw successfully cut branches and can even cut not very thick trees.

A completely new direction in the evolution of circular discs was marked by the invention of a special attachment that is suitable for working on various materials. This universal disc is made from a special composition - tungsten carbide. There are no teeth on such a saw blade at all. This type of disc allows you to cut a wide variety of materials well; it can be considered the safest disc for sawing wood of all those used on angle grinders.

Sawing with a grinder

If there is no other way out, that is, there is no special saw for wood (it’s broken) or urgent small work is required, of course, a grinder can help out. However, we must remember that the main purpose of this machine is not to cut wood. To use an angle grinder as a hand-held circular saw, you will need to stock up on one or more specialized attachments.

To avoid distortions and jamming, you need to saw in a comfortable position and fix the tool with both hands. The best results can be obtained if you do not remove the special guide handle; with its help it is much easier to control the angle grinder. Correctly sawing off a workpiece using a grinder is not at all easy; due to the heterogeneity of the wood, the operating mode will constantly change. Therefore, while working, it is better not to be distracted and monitor how the cut is progressing.

If you need to use a grinder to cut wood, it is better to use a circle with a small diameter of 115 or 125 mm. 230th circles are much more dangerous, they have greater inertia, and in the event of an emergency it is not possible to stop their rotation immediately. Installing the saw blade on the angle grinder. you need to take into account the direction of rotation, it is often indicated on the disk itself in the form of arrows. The teeth of the circular saw have special soldering that increases their performance. It will be difficult to saw a disc installed in reverse. When purchasing saw blades for an angle grinder, you need to pay attention to the following parameters:

• saw diameter;
• required depth of cut;
• shape and number of teeth.

If you plan to cut wood infrequently, then it is better to choose a saw wheel with teeth that have a variable set. If the main material on which you plan to work is chipboard, it is better not to use a saw with a large number of teeth. If the grinder will be used in the construction of a log structure, it is better to purchase a chain circular saw. Sawing boards will require paying attention to the depth of cut and the diameter of the blade.

Roughing

It’s worth mentioning right away that roughing and grinding discs go hand in hand, and in many stores in the “type” parameter of the attachment it may be written: “roughing grinding disc.” In our article we will divide this “couple” into two types. Peelers in this context are an attachment for freeing the structure being processed from the outer layer, for example, from rust. There are the following peeling attachments:

Roughing discs. Sanding discs, like cord brushes, can be flat or cup-shaped. They are intended for cleaning welds and preparing metal surfaces for grinding.

For metal, concrete, wood and other materials

To effectively process any material, it is important to choose the right power so that it matches the diameter of the tool and its thickness. In addition, the consumable must be suitable for processing a specific type of workpiece material

The main difference between discs for steel, cast iron, and non-ferrous metals is in the composition of the fillers. To process alloy steels, a very strong additive is added to the disc material that can overcome the resistance of alloy steel. When processing non-ferrous metals, on the contrary, a soft filler is added, which works effectively when processing viscous materials.

Disc for aluminum

To process concrete (tiles, paving slabs), diamond discs are used (actually, these are metal circles coated with diamond).

Tile disc

It is not recommended to process wood with an angle grinder due to the high risk of injury. If such a need nevertheless arises, then the best option would be a grinder with a disk with a diameter of 125 mm. As a working tool, special angle grinder discs for wood should be used.

Wood disc

Final Recommendations

In conclusion, it should be recalled once again that the grinder is designed to work with other materials and at its own speed. Statistics show a large number of accidents associated with the use of homemade devices based on angle grinders. Using it as a basis for a circular saw is a problematic and dangerous solution. The creation of the machine should be carefully considered from a safety perspective in order to protect yourself from the possibility of serious injury.

Source: 2lzz.ru

How to change a disc on an angle grinder without a key?

Method 1. Use a gas wrench

Use an adjustable pipe wrench to grasp the nut and carefully unscrew it without applying much force. Disadvantage: you can crush the nut and break the rotation lock

Method 2. Make a homemade key for the grinder. To do this you will need a long nail (at least 100 mm). You need to cut off the head, the point and give the nail a U-shape. It should be bent in such a way that the “tool” posts fit into the holes in the flange. If the nut is tightened tightly, insert any metal rod between the posts of the nail and, holding it with both hands, rotate the structure in the direction of movement of the circle. At this time, you need to press and hold the spindle lock button. The method is safe, but it requires time and additional tools - a hacksaw, a vice, a hammer.

