Which side to put the cutting wheel on the grinder
Angle grinder (angle grinder) or, as it is also called, “grinder” is a widespread tool with which masters saw, cut, grind various kinds of surfaces. When working, it often becomes necessary to replace the working disk. And at this moment, many people have a question about which side to put the cutting disc on the grinder.
The main difference between the two sides of the circle
On any cutting disc, two surfaces are clearly distinguishable. One of them (back) is plain, formed by abrasive material. On the second (front) label is glued containing basic information about the characteristics of the disk. But the main distinguishing feature of the two surfaces is the presence of a metal ring on the front side.
Why do you need a metal ring
The metal washer (ring) is designed to protect the integrity of the disk when it is tightened with a movable flange nut, as well as to increase the area of the supporting surface. In addition, the metal washer does not allow to “stick” the cutting wheel to the surface of the nut, which greatly facilitates the process of replacing it.
The advantages of installing a disk ring to the grinder
Cut-off wheels do not have a programmed direction of rotation. Therefore, it does not matter which side will be installed. But as mentioned above, the installation of the circle with the front side outwards facilitates the process of replacing it (it is much more difficult to unscrew the nut on the abrasive side). In addition, this installation provides several more advantages.
Guaranteed smooth shaft mounting
A metal ring increases the bearing area. Therefore, when the disk is mounted on the shaft and it begins to be tightened with a nut, the pressure is evenly distributed. This ensures a smooth fit of the cutting wheel and reduces the likelihood of damage due to skew.
Convenience of installation of a disk
Installing the abrasive wheel face outwards provides another advantage - you will always visually see which nozzle (metal or stone) is currently installed on the grinder. They are not interchangeable and, with an error, the likelihood of serious consequences is high. For example, when trying to use a cutting disc for metal to cut concrete, it may be destroyed and traumatized by the resulting pieces of the master. Therefore, the installation of the abrasive wheel with the label facing out will provide not only convenience, but also safety.
Instruction instructions
The instructions for many angle grinders, such as for the Metabo WP 850, clearly state that "the metal flange of the wheels for abrasive cutting must abut against the supporting flange." It is not in vain that manufacturers make such recommendations, since they ensure safe operation of the tool and reduce the risk of serious injury to the master.
Is there a significant difference from the direction of rotation
The direction of rotation of the cutting wheel can be both “on yourself” and “away from you”. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages.So, when the disk rotates “on its own”, dust and sparks fly to the operator, which creates additional difficulties in operation, is associated with possible burns to the eyes, skin, and flash of clothing. The rotation of the disk "on itself" is devoid of this drawback. But in this case, there is a higher risk of injury. After all, if a clamping of the disc occurs, the instrument will fly into the operator’s face with force. There is no single rule in which direction the cutting wheel should rotate. If this is important, then the information must be indicated on the tool. In all other cases, the direction of rotation is chosen by the operator, taking into account the type of surface being processed, convenience and work experience.
