How to choose an angle grinder
Disc size, power, speed and safety: what matters when you buy an angle grinder for fabrication, tiles or stone.
The angle grinder is the most used power tool in most workshops. Choosing well comes down to four things.
1. Disc size
- 100 mm (4″): light and easy to control. The usual choice for fabrication, cutting rods and angles, and tile work.
- 125 mm (5″): a little more depth of cut, still one-hand friendly.
- 180 mm (7″) and 230 mm (9″): heavy, two-handed tools for thick sections, stone and large cuts.
2. Power
Higher wattage keeps the disc speed up when you press into the work. For daily fabrication, a 700–900 W 100 mm grinder is a common choice; for continuous heavy grinding, choose more power and better cooling.
3. Speed and features
Fixed speed suits cutting and grinding. Variable speed helps when polishing or working on stainless steel. A spindle lock makes disc changes quick; a paddle or lock-off switch adds safety.
4. The disc
The disc does the work. Use a thin cutting disc to cut, a thick grinding disc to grind, a flap disc to blend and finish, and a diamond blade for tile and stone. The disc’s maximum speed must be at least the grinder’s speed.
Safety, every time
Keep the guard on, use the side handle, wear eye protection and gloves, and let the grinder reach full speed before it touches the work. Never use a cracked or dropped disc.