Method 3. Tapping with a chisel. Before changing the disk, you can treat the spindle shaft with WD-40 and wait at least 15 minutes. Then place the tip of a thin chisel at an angle to the hole of the flange nut and gently tap over the entire surface of the hole with a plumber's hammer. Sooner or later, thanks to gentle tapping, the nut will move, and it will be possible to unscrew it manually. The disadvantage of this method is that the holes can be damaged and the flange can be damaged.

Method 4: Heat the nut. If it is difficult to unscrew the angle grinder nut by hand, you can heat it a little with a gas burner or autogen. You need to wear gloves when unscrewing the flange to avoid getting burned. This is the riskiest of the proposed methods. It is possible to overheat the bearings and oil in the gearbox of an angle grinder.

Finally, I would like to mention a few important points regarding replacing a disc on an angle grinder.

1. You need to install wheels of the appropriate size on your angle grinder. It is necessary to strictly observe safety precautions and under no circumstances remove the protective casing to install a disc of a larger diameter. When choosing a disk, you need to take into account the model of the power tool, its power, and spindle speed.
2. Due to the disk rotating at high speed, hardening forms on the protective casing of the angle grinder. Therefore, when changing a disk, remove and clean the casing.
3. Some models of angle grinders are equipped with washers to prevent the disc from getting stuck between the flanges. At the very least, the support flange can be equipped with a rubber washer. Instead of factory fasteners, you can cut gaskets from cardboard, rubber or plastic. It is necessary to use 2 gaskets: between the support flange and the disk, between the disk and the nut.
4. Do not forget: if the circle rotates clockwise, then the nut is also unscrewed clockwise and tightened counterclockwise.
5. If you don’t want to buy a new key, install a Bosch quick-release nut on the angle grinder - you can easily unscrew it by hand.

The main thing is that when changing a disc on an angle grinder, do not violate safety precautions and perform all manipulations with the tool unplugged.

Safety precautions

From a safety point of view, the idea of ​​using an angle grinder as a sawing machine is very dangerous and undesirable. Too high a disk rotation speed, unreliable fastening of the tool, the impossibility of installing high-quality protection - all these factors unanimously require abandoning the idea and turning to other options.

However, if a decision is made, the following requirements must be taken into account:

• stability, immobility of the bed;
• rigid mounting of the tool, the impossibility of vibration or movement of the grinder;
• use only high-speed saw blades.

In addition, it is necessary to follow the general rules for working on a circular saw, the main ones being:

• the presence of hanging ties, sleeves, and ends of clothing is excluded;
• It is forbidden to move workpieces with bare hands in the immediate vicinity of the saw blade;
• If a workpiece jams, immediately turn off the machine and fix the problem;
• start work only after reaching full rotation speed;
• It is forbidden to brake the disk after turning it off with your hands or foreign objects; you must wait until it stops on its own.

Compliance with safety rules is a prerequisite for working with woodworking machines. They are considered the most traumatic group of production equipment, so safety rules should never be ignored.

Peculiarities

Let's look at what a cutting wheel for an angle grinder is. In fact, this is the main device in the process of cutting or processing material. The engine in the grinder spins a diamond disk, which has a certain number of cutting crystals. It is these strong crystals that cut the surface.

A cutter can be designed for different types of work depending on the material that needs to be worked with and its functional purpose. There are cutting wheels for metal, wood, plastic and even stone. Over time, the circle gradually wears off and becomes smaller.

Necessary materials

To make a homemade machine you will need:

• rectangular pipe, steel or aluminum angle;
• sheet of chipboard, thick plywood 12-14 mm thick;
• bolts, nuts, washers;
• metal strips, plates, large pieces of corner;
• welding machine with electrodes;
• electric drill or drilling machine;
• Bulgarian;
• saw blade;
• connecting wires, on/off button.

Depending on the capabilities and needs of the master, other materials or tools may be needed. It is impossible to provide a complete list of components, since the design of the machine can be complicated, additional elements or functions can be added.

Examples of drawings of conventional machines, for a general understanding of the device:

Recommendations from specialists for certain types of work

Next, we will tell you how to use an angle grinder with various metal products.

Sharpening a chainsaw chain

Photo No. 12: sharpening a chainsaw chain with a grinder

The chain is sharpened on the boom of a chainsaw. For work, use a sharpening disc with a thickness of 2.5 mm. It is necessary to mark the first tooth that you will treat. With proper actions, you can update the chain 4-7 times before it completely fails.

