The grinder is a universal device used for processing materials. The tool is suitable for working with wood, metal and stone products. Before using such a device, you need to purchase special attachments for the grinder. It is with their help that grinding is carried out.
Features and purpose
When using angle grinders regularly, many people buy additional attachments for them. These devices are used to expand the functionality of the tool. They will allow you to cut or sand products made from different materials. Suitable for wood, iron, glass, stone and even plastic. These nozzles differ in shape, size and type of application.
Important! Accessories for angle grinders have their own color, by which their purpose can be determined. For example, blue is used for metal.
Grinding attachments for grinders: rough and gentle processing
Grinding is one of the most popular processes for which angle grinders are used. Using such a tool and a set of attachments, you can carry out rough and gentle processing of metal, stone and wooden surfaces. As a rule, grinding precedes polishing of workpieces. The attachments used in this case may consist of sandpaper or felt material.
The petal disc for grinders has become widespread. This tool consists of a circle (base), along the edges of which sandpaper petals are fixed. They may have different grain sizes. This indicator is selected depending on the nature of the work.
The use of a flap wheel allows for rough processing of workpieces made of different materials. It can also be used for finishing sanding. Fine-grained petals are used for finishing.
Petal discs for grinders. Grinding discs
Today you can find another type of grinding discs for an angle grinder. Some abrasive products are fixed to the base using special Velcro. To use such a circle, you need to screw it onto the tool spindle.
Polishing is the softest wood treatment. For polishing work, which refers to the final stage of turning a particular material, special felt discs are used. And also on the tool market you can find circles, the working part of which consists of dense fabric. Grinder attachments for polishing are very popular when working with wood, as their use allows you to bring the surface of the material to the smoothest possible state.
What types of attachments are there?
There are several parameters by which tools for grinders are classified.
By type of work
Such attachments can be used to perform different types of work. Depending on the operations performed, the following disks can be distinguished:
- saws;
- cutting;
- strippers;
- polishing;
- for seams;
- peeling.
The above types of products can be purchased for any model of grinder.
Classification by material
Nozzles for grinders are made from various materials. The most commonly used devices are:
- Diamond circle. Made from steel and diamond coating. Suitable for cutting iron.
- Carbide disc. Made from various metal alloys. There is steel solder on the edges. Cuts wood and iron.
- Abrasive. It is created from special paper and reinforcing mesh. These wheels are used for grinding.
Important! There are also support plates, which are also classified as attachments. They are used to grind and polish surfaces.
Types of grinding devices
If you choose the wrong grinding wheel for an angle grinder, the process can take a long time. But it also doesn’t make sense to buy an expensive tool and accessories for it, since the operations may differ from each other.
In the modern construction market there are many offers for purchasing an attachment for an angle grinder.
List of attachments and what they are intended for:
- Sanding attachment with Velcro. This type of grinding attachment is used for processing metal surfaces. It is designed specifically for grinding materials that have a fairly hard coating, for example, they are used for finishing operations on stone, plastic, metal or hard wood. The grinding disc has its own characteristics. It is based on an abrasive wheel with a diameter of no more than 150 mm, but this size can be used in a different way, depending on the operations being performed. A disk is installed relative to the central axis, on which Velcro is placed. Afterwards, an additional grinding attachment is attached to it. For this case, platforms are designed for attaching sandpaper or other media for carrying out work. For processing wooden surfaces, you can achieve good results. For grinding, the attachments are equipped with teeth for direct grinding operation. It is possible to glue polishing paper, with which you can achieve a perfect surface on wood, metal or plastic surfaces.
- Flap sanding disc. For particularly large wooden products, grinding using such a device is used. For example, you can imagine that it is necessary to clean a wooden frame, and this is quite a voluminous job that requires a lot of time and attention. It is in this case that the petals located on the sandpaper will play their role. The structure itself of placing sandpaper on the disk is quite strong due to its multi-layer nature. Therefore, the most successful choice when performing large-scale work will be just such an attachment for grinders. The shelf life differs from the sticky nozzle several times. The choice of diameter varies from 110 mm planned for the job to 230 mm.
