How to Maintain a Rotary Grinder

A rotary or angle grinder can be one of the most dangerous pieces of equipment in your shop. Most injuries occur from metal particles flying into unprotected eyes. More serious injuries occur from kickbacks and shattered discs. You can avoid many of these problems by frequent inspection and proper maintenance before each use.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Make sure guards are in place and in good repair. They're there to protect you from shattered wheels and flying debris.

2. Inspect the electrical cord for damage, such as fraying or cracks in the outer insulation. Protect the cord by keeping it out of the way when operating your grinder and avoid kinks and folds when storing it.

3. Check the front bearing for wear and have it replaced when necessary to prevent damage to the gears. A new grinder doesn't have any give when you try to wobble the disc on the shaft. If it wobbles, the bearing needs replacement.

4. Clean off your grinder after each use. Use an air hose to blow debris out of the cracks and crevices or wipe it down with a shop cloth.

5. Examine the grinding wheel for cracks, chips or other damage and wear before each use and replace it if necessary. If you happen to drop your grinder on a hard floor, you'll probably need to replace the grinding wheel.

6. Turn your grinder on and let it come up to speed. If there is excessive vibration or if it runs roughly, turn it off immediately and check both the grinder and the wheel for possible damage.

Tips & Warnings

• Run a newly mounted disc for a full minute before using to ensure that it's working properly.
• Always wear protective eyewear when operating a rotary grinder.