Pipe cutting

Photo No. 13: cutting pipes with a grinder

It is better to start cutting thick metal with a grinder from the edges. If you start from the middle part, the disc may jam and bend. During processing, apply force to the lower part of the cutting tool, which ensures efficient cutting.

Cutting moldings

Photo No. 14: cutting corners with a grinder

To cut metal corners, you can use worn discs or a small diameter tool.

It is important to remember that the work is gradual: first, one part of the molding is cut, then the second.

Sharpening a circular saw blade

Photo No. 15: sharpening a circular saw blade with a grinder

Start by securing the angle grinder with clamps, leaving access to the rotating part of the tool. Then bring the saw blade to the grinding wheel without applying much force. The circle should pass tangentially across the product. When working, ensure that the sharpening plane is maintained.

Preparing to convert the grinder to a circular saw

What will you need to create a circular saw from a grinder with your own hands? To do this, you need to make sure that the following structural elements are present:

• Bulgarian. It is advisable to use a powerful professional tool. Low-power grinders can only saw thin wood materials.
• Drill.
• Chipboards.
• Screws and glue.
• Plastic clamps.

First, you need to purchase a special circular saw disc suitable for an angle grinder. This disk must have teeth, the number of which depends on the size of the disk, as well as on the purpose of using the tool. First you need to worry about the base for the future circular file.

Cutting wheels for grinders, in turn, have their own subtypes, such as:

• Cutting wheels for metal work;
• Abrasive wheels for working with stone;
• Circles for woodworking;
• Diamond blades (mentioned above).

The purpose of each type of disk usually corresponds to its name.

Among grinding discs, there are four main subtypes - flap, wire, diamond and bakelite-based grinding discs (straight, T41 profile and disc, T27 profile).

1. The flap disc is made of sandpaper. Its main purpose is to remove existing coating, such as old paint, primer or a layer of paintwork. Also, discs of this type are used for polishing wooden products.
2. Wire discs are used by craftsmen to remove rust. They can also remove other types of stubborn stains.
3. Diamond discs are used for polishing stone.
4. Disc discs are made of plastic or rubber and are used for polishing metal surfaces.

What are the differences between the sides of an abrasive wheel?

The two sides are different: one has a label with the characteristics of the circle, and the other has a solid color coating. Separately, it is worth mentioning the metal ring, which directly affects safety during operation.

Metal ring

The main purpose of this element is to protect against the tightening of abrasives, which can be damaged if tightened tightly during installation. In addition, it increases the supporting surface area and simplifies the process of removing the wheel, preventing it from sticking.

Cutting discs

Cutting discs are most often used when working with an angle grinder. The following nozzles are distinguished by purpose:

For metal. Such cutting wheels are made from electrocorundum or crystalline corundum. In this case, a bakelite bond is often used inside the product. Depending on the thickness and size, the disc can cut metal profiles, stainless steel, heating pipes, etc. GRAFF GADM 115 10 is one of the representatives of inexpensive metal discs.

For stone and concrete. Circles for cutting stone and concrete are made of silicon carbide

Please note that the disc is intended for relatively “soft” materials, such as white brick and slate (harder ones will require a diamond wheel)

For ceramic tiles and concrete. This attachment is designed for cutting paving stones, ceramic tiles, red bricks, cutting strips for gating, etc. The disc itself is made of metal with diamond chips applied to the cutting edge. There are solid all-metal and segmented discs. The first ones are intended for wet cutting (cooling with water), as they become very hot during the process. Segmented ones are convenient for dry cutting, and they are the most popular among diamond blades. Here, for example, is a high-quality, durable segmented disk Makita B-28086 for cutting concrete and stone products.

For the tree. Discs for processing wooden structures are made of tungsten carbide or metal with abrasive coating. The first ones are designed for cutting hard and soft wood, plasterboard, gas silicate and MDF. The second one can also cut metal and even wood with nails (but this needs to be checked experimentally). Bison Professional 36859-125 is just such a representative of the “nail saw”.

Universal. These attachments can cut almost all types of materials (for wood, it is better to take a direct-use attachment). In particular, they are convenient to use when you have to cut different materials in one working day, and you don’t want to waste time changing the nozzle. Universal models even cut reinforced concrete. However, they are often quite expensive, and sometimes it is more profitable to buy two disks for different types of materials being processed. Of the good universal circles, we can recommend Wolverine 100125, which is suitable for both wet and dry cutting.