- Metal brushes. The grinder disc can be made in the form of a wire brush. Grinders with similar attachments are actively used to remove rust on metal surfaces or remove old paintwork. The fact is that before applying a new layer of paint, preliminary preparation of the surface is necessary, and in order to do this, you need to carry out preparatory work. Can be used to remove old coating from wooden surfaces. The design of this technical device is designed in such a way that a ring-holder is placed along the central axis, which is necessary so that the tool does not break during operation. The attachment is durable and can be used for multiple times.
- Grinding discs used to remove roughness of stone surfaces. For attachments used to process this type of surface, an abrasive wheel is used. According to experienced workers, it can be used for processing marble and granite surfaces, ceramics, including statues and monuments. The disc can be up to 30 cm in diameter, and its shape is convex and granular. To ensure accuracy when performing work, it is necessary that the angle grinder be equipped with several speed modes. The “highlight” is that processing this kind of surface does not require much torque.
- Homemade attachment for an angle grinder. Based on the work carried out, many experts note that the best solution for securing grinding machines is a stationary machine. That is, it becomes possible to adjust the device at any time. And such a device can be manufactured in a short time without any special financial costs. The design as a whole resembles a long handle with a grinder attached to it.
The manufacturing technology is as follows:
- at one end of the handle there is a special device necessary for securing the technical device;
- on the fixed shaft structure, the end of the tube with an angle grinder is secured with a previously welded angle for movement;
- On the back side of the fastener, a spring is adjusted, which allows you to return the machine to its original position.
Everything is quite simple and reliable and everything is done in one place.
- Cutting discs. Angle grinders are also used with special cutting discs. The latter are available for retail sale in a large assortment. They can be used to cut hard surfaces.
Some disc features:
- on the most round disk there are about 6 cuts that do not reach the central axis;
- the arrangement of the segments promotes rapid cooling during metal cutting operations;
- They are used for cutting wood, brick, concrete and metal.
Diameter parameters vary from 150 to 200 mm. The thickness of the packed layer depends on the characteristics of the material being processed. For example, for sawing wooden products, a 2 or 3 mm nozzle thickness is sufficient. Many discs are made with diamond coating. This solution ensures strength during processing and eliminates the risk of injury, because the circle cannot fly apart in different directions.
Polishing and grinding discs can be made of various materials:
- fabric;
- felt;
- from sandpaper;
- their spongy materials.
The use of a special paste for the nozzle is necessary to prevent strong friction on the surface. These discs are used to repair car bodies.
For sharpening tools and roughing work, 3 types of attachments are mainly used:
- Diamond grouts. They are used for sawing stone, concrete and brick surfaces. But for metal products their use is unacceptable.
- Abrasive grinding discs. They are used for cutting metal surfaces to a fairly large depth. Their outer side has a smooth surface, and their inner side has a rough surface. Used on small angle grinders.
- Twisted discs with cutters. Used to remove paint and varnish from stone. The surface becomes perfectly flat and smooth.
The support plate for angle grinders is designed for attaching wheels to sandpaper or fabric bases during grinding operations. Fastening in a circle is carried out using a pressure washer, and the coating allows you to process even complex surfaces.
Roughing
Peel-type grinder attachments are often used at home to remove traces of rust or varnish and paint residues. There are two main types of such devices:
- peeling;
- sharpening
These discs differ in the location of the abrasive. For peeling products it is located around the entire perimeter. This allows for better surface treatment.
Grinder attachments for rough processing of various materials
For rough grinding of various surfaces, special discs are used, which have their own characteristics. Rough processing of wood is aimed at eliminating knots, as well as the bark layer. Using such attachments on metal workpieces allows you to remove paint and rust.
Today, there are several types of grinding attachments for grinders. For example, grinding discs are very popular. Among them there are products that are used for processing stone and concrete (diamond) and abrasive wheels used for metal parts.
Sanders are often used to remove old layers of paint. In some cases, they can be used to remove varnish. Another common attachment option for an angle grinder is brushes. The design features of these elements affect their effectiveness. The disc, which has a metal wire, is capable of quickly removing paint from a metal surface.
Brush for grinder
Separately, it is worth mentioning the nozzles for polishing cars. For rough processing of the paint and varnish coating (LPC), the machines use special wool discs. The material in such a circle can be arranged freely or twisted into tight threads.
Polishing a car body using a special attachment for an angle grinder
Also, for rough processing of cars, abrasive discs are used, which are characterized by high functionality and a longer service life.
