I am just googling angle grinders and am confused as to the difference between them. I'd like one to mainly smooth off edges of my glass mosaics, and I have had a commission of a mosaic on steel... long story, and need to smooth that edge, too, together with the glass, just to make it safer, it will not be set into tiles.

Got a good collection of power tools but have never used an angle grinder, and got given a 125x22mm silicon carbide resin bond fibre disc (Horse brand) so would be handy to get a grinder I can fit that on.

Any advice as to what to look out for? Do's and don'ts? Thanks in advance...

G..

Dewalt do some crackers... but a nice light one is what you want..

Check out the makita one on tradetiler.


Makita 115 mm Angle Grinder


Slider switch can be locked in the on position. Reinforced motor windings ensure protection from dust & grit. A spindle lock enables easy blade changing. Adjustable guard.

Includes side handle carry case and diamond wheel (segmented concrete cutting)

12 Months Warranty.

710W motor (not many small grinders have a motor this powerful)

Weight only 1.75kg

How big are the mosaic pieces Gisella, just thinking about your pinkies

do you not think a bench grinder would be better for shaping mosaics?

I have 3 of those Makitas, cant go wrong with them IMO. i think 125mm is too big for tiling though. I used to have a Bosch 100mm when i was in Australia but its hard getting the wheels over here.

Originally Posted by faithhealer

How big are the mosaic pieces Gisella, just thinking about your pinkies

Originally Posted by doug boardley

do you not think a bench grinder would be better for shaping mosaics?

The glass pieces are small, John, and sharp, no need to shape them much, just smooth the sharp edges and in this case the metal with it...

what's a bench grinder Doug? If it's one to fit on the bench, hmm, no, with an akward piece to control, I rather control the grinder... really know nothing,as you can tell, but angle grinders seem to be popping up in the mosaic world, and suddenly I seem to need one..
googled some of the uses and think, hmm, can cut tile with it, and maybe metal, hmm, has sculptural potential it seems, so it would be good to be able to be flexible with it...

Like the idea of light, Dave...

use glass paper just a little rub takes the edge off Mosa

this is a bench grinder G, I use one to sharpen kitchen knives, chisels etc.

Not because you is a lady G.. just the lighter the grinder the easier to hold and manoeuvre and also hold for longer periods of time.

the makita are a little bit slimer that the dewalt and bosch, they are good to manouver ive got 240v and 110v

cheers
ed

Originally Posted by pjc

use glass paper just a little rub takes the edge off Mosa

Nope, not smooth enough, not with the steel... I use glass paper all the time and a grinding stone, too, but it should be a really smooth rounded high end finish...

not sure what wheels are available over there but you will need to source a good one that doesn't chip glass worth a thought makita grinders are your best bet less vibration as siramic said 100mm would be easier handling wise good luck

Originally Posted by Dave

Not because you is a lady G.. just the lighter the grinder the easier to hold and manoeuvre and also hold for longer periods of time.

That's ok, Dave, never said I was butch, I'm quite strong but I like ease of manoevre and pleasant use more than proving myself

G..

Have you though of a polisher with diamond pads..?

Originally Posted by Dave

G..

Have you though of a polisher with diamond pads..?

No, I haven't.... off I go and google...

Tradetiler tilers Files & Rubbing Blocks

recomend you find wheel first then find a grinder that does the right revolutions for wheel

Gawd...this is getting more confusing... but the files and rubbing stones, etc, no, got them, whitebeam ok for small one off jobs, but trying to get something sensible and timesaving for a variety of applications...

Makita Direct

Sooooo..... which one is the tradetiler one????
I know, Friday night, you have better things to do.... but thanks for your input, guys..

Have a look on the crafts side of it, there must be hobbiests who work with glass

something like this might help www.contractorsdirect.com ›

Just looking at them, Jay, but I'm giving up for now.. bedtime.. thanks, guys... sweet dreams...

How to Grind Glass for a Mosaic: How to Make Glass Mosaics | eHow.com

might be bettera

That's not what I'm after, Jay, but thanks anyhow...

hi mg

the trade tiler angle grinder is the makita one....dave has posted a pic at the top of this page, thats the actual one...i have them and sir ramic does too

hope this helps
ed...

Originally Posted by Mosaic Girl

Nope, not smooth enough, not with the steel... I use glass paper all the time and a grinding stone, too, but it should be a really smooth rounded high end finish...

thought you just wanted to take the shap edge off

Originally Posted by pjc

thought you just wanted to take the shap edge off

Don't worry Pete, thanks anyhow...
I research stuff for AGES before I make up my mind... I like my tools to suit loads of different ideas I have, working with wood, glass, metals, stone, plaster...oh yes, and maybe sme tile thrown in...

When choosing a grinder you want to think how lon you will be holding it and the size of your hands. Some of the cheaper models have wider bodies, which make handling it tiresome and awkward.
The Makita mentioned is fairly slim and so is a Bosch Blue model i have.

Sooo, ok, handy guys, do you thing that Makita mentioned would be ok to smooth a steel with glass, or aluminium with glass combo, and be suitable to shape wood sculptures, and smooth gypsum plaster sculptures and concrete?

Originally Posted by Mosaic Girl

Sooo, ok, handy guys, do you thing that Makita mentioned would be ok to smooth a steel with glass, or aluminium with glass combo, and be suitable to shape wood sculptures, and smooth gypsum plaster sculptures and concrete?

More than enough, the Makita is only a power unit. Its what wheels and discs you use too which will give you your desired results.