I normally sharpen my chains on the job with a file. If I really booger one up with an unknown foreign object, I'll take it home and put it on the grinder. Yesterday was one of those times. There was a rock embedded in the stump that I couldn't have known about and it really did a number on my 28" chain. I took it off this morning and started the process of fixing it up. Got one side done and started the other side when something flew across the shed, hit the far wall and the grinder started jumping around. I shut it off and found this. In 30 years I've never had a wheel break like this. Of course it was the last one I had so I have to wait for the new ones to get here to finish the chain. Keep those guards in place. That's what directed the broken piece away from me and towards the wall.
always tap your wheels before use -thuds=broken wheels Here I thought you were going to post a pic of a missing knuckle - been there done that
Yup I was taught years ago always listen to the sound a cut off wheel or grinding wheel makes before you install it.And even if one's had a minor drop on softer ground,toss that thing in the dumpster & get another one.Seen a couple come apart on portable gas quickie saws used in cutting heavy rebar/structural steel/heavy pipe before.Not something you wanna be anywhere near when it happens.
The thing is, because I don't use it often, that wheel has been on the grinder for several years. It's mounted on the far end of the workbench and just sits there if it's needed. It didn't occur to me to take it off and tap it before I started. Sorry I couldn't provide a couple bloody knuckle pics for you. Maybe next time cause yeah, I've torn a few up over the years.
Glad your o.k.. It is a scary situation. I've had one explode on me. I put the washer on backwards and that was all it took to fracture the wheel. As soon as it got up to speed, it flew apart. Then, just several months go, Swags had the same thing happen. When I asked him how the washer was on? He had it on backwards as well. One small thing that was overlooked, turned out to be a dangerous situation.
You don't have to remove it check, just a light tap with a ball pin hammer - it should ring similar to a bell, any thud or dull tone get rid of it.
I've actually still used grinder and cut off wheels that looked like that. Drop grinder on floor and it breaks a chunk out of the wheel. Still works fine.
I would think Nate rolls up in Alaska and thus makes use of everything he has....just not an emergency room that may be a few hours away just yet - and Nate that's not a dig just an observation It's not a good idea to spin a chipped wheel at 3-4k rpm -yes they will still cut and eventually wear out like any normal wheel but they will wear out drive bearings faster, or catch an edge and disintegrate in short order. It's the only piece of equipment I use a face shield for(handheld or bench) at home and work - coming from a guy that runs his saw in shorts on occasion
Had a few 4" angle grinder disks fly apart. They were from HF . They either were slightly out of balance new out I was pushing it hard when well worn and had them fly apart. Some force behind those things!
