9 inches is better (Black & Decker Angle Grinder)

Member Name: gryphon

Product:	Black & Decker Angle Grinder
Date:	01/04/01 (2294 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: plenty of power, and capacity for work

Disadvantages: dangerous if misused

Standard angle grinders, are lightweight and useful, but oh dear: aren't they small.

I am the proud owner of a DeWalt D490:
This is a 2000 watt, 9 inch angle grinder, built to take hard usage.

De Walt is the professional arm of Black and Decker, and their tools have a funky yellow body, which helps you not to lose them on site. [allegedly] There is a generous length of quality cable attached,, the front handle can be place in any one of three positions, and the guard over the blade is also adjustable.

This powerful beast will take the standard range of blades: metal cut, metal grind, stone cut, and now that they have come down in price, dry cut diamond blades- my next purchase when I have a patio to lay!

Beacause of the larger blade size, you can cut right through slabs along their length, instead of scoring with a smaller grinder, and praying, when you give it a tap, that it'll break where you want. kerbs are not much more of a problem either, though you'll have to come in from both sides.
Cutting all the way leaves a nice clean edge which can be left on show without looking out of place- an advantage if cutting coping stones for a wall, etc

It's great for cutting slabs and kerbs for patios and garden edging, cutting a groove for flashing a roof, trimming angle iron, cutting up old water tanks, and steel pipes, cutting channels for wiring, openings for new windows/doors/lintels plus anything else you can dream up.

With these more powerful tools, you MUST be safety-concious:
Always wear goggles/safety glasses
Hearing protection is a definite yes
A breathing mask is desirable as well
Remember that it's better to look a bit strange for a while, rather than to permanently damage your faculties

Before switching on, make sure that you have firm footing,a good grip of the tool, and prepared for the 'kick' as it starts up- it's the reaction to a powerf
ul motor and blade spinning into life.
Once it is spinning, remember that it won't move the same way as you might expect because of the gyroscopic action, and also don't try to overstretch- stop, move position and start again. [even 'no more nails' isn't much use with severed feet]

To sum up: it's big, it's capable, it won't let you down,
You need to supply the brains for safe usage

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