Expertises: Paint, Home improvement, Wood, Car, Painting
Updated on
Different angle grinder discs such as grinding wheels, cut-off wheels, flat discs, and others can be used for carving, shaping, and cutting wood. However, the power tool should be used carefully with the right technique, or else it can cause a potential hazard.
If you have delved into woodworking in the past, then you will know that it is a fairly complex task. Thankfully, with the help of tools, such as an angle grinder, the process can be made a little easier.
But if you haven’t used an angle grinder a lot before, you may not know what grinding disc to use for cutting wood. And without the right disc, you may end up complicating the task even further.
That’s why we have prepared this guide to give you an idea about what angle grinding disc to use for woodworking. Let’s dive in!
What Is An Angle Grinder Disc?
An angle grinder is a handheld power tool that can be used for a wide range of tasks, such as polishing, cutting, grinding, and so on.
The tool uses a disc rotating at high speeds to accomplish these tasks. Because of this reason, it is also known as a disc grinder. This disc is strong enough to cut through wood and other rigid materials, such as rocks and metals.
Needless to say, it plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of angle grinders. But it is important to note that the disc is not universal by design and cannot be used on all types of surfaces. Different discs exist today, with each being suited for a particular kind of task. We have discussed them later on in this guide, so we suggest that you read on.
Can You Use An Angle Grinder For Woodworking?
As you can guess by now, the answer to this question is yes but it does pose certain safety risks. That’s why it’s crucial that you use the correct disc in the angle grinder to carve and cut wood.
For instance, if you have a wood carving disc attached to the machine, then make sure to use it only for carving wood. If you use it for any other task, you run the risk of damaging the machine, not to mention messing up the wooden materials.
Similarly, the technique you are using should be considered too. After all, this is a powerful tool that uses sharp high-speed blades to get the work done. So, if you use the incorrect technique, then the chances of making mistakes increases. And even the slightest mistake while operating the angle grinder can lead to serious injuries.
What Types Of Angle Grinder Discs Are There?
Broadly speaking, there are several types of angle grinder discs in existence, with each having a specific use case. In this regard, the ones which are commonly used in woodworking have been discussed below.
1. Grinding Wheel
The grinding wheel is the most basic disc used in an angle grinder. These wheels are available in different diameters and feature a ribbed grinding edge that helps to cut through wood or any other material.
A grinding wheel is suitable for use in most wood fabrication tasks, which provides a decent degree of versatility. However, they cannot be used for high-precision wood carving and cutting. Also, these wheels have a tendency to heat up quickly during usage, which means you need to be careful while using them.
2. Flap Disc
If you want to polish the wood surface, then this is the disc that you need to use. Flap discs have an abrasive surface, which essentially makes them the angle grinder equivalent of sandpaper.
As such, these discs can be used to chamfer edges, smoothen sharp corners and remove irregularities from the wood surface with high degrees of precision.
3. Ceramic Sanding Disc
The ceramic sanding disc is an alternative to the flap disc, typically used for sanding wood. It comes with an even more abrasive surface, which makes it a perfect pick for precision wood carving. Besides, the blade is made from ceramic materials instead of metal, which reduces its tendency to heat up during usage.
However, these discs are comparatively more expensive than normal flap discs, which is why they are not as commonly used by woodworkers.
4. Cut-Off Wheel
The cut-off wheel features a thin profile, complete with a sharp edge and tapered design, which makes it a great choice for cutting wood. Usually, these discs do not possess any sharp teeth at the edges, which facilitates a smoother cutting process.
In some cases, the disc surface may be rough, which allows for the abrasive cutting of wood. It smoothens the surfaces of the wood, ensuring that the cut edges do not have any imperfections.
5. Diamond Disc
Also known as a diamond saw blade, this disc is embedded with abrasive diamond shards at the edges. As such, it is even more effective in cutting wood than regular metal cutting blades. In fact, if you were wondering what angle grinder blade cuts metal, concrete, and tiles in addition to wood, then this is the answer to it.
However, its diamond-embedded design makes it a fairly expensive option compared to a regular metal-cutting disc. That’s why it’s only used by woodworkers as the last resort to cut through tough lumber.
How Do You Use An Angle Grinder To Cut Wood?
Provided you use the right disc and observe all the necessary safety measures, using angle grinders on wood is pretty straightforward.
All you need to do is turn on the power and hold the angle grinder with a steady hand at the correct angle and orientation. You also need to apply the right amount of pressure to get the job done quickly. But make sure not to rush it, as that can lead to accidents.
