Best Angle Grinders For Wood Of 2024: Completed List
Brandon Forder May 17, 2024 9:08 AM
Metalworking, sanding, and woodcarving are just some of the many applications for angle grinders (our focus).
Knowing which angle grinder is appropriate for your needs is not easy if you are new to wood carving. In this article, we'll go through the many types of attachments for angle grinders and explain how to select the right one for wood carving.
In order to help you feel comfortable with your purchase of an angle grinder, we'll also address some common questions you may have.
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Types of Angle Grinders
Angle grinders come in four primary varieties, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages as well as preferred power source. Angle grinders often come in a variety of power sources, including cordless, corded, gas, and pneumatic.
Cordless Angle Grinders
The lack of a tethered power source means that cordless power tools can be used anywhere, including the great outdoors. Since battery technology is advancing annually, several cordless devices now have the same amount of power as their electric counterparts. Cordless grinders typically only last for around 45 minutes on a single charge, so users should always have a spare battery on hand.
Corded or Electric Angle Grinders
Angle grinders are a common home improvement tool, and corded variants are among the most popular due to their infinite power and durability. Though it is limited in portability due to its tethered power source, a corded angle grinder can save you the hassle of dealing with batteries or the frequent servicing required by gas or pneumatic models.
Pneumatic Angle Grinders
Pneumatic grinders rely on the pressurized air from an air compressor in order to function. These are second only to gas-powered angle grinders in terms of power, but they are typically prohibitively expensive to acquire and maintain due to the frequent need to replace their air compressors. A pneumatic tool has an advantage over a cordless one in that it may be used for a longer period of time and produces more force than its corded counterpart.
Gas-Powered Angle Grinders
Angle grinders that run on gas are the most powerful type on the market, as is the case with many other power equipment. They weigh more and cost more than standard grinders. In addition, gas-powered models are high maintenance and not recommended for less significant tasks.
Size and Power
Keep in mind that an angle grinder is a power tool, and the larger and heavier it is, the more difficult it is to use. Most woodcarvers utilize 5-pound-or-less angle grinders as their go-to tool. Since you will be operating the grinder for long periods of time and because even compact grinders pack a lot of power, it is crucial that you know how to keep it under control at all times.
Although many motors can handle significantly more current than 6 amps, that is the standard starting point. Having a grinder with a stronger engine can facilitate shaping larger and denser pieces, but it also increases the risk of the grinder getting away from you.
Grinding discs designed exclusively for shaping wood are available, and the normal disc size for a wood carving grinder is 4 12 inches. You should do some research on the grinder you intend to purchase to ensure it can handle the rigors of carving and grinding wood.
Blades and Accessories
The problem with utilizing an angle grinder for wood carving is that it was not designed for that purpose. This refers to the fact that the discs can be used to hone, cut, and polish metal. It's not like using a regular knife or chisel to carve wood with an angle grinder.
Because of this, it's crucial to track down wood carving discs for your grinder. When carving wood with standard grinder discs, the blades may become caught. Your work will be ruined, and you risk dropping the grinder and hurting yourself.
Discs are included in this, as they too require polishing and finishing. After the bulk of the carving is complete, you'll need to be able to smooth and sand the surface using an angle grinder. Some discs are more suited to working with wood than metal, and there are many different disc kinds for different jobs.
Safety and Versatility
An angle grinder is a very dangerous hand tool since it may easily get away from you if your attention is diverted for even a second. This might result in serious injury or the destruction of your work.
If you plan on using a grinder, it's important to find one with appropriate safety measures built in.
The first vital function is a safety shutdown. Some commercially available grinders include a safety mechanism that turns the machine off if it senses a problem, such as a jam or clog, allowing for easier servicing. A slip may occur if the grinder became clogged, posing a safety risk.
The adjustable hand guard is another useful safety feature. A typical grinder's hand guard will be positioned above the disc blade, close to the handle. Protecting yourself while doing intricate labor requires a guard that can easily adapt to your environment. To ensure the best possible placement, certain guards may spin a full 360 degrees.
A dust ejection system that prevents dust and debris from damaging the internal components of the grinder and causing malfunction, and an easy off switch that allows you to immediately stop the grinder if it begins to slip or you lose control, are two additional features that can improve the safety and usability of your grinder.
Brand Name
In this area, you will be spending the most of your time. The reliability and performance of a power tool are typically determined by the manufacturer's reputation. Many companies produce angle grinders, but Rigid, Dewalt, and Makita stand out as three of the best.
Interchangeable Accessories
Finding the right angle grinder for wood carving might be a bit of a challenge. A rough start is to be expected when using equipment designed for cutting metal for wood carving.
Grinding can go more quickly and efficiently with the right blades and attachments for your grinder. The diameter of 4.5 inches is typical for a blade that sees regular use. Take a look at some blades that were made with wood carving in mind.
Also, you can acquire a set of smoothing and finishing discs to polish up your work. Explore the many distinct kinds of attachments and create a shortlist of those that will most positively impact the final product.
What is the best wattage for angle grinder?
If your angle grinder lacks sufficient power, you won't be able to get the job done right. The following wattages are suggested as general guidelines for various woodworking tasks: 500 watts is the recommended amount of power for wood polishing. Power requirements range from 1,000 watts for grinding and cutting through easy jobs to 1,500 watts for cutting through tough wood.
What size angle grinder should I buy?
Most woodworkers like 4.5-inch angle grinders because they are more manageable in weight and size and may be used for simple home improvement projects. In addition, they excel at low to moderate burdens. As such, a 4.5-inch disc is recommended for such a grinder, whereas a 7-inch disc is ideal for a 7-inch angle grinder, and so on.
Which is better 4 inch or 5 inch angle grinder?
Whenever possible, use a cutting wheel with the largest possible disc size. A larger disc will make a deeper incision into the wood. Discs that are 4 inches in diameter after being chopped off can be emptied in just a few cuts. This complicates matters because frequent disc swapping is required.
Can dust from using an angle grinder be harmful?
Yes. If you breathe the dusty air in through your nose or mouth, it will settle in your lungs and do major damage to your health. Always protect your eyes and face by donning protective gear before using an angle grinder to carve wood.
With any luck, you've learned enough about angle grinders from this article to confidently purchase one for your next wood carving project. Your next project will turn out beautifully if you just remember to take all the appropriate safety measures when using an angle grinder.
