Although angle grinders were not initially designed with concrete in mind, concrete contractors have found plenty of use for them. In fact, angle grinders are one of the most versatile tools in the concrete contractor's arsenal.
The tools originally were designed to grind down and smooth out metal welds by tipping the rotating blade at an angle. This process also works well with concrete, especially for removing stubs or seams.
The tools come in several different sizes from 4½-inch blades up to 9-inch blades. Typically, 4½-inch and 5-inch models feature high speeds up to 11,000 rpm, but they tend to have low torque. They are best suited for grinding off stubs from hardened concrete. They also can be used when tuckpointing, though some manufacturers make specially designed tools for this practice.
Angle grinders play an important role in decorative concrete, whether used for improving the look of stamped concrete, engraving, polishing concrete countertops, or freehand scoring.
The bigger models, ranging from 7- to 9-inch blades, are more powerful tools, with lower speeds and higher torque. These larger models, while they look the same as their smaller brothers, are used for slightly different purposes. Along with occasional angle grinding, these tools can be used for cutting joints, much like a saw. The larger the size, the deeper thttp://www.sencan-tools.com/Angle-Grinders-c5.htmlhe potential cut, and they can even be used to cut bricks.
The rat tail angle grinder is a modification on the standard tool theme, except that the tool has a longer and tapered body shape and an almost pistol grip. This pistol-like grip provides a more comfortable positioning in the hand, says Ryan Anderson, Bosch Power Tools' product manager for angle grinders. Anderson sees the rat tail grinder slipping into an intermediate position between the larger and smaller tools.
Generally, angle grinders are pretty similar to one another. The features that make any particular angle grinder unique frequently appeal to the user's preference.
For example, the on/off switch can be either some kind of toggle or slide switch that is clicked on and remains on, or a trigger or paddle switch that a finger activates. Some models have a special feature that ensures the switch isn't accidentally activated, sending it skidding across the floor where it could injure workers or damage the floor. Some jobs may specify using a grinder with a paddle switch for safety, Anderson notes.