Angle Grinder's can be used for a wide variety of tasks such as cutting and polishing tile, grinding out mortar, cutting stucco and pavers (diamond wheel attachment), removing loose paint and rust (wire brush attachment), and cutting or grinding steel (abrasive wheel). And the great thing is that angle grinders are not expensive. You can get a reconditioned Makita 4-1/2 inch angle grinder with a 7.5 amp motor for as little as $54.

What makes an angle grinder so useful is it's accessories. The first thing you need to know about your grinder is what size wheel you have and also what size spindle thread your grinder has. Most angle grinders have a 5/8 inch spindle thread but check to be sure that yours is not an odd size.

There are a plethora of accessories available to use with an angle grinder. For example, a wire wheel can be used to remove rust and strip loose paint and comes shaped as a wire cup brush or a flat wire wheel (good for crevices and corners). A grinding wheel is a great tool to use to sharpen garden tools, hatchets and lawn mower blades. A grinding wheel also makes removing old mortar easier. A cutoff wheel is ideal for cutting rebar, rusted bolts, wire fencing and other metal. Do you know how to get that decorative swirled look on flat metal? An angle grinder fitted with fine grit sandpaper.

Angle grinders can be dangerous, they are powerful and fast, spinning at a speeds of 10,000 to 11,000 rpm, so be sure that you wear safety glasses or even better, a face shield and gloves when you're using one. Always unplug the grinder or detach the battery when you are changing accessories and use the grinding guard if possible. Two hands are recommended when you are using the grinder and the side handle adds a great deal of stability to the tool. Orient the work so the grinding wheel spins away from, not into, sharp edges. Wheels, especially wire wheels, can catch on an edge and throw the workpiece or cause the grinder to kick back.

If you're not sure what size angle grinder you need, a 4 1/2 inch angle grinder is the most common and thus will have the most available attachments. DeWalt makes the D2840K, a 10amp, 4 1/2 inch angle grinder. The DeWalt D2840K has a unique Dust Ejection System that protects the internal machine from getting affected by the dust particles that might enter the grinder from air intake vents.

Test out a variety of grinders at your local tool store to see which one fits your hands the best. Good ergonomics will make your task easier and less tiring. If you are in the Denver, Colorado area, you can test out grinders at the Toolking Lakewood Superstore off 6th Avenue. Happy grinding !