Angle Grinder Cut-Off Wheel

[Dave in KC]

Question - when do you change these?

I just put on a new one. The old one is on top.
Should I just keep using the old one?

 

[timothy]

I've ran those till there was nothing left but the metal sleeve.
Obviously you have to watch for cracks, or deterioration from binding or kick back.

Tim

 

[Jason in CA]

When they get too small to cut what I'm working on.

"Obviously you have to watch for cracks, or deterioration from binding or kick back."

Or if I see anything that looks like failure

 

[Ralph Meyer]

Yep, I run them till they're not big enough to cut what I'm working on.

I don't know if that's smart and not recommending that you do that

 

[Jason in CA]

I've seen new cutting wheels shatter. At the very least use safety glasses when working with those.

 

[JKalchik]

Yup. Run them down.

I've been buying Pferd grinding & cutting wheels (German.) They seem to perform better and last longer than anything else I can get around here.

 

[Dave in KC]

At the very least use safety glasses when working with those.

For sure. I actually normally wear the full face shield anytime I am doing anything with a grinder.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

 

[Bruce]

Ummm, yah just run them until they are not doing a good job any longer...kinda like sand paper. Those cutting wheels are inexpensive so if you want to change them out more often, that is fine.

 

[timothy]

I like the mesh face shields https://www.harborfreight.com/mesh-face-shield-97010.html
They don't fog up /scratch like the solid ones. I still wear my bifocal safety glasses and depending on what I'm grinding/cutting a dust mask.

Tim

 

[JackAl]

Also, I like the "cupped" ones not the flat ones.

 

[Bruce]

Gee Thanks Tim. You just cost me another trip to HF.

I didn't even know those were a thing and seem like an excellent idea for many projects. They even make them with the clear plastic guards.