Today you can find other attachments for grinders for polishing cars. For example, felt and felt discs are very popular. To finish a car's paintwork, vulcanite nozzles are used, the main material of which is rubber.
Sanding attachments
If you need to do rough processing, it is better to buy blade-type angle grinder attachments. They consist of petals with an abrasive coating. However, it may have different grain sizes. It must be selected depending on the work being carried out.
Another type of attachment is grinding wheels. They are made from thick fabrics, felt and sandpaper. Such discs are fixed on a plate base using Velcro. Suitable for working with metal and wood.
Recommendations for selection
When choosing a polishing wheel for an angle grinder, you should consider several factors:
- outer diameter (larger sizes speed up the processing process and increase service life);
- landing diameter;
- thickness (the larger it is, the longer the circle will last);
- grain size (it must be selected taking into account the type of processing: for rough work - coarse abrasive, for soft work - fine).
When choosing a wheel, you also need to consider the size of the tool. The circle is secured with a special nut. When working with an angle grinder, it is important to strictly follow safety precautions . Circles should be chosen from the factory.
What discs are used for grinding concrete and metal?
Two types of wheels can be used for processing concrete:
- abrasive;
- diamond
Moreover, if you need to grind large concrete surfaces, it is better to use discs with a diameter of 130 mm or more. They cope better with heavy loads.
Silicon discs are suitable for grinding iron products. They can be equipped with additional metal brushes.
Important! To remove rust, it is better to use a band file.
For sanding wood
There are several types of wheels suitable for sanding wood.
Rough stripping
People who decide to do rough cleaning of wood can use several types of attachments.
Disc plane
Owners of private houses and summer cottages periodically have to process logs. To avoid doing this with your hands, you can use a special plane disk. It is recommended to use a thicker and larger wheel so that you can work with large logs.
Roughing disc
Stripping attachments are used to remove paintwork. Their surface is covered with crumbs and small spikes, with the help of which the coating is peeled off.
Important! Such circles should only be used when working with wood without nails, rods or other metal elements.
Milling
There are two types of sander attachments that are used when routing.
Discs
There are different types of wood processing blades. However, the only major difference between them is the size of the abrasive grains. To work with thick logs, it is better to use coarse-grained attachments.
Milling cutters
There are cutters made specifically for working with wood. Most often, such devices are used for the following purposes:
- cutting grooves according to the drawing;
- trimming edges;
- bowl cutting;
- selection of grooves.
Important! When using cutters, do not remove the casing.
Sanding wood
Quite often you have to sand wood. This is done with various attachments.
Cord brushes
They are used for rough processing of wood to get rid of the roughness of the product. They are equipped with stiff brushes that can be used to remove traces of varnish and paint.
End discs
Used for processing and leveling wooden sections. Ideal for people who often have to work with corner cuts. Not suitable for grinding the front part of products.
Petalaceae
These are one of the most common types of discs used when working with wood. Some are made from coarse abrasive and are suitable for primary processing. Fine-grained wheels are more often used for grinding.
Grinding
These are universal attachments for an angle grinder that are suitable for grinding. This device consists of a metal base. Discs for sanding and scraping wood are attached to it.
Wood polishing
To polish wood, use wheels, discs and brushes. They are made from sandpaper or felt. They allow you to make the wooden surface perfectly smooth.
Variety of attachments for grinders. Have you tried them all?
A grinder is a multifunctional tool; it can be used not only to cut or grind metal. The list of works is decent, so each type of work has its own attachments. Let's look at what they are and what jobs they are used for.
Velcro polishing pads
Thanks to these discs, you can grind or polish wood, metal, stone and other types of surfaces. The base is a platform (usually 125 mm in diameter, although there are larger ones, 150 and 180 mm), onto which various disks are attached using a special Velcro fastening. For such areas there are sandpaper discs with which you can sand wood or metal without any problems. They look like this (note, for an angle grinder it is better to take one without holes; discs with holes are already available for vibratory grinders):
The grain size of sandpaper discs varies, from coarse (p40) to the finest (p180-220). They are sold in sets of 5 pieces, the approximate price is 60 rubles. A more detailed article about them is here.
