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Flat angle grinder discs (as opposed to cup attachments) are often called ‘wheels’. When first learning to use a grinder, you will soon become familiar with the traditional attachments it comes with, such as metal-cutting discs and masonry discs. You will need to replace these as they wear down through normal use.
Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment. Angle grinders can send sparks and other particles flying, so – in addition to protection for your eyes, ears and lungs – wear a long-sleeved, fire-resistant top and heavy-duty work gloves.
Think about what you primarily use your grinder for. Cutting steel or masonry? Stripping paint from wood? Cleaning metal or clearing away moss?
Multi-material wheels are a great addition to your tool kit, saving you time because you don’t have to change discs when you cut different materials.
Angle grinders are powerful tool kit essentials that operate at high revs, so using one with a sanding disc allows you to remove rust and paint from surfaces efficiently and aggressively. To attach a sanding disc to an angle grinder, simply secure with the same flange you use for standard grinder wheels.
The most common type of sanding disc for an angle grinder is called a flap wheel. These semi-rigid discs feature a ring of abrasive flaps that can follow the contours of what you’re sanding. They remove material quickly, making them effective for use as metal deburring discs and for smoothing welding seams. To strip paint or rust, or to clean away moss, use a flexible stripping disc. This is made from randomly bundled fibres and is designed to strip or sand large surface areas without clogging.
If you’re wondering why you might need a brush for your angle grinder, think about all the surfaces you scrub by hand with a wire brush. These clever attachments can get right into tight cracks and crevices – for example, giving the barbecue a deep clean or refinishing decorative metalwork.
Unlike standard cutting and grinding wheels that are clamped on using the flange, brushes are usually screwed directly onto the spindle of your angle grinder. Some are sold with a thread adaptor to increase their compatibility across different spindle diameters.
There are several types of wire brushes available: flat and bevelled brush wheels, and cup brushes. A crimped wire cup brush is more flexible than a knotted wire cup brush, so it abrades a little more gradually, and the same is true for flat and bevelled wheels; twist-knot wire wheels remove material more aggressively.
Diamond cutting blades come in segmented or continuous varieties, and allow you to make neat, clean cuts in hard materials such as concrete, paving or ceramic tile. However, if you are making many repeated cuts into tile, it may be better to hire or purchase a wet saw. If you need to grind or shape masonry (when chamfering the cut edge of a paver, for example), use a diamond cup grinder attachment.
Some angle grinders feature a technology called an X-Lock mounting system, which is compatible with X-Lock wheels but not with more common angle grinder accessories. Only some of the power tool brands that we stock in-store or online include this system; however, there are plenty of accessories that are X-Lock compatible. Some of these can be retrofitted to standard angle grinder spindles; the packaging will indicate whether they are suitable for all angle grinders or only X-Lock tools.
If you’ve lost the pin spanner from your angle grinder, an adjustable replacement spanner can save the day. A diamond hole saw with a suitable spindle adaptor allows you to use your angle grinder for drilling into materials such as marble or granite (when installing a kitchen benchtop, for example). Grinder vacuum attachments can also help with dust extraction, greatly reducing how much mess your grinder makes.
Check out our wide range of grinder accessories to get the maximum value from this versatile and powerful tool.
Photo Credit: James Moffatt
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
