Anyone else have this happen

[everettelane]

3" cutoff wheel on die grinder exploded, i got them from harbor freight, you guys if you use these at least wear a faceshield, i'm probably one of the worst about getting in a hurry and not wearing it but this will make you think, it stuck about 1/4 " under the skin, just glad it wasn't in the eye or face.

[CG]

Ive seen too many pics like this not to wear a face mask when using a grinder. Harbor Freight wheels or any other.

[drfloyd]

Man, hope that heals well. I'm a believer in a face shield with any of this rotating equipment but especially cutoff wheels on a Metabo or air tool. Sorry it happened but at least it wasn't worse.

[trac209]

I had a grinder with a cut off wheel get wrapped around my arm while cutting off an exhaust system and the wheel broke. It cut several nerves in my left wrist and needed 8 stitches. Left my hand with numbness from the middle finger to pinky. Make sure you get all the peices out as grinders are very dirty and leave particulate throughout wound.

[everettelane]

I hope you are doing better now, I cleaned it real good with alcohol and peroxide, it sounds like we may need some more protection for the hands and arms, well i'm 42 now and this is this first time i've had one blow apart like that. I just want to let everybody know, just think before they just grab tools and start working we all like our trucks but it worth an eye or worse.

[General23cmp]

My dad put a large diameter cutting wheel on a hand grinder. It was rated for about 1/3 the rpms it saw. It broke at the center and flew across the yard, embedding in a tree about 4 inches. It could've killed someone. Dumb.

[Grumpy old man]

Pour some lacquer thinner on it and a piece of duct tape and get back to work ! Besides chick's dig scars !

Always wear eye protection !

[GASoline71]

I had a cutoff wheel come apart and hit my face shield yesterday. I always wear a Carhartt Detroit jacket when I grind as well. Shrapnel hit the shield and my shoulder. But the shield and the coat kept anything from hitting skin, or worse, my eyes.



Gary

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Thanks for sharing and glad you're good. Could have taken your nose off too.........Ooooooooops. Bad things.

[GR8-68]

One thing I do not buy from harbor freight anymore is those cutoff wheels bought a whole pack of them and they do come apart easily and do not last like a good brand anyway. Glad it wasn't worse, like said earlier make sure it is cleaned out good.

[hugger6933]

I use the HF cutoff wheels in my shop. I've gone through probably four or five of the ten packs at least. I wear a face guard. I have never had one come apart but you have to be careful to discard them if they get bound up on a work piece.

[palallin]

It doesn't matter where they come from: any one of them can come apart at any time. Wear protection! Don't be lulled into complacency by the place purchased or the brand on the label.

[midniteblues]

Originally Posted by hugger6933

I use the HF cutoff wheels in my shop. I've gone through probably four or five of the ten packs at least. I wear a face guard. I have never had one come apart but you have to be careful to discard them if they get bound up on a work piece.

Yhea I've used them almost exclusively here and never had one blow unless it was dropped or cracked somehow.
I really like Norton discs but between the price and avalibility sometimes isn't there.

Like said any of them could come apart. Safety safety safety.

Wire wheels can be the worst.
Most of us seen what happened too
69trucker.

Heal well, and don't ever forget this happened.

[GR8-68]

All I am saying is sometimes you get what you pay for, I bought a pack and the first two I used exploded. I am done with them cause I know the dangers in these things , nortons are not that much more. Not worth the pain.

Yes I have had my dumb moments with a wire brush, luckily I had a heavy jacket on and it didn't hurt as bad

[Gromit]

Just by taking the trouble to post that you likely saved some percentage of readers here from a similar experience.

I've read somewhere that angle grinders are one of the most dangerous electrical hand tools by number of injuries.

Most injuries were from people who removed the blade guard and then tried to hold the tool with one hand, especially when trying to do this with the tool above their head.

Opening Google and typing "Angle Grinder Accident" into the search bar, and then selecting "Images" as the search type; looking at those photos will definitely set one's mind in the right frame before using that tool.

Thanks for the reminder and hope that cut knits up quickly..

[kcsa75]

Originally Posted by GR8-68

One thing I do not buy from harbor freight anymore is those cutoff wheels bought a whole pack of them and they do come apart easily and do not last like a good brand anyway. Glad it wasn't worse, like said earlier make sure it is cleaned out good.

I agree. I bought a pack of six or eight at HF. Ended up using the whole pack to cut off the eight bolts to remove the bed on my truck.

[custom10nut]

Always wear the shield, gloves, and sleeves. ALWAYS! One technique I use with cutoff and grinding wheels, is to "chip away" while cutting or grinding. That means pace yourself so as not to build up too much heat in the disc. There are those who will say "I don't have time for that", but those are usually the ones in the ER. Never ever ever sacrifice safety for speed, because you'll lose

[Stuntmonkey]

Originally Posted by Stuntmonkey

Definitely wear those face shields guys! In fact go for double eye protection, safety glasses and the shield. It's mandatory for all my guys and if you're caught not wearing one it'll get you skidded off site faster than you can get your coveralls off.

Just posted that haha!

[ck5566]

Originally Posted by everettelane

3" cutoff wheel on die grinder exploded, i got them from harbor freight, you guys if you use these at least wear a faceshield, i'm probably one of the worst about getting in a hurry and not wearing it but this will make you think, it stuck about 1/4 " under the skin, just glad it wasn't in the eye or face.

Grinders at 10,000 rpm's and Cutoff Tools at 25,000 rpm's Well I tell you they will do any thing they want at those speeds/rpm's. Here is my experience and yes the bone is in two pieces

Not giving any one the finger here, just the best pic that shows the all most Severed finger cut.

[burnin oil]

One thing I learned about Harbor Freight cut off wheels is don't ever change the angle in a cut. If you do it is gaurenteed to come apart. It usually hurts really bad also as some has shown.

[Grumpy old man]

It just boils down to the same old adage "you get what you pay for " They make face shields , heavy leather gloves, welding jackets , etc,etc, blow 150 psi thru any air tool rated at 90 and things happen . Toss a discount cutting wheel in the mix and you should expect a blowout . I'm guilty myself

[everettelane]

I'm glad to see the guys pay attention on this thread at least we know we can do our part and let others know about our experiences, Like grumpy old man just stated i completely forgot about setting my regulator to 90 psi hell it was at 110. I haven't been a member here long but I've came across some good info here keep up the good work guys!!!

[everettelane]

Originally Posted by ck5566

Grinders at 10,000 rpm's and Cutoff Tools at 25,000 rpm's Well I tell you they will do any thing they want at those speeds/rpm's. Here is my experience and yes the bone is in two pieces

Not giving any one the finger here, just the best pic that shows the all most Severed finger cut.

OUCH!!! I know that hurt, Hope it heals quick.

[In The Ten Ring]

OP: get that thing stitched up after a serious cleaning.

Thanks also for posting, safety really is first and foremost.

I wear a face shield and mask when grinding or using a wire wheel on a grinder. I don't have health insurance and a little bit of safety prep is much less expensive than a big doctor bill.

***The post by a forum member about two years ago of how he lost an eye by not wearing safety goggles while wire brushing really made an impression on me. This will have a similar effect, thanks again for posting.

[firedemon]

I use angle grinders every day in my job caught myself a few times . a few things I have learned unplug the machine when you change those wheels , cut with the rotation of the machine , use two hands , and throw away those cheap ones with the on off switch spend the extra money and get the paddle switch do not use those on off type unless you hate those fingers . if something happens you cant shut it off fast enough .