Grinder selection and safety

Grinders perform a wide variety of jobs and operate at high speeds. You must exercise particular caution and alertness to avoid injury by contact with the working end, or from thrown objects.

► Use only accessories recommended by the tool’s manufacturer, and with speed rated at least as high as the no-load rpm on the tool’s nameplate. The wrong accessory can shatter during use, possibly causing injury.
► Always unplug the tool before making grinder/cutter installations.
► Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields complying with current national standard, and a full face shield when needed. Use a dust mask in dusty work conditions. Wear hearing protection during extended periods of operation.
► Do not wear loose clothing, jewelry or any dangling objects that may catch in rotating parts or accessories.
Tie back long hair.
► Be sure the switch is “off” before plugging in.
► Hold the wheel or cutter away from you and co-workers when starting a grinder.
► Using grinding wheels when working with hard materials, and use rotary files for soft materials such as
aluminum, brass, copper and wood. If you use grinding wheels on soft materials, it will excessively load the wheel and could cause the wheel to shatter or disintegrate. Dangerous flying objects can result.
► Always check the cutter or wheel for tightness on the tool before each use. A loose cutter or wheel can be thrown from the rotary grinder and cause serious injury. If the grinder is dropped, inspect it for damage, such as a cracked wheel,
broken collet or bent mandrel.
► Repair or replace damaged parts to prevent further breakage and thrown objects.
► Never use cracked or damaged grinding wheels.
Carefully check them before each use.
► Excessive pressure during use can bend or break the collet, mandrel, or wheel/cutter. If the grinder runs smoothly when not under load, but does not run smoothly under load, then excessive pressure is being used.
► Never over-tighten the collet. It can damage the collet, cutter or wheel.
► If the tool does not run smoothly, the cutter may be bent or out of balance. Replace the cutter.
► Keep your hands and fingers away from the working area; contact with the cutter or wheel will cause injury.
► Use a vise or other clamping to hold the workpiece securely.
► Never hold a small workpiece by hand.
► To avoid burns, wait before touching work surfaces. Allow time to cool.
► Never use a grinder with the cutter
pointing toward you. If the grinder should slip, the cutter could cause injury.
► When placing a mounted grinding wheel, burr or cutter in the collet, keep the distance between the back of the wheel and the front of the collet (overhang) at a minimum. This prevents bending the shank and wheel damage that could cause injury.
► Make sure the shaft is engaged in the collet at least 1/2 inch.
► Remove all materials and debris from the area that might be ignited by sparks.

Grinder selection specs (167K pdf)

Information for this article was provided by the Power Tool Institute; Web site: www.powertoolinstitute.com.

This article appeared in the June/July 2006 issue of MRO Today magazine. Copyright 2006.

Back to top

Back to Product Specs archives