Cutting Metal
old and in the way
Joined: Jul 1997
Posts: 5,924
Likes: 1,053
From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
more safety...
make sure the rpm rating of the cutoff wheels you but EXCEEDS the actual speed of the machine spinning them.... when they come apart it will ruin your day..
john
make sure the rpm rating of the cutoff wheels you but EXCEEDS the actual speed of the machine spinning them.... when they come apart it will ruin your day..
john
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 110
From: Northshore, MN
I'll just add that the sparks tend to go where you don't want them to, such as window-glass, your friendly neighbor peaking over yer shoulder, the torch hose, etc...so cover up anything you don't want scorched. my 2 cents
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Originally Posted by badbrad2
Others have given you the best, cheap answer. Now, REREAD AXracer's post and PAY ATTENTION TO THE SAFETY TIPS!!!
He makes excellent points about the face shield, heavy gloves and the method of using the cut-off wheel. In addition to a face shield, I also wear a pair of wraparound safety glasses. YES, we have had people get metal into their eye with just a face shield, bounces off clothing or body, etc going fast. I am in the pipeline business, so angle grinders are used on a daily/hourly basis a lot.
Learn from others (sometimes bad) expereinces and NOT from you own.
Jag Red, whaqt type of bit do you use in the Roto Zip for sheet metal. Have only used it for sheetrock, plastic & wood.
Brad.
He makes excellent points about the face shield, heavy gloves and the method of using the cut-off wheel. In addition to a face shield, I also wear a pair of wraparound safety glasses. YES, we have had people get metal into their eye with just a face shield, bounces off clothing or body, etc going fast. I am in the pipeline business, so angle grinders are used on a daily/hourly basis a lot.
Learn from others (sometimes bad) expereinces and NOT from you own.
Jag Red, whaqt type of bit do you use in the Roto Zip for sheet metal. Have only used it for sheetrock, plastic & wood.
Brad.
One other safety precaution: NEVER EVER try to cut or grind with the side of the wheel. any wear on the side can/will severely weaken it causing the wheel to fly apart from centrifugal force.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Longwood, fl
Low,
Against better judgement but so I can see better what and where I am cutting I removed the disk guard from my grinder/cutter. They do cut thumbs quite well, and fast. Careful, as Ax said also use a full face sheild or at least a good pair of gloves and goggles....
Against better judgement but so I can see better what and where I am cutting I removed the disk guard from my grinder/cutter. They do cut thumbs quite well, and fast. Careful, as Ax said also use a full face sheild or at least a good pair of gloves and goggles....
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 741
Likes: 0
From: Katy(Houston), Texas
Good points on using the cutting wheels. I don't have a face shield but I am going to go out and get one today. I already have safety glasses so I will be wearing both. I have had those dremel disks fly apart on me almost everytime I have used them (not fun) so I can imagine what would happen with the grinder.
Thanks again for the good advice.
Thanks again for the good advice.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: East Liberty, OH
I agree that the 4.5" grinder is the second best thing to the plasma. My Dad has a plasma and it is practially chained down in his shop. I can also attest the the grinder will cut though flesh SUPER fast. As I sit here and type I can see a scar on my left index finger that almost hit the bone when the metal jumped and it went through a nice new leather glove too. So if you can clamp down what you are cutting.
-Scott-
-Scott-
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
I too have taken the guards off my angle grinders. First they are designed for a right hander, and second they make it hard to see what you are doing, which to me is a bigger danger.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
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From: Valley Center, CA
Brad, I have three bits for my roto zip. There is a corkscrew type for metal just like the ones used for drywall and I have an arbor that holds a 3" cut off wheel. I also have the small 1" diamond cut off wheel/arbor that even cuts ceramic. 
But, you are absolutely right about the flying shavings. Jag
But, you are absolutely right about the flying shavings. Jag
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Originally Posted by Jag Red 54
Brad, I have three bits for my roto zip. There is a corkscrew type for metal just like the ones used for drywall and I have an arbor that holds a 3" cut off wheel. I also have the small 1" diamond cut off wheel/arbor that even cuts ceramic. But, you are absolutely right about the flying shavings. Jag
But, you are absolutely right about the flying shavings. Jag
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
Originally Posted by AXracer
I'm debating right now what to use to cut the openings for my new taillights with, but it's likely to end up being the angle grinder and finished with a file.
I also scrounged some router bits and rotary files from my work and use them in an in-line die grinder. They work well, but are easy to lose control of. I usually only rough an opening with them, then finish with the air file.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,893
Likes: 3,133
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Nibblers are a pain, they leave the little half moons all over the place. They end up getting caught in the soles of your shoes and tracking them everywhere. I have a Mikita metal shear they does a pretty good job of doing curves. The model I have doesn't cut a cut a 1/4" strip, it only has two blades and cuts along the line you mark to cut.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 741
Likes: 0
From: Katy(Houston), Texas
Well, yesterday evening I went to Lowes and bought a face sheild. I went and got my old wrecked eclipse hood stored in my Aunts garage and brought it home. I set up my grinder with the cutting bit on it and cut the front of the hood off. Damn, that thing makes cutting so much easier. To think that my grinder has been sitting around getting off easy...now it's gonna be doing some work...double duty for now. I'm going to pickup another grinder at harborfreight next time Im in the area so I can have one for each type of job like a few others here advised.
Great advice guys...Thanks again!!!!
Great advice guys...Thanks again!!!!