Any lots of noisy fun havoc i had with it! Used some thick gloves and goggles as i'm getting old and sensible, but hadn't actually considered that sparks will burn for some reason! I've got burnt spots on my arms and face Is this normal?

Doesn't sound normal to me, but I would suggest you invest a couple a quid in a clear face guard rather than goggles...

Yep

I looked down once having smelt burning hair to see my chest on fire. It had gone through my clothing.

angle grinders are great Then they become awesome when you discover 1mm discs then they become godlike when you discover 0.8mm discs (how does that 0.2mm make such a difference?)

I have a hole in the croch of my overalls caused by grinding sparks..... I have a matching hole in my trousers... and a matching pair in my undercrackers..... Wondered why I could smell burning hair... looked down and the crown jewels were all ablaze!

I can go one better than that, I purchased one of those RAGE metal cutting saws today, best £90 I have ever spent ! puts skinny disks in a dark corner of the garage. But you are right they are fantastic.
On a parr with those linishing wheels with 80 grit paper on em.
Happy Days

I've got something like this to cover my face, and it's cool, because I seem to always end up working upside down whether grinding or drilling on something, and it makes it a lot more peaceful!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/QUALITY-SWP-CLEAR-FACE-SHIELD-HEAD-PROTECTION_W0QQitemZ200293592673QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item2ea26dae61

I managed to get bilateral arm measels due to grinding sparks wamming up the arms of my boiler suit. Got lots of funny looks at work. Thought for a while I was going to get a day off work for being contagious

I have a permanent scar on the first knuckle of the first finger on my left hand.
This was where the angle grinder went through all of the available skin and flesh.

It also took a bit out of the knuckle which is a slightly different shape to all of the other ones now.

I could have lost the finger.

Angle grinders are very handy, but in terms of sheer danger are in the same bracket as hand held electric planers. Capable of doing great things, but also more than capable of maiming you too.

Be verrrrrry verrrrrrrrrrrrrry careful.

Ohh and remember using the angle grinder can make whatever your grinding warm.

Once I put the angle grinder down and took my gloves off when the wife brought me out a brew, then without thinking ran my hand along the area I was grinding. I now know not to do that

quote:

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Originally posted by Steve Hignett
I've got something like this to cover my face, and it's cool, because I seem to always end up working upside down whether grinding or drilling on something, and it makes it a lot more peaceful!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/QUALITY-SWP-CLEAR-FACE-SHIELD-HEAD-PROTECTION_W0QQitemZ200293592673QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item2ea26dae61

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Must admit I have set fire to myself using an angle grinder. Its funny how quick u get your clothes off.

I always use a full face shield AND safety specs ever since a spark burned the top of my cheek despite having the full face shield.

Ear plugs are also a must if you're doing a long session.

Have fun, but be careful - my best trick so far was grinding away, and then inverting the grinder to get into a tricky spot, queue a face full of sparks and a new full face shield required.

(another favourite trick is people who forget to cover up glass/paintwork anywhere within 20feet of where they're working, new glass/respray can be costly.

[Edited on 1/11/09 by iank]

Definitely wear a full mask. I had one of the 1mm discs explode and if I had been wearing goggles I think I may have had my good looks spoiled

Goggles are just not good enough for grinding, cutting etc.

To me the definition of stupid is someone who doesn't learn.


Have a guess how many jumpers / jackets i've got with holes in the bottom just around the crown jewels i've got.

I'll give you a clue, i'm stupid.

Does provide entertainment when you realise your balls are on fire and your wearing welding gloves (i always wear welding gloves when angry grinding - just in case). In case you've not experienced it, the entertainment is the dilemma between using a full open gloved hand to 'pat' or hit the fire out and the realisation that you're about to smack yourself in the balls.

Strangely smacking yourself in the balls (lightly) always wins out.

Another tip - don't tell your mates in the pub why your late. From then on every time you turn up late they'll assume you've set fire to your crotch again.

Getting the wire brush caught in your shirt is always good fun too.

Nylon tracksuit bottoms are a def no no, thought my calf felt warm one day looked down and my pants were on fire, like most of us 1st reaction was to put my hand on it to pat it out,how wrong could I be pushed the molten nylon onto my skin which instantly burnt into my skin, took hours of painfull picking to get the nylon out got a lovely scar about 3" x 2".

tony