Briefly about the main thing

A grinder is a power tool for processing metal, stone and plastic. Based on size, power and scope of application, angle grinders are divided into large, medium and small. When choosing, the features of the handles, the power of the electric drive and the overall quality of the tool are taken into account. Effective operation of the device is associated with compliance with safety rules - selection and preparation of the location, use of protective equipment and full serviceability of the device.

Safe operation of the angle grinder is possible with proper consideration of a number of aspects:

1. Preparation.
2. Device position.
3. Backfire.
4. Disk rupture.

The direction of rotation of the working disk that is safe for the operator is clockwise. In this case, you need to unscrew the nut on the grinder in the same direction in which the working disk rotates - in the standard case, clockwise.

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Most specialists in repair and construction work today are well acquainted with an angle grinder or, as it is popularly called, an angle grinder. It is used to process a variety of materials, including stone, reinforced concrete, concrete, marble and many others. At first, beginners may have a number of questions, among which the most common are: how to properly install the disc on the grinder, how to secure the disc on the grinder, which side to put the disc on the grinder and in which direction the disc on the grinder should spin. Let us now try to briefly answer all these questions.

What is required to install the disk?

Installing a disc on an angle grinder is usually a fairly simple process in which you need to follow a few rules. In order to do this, you need to equip yourself with the appropriate tool - a wrench, which will be necessary to unscrew the nut. The next step after unwinding it will be replacing the grinder disk or its initial installation. If something happens that jams the disk in the grinder, to remove it you will have to crumble it and remove the remains from the gap between the support flange and the nut using a flat screwdriver or chisel.

Which side should you put the disc on the grinder?

Which side to place the cutting disc on may depend on several factors. Firstly, if the disk is not flat, then there is only one way to place it and the question disappears by itself. Secondly, if the circle is still flat, you can focus on the label - if the grinder rotates away from itself, then it is installed with the label inward, if towards itself, then, accordingly, outward. If this principle is not followed, then you can expect undesirable results - breakage of the disk during the sawing process or simply its rapid wear.

As for which direction the disc on the angle grinder rotates, this is primarily a safety issue. It is believed that it is necessary to cut concrete in the direction of rotation of the disk or towards itself. In an ideal position, sparks should fly to the side to the left of the person working with the tool. If this cannot be done, then you can use another position when the sheaf of sparks is directed downwards. In any case, a situation should not be allowed where sparks fly from the user, since in the event of a sudden jamming of the disk, the angle grinder will be directed towards him.

In other words, cutting materials against the direction of rotation of the disk or away from yourself is extremely unsafe, since in the case of a wedge, there is a sharp ejection of the angle grinder in the direction of the person working. By the way, if additional questions arise regarding how to install a disk on an angle grinder, you can also watch training videos, of which there are more than enough on the Internet today.

If you have any questions or need advice on changing and installing disks, just leave a request on the website or call the specified contact phone number, and our specialists will tell you how to proceed correctly. The entire range of our diamond blade products is presented in the diamond blades section.

Manufacturing

Let's consider the procedure for assembling a stationary sawing machine, as the safest and most functional device. Step-by-step instruction:

1. Preparatory part. It is necessary to create a working drawing, think through the design, clarify the dimensions and set of functions. This stage is important and should not be ignored.
2. Acquisition and preparation of necessary materials and tools.
3. Assembling the table base. A base for the machine is assembled from a rectangular pipe (or corner). Sections of the required length are cut and connected by welding. It is necessary to ensure the stability and strength of the base. Alternatively, it can be made from wooden parts.
4. A sheet of chipboard or plywood is installed on the surface of the base, which will serve as a desktop. A slot is made in it for the saw blade.
5. A grinder is attached to the work table from below using curved metal plates. Holes are used for screwing handles. Recesses are made on the surface of the table so that the bolt heads do not interfere with the movement of the material.
6. For convenience and safety of turning on and off the machine, it is recommended to route the wires from the tool start button to the side edge of the work table, for which a piece of corner or a bent metal plate is used. The button should be positioned as conveniently as possible so that it is possible to turn off the circular saw in an emergency from any position.
7. The sliding stop, which allows you to adjust the width of the parts to be cut, can be made of various materials. Both the simplest devices, like a strip secured with clamps, and more complex designs are used. There are a lot of options available, but the choice is determined by the needs of the owner and the nature of the work to be done.

