An angle grinder is a power tool used for grinding and cutting. It's one of the most common types of power tools found in construction sites and workshops. Because it's so versatile, you can use it for a wide variety of tasks. One of these is grinding concrete.
Concrete is a tough material to work with. It's abrasive and can be hard to remove once it's set. That's why it's important to use the right tools when working with it. Angle grinders are thus some of the best tools for grinding concrete. Grinding a concrete surface to make it smoother and more visually appealing is possible if you use a grinder the right way.
Benefits of using angle grinders to smoothen concrete
If you have a rough concrete patio or concrete floors that you’d like to level, using a grinder can solve your problems. After all, it’s a reliable tool that can efficiently smooth out rough concrete surfaces. By using a grinder, you can remove any imperfections and create a smooth, level surface.
Versatility
You can use angle grinders for so many different jobs because they can work with a wide range of angle grinder discs. Thus, you have to simply use the right attachment to use with your grinder. You’ll then be able to do different jobs without having to use a different tool for each one.
Check out the different angle grinder uses for more ideas.
Portability
Another thing that angle grinders have going for them is that they’re easy to handle. They’re definitely not hand tools, but they’re also built to be easy to carry and maneuver. You’ll be able to cradle a grinder comfortably and securely in both hands without worrying about keeping it under control, even at high speeds.
Power
You can trust the best angle grinder to be powerful enough for tough jobs. Just make sure that you have the correct attachments, and you’ll be able to rely on the grinder's motor to give you enough juice to grind, cut, and remove material. Angle grinders with a speed of at least 10,000 RPM are best for grinding concrete.
What you'll need
If you’re planning on doing anything with angle grinders, not just grinding concrete, you need to make sure that you have all the equipment and gear that you need. Here are the basic things you’ll need:
Respirator: Grinding concrete can produce large amounts of dust, which can be harmful to your health. Thus it’s best to wear a good full-face respirator to make sure that you won’t breathe in dust generated by the grinder.
Safety glasses: The dust can also get into your eyes, making safety glasses a necessity. To make sure that you’re well protected, wraparound glasses are likely the best choice. They can provide you with more protection and reduce the amount of dust that can get near your eyes even further.
Hearing protection: Angle grinders can get quite loud, especially when they work with tough materials. Loud power tools can be bad for your hearing, which is why effective hearing protection is essential.
Knee pads: It’s likely that you’ll be spending a significant amount of time on your knees while grinding concrete surfaces. You’ll be more comfortable if you put on knee pads, which can reduce the strain on your knees as you work.
Vacuum cleaner: It’s not enough to protect yourself from inhaling the dust generated by angle grinders. You need to periodically clean up any dust in the area, so it’s best to have a vacuum that has a large capacity.
Tips for smoothening concrete with angle grinders
Make sure that you have everything you need before you get started on grinding any concrete surface. We’ll also let you in on a few tips to help you ensure that you do a good job and end up with a smooth and level surface, be it at home or on the job site.
Choose among the best angle grinder models
The first thing you need to do is make sure that you have the right type of grinder for the job. Keep in mind that a more powerful grinder with speeds of at least 10,000 RPM is more ideal for grinding concrete. Check out our list of the best angle grinder models to find the right one for you.
Choose the right grinding wheel
Once you have the right type of grinder, the next step is to select the correct grinding disc. The most common type of grinding disc is the abrasive disc, which is used for general purpose grinding. Check your grinder to see which disc sizes are compatible with it.
Clean the concrete surface
Concrete surfaces, especially those outdoors, can be quite dirty and can have small pebbles, bits of dried leaves, and other kinds of debris. These can affect how well your grinder will work. Thus, make sure to thoroughly sweep up the concrete surface you intend to work on before firing up your grinder.
Use a good dust collection system
Angle grinders can produce a lot of dust. Some come with dust bags that can make dust management easy, but these dust bags typically aren’t very large. Unless you’re okay with having to stop working every few minutes to empty the dust bag, it’s best to set up an efficient dust collection system. See if you can hook up your grinder to your vacuum to make dust management easier.
Make sure to use safety gear
Angle grinders are a powerful tool that can grind, cut, and polish with speed and ease. It's one of the most versatile tools in a mechanic's or builder's arsenal, but there are certain things that you need to be aware of before you get started. Perhaps the most important thing to learn is safe angle grinder uses.
Angle grinders already come with certain safety features that can help you, but you should also wear the correct safety gear to mitigate the risks of injuries.
Work your way in
Always start at the outer perimeter of the area you’re working on. Start grinding along the edges and progressively work your way into the center of the surface. This can help you work more efficiently and keep the surface level.
Watch out for overheating
Unless you’re working with a wet grinder, it’s likely that your grinder will heat up because of the friction. Thus, it’s important to keep an eye on how much your grinder heats up. If your grinder starts to get too hot, you can pause for a while until the tool cools down.
Consider using wet conversion kits
As previously discussed, angle grinders produce significant amounts of dust and tend to heat up quickly. However, wet angle grinders prevent dust from flying and spreading over the work area, and they also help reduce overheating. A lot of the options on the market are dry angle grinders, but you can buy a wet conversion kit if you’d like to safely use water with your grinder.
Safety tips for angle grinders
All power tools carry a certain degree of risk with them, even though they’re well-designed and come with safety features. Thus, these safety tips can help you further reduce the risks of using power tools like angle grinders.
Always wear safety gear
Put your respirator mask, safety eyewear, and hearing protection before you even turn the grinder. This will ensure that you’ll be protected against the dust and noise produced by the grinder. Additionally, you should make sure that you avoid wearing any loose clothing to keep it from getting caught in the grinder. If you have long hair, you should also keep it neatly tied up.
Check the maximum recommended speed of your disc
Regardless of which angle grinder discs you use, most if not all of them have a maximum recommended speeds. Make sure your know the maximum speed for the disc you’re using, and make sure that it matches the lowest speed setting of the grinder you’re using. You can check the packaging of the angle grinder discs you’re using to see what their maximum speeds are.
Make sure that your discs have been properly tightened
Keep an eye on the blade tightening mechanism of your grinder and learn correct and proper angle grinder uses. Some are designed for tool-free adjustments, while others will require you to use a wrench of some sort to make the adjustments. If you’re not sure how to secure the disc, you can watch tutorial videos that can show you how.
Keep two hands on the tool
An angle grinder can pack quite a punch. Though they’re relatively compact, you’ll still have to hold them with two hands to keep them safely under control. Put one hand on the side and the other on the rear. You’ll be able to easily maneuver the tool without losing control over it. Another important thing to keep in mind is to keep your fingers off the power button so you won’t accidentally turn the tool off or on.
