Top Features to Look For in Grinders

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Among the most versatile and commonly used power tools in every workshop and construction site are grinders. Whenever there is a need for polishing, grinding and cutting, these tools can find appliance. As such, the demand for them is high, thus there are many manufacturers that produce various different models in order to accommodate the needs of customers. Because of this, the market is flooded with many types of grinder tools, which makes it more difficult for first-time buyers to choose.

In this article, I’ll talk about the different types of angle grinder tools and what features to look for in them in order to get the most value for your money. For starters, know that angle grinder tools can be powered in three ways: by compressed air, an electric motor and a petrol engine.

GrindersAngle grinders that are powered by an electric motor and a compressor require a stable power source for the air compressor or power outlet to work, which limits their portability. However, these tools are ideal for indoor grinding and polishing as they’re small and much easier to operate with when compared to petrol powered angle grinders. Petrol engine grinders on the other hand, are portable and ideal for use at remote sites where it’s hard to get by electricity. Petrol models are usually bigger due to the fact that they have a bigger motor and a tank for the petrol. The type of grinder you choose will be mainly dependent on the type of grinding or polishing you’ll do as well as where you’ll be doing it for the majority of your time using it.

Next, you need to consider the disc size. There are various disc sizes available, ranging from smaller to bigger ones. The most common sizes are 4 ½ inc, 5,6,7 and 9 inch. Smaller disc sizes (below 7 inches) are ideal for common applications, while the larger sizes are better suited for bigger surfaces that need deeper cuts. The disc size directly co-relates with the power of the grinder, with the general rule being – the bigger the disc– the more powerful it is.

And lastly, the load speed and variable speed are something to look out for as well. The load speed is the speed at which the disc rotates before it makes a cut. Grinders with more speeds make more noise and generate more heat than the ones with slower speeds. The type of material being cut or polished and the attachment being used determine the optimal speed. The variable speed on the other hand, is a feature that allows you to adjust the speed of the disc. This allows you to shift to slower speeds for less heat, or for applications like polishing where using a slower speed is much better.