How to Use an Angle Grinder Sander Standing Up

Connect the appropriate grinding wheel for the project you plan to grind. There are various different types of wheels produced commercially and available at your local hardware store, which are labeled for their intended purpose. To change a wheel, loosen the nut holding the wheel to the grinder, replace, and re-tighten the nut to hold the wheel in place.

Plug in or attach the power supply to the grinder, with the material you wish to grind mounted firmly to a fixed surface. It is much easier and safer to move the grinder around your project than vice versa.

Turn on the grinder and hold the main handle and trigger with your dominant hand, and with your other hand, hold the support handle, which will be perpendicular to the main body of the grinder. Take note of the direction the wheel is turning, as this is where sparks or other debris will fly from when grinding metal.

Keep your feet shoulder-width apart on a non-slip floor surface and be conscious of the location of the power cord, if present, as well as of any other obstructions around your project. When grinding metal, large amounts of sparks and metal fragments will be shot off at the edge of the grinder wheel. These can ignite flammable materials, so ensure the area is free of anything combustible.

Apply the grinder to the project by lightly touching the flat surface, if you are grinding, or the edge if cutting, of the grinder's wheel to your project. Stop frequently to examine the amount of material removed from your project. Let the grinder do the cutting or grinding, and do not push or force the grinder into your material.

Change the wheel to lighter gauges, which are higher grit numbers, to obtain smoother finishes on your project.