angle grinder vs. disk angle sander????

[Boeing]

Guys, help me out here. I have a 5 1/2" (I think) disk angle sander. I want to sharpen the blades on my bush hog. Can a grinding disk be put on this sander?
Most of the grinders look like 4 1/2"....some are disturbingly cheap....JUNK?
I hate having tools upon tools to store so when I can make ONE tool do several things I LOVE IT. Thanks :shocked:

 

[BHD]

most sanders are slower RPM, so they do not burn as easely or if used as a polisher they do not cook the paint, when buffing,

If the spindle is such that it will accept a grinder wheel one can put it on it, it may not may not grind to ones liking, some times if a grinding wheel is ran slower than it is more or less designed for it will wear faster than normal,

and as far as size goes, there are 4" 4 1/2" 5" 6" 7" and 9" that I have seen or am aware of,

 

[SPIKER]

heck the junk 20 buck HF grinders are perfect for this job, mine is 10+ yrs old still going. the "Drill Master" line is total wast of $ as a few bucks more the Chicago brand seems good for light industrial farm use...

Mark

 

[Gary Fowler]

heck the junk 20 buck HF grinders are perfect for this job, mine is 10+ yrs old still going. the "Drill Master" line is total wast of $ as a few bucks more the Chicago brand seems good for light industrial farm use...

Mark

Good advice, go for the $20 rather than $10 and get the 4.5 rather than the 4". That extra 1/2" on the outside diameter lasts much longer. Also I like the paddle switch model better than the slide switch as it is much easier to use

 

[ray66v]

You can sharpen blades with a disc grinder, but it can be dangerous.

The edge of the blade can get caught on the disc, and when it is traveling at high speed you can find yourself under attack.

The better, somewhat safer way to sharpen them, is to use a grinder with a "stone" wheel on it.

 

[Boeing]

Thanks Guys,
I live fairly near to a HF and they have specials all the time. I'll look for a "chicago" model with a paddle switch.
Ray, Can I get a "stone wheel" for the tool that we're describing? Then do you grind on the edge like a bench grinder or on the side?
I had a pneumatic cut off wheel come apart once and it really "punctured" me.....ouch.

 

[ray66v]

Yes, electric angle grinders are generally used with a grinding wheel. One is illustrated below. This is opposed to a cut off wheel, which can also be used. As you have seen those can be dangerous.

A HF model, (and yes, the paddle switch is much safer), would be fine for light duty grinding, like sharpening.

For additional safety, I suggest you buy a brand name grinding wheel, 1/4 inch or thicker, and dispose of the Chinese freebee the tool comes with. Make sure you buy a metal grinding wheel, and not a masonry one.

Remember to always work in a position so that the wheel is rotating away from the edge of the blade your are sharpening, rather than towards it.

And, remember to wear a dust mask, and eye or face protection. The material these wheels are made from becomes a dust during use that you do NOT want to breathe.

 

[carmedic310]

I also agree with ray66 you should never sharpen a blade with a sander grinding disk as they are called.The dewalt wheel he shows is a very good wheel.I use Sata wheels myself.Like the man said definatly throw the china made cheapie the tool comes with in the trash(poorly madeand dangerous)

 

[hodge]

I use a flap disc, which is usually what's on my grinder. It sharpens a blade well, and doesn't dig in like a rigid disc will do.

 

[BIG DOOLEY]

I use a flap disc, which is usually what's on my grinder. It sharpens a blade well, and doesn't dig in like a rigid disc will do.

I use type 29 discs all the time in the shop.
I keep 36 grit, 60 grit and 80 grit on hand.
found them very nice for sharpening mower blades.
the more you use a grinder for deburring, shaping, beveling... it is easier to keep a nice straight edge on blades.
I use a grind almost daily for work
If you only get an angle grinder out once in a blue moon then you may not get the results you like.
an electric or air powered bandfile is a nice tool also.
I have a Milwaukee bandfile with a variable speed controller. Its like hand file but much faster.

 

[SPIKER]

I've done a good bit of grinding ok a LOT of grinding and use the HF grinding disks/wheels just fine. I actually have used both versions of the grinders paddle and top switch. the paddles can turn ON when laying one down or tossing into the toolbox/tray when still plugged it.

Heavy Duty 4-1/2" Angle Grinder
4-1/2" Angle Grinder with Paddle Switch


The "FLAPPER" disks are OK for minor dressing but on a Brush Blade use the coarse cut hard metal grinding disks. The 10 packs at HF are only a buck or so appease regular price, sale price 75 or 80cents each.

Pack of 10, 24 grit 4-1/2" Industrial Aluminum oxide Grinding Wheels for Metal

Look for discount coupons and or sign up for their email flyer I have some in my email now for these things and 20% off all time.

Harbor Freight Tools flyer for sale stuff

Mark

 

[Boeing]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the info. Many of these ads are so confusing.....the TWO HF ad's that SPIKER linked have a "switch" model that mentions BALL BEARINGS....11,000 RPM. The paddle unit has no mention of bearings and is 10,000 RPM. I had the same prob when I was looing for things that my solar/batteries might run......many gave AMPS, others WATTS. The links show a user "side grinding" a steel bar then "edge cutting" a piece of REBAR......I guess either is acceptable?
Thanks again. Merry and Happy to all (I have to work)

 

[ray66v]

Yes, you can either grind, or cut with these, depending on what disc you use.