Creating additional devices requires gaining some experience and skill in using the machine. The specific design of the grinder allows you to work for about 15-20 minutes, after which you need a break to cool down. Considering this circumstance, you can’t count on wide functionality.

We invite you to watch the options for homemade circulars in the video:

Types of discs for grinders

Angle grinders are widely used in construction and repair technological operations. Grinder discs differ from each other:

• dimensions of outer diameter and thickness;
• material and manufacturing method;
• purpose and maximum rotation speed.

Choosing wheels for an angle grinder requires knowledge and consideration of the features of not only the workpieces being processed, but also the capabilities of the tool itself.

Cut-off

The most used wheels for angle grinders are also called abrasive wheels. They are classified according to different criteria. There are discs for working with metal, stone, and wood. There is also a diamond disc, which is used to work with the most durable and hard materials (reinforced concrete, porcelain stoneware, tiles, marble, granite and other natural and artificial stones).

Let's give a brief description of each type.

A common feature for all cutting discs is classification by outer diameter and thickness. The outer diameter is:

• 115 mm for small household grinders;
• 125 and 150 mm for average power and weight angle grinders;
• 180 and 230 mm for powerful professional tools.

The thickness of the discs varies from 1 to 3.2 mm. It depends on the size of the nozzle: discs with a large diameter have greater thickness; medium and small disks - any. The choice of disk thickness is influenced by:

• speed of rotation of the working body of the grinder;
• expected load.

Cutting (abrasive) wheels for metal

These wheels are used to work with body sheet steel (disc thickness from 1 to 1.6 mm) and long rolled steel: reinforcement, round timber, channel, angle and other types (disc thickness from 2.5 to 3.6 mm). There are special attachments for working with stainless steel, aluminum, cast iron and other metals.

Metal cutting disc for grinder

Data about this is available on the surface of the disk in the form of markings and a colored stripe. Abrasive discs consist of several layers of fiberglass mesh onto which bakelite abrasive material (silicon carbide, corundum, electrocorundum) is pressed on both sides under high pressure. The reinforced abrasive discs are then placed in a heat treatment oven to gain strength. The set heating temperature is 200 degrees. There the mass is sintered and becomes strong and resistant to fragmentation.

They are absolutely identical to metal discs and differ only in the abrasives used.

Circle for stone

For wood

They are made of high-strength steel and equipped with sharp teeth along the outer diameter. These nozzles work on the circular principle and are quite dangerous to operate. It is recommended to permanently fix the angle grinder using a special device.

Wood cutting disc for grinder

Diamond

They are used for cutting high-strength materials from natural and artificial stone.

Diamond blade for stone grinder

There are different types of diamond blades for concrete, reinforced concrete, and stone. They differ from each other in the fractionation of diamond coating and the type of cutting edge - solid, with large or small slots, notches

It is important to know that the diamond blade is not used for working with metal workpieces. It is difficult to understand the purpose of diamond discs by appearance

The best option is to consult a sales consultant before purchasing or carefully study the package supplement.

Some manufacturers of diamond blades paint the front side, depending on the material for which they are intended:

• green - for granite;
• yellow - for plaster and tiles;
• blue - for marble and concrete;
• gray - for granite ceramics and tiles;
• orange - for brick.

A diamond blade with a segmented cutting blade is used for dry cutting of stones. Wheels with a continuous cutting edge require water cooling. Turbo discs with slots in the body of the wheel operate at a higher rotation speed than discs with a segmented blade.

Grinding and roughing

Grinding wheels are divided into four types:

Using flap (emery) attachments, remove old paint, primer or varnish, and sand wooden products.

This is what a petal disk looks like

Special wire wheels eliminate rust and remove stubborn dirt.

Diamond modifications in the form of a bowl are used to polish stone products.

Metal surfaces are polished with plastic or rubber discs. You can attach replaceable discs with sandpaper, felt, sponge, or cloth to the plates.

Most grinding discs work with special pastes or liquids that include fine abrasives. These attachments are used to grind the surfaces of any materials, including car body parts in car repair shops.

Design of a homemade circular saw from an angle grinder

Two design options are possible:

• Hand-held circular saw from a grinder;
• Stationary circular.

