What Are Angle Grinders Used For? A Complete Guide to Their Versatile Applications

An angle grinder is much more than just leveling metal. It performs multiple functions suitable for different industries. These include construction, manufacturing, stone-dealing, remodeling, and fabrication. Whether you are handling minor tasks or fulfilling major project goals, this tool will help you. 

In this article, you will learn the details of the answer to this question: what are angle grinders used for? By reading this information, you will be able to decide which accessory suits the grinders. Moreover, you will also get to know the safety protocols you must follow. 

What are Angle Grinders Used For

If you want to achieve maximum profit from these grinders, you should know their uses in detail. Many contractors ask: What is an angle grinder used for? Let’s discuss their suitable applications in several tasks.

Grinding & Deburring

When a tool performs its main function, it does this efficiently. The same is the case with grinders. They grind and weld large joints appropriately. They can also clean metal waste produced during cutting. Contractors mostly rely on this because they want to get fine cuts with sharp edges.

The accessories that you will need for support include grinding discs, related wheels, and flap discs. The most suitable option is the flap disc and which grinds at a continuous speed and gives accurate results.

This characteristic feature is applicable to various industries, such as steel, rebar steel, stainless steel, and other metals. If you use the right grit with a proper blade, you will be able to maintain the structure of the final product.

Cutting

If you use a grinder with a proper wheel, it will play its role as a cutting saw. It will be easy to carry to different locations. When grinders are applied with suitable diamond-embedded blades, they can perform complex cutting tasks. These include cutting reinforced steel, concrete, metal rods, brick, stone, and marble.

When applying cutting through grinders, always wear a protective uniform and shield. Also, set a proper protective safety indicator with the grinder. 

Polishing & Buffing

The grinders also serve the purpose of giving beautiful finishes to different surfaces. They give a shiny appearance to the dull materials. As a result, the surfaces restore their refined finish. They do this by using foaming pads or smooth wheels. You can apply grinders for optimizing vehicles or tanks. 

If you want to enhance this effect, use refining compounds or foaming wax. Also, consider those grinders that possess different speed capacities. It will help you control the speed during the process and prevent heat buildup. 

Rust & Paint Removal

When your project goals involve remodeling old equipment or cleaning the surface for refining, you can use an angle grinder. It provides you with a quick solution to get rid of worn-out layers.

For this purpose, you can use nylon cup-shaped brushes or wired wheels to scrape the old paint. This equipment will retain the base of your expensive metal. This characteristic feature finds application in polishing gates, metal railings, or vehicles. 

Concrete & Stone Grinding

Contractors dealing with concrete and stone ask a common question of experts. They ask what do you use an angle grinder for in these tasks. At JohnsonTools, our expert team addresses their question by answering two key points. These include preparing the surface and then flattening it for a smooth texture.

If you use a diamond-embedded cup wheel, you can grind floors to give them a new look. You can use this feature for floor optimization, leveling, and attaining fine edges for a perfect finish.

Materials that an Angle Grinder Is Used to Grind

It depends on the type of materials that they require, a different methodology to achieve accurate results. You must attach the grinder to accurate equipment.

Type of Materials	Suitable Attachment/Accessory	Application & Suggestions
Steel / Stainless Steel	Smooth grinding wheel, Flap disc	Suitable for welding, grinding, and debris removal. Tip: Go for iron-free flap discs here to avoid wearing out quickly.
Concrete / Stone	Diamond cup-shaped wheel	Applicable for leveling rough surfaces. Suggestion: Must incorporate safety shields or indicators to avoid hazards.
Tile / Marble	Diamond-embedded cutting saw blade	Perfect for projects whose goals align with accurate cutting. Advice: When you use wet cutting methodology, it will minimize waste and increase the life of the blade.
Wood	Carving discs, Sanding foams	Best for reconstruction and leveling of materials. Point to Ponder: Avoid using blades with aggressive teeth. You can use flap or rasping discs for this purpose.
Aluminum / Copper	Fine grit flap disc, Aluminum-based wheel	Avoids the damage of delicate metals. Tip: Use white light to prevent overproduction of heat.

Angle Grinder Applications for Different Industries

The multi-purpose nature of an angle grinder enables various industries to use it in their daily tasks. Let’s discuss how they incorporate it in their projects.

Construction

In construction projects, contractors use grinders for cutting reinforced steel. Moreover, it is used for supporting signals in walls for electrical conduction. They can also use it for extracting extra cement paste during brick and stonework.

Expert contractors know when to use it and under which conditions. They usually use it for quick transformations during the intermission of the project.

Metal-Related Fabrication

The main application where angle grinders find their place is the metal-related activities. In this industry, handlers use grinders for welding, removing worn-out parts, and preparing surfaces for a perfect finish. 

Moreover, workers also use them for leveling steel and metal sides. It will help you achieve solid structures through welding.

Home Renovation or Remodeling

When remodeling homes, angle grinders play an important role in cutting tile and marble accurately. Moreover, they can level the rough edges of wooden floors and countertops. You can use these mini grinders in places where large tools are not suitable.

You can incorporate these grinders for plumbing pipes of various materials, such as copper, steel, and PVC. 

Automotive Repair

Repairers use grinders for the removal of worn-out parts from different parts of vehicles. They use these mini tools for leveling and sanding welds during the repairing process. 

Angle grinders play a significant role in optimizing old paint by applying it through delicate pads. It retrieves the polished surface finish on vehicles. 

Stone Processing

In stone-dealing industries, workers use grinders for reshaping curved edges and leveling floors and tops. For this purpose, they use refining soft pads to give a beautiful finish.

