Do you remember your 1st angle grinder

[Vireo]

I just got my first angle grinder and getting to it on the bus.

What fun!

[BusFiend]

I have a Craftsman 7" angle grinder from the 60's that was my grandfather's. I've had it for over 30 years now. A few years ago I also added a 4 1/2" Porter Cable to my tool chest. I also have a 240V, 25 gal Craftsman air compressor that was also my granddad's. The old Craftsman gear seems to last forever, with reasonable care and maintenance.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Vireo

I just got my first angle grinder and getting to it on the bus.

What fun!

GREAT thread!
I still have and use my first angle grinder. Bought it in 2003 when I got a bus and needed to get the seats out. Just a cheap Hitachi. Its held up really well and has seen PLENTY of use!

[milkmania]

Do not use cheap inferior cutoff wheels!

I know of one friend's personal injury and there's an Internet pic of 1/2 a cutoff wheel sticking out of a guy's face (I'll let you search for it at your own discretion)

$2.00 or $3.00 more for a quality cutoff wheel is worth every penny.

My 2 cents

[Carytowncat]

Originally Posted by milkmania

Do not use cheap inferior cutoff wheels!

I know of one friend's personal injury and there's an Internet pic of 1/2 a cutoff wheel sticking out of a guy's face (I'll let you search for it at your own discretion)

$2.00 or $3.00 more for a quality cutoff wheel is worth every penny.

My 2 cents

Love the annihilation factor of a grinder!

I bought a harbor freight cutting wheel and one exploded. Remind me if ever i forget to always wear safety shield when cutting or grinding!

[Vireo]

Cool, I got the most expensive wheels, didn't think this was the place to skimp. I got a 4.5" DeWalt, seems pretty hefty I also got the best rachet and basic sockets I could too. My first real tools. This is all very new to me but life is all about new experiences and learning Done for tonight, but I'll post pics when I get some seats out tomorrow!

[cadillackid]

cutoff wheels? am I doiung it wrong? I been using 1/4" thick grinding wheels.. and im on my first wheel.. i only use cutoff wheels for cutting and not grinding off bolts like for the seats... i been using cut-off wheels as ive been cutting metal and such to build ductwork and take out parts of interior panels etc.. but for seat bolts I been using 1/4" wheels to grind off the bolts... then i go under the bus with my air impact and spin the bolt remain out of the hole then fill the hole up woith silicone and rubber plug top and bottom.
-Christopher

[milkmania]

Since HF was mentioned... My buddy was using an HF disk that blew up in his face. Small fragments required trip to ER.


To this day... I start my power tools facing away from me, or anyone else.

Even my table saw, I start the blade with none of my body in line with the blade.
(School Shop Class lesson)
Those carbide tips can and will come off.

[milkmania]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

cutoff wheels? am I doiung it wrong? I been using 1/4" thick grinding wheels.. and im on my first wheel.. i only use cutoff wheels for cutting and not grinding off bolts like for the seats... i been using cut-off wheels as ive been cutting metal and such to build ductwork and take out parts of interior panels etc.. but for seat bolts I been using 1/4" wheels to grind off the bolts... then i go under the bus with my air impact and spin the bolt remain out of the hole then fill the hole up woith silicone and rubber plug top and bottom.
-Christopher

I'll switch them out and use the wheel for the job...
So far, I've been able to unbolt all my cot bolts. All Grade 5, so I wanted to keep as many as possible.


Edit:
And I'm too old to remember my first angle grinder!
Took me a minute to remember my first girlfriend

[milkmania]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

cutoff wheels? am I doiung it wrong? I been using 1/4" thick grinding wheels.. and im on my first wheel.. i only use cutoff wheels for cutting and not grinding off bolts like for the seats... i been using cut-off wheels as ive been cutting metal and such to build ductwork and take out parts of interior panels etc.. but for seat bolts I been using 1/4" wheels to grind off the bolts... then i go under the bus with my air impact and spin the bolt remain out of the hole then fill the hole up woith silicone and rubber plug top and bottom.
-Christopher

I may have brown eyes, but I had a 30 year veteran windshield installer tell me that 100% pure silicon can actually promote rust on bare metal... Apparently, it's acidic.

Had a '69 Nova when I was a kid... It had the clipped & pinned chrome bezel around the windshield, and rusty as hell! Because previous owner had filled the gaps with silicon.
Cleaned it all up, primered it, and sealed it all with Butyl Rubber. Got rid of the car instead of the wife (now ex)... Still kicking myself, shoulda kept the car.

And I'll fill all my motorhome holes with Butyl Rubber.