The first option involves using the tool as a hand-held power saw with a slight modification - assembling and installing a stop that limits the depth of penetration of the disc into the material and protects against jerks and sudden movements. It will not be possible to get by with the usual installation of a saw blade as a cutting wheel - the slightest misalignment will cause jamming, a sharp jerk, or another dangerous reaction of the tool, which can result in serious injuries.

The simplest way is to install a stop, which is a flat platform that slides along the surface of the workpiece. It is attached to the tool using clamps or a bolted connection into the hole for installing the handle. Some craftsmen make a platform from metal corners located on both sides of the disk at a short distance (2-3 mm).

In any case, a manual circular saw from an angle grinder is too dangerous and does not allow good control of the cutting line due to the installed protection. Under no circumstances should you remove it, as sawdust flying into your face can cause injury.

Circular saw example

Attention! The standard protection that comes with the grinder is not suitable for use with a saw blade. You'll have to do it yourself.

Creating a stationary version with your own hands allows you to get a safer and more convenient wood sawing machine, which has almost the full functionality of a regular classic circular saw. The main element of such a machine is a table in which a slot is made for the disk. A grinder is attached to the bottom side. It becomes possible to install an adjustable stop, allowing you to adjust the width of the cut strips. Depending on capabilities and needs, you can make a device for facing and cutting identical workpieces of a given length.

The rotation frequency of the grinder shaft is three times higher than the maximum speed of a conventional saw blade, so it quickly becomes dull and wears out. To create a normal operating mode for the saw blade, some craftsmen use a reduction gearbox. This allows you to obtain the optimal rotation speed, reduce the risk of overheating and injury, but significantly complicates the design. Finding a ready-made gearbox is not easy and expensive, so usually only an angle grinder is used.

The design usually consists of the following components:

• bed (base);
• Desktop;
• engine and drive shaft (in our case, both elements are replaced by an angle grinder);
• a stop designed to adjust the width of the parts to be cut;
• a platform sliding along longitudinal guides, allowing you to cut parts of a given length (optional, manufactured as needed).

Example of a circular saw for wood

Important! If the saw blade is installed directly on the grinder, without a reduction gear, you have to use only high-speed or carbide types that can withstand high heat.

Is there a significant difference depending on the direction of rotation?

The direction of rotation of the cutting wheel can be either “pull” or “pull”. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. So, when the disk rotates “pull”, dust and sparks fly at the operator, which creates additional difficulties in work and is associated with possible burns to the eyes, skin, and clothing catching fire. Rotating the disk towards itself does not have this drawback. But in this case there is also a higher risk of injury. After all, if the disk becomes jammed, the tool will fly forcefully into the operator’s face. There is no single rule for which direction the cutting wheel should rotate.

If this is important, then the information must be indicated on the instrument. In all other cases, the direction of rotation is selected by the operator, taking into account the type of surface being processed, convenience and work experience

What is the difference between the sides of the disk

The first side does not have any designations, markings or images. On the second side of the disc there is a company logo of the tool manufacturer. Its parameters and a metal crimp ring may also be indicated.

The presence of a crimp ring helps to increase the area of ​​support and the crimp nut. This not only distributes the load on the disc evenly, but also ensures the integrity of the disc when the ferrule nut is tightened. It is also important that the locking ring protects the clamping nut and abrasive surface from boiling.

The nut is stuck - how to unscrew it?

Removing a disc on an angle grinder if it is bitten is not so easy, especially without damaging the cutting element or tool. We will also consider several options for action.

Replacing a counter-rotating disc

This method has several advantages - it can be done without a key and with a broken spindle lock. Beginners in working with angle grinders mistakenly believe that if the stopper breaks, it is almost impossible to unscrew the nut. However, this is not the case. You don't even need keys.

The point is that the abrasive wheel needs to be rotated in different directions. Wearing thick gloves, you need to hit the cutting edge of the circle several times. This is what will ensure variable movement in different directions. As a rule, a couple of sharp blows are enough so that the nut can be easily unscrewed.

Open-end wrench and socket head

In this case, you will have to slightly modify the existing standard tools - a 17 mm open-end wrench and a 24 mm socket. The thickness of the key is ground down to 4 mm. 4 protrusions are machined on the head and fit into the holes of the retaining nut.

After preparation, the key is placed in the space under the disk, and the head is put on the flange of the angle grinder and rotated in the direction opposite to the rotation of the wheel. After this, you can easily remove it and install a new one.

