What Is a Straight Grinder?
Straight grinders are hand-held grinders and are also known as portable or hand grinders. They are distinct from disk grinders, and operate by rotating a spindle with a cylindrical grinding wheel at high speeds, making them suitable for grinding, polishing, and deburring tasks.
Commonly used in both manufacturing and DIY projects, straight grinders excel in finishing small parts and working on surfaces unsuitable for disk grinders.
Uses of Straight Grinders
As a versatile type of grinder, straight grinders are employed for cutting, polishing, and deburring various materials, particularly metals. They are adept in finishing intricate tasks such as deburring castings, welding finishes, and heavy-duty grinding. Their suitability for grinding on inclined surfaces and removing weld beads makes them preferable in certain scenarios over disk grinders.
Principles of Straight Grinders
While structurally different from disk grinders, straight grinders serve similar functions. They feature a small, replaceable cylindrical grinding wheel on a rotating spindle, in contrast to the larger disk-shaped wheel of disk grinders. The choice between the two types often depends on the material and size of the workpiece.
Due to the risks associated with their high-speed operation, safety laws require users to complete special training. This training is essential for new employees and transferees before they begin working with grinders. Additionally, it is recommended to have detailed procedures and manuals for grinder use, and to initially work under the supervision of experienced workers.