In addition to sheets of sandpaper, polishing discs can also be attached to the base; most often they are made of felt (polishing felt, as it is also called). They are also attached with Velcro. These wheels can be used to polish metal or plastic, plexiglass, marble and other surfaces to a shine. Metal polishing is carried out using GOI paste, which is applied to a felt circle. It looks like this:
There are also pure polishing pads made of sheep's wool, which are also attached with Velcro. Photo:
This is already the finest polishing, until it imparts a mirror shine. It is worth noting that polishing is best done with a grinder that has variable speed control. You can also find such attachments in stores, just ask for a woolen circle with Velcro for an angle grinder:
Petal circles
An excellent tool that is very convenient for sanding wooden surfaces. The disc consists of layers of sandpaper, which are superimposed on each other around the entire circumference. If you need to sand a frame to make the wood smooth, then a flap wheel will be very useful. Of course, you can use sticky attachments, but the petal disc will last much longer.
Another note: What types of diamond cups are there for grinding stones?
The size range is very extensive, starting from 115 mm for a small angle grinder and ending with 230 mm for a large angle grinder. One such circle can process up to 10 square meters of wooden surface. The cost of one circle with a diameter of 115 mm is 40 rubles, 150 mm is already more expensive, around 60 rubles. They are described in more detail in this article.
Wire brushes are wire attachments.
Removing rust from metal is not an easy task, especially if it is done by hand. Therefore, specially for grinders, they developed brushes - wire brushes, disk and cup brushes, with which you can clean rust easily and without much physical effort. Look at this photo - the attachments for the grinder are the two upper right - a cup and a disk.
In addition to rust, you can also peel off old paint from iron (most often used in car repair shops to prepare a car for painting). Some craftsmen even try to work on wood, for example, when they need to peel off old paint from a window. I don’t recommend doing this; after processing with wire, the wood becomes “hairy” and chips stick out everywhere. What kind of subsequent painting can we talk about? Therefore, if you need to remove, for example, old paint from wood, use sandpaper attachments.
Diamond flexible grinding wheels - so-called “turtles”
Professional grinder attachments are exclusively for polishing stone; most often they are used for polishing marble and granite. That is, we are talking about natural stone. Of course, they can also polish porcelain tiles. Most often used by engravers for processing marble and granite monuments, they look like this:
The grain size of the “turtles” starts from 30 (the coarsest) and ends with discs 1500, 3000 and BUFF (for mirror polishing of granite). Such flexible polishing discs are most often used in memorial companies for processing monuments (when a figure is cut out of a slab, and the sections are polished to a mirror finish).
Note that such “turtles” work at low speeds, so you will need an angle grinder with speed control. It is no longer recommended to work above speed 3, but it is best to use the second one. Large article about marble processing
Another note: Don’t know what to use for reinforced concrete? Of course, Distar Turbo Extra.
As you can see, the list of attachments is quite decent, so a home craftsman will certainly choose one that will help him do housework quickly, efficiently and without much physical effort.
Safety precautions
There are several recommendations that will help protect yourself from injuries while working with an angle grinder:
- It is necessary to process materials only with a protective casing;
- all work is carried out wearing protective glasses;
- Do not increase the speed too much when cutting metal;
- It is prohibited to use discs that are not suitable for the material being processed.
A grinder is an indispensable tool used for sawing or grinding materials. Before using such a tool, you need to choose a suitable attachment for it.
Safety precautions when working with grinder discs
The use of any construction tool has its own nuances. Before using an angle grinder, it is necessary to study safety precautions in detail, since improper use can lead to serious injury.
The safety of the angle grinder is primarily ensured by the protective casing. In the event of a disk split, this element protects the master from fragments. Under no circumstances is it recommended to remove the casing from the angle grinder.
The direction of rotation of the disk is also important. Situations in which the movement of the circle will be reversed from the master should not be allowed. This can lead to the grinder breaking out of your hands. The direction of movement of the disk should always be towards the person working with the angle grinder.
For use at home, it is recommended to purchase an angle grinder with speed control. This is due to the fact that different materials require different wheel speeds. One of the most important rules: the use of discs that do not correspond to a particular material is strictly prohibited.
And finally, the last thing worth remembering is that angle grinders cannot be used for other purposes. The device passport clearly indicates what a particular grinder can be used for, as well as the limits of its functionality. If you follow all the above rules, working with an angle grinder will be as safe as possible, and the tool itself will last for many years.
