Angle grinder spanner..

[conor1n]

The spanner that came with my B&D grinder is kind of pants. Some times it slips when tightening, causing one of the pins to bend. This means I spend the next 3 minutes pounding it back into shape on the floor.

Any recommendations for a better spanner, or else would it be better to replace the grinder fixture with one that has a regular hex head. My previous (given away) DeWalt unit had one of them and I much preferred it.

What have others done?

Thanks

 

[mike os]

Don’t use it to tighten just turn the disk by hand until it gets a bit stiff to turn, doesn’t need to be that tight, just tight enough not to come undone when it spins down

 

[Barking Mat]

The spanner that came with my B&D grinder is kind of pants. Some times it slips when tightening, causing one of the pins to bend. This means I spend the next 3 minutes pounding it back into shape on the floor.

Any recommendations for a better spanner, or else would it be better to replace the grinder fixture with one that has a regular hex head. My previous (given away) DeWalt unit had one of them and I much preferred it.

What have others done?

Thanks

View attachment 297713

What disks are you using?

I don't use grinder spanners. Except big angry grinders when they really won't undo. Mole grips work too.

On little grinders I nip all disks, flap, slitting, grinding disks by hand, and they just about always unscrew by hand, I don't even use grinder spanners on little grinders. Exception being the big ones, 9" ?

Maybe you're forcing too hard with the grinder?

Just my experience...

Or overtightening them.

They will never unscrew, as the design won't allow it...

 

[Barking Mat]

We have a B&D grinder at work and an old Metabo, I always go for the metabo, the B&D has horrible vibrations, I hate it, but if it's a quick job, and the Metabo is in the van or off site, I will use it.

Machine Mart, cheap corded Makita or any DeWalt, world of difference.

 

[JEZGUZ]

I only use the spanner for undoing the nut, there's no need to tighten it up much as they self tighten as they rotate

 

[grim_d]

Get some quick nuts and never look back.

I recommend Milwaukee fixtec as they are low profile and cheap.

 

[colnerov]

Hi, I just weld a big washer on the back of the spanner. Usually it's over tightened by snatching in the cut.

Colin

 

[pedrobedro]

Get some quick nuts and never look back.

I recommend Milwaukee fixtec as they are low profile and cheap.

My Metabo uses quick nut you just nip it then turn the disc with your hand to finish it off. I do the same with ordinary nuts and you seldom need the spanner to undo them.

 

[8ob]

I now use the Milwaukee version on all my grinders, not often you need to use the peg spanner to undo these. There is still the two peg holes under the tab if you need them

 

[grim_d]

My Metabo uses quick nut you just nip it then turn the disc with your hand to finish it off. I do the same with ordinary nuts and you seldom need the spanner to undo them.

It's hard to grab a slitting disc when it's barely bigger than the nut itself

 

[Lewis_RX8]

It's hard to grab a slitting disc when it's barely bigger than the nut itself

Another man who appreciates value for money

 

[Barking Mat]

I only use the spanner for undoing the nut, there's no need to tighten it up much as they self tighten as they rotate

It's hard to grab a slitting disc when it's barely bigger than the nut itself

Work pays for them, they dont get that small, fair point.

 

[Munkul]

As above, you don't need to butch it up tight, just a little nip!

It's rare that I'll ever use a spanner at all... usually just a quick tug on the disc to tighten, and back again to slacken... Only when you've done a lot of work with the disc, will you need the spanner to slacken.

That nut physically cannot come slack until you switch the grinder off and it's coasting down, so no safety issue!

 

[conor1n]

Ok, thanks guys.

I had always thought that given the design it couldn't loosen, but then again it's a high speed tool and scares the bejeesus out of me so I try and be safe.

Those fixtec buts look amazing.. I can totally relate. I've done close to zero fab so far and swapping discs is already a pain lol.

 

[James1979]

I will second the Milwaukee nut but I did manage to bust mine, just by trying to undo it. Got a replacement and that was fine.

DeWalt came up with a good idea for a while - they had a 6mm hex in their nut as well as the two holes. Works as well as a spanner and easier to find.

I very rarely use a key on my grinder nuts, apart from the 9". The 4 1/2" just gets done / undone by hand

 

[droopsnoot]

Those fixtec buts look amazing.. I can totally relate. I've done close to zero fab so far and swapping discs is already a pain lol.

That's why I use Aldi angle grinders at £20 each - for my usage they're plenty good enough. I have one with a cutting disc in it, another with the hedgehog of doom, one with a bionic sponge disc and I think the other has a flap disc. Though now I've tidied the shed a bit, it's a pain to keep getting them out of the drawer I store them in, but I only change discs when they wear out.

Fixtec nuts do look interesting, though.

 

[James1979]

another with the hedgehog of doom

 

[pedrobedro]

It's hard to grab a slitting disc when it's barely bigger than the nut itself

I can't get them that small because the guard gets in the way, it must be a Scottish thing

 

[Munkul]

That's why I use Aldi angle grinders at £20 each - for my usage they're plenty good enough. I have one with a cutting disc in it, another with the hedgehog of doom, one with a bionic sponge disc and I think the other has a flap disc. Though now I've tidied the shed a bit, it's a pain to keep getting them out of the drawer I store them in, but I only change discs when they wear out.

Fixtec nuts do look interesting, though.

I want to do the same with my cordless grinders - one with slitting disc, one with flap disc, and one with poly abrasive disc - but makita brushless grinders aren't cheap enough yet

 

[Aff]

I want to do the same with my cordless grinders - one with slitting disc, one with flap disc, and one with poly abrasive disc - but makita brushless grinders aren't cheap enough yet

This is why I changed to the Chinese copy ones.

I have 5 now. Slitting disc, Grinding disc, Flap Wheel, Poly Abrasive and wire wheel.

All 5 still cost me less than 1 Makita brushless grinder. They go sub £20 if you keep an eye on them.

I have put them through some pretty serious abuse and still haven't had one fail.

I did a strip down on here and it appears to be identical to the Makita inside: https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/chinese-copy-makita-18v-5-grinder.106105/