Angle grinder guards

[pedrobedro]

Only disc I had break on me was in the abrasive chop saw, a Machine Mart one which was so out of balance. I thought if I used it a bit gently it would even out but it broke instead. The guard stopped flyers but I was wearing glasses and gloves and the handle on the saw automatically puts you out of line of the cut if you are right handed.

Off on a tangent...

Our old style not slitting normal old styles cutting disks in the cupboard at work, are dated 2010.

Can't bring myself to bin them...

I'm still using some grinding discs from the last century, never even give it a thought not had any problems with them.

 

[brightspark]

if I run the grinders without and cutting disk on Im hardly likely to be in line of fire if it let go as I stand to one side so no chance of getting it in the face

 

[Memmeddu]

I've had various wheels exploding
The guard is intended to be there for an important reason

 

[Feet 'n Inches]

On my angle grinders, guards are always on. Can't say the same for my bench grinder though - I managed to smash both of the perspex screens in a matter of weeks.

 

[tom2207]

All mine are on but i did reduce the height of one so i could run flap wheels flat
View attachment 252600

I have one or two similar , but thinner still with the lip re welded on so as to cover the blade , I use them for cutting , they only fit slim 1mm blades but they work great and hands are safe , Ill post a pic if I get a chance.

 

[tom2207]

well you get the idea

 

[Morris]

Mine are always on (4.5" are all I have). If you need to take the guard off to get access you're using the wrong tool.
I can do enough damage with the guard on, I've got two scars across my right wrist from the"incidents".
My brother manage to have a 9" grinder run up his face when it kicked back. How he got away with so little damage is a mystery.
I hate to think what a full on grinder attack would do without the guard on.

 

[Memmeddu]

View attachment 252673 View attachment 252673
well you get the idea

I Also use to clean the guards removing the metal build-up

 

[tom2207]

I Also use to clean the guards removing the metal build-up

yep , I do , but that was used yesterday on a land rover and thrown in the boot of my car , it will get a de gunk at the next disc swap , the white sealant they use on old land rovers clogs up every thing , it actually works though and does keep rust at bay , if only they dipped the whole car in it ,,, but then it would be an Audi , and Id have no work lol

 

[sardine]

Glasses on or no grinding is my SOP after I got a microscopic bit of metal in my eye that put me out of action for two weeks.

 

[Hitch]

In 22 years working in the fabrication industry, I don't recall ever having to take the guard off of an angle grinder when using grinding discs, cutting discs, flap discs, sanding pads or anything like that.

 

[-Matt-]

I’m not on an American tv programme so guards on

I have air cut off tools and air hacksaws

This!
Winds me up so much that none of them use them. I've never taken facial damage from a slitting disc exploding but had shards go everywhere when you get that inevitable nip.
Home and work, both have guards on. I also use a full face because it's more comfortable with glasses.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I've never had a disk let go.

I've only used a grinder without a guard once.
It wasn't mine. I wasn't happy using it
Thankfully a diamond bit while chopping soil pipes but made me very nervous.
Bought my own in the next day.

 

[Mr Roo]

Guards usually on, although I’ve seen my forgetting to put them back on after an awkward job.

doesn’t matter much anyway, nearly offed myself just the other week when the tube I was cutting nipped the disc and sent it into my arm and stomach... no guard was saving me if it had taken purchase!

 

[mpats]

Guards very much stay on, it only needs to go wrong once and could have life changing implications. Even when using something like the Arborotech mini the guard is still on.

 

[sg66]

It's a miracle I'm still alive.

 

[My Old Landy]

It's a miracle I'm still alive.

I feel the same. I used to do things like remove guards etc. These days I am more aware after 40 years working in various industries. I sit at a desk during the day now so all my hands on is in my home workshop. I take far more care!! The only unguarded thing I have now is a homemade bench grinder with a wire wheel on.
The lathe and mill didn't come with guards though

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I feel the same. I used to do things like remove guards etc. These days I am more aware after 40 years working in various industries. I sit at a desk during the day now so all my hands on is in my home workshop. I take far more care!! The only unguarded thing I have now is a homemade bench grinder with a wire wheel on.
The lathe and mill didn't come with guards though

The 6" 3 jaw had a good go at eating my hand on that lathe when the cast monkey metal handle on my toolpost snapped. Very lucky it was a glancing blow.

 

[Wallace]

Glasses on or no grinding is my SOP after I got a microscopic bit of metal in my eye that put me out of action for two weeks.

I had glasses on and this went behind and landed on my upper eye lash. I could see it, so blinked a couple of times and the ruddy thing ended up in my eye! Came off a 115mm 3M 36+ sanding disc that really shift material.

 

[Arash]

Few years ago on another forum, one of the members told us about his colleague who lost a testy to an exploding 9" disc on a grinder that had no guard on it!
I have only just bought a cordless grinder and seldom have used them in the past. Was using it to trim some metal trunking and a bit of metal hit me under my right eye! I was wearing safety glasses at the time.
As any one who has met me in the flesh will tell you that I am not exactly risk averse but the grinder is not coming out with out full face shield and a leather apron. My 4 most valued appendages are my balls and my eyes!