Grinders are specialized power tools and need to be taken care of. They may be low maintenance, but they still need some upkeep to have a long life.

 

Some things in life are taken for granted. It usually applies to something (or someone) that works hard and never complains. We all know that worker who constantly gets things done and is the epitome of low maintenance. We call that person a grinder, which is fitting, because grinders are the grinder of power tools. They can perform almost any thankless task and do it well. This makes it easy to forget grinders are specialized power tools and need to be taken care of. They may be low maintenance, but they still need some upkeep to have a long life.

 

To Maintain Your Grinder, start with INSPECTION

Before doing any work, you should make sure something needs to be done, and what that something is. The only way to do this is through inspection. A quick warning: before inspecting grinders (or any power tool), disconnect from their power supply. This could be unplugging it if it’s corded, or removing the battery if it’s cordless.

 

Using your eyes and hands to inspect seems obvious, but you should be sure to do this first. What if an operator decided to visually inspect a grinder after turning it on to examine how it ran? This seems innocent enough, unless there was a crack or loose bolt. The accessory could break apart or dislodge, creating a very hazardous situation. The very last step of inspection should be turning on the tool… and only if no other potential issues were found.

 

Image: Shutterstock 

 

Because grinders are intricate machines, many parts have the potential of being damaged. To combat this, many parts need to be inspected. Depending on the type of grinder you’re using, these parts may differ a little. But whether you use bench grinders, die grinders or angle grinders, most of these inspections are universal.

 

Spindle, wheel flange and lock nut

These small parts play a large role in keeping grinders working and operators safe. If you break it down, these three pieces keep the fast-moving wheel in place. The inspection of these pieces should not be overlooked.

 

Check for loose parts:

The lock nut should be tight, as well as all screws securing the spindle and wheel flange.

 

Look for cracks:

If the spindle, wheel flange or lock nut has a crack, the wheel could break off in the middle of operation. Imagine a grinding wheel flying at you in excess of 5,000 rpms. That’s nobodies idea of a good time.

 

Look for deformities:

A deformed spindle or wheel flange could make the wheel wobble during operation. This would place extra pressure on the motor, decreasing its life. It could also cause kickback while cutting material, which should always be prevented.

 

Check for smooth movement:

If damage is not visible, it doesn’t mean there isn’t any. Try spinning the wheel flange around the spindle. Watch for any rough movement. Also, the lock nut should not be stripped and should fit snugly.

 

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Handles

Handles are another crucial yet often overlooked part of grinders. Their importance is obvious, but they’re expected to last longer than the tool itself. Thanks to the quality of power tools now available, handles may wear out before a tool does.

 

Tighten:

Many handles screw into grinders. Vibration from normal operation could loosen the handle. A simple twist of the handle will ensure it stays safely attached while running.

 

Look for wear:

Handles with padding or insulation should be inspected for cracks or loose covers. These are for added grip and protection against electricity. Keeping your tool in hand and being protected from electricity should be priorities. The opposite happening would be undesirable, to differing degrees.

 

Power supplies

Whether a grinder is corded or cordless, the power supply should be inspected before use. This is a simple step, but also an important one.

 

Check cord:

If your grinder has a cord, check it for cracks, nicks or other damage that could expose live wires. Exposed wires could ruin the grinder and/or ruin the operator’s day, as electrical shocks are known to do.

 

Check battery:

Cordless power tools need an effective rechargeable battery to work well. This is true with cordless grinders, too. Inspect batteries for quality and make sure they connect properly to the grinder.

 

Accessories

Grinders can’t do their job without attaching a wheel accessory. When grinding or polishing, angle grinders need a grinding wheel or polishing wheel to perform their job. This importance also translates in how to maintain your grinder.

 

Look for wear:

Accessories are expected to wear down over time and be replaced. Not switching an accessory out when it’s needed can make operation harder for the operator and the tool’s motor. This will damage the grinder and possibly injure the operator due to kickback.

 

Check for proper fit:

A wheel may not fit easily on the spindle for a variety of reasons. Wear or trauma could have occurred, or the accessory might not be made for your specific grinder. Whatever the reason, be sure to only use an accessory if it fits easily. Also, it must hold the wheel in place when tightened without distorting the flange.

 

Test it out:

If an accessory looks fine but is still suspected of having damage, give it a test run. This is an issue after a grinder has been dropped. Be extremely careful, and run the grinder at maximum no-load speed for one minute. Usually a damaged accessory will break within a minute of use. If it stays intact, the accessory should still work fine.

 

Fix the issue

When an issue is found, have a qualified person perform service. Use identical replacement parts and use manufacturer recommended accessories for your specific tool.

 

Image: Shutterstock 

 

Maintaining Your Grinder: GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

Keeping your grinder clean is another way to ensure it lasts as long as possible. If you quickly clean it after each use, the time spent cleaning will be minimal. Here are some extra points to focus on when cleaning.

 

Air vents:

Clean by blowing debris out with compressed dry air at least once a week. The fan draws dust inside the housing, and build up could cause mechanical failure. OSHA states compressed air can only be used at under 30 psi to clean tools, and only if guarding and PPE is being used. At higher pressure, flying debris could become a potential hazard to people in the area.

 

Switch levers:

Keep clean and clear of debris. DO NOT clean any part of your grinder by poking pointed objects in openings. A foreign object keeping you from shutting off your grinder is far from ideal.

 

Liquid wash:

At some point you’ll need to clean your grinder with more than a dry shop towel. Gunk from cut material or the work site will eventually make its way to your tool. When it does, use a cloth dampened with mild soap and water. Don’t submerge any of the grinder into liquid, and make sure it doesn’t get liquid in it. Many abrasive chemicals damage the plastic parts of grinders. Make sure your cleaning solution is mild and won’t damage the tool.

 

No Kickback

Preventing kickback will help maximize the life of the grinder, and that of the user. Immediate pressure to the wheel creates tension to all moving parts—mainly the motor. And unexpected movement in the opposite direction can injure the grinder operator. Here are some tips to lower the chance of kickback occurring, or to minimize its effects.

 

• Hold the grinder firmly and brace yourself so you can resist kickback forces if they occur.

 

• NEVER place your hand near a rotating accessory! Use the secondary handle for your free hand for better control and safety. Your hands can’t get cut if they’re both holding the tool.

 

• Position your body out of the area the tool would move if kickback occurs.

 

• When working corners, sharp edges, etc., use extra caution. Avoid bouncing and snagging the accessory.

 

• Do not attach a toothed saw blade or saw chain woodcarving blade. These accessories have a greater chance to cause kickback.

 

An Added Bonus to maintaining grinders

You may have noticed a common theme throughout this article. Maintaining your grinder simultaneously keeps the tool’s operator safe. This is a pleasant side effect to keeping your tools in top working order. As long as they perform as expected, the user will have a much better chance of finishing a job injury-free.

People want to keep grinders well-maintained to save money via repairs and replacement. Improving the issue of worker safety along the way makes it that much more important. That way the workhorses can continue working hard and never miss a beat.