Cutting is more dangerous, use caution until you get some experience cutting. A wrong move will quickly cause the disc to destruct. You want to keep your body out of the line of fire, or it can at the least, be painful.

Don't worry about the bearings on a HF grinder, you won't wear it out doing things around the house. You can burn it up, if you bear down too hard, and heat it up, but they are cheap, so no big deal. Toss it, and buy a new one. This also happens sometimes with the expensive ones too.

 

[EddieWalker]

How much are you saving by buying a HF power tool? My dad has gone this rought and is now buying quality tools after using mine. You don't have to buy Makita, you can get some good deals for casual use by going with DeWalt. But with all tools, you get what you pay for and once you use quality, you will never be able to pick up cheap chinese junk. It's not just the power and feel of the tool, it's that the results are so much better.

Amazon.com: Makita 9557PB 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder with Paddle Switch: Home Improvement

Eddie

 

[wroughtn_harv]

I buy my consumables, grinding discs cutting wheels flap discs etc, only at my LWS ( local welding supply). That's because the ones you get from the box stores don't live near as long or are near as dependable. The cutting discs I get for instance last three times as long as those I've had my bud give me that he got at HF and is proud as peaches about the price. Box store discs are only a little bit better. Yeah, I know, Norton isn't Norton once it hits the box store inventory.

Keep in mind that I use my tools on a daily basis.

Another thing to keep in mind is DeWalt isn't Dewalt at the box stores, check out the model numbers versus the good stuff. What I've found is the best way to buy economically is to buy from the repair facility. I get the real deal DeWalt paddle 4.5" angle grinder for say $70.00 because someone brought it in for repair and think $90.00 was too much to pay when they can replace it at HD or Lowes for less. I will still be using that angle grinder long after three or four of their bargain grinders have been tossed. I keep at least four 4.5" angle grinders on the truck at any time. One with a cutting disc, one with a flap disc, one with a wire brush, and another with a solid disc, hate changing discs, much easier to change grinders.

 

[Gary Fowler]

HF abrasives dont last like even the box store Dewalt brands do for sure. Norton is by far the best I have ever used but they are pricey and will almost make you cry when you accidently knock your grinder off the table and crack the brand new disc.
Safety bulletin For newbies: using a cracked grinder disc is like handling dynamite with a lite fuse. It could explode at any moment. Anytime you drop your grinder with an abrasive blade on it, check it really close for cracks or just toss that blade because a crack in the fiberglass bonding can cause the disc to explode and drive pieces of that disc deep into vitals.
As for using Dewalt vs HF Chicago Pneumatic paddle grinders <I have both and honestly cant tell the difference in the two as for speed and power. The el cheap $9 most likely is just that, but the higher amp model does quiet well. I have had one for 4 years and use it almost daily and it is still going strong. Recently my Dewalt started having some switch issue (it has the slide switch) and when I took it apart, the bevel gear had absolutely no grease touching it. There was some hardened grease laying around the gear but didnt look like any ever touched the bevel gears. It is about 10 years old and after cleaning it, it worked again.

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm a big fan of Norton and will drive twice as far to Home Depot, past Lowes, to get Norton sanding disks and belts for my belt sander. I have quite a few Norton cut off wheels and grinding wheels, so I haven't had a need to buy them very often. They just last a VERY LONG TIME!!!! I can't say that for any other brands, and that's why it's worth the price and the time it takes to get them.

An example was when I was sanding and shaping the cedar posts for my gazebo. I had a few Norton belts for my belt sander and did several logs with just a few belts. When I needed more, I bought a three pack of Gator brand belts from Lowes, which is pretty close to me. I went through 9 belts without finishing one log. I had hoped to get four logs done with that many belts assuming that they where almost as good as Norton. They where that bad!!!!

Eddie

 

[crbr]

Thanks for the pictures

 

[mojoinco]

Most brand name products sold at big box stores that are better known for being sold at specialty stores are NOT the same product/quality at the big box stores.

Drills, bows, shotguns, and grinding wheels vary from a bit different to a lot different. Black & Decker sells at least 3 brands and maybe a couple of models in each brand that are different quality/performance. And that's not counting the big box versus specialty store models.

Often the little things count more than you realize. 4 1/2" grinders should have a 5/8 x 11 (thread pitch) nut. There are metric versions too, but when you need a new wheel, or brush, you want it to be easy to find. Then there's the motor shaft lock, etc. Metal gear train is a real plus. Most paddle switches (if not all) have a little spring loaded lever that has to be moved to allow the paddle to be closed. And flap sanders are a great way to add to the versatility of your grinder.

Sure your grinder isn't a 5"? Or maybe a 5"? In any case, most grinders from 4 1/2" up through 9" are 5/8-11 thread pitch.

 

[joshuabardwell]

I had the same prob when I was looing for things that my solar/batteries might run......many gave AMPS, others WATTS.

You may already know this, but convert amps to watts by multiplying amps times voltage, and to go the other way, divide watts by voltage.