Angle grinder for cutting?

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Is my angle grinder with cut-off disc designed to cut long cuts or is the intention just to cut off small chunks?Reason I'm asking is I'd like to cut up some scrap and am looking for a quick way to do so - of course, if I can learn to cut a smooth cut with the torch then my problem would be solved but until then....  - Mike
Reply:mike, just make sure you do not over heat your grinder and you will be OK.  If it feels like its getting too warm let it cool off.I will say this,  depending on just how much you intend to cut. those cutoff wheels can get expensive in a hurry.  personally I would cut it with the torch and grind it straight.   just my $.02   ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Get one of these from H F $5 or $6 works great fits 4" and 4 1/2" grinder.Last edited by Popwri; 10-30-2005 at 01:04 AM.Doing what I like
Reply:I'll echo what hammock says. Heat can be a problem on some grinders, some it ain't. Every cutting method there is has it's place. Cutt-off wheels can do an excellant job.  I'm not sure a cut-off is what I'd use for scrap and "quick". If you are really just cutting up some scrap, torch is blow and go, pretty doesn't matter usually. Straighten up the cuts when you need to use it. Take a hammer. Those pieces that glue themselves back together will generally pop with a whack or two. Good for the learning curve too. You learn about cutting in awkward positions, flame shortening your pants, how long iron stays hot, oil fires, rust, and how to navigate scrap piles with bi-focals. Lots of good life experiences.
Reply:I just saw a specially designed skill saw, with a carbide blade for cutting steel.  They say, (since I haven't been able to try it yet). that it works really well.      If your using zip disks. they will last a little longer if you do not force the cut.  That guard shown in a previous post looks really good.  Wood like to find one like that in Alberta somewhere.      However  a cutting torch, with a piece of angle iron clamped for a guide. has been the old tried and true method for many years.     You could also try the Saws-all with a metal cutting blade.  They cut pretty fast..... a least until the blade either gets stuck and bends, or you burn the teeth off.   Lincoln 225 AC/DC, Hobart 140 Mig. Oxy/propane Victor torch.(2) Makita 5" angle grinders  one with zip disk, 14" chop saw.  and just about every other tool you can think of. Whoever has the most toys when he die's ..... Wins!
Reply:Originally Posted by PopwriGet one of these from H F $5 or $6 works great fits 4" and 4 1/2" grinder.
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyGood for the learning curve too. You learn about cutting in awkward positions, flame shortening your pants, how long iron stays hot, oil fires, rust, and how to navigate scrap piles with bi-focals. Lots of good life experiences.
Reply:Fortunately, I don't need the bifocals yet, but I've got the process of flame-shortening pants down.  I'll cast my vote for using the torch.  If you can't make a straight enough cut, then practice more and use the torch.  The result will likely be quicker than using an angle grinder and you'll have the skill as a result.  In my opinion, angle grinders are great for cutting small things in a hurry, but I wouldn't use one for anything large.-Heath
Reply:[QUOTE=mhorowit]Is my angle grinder with cut-off disc designed to cut long cuts or is the intention just to cut off small chunks?There are different wires for different welds and there are different cut-off wheels for different cuts. Heat is what makes a wheel not cut. You need a good grinder that won't bog down eith a wheel that sheds heat to make a long cut, and you can use a harder composite wheel to make a small cut.Reason I'm asking is I'd like to cut up some scrap and am looking for a quick way to do so - of course, if I can learn to cut a smooth cut with the torch then my problem would be solved but until then....  - MikeA good quality wheel like Norton, Metabo, Sait, etc. will be the best method on smaller scraps. There are other factors too...  a cheap grinder WILL get hot after some use, so if you have a cheap grinder (HF) don't plan on being efficient. Likewise- if you use a cheap cut off wheel don't expect great results. Cheap wheels are cheap. The resins that hold them together are not engineered to last, and the abrasive material they are made of is the left overs from another product- imagine sweeping up saw dust and mixing it with glue and trying to use it as caulking,- doesn't work so well.  The proper set up will be quicker, less expensive and more efficient. Use your good grinder and a good cut off wheel and be done in less time than if you were to drag out your torch and garb. Be comfortable with your grinder and it will do more work for you than imagined. I cut out perfect circles in sheet as if they were die cut. If you don't believe me with the quality cut-off wheel thing, try an experiment. Get a china cheap wheel from HF and a good quality wheel from Airgas or Praxair or another local welding shop and make ten timed cuts with each wheel in some solid stock (like cutting nickels out of 5/8 bar) or angle iron. Which is faster and which wheel is now the smaller in diameter?? Check it out.Feel free to ask me any questions directly.-Jason
Reply:I think here is the main question, just how much scrap do you intend to cut, and how thick is it?   It is true a good grinder will hold up better, and good wheels will last longer.  but here is the thing to consider.  A good wheel will cost anywhere from 2-4 bucks a piece.  Figure 40 bucks for a carton of 20 on up depending on what you buy.  I can get a set of bottles for my torch for around $30.  I don't think you will get near the length of cut from a box of cut off wheels as you will a torch with full bottles.  Cut the scrap into managable pieces, and then use the disk to cut the pieces as you need.  As mentioned above it will give you some practice with your torch. ~jacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I just wanted to share with you the wheel that I have been using in my 4-1/2" grinder to cut just about everything. I use the SAIT 0.045" cutting wheel and have had tremendous success with it. I've cut mild steel in varying thicknesses up to crappy 'ol rebar. I've yet to be disappointed what this blade can do. I pick them up locally, but I found them on line at the link below. Good Luck!!http://www.heavydutystore.com/Sait_2...C_p_17389.html
Reply:Norton wheels are the best.When Northern Tool is out of Norton i'll get their cheap brand which works almost as good.I do not however recomend ever buying Dewalts wheels,got some from Lowes the other day and they don't cut worth a damn.My experiance's,my .02cents.
Reply:to make straight cuts with a torch just use a straight piece of metal that you can rest the tip against as a guide
Reply:Another quick way to cut with the torch is to lean the neck pipes of the torch on your left hand if you are right handed, and slide the torch with your right as it cuts, makes a pretty smooth cut, ( in a hurry)
Reply:Here's something stupid that I like to do for some reason: I usually keep the cutting discs I use on the chop saw when they get too small (7" - 8") and I put them on my grinder and use them for cutting. Of course you have to remove the guard to make them fit. And is usually wear a pretty thick pair of gloves since my fingers are usually 1" away from the blade...What could possibly go wrong, right?
Reply:All this talk about cutting and no mention of a PLASMA  torch!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by Madman StephanHere's something stupid that I like to do for some reason: I usually keep the cutting discs I use on the chop saw when they get too small (7" - 8") and I put them on my grinder and use them for cutting. Of course you have to remove the guard to make them fit. And is usually wear a pretty thick pair of gloves since my fingers are usually 1" away from the blade...What could possibly go wrong, right?
Reply:Originally Posted by Madman StephanHere's something stupid that I like to do for some reason: I usually keep the cutting discs I use on the chop saw when they get too small (7" - 8") and I put them on my grinder and use them for cutting. Of course you have to remove the guard to make them fit. And is usually wear a pretty thick pair of gloves since my fingers are usually 1" away from the blade...What could possibly go wrong, right?