That said, you do need to keep some factors in mind to make the most of your angle grinder. These have been mentioned below.
A. Disc Diameter
The first thing that you need to consider when using an angle grinder to cut wood is the diameter of the wheel. You cannot use a large wheel since it will be more difficult to control. Besides, it might not fit the head of the grinder properly.
However, the diameter shouldn’t be very small either, as it will reduce the overall effectiveness of the tool.
B. Spinning Speed
When it comes to woodworking, you will find out that a single speed cannot be used for all types of tasks. The spinning speed necessary for cutting through wooden materials is considerably different from the spinning speed that is used for carving and shaping wood.
That is why most angle grinders come with a variable speed setting, which allows you to change the rotation speed accordingly. If you use the proper speed setting, then you can complete the task with higher precision and without any trouble.
Recommended Angle Grinder Disc Options For Wood
In this section, we have mentioned some of the best angle grinder discs you can use to cut wood. These discs are decently priced and will be efficient for most large and small jobs.
1. Arbortech TurboPlane
This blade is a great option for carving and shaping wood. It comes with carbide cutters embedded in sturdy steel frames for durability. What’s more, the blade design helps apply a strong shearing force on the wood, which produces uniform cuts.
2. King Arthur Lancelot
The King Arthur Lancelot comes with a chainsaw-like design, which makes it a great choice for aggressively carving through tough wood. However, it is a bit difficult to control due to its design, so you need to be careful while using it.
3. Graff Speed Cutter
If you want to cut through wood, then you will find the 3-toothed design of this cutting blade quite useful. The teeth geometry allows this wheel to shear through wood with very little effort. You can use the disc for occasional carving tasks too, which is a bonus.
4. Kutzall Extreme Shaping Disc
This is a highly abrasive blade that comes with numerous tungsten carbide teeth, specifically designed for sanding wood. The teeth extend all the way to the edges, which allows you to sand a large area at once. However, it generates a lot of dust, so make sure you use the proper protective gear.
Angle Grinder Safety
Safety is of the utmost importance when using an angle grinder for woodworking. Keeping that in mind, here are some useful safety tips that you should follow.
1. Wear Adequate Protective gear
It goes without saying that you need to keep yourself protected when using angle grinders. Using an angle grinder on wood generates a lot of dust that can get in your eyes, nose, or mouth. Not only that, but the grinding process can also be quite noisy up close. And of course, there are the usual operating risks for handling this tool.
So, make sure to wear safety goggles and masks to prevent breathing in the dust and debris. You should also wear suitable ear protection in the form of earmuffs so that the angle grinder noise does not bother you. Likewise, be sure to wear cut-resistant gloves and any other equipment that can protect you from physical injuries.
2. Declutter Your Workspace
Make sure that there are no unnecessary materials in the workplace, as they can interfere with the work and increase the likelihood of errors. Keep all of your tools, toolboxes, wires, and accessories away from the site but in an easily accessible location.
3. Have A Fire Extinguisher At Hand
It is always a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher handy when using an angle grinder for woodworking. That way, you can avoid major accidents if things go sideways for some reason.
On that note, we would suggest that you keep any flammable items away from the angle grinder as well.
4. Avoid Working In A Wet Area
If you intend to use an angle grinder for woodworking, then make sure that the workplace is clean and dry. Working in a wet environment can cause slipping accidents, which can be deadly with a powerful tool such as this.
Besides, the water on wet surfaces may cause short circuits and electrical hazards, both of which are equally dangerous.
What Other Power Tools Can You Use For Wood?
As we have mentioned before, an angle grinder is a great tool for woodworking. But considering all the safety precautions that you need to take, it cannot be considered the safest.
With that in mind, you can use circular saws as a safer alternative to an angle grinder. The circular saw blades are designed specifically for cutting and shearing wooden materials. For carving purposes, you can use miter saws, which have blades that can carve wood surfaces and smoothen edges with extreme precision.
Angle Grinder Disc For Wood Final Words
An angle grinder is, without a doubt, one of the most versatile power tools. Apart from woodworking, you can use an angle grinder disc for tiles, cutting concrete, plastic, and metal.
With the correct blades, you can drastically cut down on the time and effort required for such activities. Of course, you do need to use it carefully, or else you run the risk of getting badly injured. So, make sure to follow all the safety tips which have been highlighted in this guide.
