Grinding - Hand tool equivalent

[Splatterer]

Can anyone tell me the process involved in grinding back to good steel, please?

I think the angle grinder a bit anti-social at times.
I don't do big lengths, mainly short runs. Hence the water torture nature of a bit of grinding, then quiet, then grinding, then quiet, then....

What is the hand tool or tools and method equivalent to grinding, please?
I've been filing and sanding with 60 grit, but the metal seems greasy.
Does the grinder burn off the grease?
Is there something else a grinding wheel does, other than keying the surface and removing material?

Everything in the world of metal seems to have hidden layers of complexity, or am I now a paranoid newbie?

 

[Wallace]

What are you working on?

 

[super noob]

A large hand file

 

[awemawson]

Only any use if he has large hands

 

[Seano]

40 grit paper....... there is no quiet way to grind steel! not that I know of anyway.

 

[rich r]

I wonder if you could build a soundproof box to do the grinding in? Or do it underwater (not with an electric grinder obviously!)

 

[armalites]

Don't let your neighybours know your are grinding.

Then when you do any grinding ring them all and ask them who's making all the noise

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

just get on with it, my neibours dont bother theese days as long as its not rediculasly early in the morning

 

[Wallace]

When you say "grinding back to good steel" are you removing paint and corrosion on old material or mill scale on new hot rolled steel? How thick is the steel you are working with?

 

[Splatterer]

Thank for the replies, gents.
I'm working on new steel, mostly 3mm, some 1mm.
Some seems to have a greyish coating, some seems to have black grease.

How far back would I need to take the surface?

 

[Exuptoy]

If its grease you could wipe it down with thinners or spirit wipe first.

 

[Wallace]

The 3mm steel with the grey coating is made using a process called hot rolling and the grey coating is mill scale that forms as the steel cools down. This coating of mill scale can vary slightly in thickness and it's difficulty to remove, the surface finish also varies from very smooth to quite rough and grainy. Light grinding the mill scale back to a clean shiny surface in the areas to be welded is recommended, this will give you the best surface for welding. There is a silent way of removing mill scale with citric acid discussed in this thread.

Any grease or oil should be wiped off prior to welding, grinding, sanding and especially filing as the file will tend to skate across the lubricated surface instead of cutting and also contaminate the file. Grease or oil is usually applied for corrosion protection during storage and is generally found on cold rolled or bright steel that does not have the coating of mill scale which gives a degree of protection to hot rolled steel against corrosion.

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

If it's not rusty or painted but is oily then a wipe with thinners will do. Mill scale doesn't affect the welds with mig too much, tig more so. Remember to keep the rag away when welding!!

 

[super noob]

flap disc on a grinder is my usual method for millscale or just a wire brush

 

[Splatterer]

Thanks all, exactly what I needed.

 

[mike 109444]

Get a grinder with variable speed control