October 26, 2017
Thinking of pneumatic grinders, most of the professionals in industries such as metal working, fabrication, foundries & casting plants or even shipbuilding, would only consider the type of abrasive wheels when choosing their tool, which is not enough. Here are some advice to make the right choice to get the job done.
• When using abrasives wheels between 4'' (100mm) and 6" (150mm): Usually angle grinders are designed for abrasives wheels sized between 4" (100mm) and 6" inches (150mm). You may find some angle grinders designed for larger abrasive sizes, however the performance is nothing compared to a vertical grinder. Such vertical grinder is the right solution to make the most of large abrasives, as well as cup wheels.
• When maneuverability is the priority: The compact size of angle grinders allows for easy operations when working in tight areas, and makes it possible to hold the tool's overhead.
• When abrasive visibility is the priority: Thanks to their low profile, working with angle grinders ensure a good visibility on the abrasive when high precision is required for the job.
• When high power is needed: Some applications require high power, to allow operators to apply a heavy load (feed force). This is where vertical grinders excel: their large air motors can provide up to 4.5hp (3400 W) power which allows to quickly remove large amounts of material.
• When working on large components: Some casting deburring and fabrication of large structures require to cover large surfaces, or grind on long distances. In this case, abrasives wheels of 7” (180mm) and 9” (230mm) allow to work faster than with 4” (100mm) or 5” (125mm) abrasive wheels. In other words, if you are working on a big job, use bigger tools!
• When working on benches: For this specific application, the weight of vertical grinders helps the operator as it reduces the needed feed force making his job easier.
There is a tool for each application. When making your choice, you should consider the two following things: First, make sure the selected tool is made for running the specific abrasive dimension you need, at the correct speed. And then, include the working preferences of the operator, to ensure ergonomics and comfort.
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