Heat

This is one way to remove a disc from an angle grinder without a key. The fixing nut is heated with an industrial hair dryer or a gas burner. After this, the flange will unscrew much easier. However, there is a risk of damage to the plastic parts of the angle grinder or gearbox.

With a nail

For these purposes, a 100 mm nail is best suited. It should be bent into a U-shape so that the ends fit freely into the holes of the clamping flange. The tip and cap are removed. By inserting a nail into the holes, the latch is unscrewed. If the manual effort is not enough, then add a nail or screwdriver in the form of a lever.

Using a gas wrench

The use of this tool is justified by an increase in the applied moment of force due to the increased arm. Using a gas wrench will make it much easier to unscrew a jammed connection.

However, when eliminating snagging, it is important to remember that by applying excessive force, there is a risk of damaging the spindle lock or clamping nut

Using a rotary hammer or drill in chiselling mode

You can unscrew the disc on an angle grinder without a key using a drill or hammer drill, having first switched it to jackhammer mode. A suitable drill, most often 6 millimeters, is used as a working attachment. Place the drill against the edge of the hole in the clamping nut, fix the movement of the spindle and briefly turn it on to move it from place. This method allows you to turn away even very complex snacks.

Tapping the nut

This method is similar to the previous one, only you can use a suitable metal rod or chisel. Having fixed the spindle head, tap along the edges of the clamp holes in the direction of movement of the wheel. By slightly moving the lock from its dead point, you can unscrew it by hand. However, the method is not the most harmless for the tool - the mounting holes for a standard key are damaged.

Cutting wheel destruction

You can unscrew a jammed nut by completely destroying the disk. If there is already damage, you can break it off with your hands, but most often this will not be possible. It’s better to take a hacksaw or metal blade and cut it. This will leave you with a center ring and hard-to-reach pieces. Having found a suitable plate, holding it in a vice, grind off the remaining abrasive on it to a metal ring. After this, it will be easily unscrewed with a standard key.

The most radical way to unscrew a jammed clamp nut is to cut it. It is advisable to resort to it only in extreme cases. Of course, you can find a new one, but you will have to spend your time and money. It is not uncommon for spare clamping elements to be included in the delivery set of an angle grinder.

Video description

Video on how to properly unscrew the fastening nut on an angle grinder:
However, sometimes after work the nut becomes so tight that it cannot be unscrewed even with a special wrench. The reason for this is the use of a wheel that is too large or equipment that is not designed to work according to factory parameters. In addition, the threads may become welded, oxidized, or rusted.

There are the following ways to solve this problem:

• Heat the nut with a torch, which will cause the metal to expand and weaken the contact.
• Use a special insert into the holes of the nut. Creating a lever will allow for greater effort to unscrew.
• Saturate the thread with oil, turpentine or WD-40, and then, after some time, unscrew the nut with a wrench.
• Tighten the circle that has not been used for a long time even more tightly, and then unscrew it in the usual way.

Recommendation! To ensure that the nut is not over-tightened during operation, and can then be easily unscrewed, a cardboard spacer must be installed between it and the circle.

To summarize: how to choose a disc for an angle grinder?

To properly buy a disc for an angle grinder, you need to:

• Know the maximum size of disks that your angle grinder can handle. You cannot take disks larger than the device allows.
• Know the maximum speed of the grinder. The higher the rotation speed of the angle grinder, the smaller the disk size it can work with.
• Processed material. There are discs for wood, metal and stone. There are universal ones that can cut almost anything.
• Socket size. The size of the wheel seat must correspond to the same parameter in the angle grinder.
• Manufacturer. Do not buy frankly cheap discs or unknown products like hot cakes in the school cafeteria, and the savings will be minimal.

• 6 dangerous mistakes when working with an angle grinder that you should not make.
• Installing wiring in the house: how to choose the right wire?

How to make a “circular saw” for wood using an angle grinder with your own hands?

A circular saw is useful, and sometimes simply necessary, for the home craftsman. Owners of private or country houses are constantly repairing, creating, rebuilding something. The main material is wood or its derivatives - plywood or chipboard, which must be cut, cut into blanks or parts.

Purchasing a hand-held circular saw requires expense, and creating a stationary circular saw with your own hands is impossible without a working shaft and an electric motor. A good way out would be to use a grinder as a drive mechanism, which is equipped with a seat for a saw blade and has its own electric motor. All you need to do is create external equipment that turns a conventional angle grinder into a type of circular saw.