Angle grinders are versatile power tools that can be used for a variety of tasks, such as cutting metal, grinding concrete, polishing wood, and more. But can you use a saw blade on an angle grinder? And if so, what kind of saw blade should you choose? In this article, we will answer these questions and provide some tips on how to use a saw blade on an angle grinder safely and effectively.
The Answer: Yes, But Only Certain Types of Saw Blades
The answer is yes, you can use a saw blade on an angle grinder, but it must be specifically made for angle grinders. You should never use a circular saw blade on your angle grinder because an exposed blade poses many dangers for the user.
Saw blades for angle grinders are designed to fit the arbor size and shape of the angle grinder, and they have a smaller diameter than circular saw blades. They also have different types of teeth and coatings to suit different materials and applications. Some of the most common types of saw blades for angle grinders are:
Diamond blades: These blades have synthetic diamond particles embedded in the rim or segments of the blade. They are ideal for cutting hard and abrasive materials, such as tile, granite, marble, brick, concrete, and stone. Diamond blades can be either continuous rim, which provide smooth and precise cuts, or turbo rim, which provide fast and aggressive cuts. Diamond blades are usually wet cutting, which means they require water to cool down and prevent dust and overheating.
Wood carving discs: These discs have chainsaw-like teeth or tungsten carbide teeth that can carve, sculpt, and shape wood. They are suitable for polishing, grinding, and cutting non-metal materials and all kinds of wood. Wood carving discs have a unique form that prevents kickback and overheating, and they can create reasonable radial resistance at high rotation speeds.
Metal cutting discs: These discs have high-speed steel or carbide-tipped teeth that can cut through metal, such as steel, aluminum, copper, and iron. They are thin and sharp, and they can produce clean and smooth cuts with minimal burrs. Metal cutting discs are usually dry cutting, which means they do not require water or lubrication.
Before you use a saw blade on an angle grinder, you should always follow some safety precautions and best practices, such as:
Wear protective gear, such as gloves, goggles, ear plugs, and a dust mask.
Check the condition of the saw blade and the angle grinder, and make sure they are compatible and properly installed.
Secure the workpiece with clamps or a vise, and mark the cutting line with a pencil or chalk.
Adjust the depth of cut and the angle of the blade according to the material and the desired result.
Hold the angle grinder firmly with both hands, and keep the cord away from the blade and the workpiece.
Start the angle grinder and let it reach full speed before touching the workpiece.
Apply gentle and steady pressure, and move the angle grinder along the cutting line.
Do not force the blade or twist the angle grinder, and avoid binding or pinching the blade.
Stop the angle grinder and let the blade stop completely before setting it down or changing the blade.
Conclusion
Angle grinders are powerful and versatile tools that can be used with different types of saw blades to cut various materials. However, you should only use saw blades that are specifically made for angle grinders, and you should follow the safety precautions and best practices to avoid injuries and damages. By choosing the right saw blade and using it correctly, you can achieve fast and accurate cuts with your angle grinder.
