How to grind concrete with angle grinder is easy to do when you know the steps. The concrete grinder is among the most powerful tool that you can use to level your concrete. They can be used to level, smoother, or even cut different elements like plastic.
Like any tool that you are handling, you can get the best results from your angle grinder using it properly and going through the user's manual. While grinding, you'd notice a setback. A setback is noticed because once the grinding wheel gets caught up in a material, it jerks and may cause you to move backward.
Workforce
The first thing to ask yourself before you want to use an angle grinder is, "am I capable?" You need to make sure that you can handle a powerful tool like the angle grinder. If you are not strong enough to do this, you can hire an assistant that has the strength to help you. Everybody is different, and it isn't a shameful thing if you can't handle a grinder. If you don't have the budget to hire an assistant, you can always go for smaller grinders like the fillet weld grinder or the flat-head angle grinder.
Protection and Safety
Before you start leveling your concrete, make sure that you protect yourself because you wouldn't want to harm yourself or get injured. So first, grab some hearing protection because angle grinders can be very loud when they are activated. Then grab a long sleeve to protect your arms from concrete chippings. Use a shield to protect your face. You wouldn't want any of your sense organs to get damaged. And lastly, your safety gloves.
Can You Grind Your Concrete to Level It?
Yes, it is possible to use your angle grinder to level your concrete. You'd have to follow preventive measures because handling big tools can be hazardous. Here are some steps to leveling your concrete.
First, you have to make sure that the area you are about to work on is clear of any lurking materials.
Secondly, once your grinder has been activated, level your grinder disc on the area that you want to work on and move it carefully from left to right.
Once you are done leveling your concrete, discard any excess dust or concrete chippings using an industrial vacuum.
Your Materials Need to Match the Grinders Rpm
When you are attaching either your wheel or the grinder's disc, you need to make sure that any of those materials RPM matches the RPM of the grinder. Ensure that the speed rated for that particular material isn't lowered it higher than that of the grinder, you run a chance of the grinder falling apart. To see if these materials match, check the manufacturer's specs to mane sure that every item corresponds to the ground. But if these items don't make, you can go back to where you purchased them and ask for the appropriate materials.
Preparing the Work Area
Before you commence your concrete level, make sure that the sees us cleared, and all the furniture is not obstructing you. Make sure that you mark the area that you are about to work on to avoid making the concrete bumpy or sloppy. When clearing the space, you can get a tarp to cover some items that can't be moved to prevent dust from getting on the items. Get rid of any material or object that can make you trip while working on your concrete.
Don't use your grinder near flammable materials like curtains, pieces of clothes, or paper sheets because the Sparks that come from the grinder can cause a fire. Your vacuum and cords could also be very obstructive while you're working. Before you engage in grinding your concrete, make sure that you have devised a pattern in which you are going to follow while grinding.
Keep your vacuum and your cord away from the path you are going to follow because you can't keep stopping while you are grinding to go and move your vacuum or your cord. So devise a specific pattern that you are going to follow before starting.
Properly Positioning the Tool
Handling a grinder takes a lot of hard work and concentration. Angle grinders remove materials quickly and can cause injury. To reduce the risk, lower the tool carefully and adequately on the material you are working on. Sparks and debris fly away when the machine is engaged, so when you position it very well, you avoid getting injured from the sparks and debris, and your clothes remain protected as well. If you can't manage this alone, call for some help because two heads are better than one.
Surface Grinding
When grinding a flat surface, use the flat part of the grinding wheel, positioning it at an angle of 20 to 30 degrees. Between the angle grinder and the concrete, place the blade guard at the back towards your body and ensure that you are applying sufficient pressure on the grinder, to get an excellent result. Carefully use forward and backward motion to guide the disc on the surface. Avoid getting your hands caught up between the disc and the surfaces to prevent getting cut because the edges of the disc are usually sharp.
Using a Small Angle Grinder for Small Spaces
Using a normal-sized grinder for small spaces can be very difficult. To level a tight its small space, you'd need a flat-head angle grinder. These tools are small to handle and can get into any space, even the tightest corners. It's a tool that can be used to fully smoothen and finish small, angled spaces on your concrete. If a flat-head angle grinder isn't available, you can use a fillet weld grinder. This type of grinder can be pivoted without any tool or item and has an extended head that can go through small or tight spaces.
Uses of Angle Grinders
An angle grinder is a versatile tool and can be used to cut through different surfaces of materials. Some materials that can be cut using an angle grinder are,
Types of Angle Grinders
The Dewalt DWE402
This tool comes with an ejection system that removes damaging particles that enters the machine. The wheels can be changed without the use of a wrench.
The Makita 9557PBX1
This tool comes with a large paddle switch for ease during operation. This tool also comes with a gear housing that can be revolved.
The Bosch 1375A.
This tool is constructed for professionals that need a compact grinder. It is well fitted for metal fabrications.
The Hitachi G12SR4.
This tool comes with slides for smooth operation. It has a smaller grip that is easy to handle.
Using an Angle Grinder to Polish
It's possible to use an angle grinder to polish your car, but you'd need to make sure of certain things, such as the angle grinder speed control. The speed needs to be as low as 3000 rmp. Since you are not using a polisher, angle grinders have much more power, so you need to make sure that your angle grinder's power can be equal to a polisher's. Lastly, you need to join polishing attachments to the angle grinder, such as the spindle thread dimensions.
Parts of an Angle Grinder
An angle grinder comes with different attachments that are used for various purposes.
The Cutting Discs
This attachment is used for cutting through metals and concrete. They have sharp edges that can cut through glasses with relative ease.
The Flap Disc
This attachment is mostly used by painters to brush up and shape surfaces. This attachment is unique and is very expensive and can be easily worn off.
Grinding Discs
This attachment is very harsh and is used mostly by auto repair shops. They are used to remove rust or corrosive metals from vehicles.
Wire Brushes
This attachment is used to remove paints from walls and to cleanse rust from surfaces.
Preventive Measures While Handling an Angle Grinder
Accidents mostly happen in the workshop, so when you want to handle a powerful tool like the angle grinder, you'd need to be careful and always go through the user's manual if you are confused about a particular part. Here are some preventive measures that can be adapted while using an angle grinder.
Conclusion
With all these steps and safety precautions, you'd know how to grind a concrete with an angle grinder.
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