They can apply these grinders in their customized fittings suitable for the client’s demands. 

Common Angle Grinder Attachments and Accessories

If you want to get full command over the working of an angle grinder, you should know which types of attachments you can use under certain conditions.

Attachment Types	Main Function	Important Considerations
Grinding Disc	Removes metals having heavy weights	Applicable for materials, e.g., metal and concrete. Not suitable for grinding.
Cutting Disc	Cuts accurately	Level the concrete
Diamond Cup Wheel	Removes worn-out parts and paint scratches	Best for complex tasks, such as flattening coarse floors and walls.
Wire Brush Wheel	Gives an excellent glossy surface finish	Suitable for surface cleaning without the removal of core base.
Polishing Pad	Suitable for surface cleaning without the removal of the core base.	Perfect for woolen and foaming pads with polishing solutions.

Safety Protocols for Applying an Angle Grinder

When you use tools having different speed ranges, they pose different safety hazards for you. To avoid them, you must follow the protocols given below.

1. Evaluate Equipment: You must check all tools and related accessories you will use in your project. Check if they contain any damage. Otherwise, the abrasive discs will break into pieces when operated at high speeds. They can cause injury to the operator. Also, make sure that you screw its nut tightly to decrease the shaking noise.
2. Use a Safety Guard: You should always use a protective guard the working with an angle grinder. If you use this shield, it will protect you from fire sparks and germs. Moreover, it will protect the environment from dust accumulation. 
3. Hold with Proper Grip: You must apply an angle grinder by holding it with both hands. Place your one hand on its body and the other on the handle. This holding will allow you to achieve a smooth and flawless cut. 
4. Set a Correct Angle: You must set an accurate angle for grinding. It must be in the range of 15°-30° to increase the interaction with the disc. Whereas during cutting, maintain a 90° angle between the grinder and the cutting surface.
5. Wear PPE: You must use protective gear to protect yourself against hazards. Use safety glasses, a face mask, gloves, and ear defenders. Above all these, you can use a full-face shield to attain complete safety.
6. Take Care of the Environment: It is better if you do not apply the grinder in wet types of cutting or in flammable environments. Otherwise, it will result in the sparking of surrounding materials. It depends on you how you maintain a safe environment for everyone working on the site.

Professional Recommendations: Selecting High-Performance Equipment 

For contractors, achieving required results within a limited time holds great importance. They consider it equal to gaining profit. So, let’s discuss some important suggestions on how you can work efficiently.

Check Certifications/Licenses

You must buy angle grinder discs that hold regulatory licenses such as EN12413 or MPA. It helps you evaluate whether the equipment is acceptable globally in terms of working and protection. 

You must not buy low-quality tools just to fit within the low budget. It will decrease the performance of your project.

Use a Blade According to the Material

You must use the right blade suitable for the material you are going to use in the project. If you use a metal-incorporated blade to cut concrete, you will end up damaging your valuable blade. 

When you use relevant blades, it helps you achieve your goals within a limited time. 

Recommended JohnsonTools’ Products

If you want to achieve remarkable results, you must consider tools and equipment from Johnsontools. Their famous products include the following: 

• Concrete cutting diamond-embedded blades: They are made for attaining customized speed and possess long life, even for difficult projects. 
• Tile and granite continuous rim blades: They are designed for accurate cuts without any rough patterns.
• Diamond-style cup grinding wheels/discs: They are made for making smooth levels in concrete.

For contractors and dealers, we at JohnsonTools also offer OEM/ODM customized services. It helps them build their company’s identity with their own stamped products. 

FAQs

What is the main purpose of using an angle grinder?

Angle grinders are tools used in the construction and manufacturing industries. They serve multiple functions, such as on-point cutting, unwrinkled grinding, and optimized polishing. You can use them in your projects related to metal and bricks. 

Can I use an angle grinder for cutting concrete, stone, and marble?

Definitely, you can use it. When your project involves dealing with concrete or tile, use a diamond-embedded blade. You should go for a wet cutting methodology for tiles as it will create a dust-free environment.

Is an angle grinder used for the smooth grinding of wood?

Yes, you can apply it for wood grinding. For this purpose, use appropriate relevant equipment with an angle grinder under suitable conditions. These include abrasive discs and optimal speed. Remember that you should not use general saw blades in the given scenario.

Can I apply it to polishing metals?

One of the main functions it includes is refining metals through polishing. You can do this by using the right woolen pads and optimizing compounds. To specify, you can use a grinder having a varied speed range so you can adjust accordingly and avoid heat buildup on the metal.

What is the reason behind the quick wearing of my sanding disc?

There can be several reasons involved. But the major reason is usually the wrong bonding of molecules in the disc. So, you must choose the bonding according to the type of metal. If you cut harder metals, use delicate-bonded discs. In contrast, choose hard-bonded discs for softer types of metals. This strategy will help you increase the life of the disc and other related tools.

Conclusion

Angle grinders are diverse tools that can perform several functions for your difficult projects. These actions include the accurate cutting, smooth grinding, refined polishing, etc. As a professional contractor, you must keep them in your essential kit. Many professional contractors constantly ask the same question: what is an angle grinder used to grind? If you know how to use them appropriately according to the requirements, it will help you work efficiently. It involves the selection of suitable diamond-incorporated blades. As a result, you will get perfect results. 

If you prefer to choose top-notch quality of the tools, you will ace every client’s demand. It can be either cutting embedded steel or just refining marble. So, you must select the tools carefully.

Visit Johnson Tools and explore our vast selection of diamond-embedded blades and other equipment needed to support the operation of angle grinders.