Tim Hobbs <
[email protected]> wrote in message news:<
[email protected]>...
> Seriously, it's a very dangerous tool (probably as bad as anything
> else you can own). I hate mine, and in fact only recently realised it
> was nicked in a car break-in over a year ago.
I used my cheap one so much I let the smoke out, so decided to replace
it with a rather nice 900W DeWalt. It had better last at least 3x the
B&Q junk one it supersedes...
I use my grinder when I'm playing at blacksmithing, primarily. I tend
to use a lab coat, welders apron, welding gloves, mask, safety goggles
*and* a visor. The thing I probably ought to add to that is a hat -
I've had a few occasions where I've ended up with hotspots on my head
and the smell of burning hair. I frequently use mine on high-carbon
steels, and the sparks tend to go on a bit longer than mild.
Using them with cutting discs, they'll freqently grab on the sides of
the disc, which can result in disc fractures or jumping; wire brushes
are a liability at those speeds; grinding discs are heavy - which is a
consideration when they break. I quite like the thin "plasma cut"
discs from Machine Mart, but they wear down much more quickly and are
much more fragile. I'm also fond of the zirconium flap discs for
general clean up, but they are hellishly expensive.
Buffers get my vote as a more dangerous tool.
Peter
