CD 500. Take 2! (Black & Decker Angle Grinder)

Member Name: andycharger

Product:	Black & Decker Angle Grinder
Date:	19/07/01 (913 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Does its job, Ambidextrous usage

Disadvantages: Heavy, Noisy, bad instructions

I bought a CD500 on Monday from B&Q for one sole purpose. To cut my tiles into the intricate shapes needed to finish my new Kitchen.

After looking into the best method of tile cutting, I opted for an Angle Grinder.
This was after exhausting these options.

Option 1.
:-Nibbling away at a tile with a proper tile nibbler. Like a pair of pliers but more used to the job.
Result: Just when you are thinking you are getting away with it, SNAP! goes the tile right where you dont want it.

Option 2.
:- Get my hobby tool out that I bought about a year ago. Like a dremmel but cheaper.
Result: Initially good. Broke 4 mini cutting discs and blunted 3 saw blades on 2 tiles.
Eventually burnt the motor out on my tool.

Option 3.
:-Drilling the tiles with old masonry drill bits in my new drill.
Result: Got one good tile out of it and broke another. Took for ages as I had to drill about 20 small holes to get the shap I wanted.


So to solve the problems I bought the proper tool for the job.

However, I have since found out you can buy a proper bench tile cutter for about £50!!!

My little Grinder was the cheapest Black and Decker one in the shop. It cost me £26.99.

It is the lowest powered at 680 watts but its not like im attacking metalwork or paving slabs is it?

there was a cheaper alternative in the shop. A B&Q own brand one called "Grind"! It was £16.99 and I almost bought one but it did not come with a disc. I looked for a disc and they were only £2.95 to buy but there were none in stock (typical B&Q).

So I bought the Black and Decker one with a disc included.

When I got home I unpacked it. It is not very well protected and quite heavy. When I got Out I noticed that the die-cast casing was cracked both sides.

Unused I took it back to the shop and asked for a replacement. While I did get one, It made me think.
"How did it get
cracked? I had obviously not been used"
Obviously it had been dropped in the shop. Shows that they are not very robust though doesn't it?
Normal wear had not done that. Im going to be very careful with it.

Using my new tool is quite easy although it was quite confusing at first.

Firstly, It is very heavy. You have to hold on to a tool like this or you end up cutting yourself off rather than a corner of a tile.
Could get tiring.
Secondly, it is very noisy. Ive used grinders before but not one that makes such a noise. I think its the job its doing on Enamel tiles though.

The user guide is very vague too. You would expect it to explain how to start it. No such luck. It just mentions pressing the trigger. It does not tell you that you have to push a slide switch up and then a second shove to start it.
Trial and Error showed me.
once it is going it takes a while to slow down and stop. No assisted brake on this model.
When you put it down, ou have to be careful where you put it.

What is good is that the supporting handle that comes with it (for stability) can be screwed in either side. This is in case you are Left handed or Right handed. A good idea from a safety point of view.
There is nothing worse that risking safety on a tool made for Right handers when you are left handed.

The disc i have has cut through 10 tiles now with only 1 mistake. It is very accurate but
you do need to cool the tiles as you work or the friction overheats them and they explode.
Still its better than a disk exploding.

The safety guard that is meant to prevent that only covers half the disc and there are no safety goggles provided in the box.

Always wear them to protect your eyes. you can get stone chips or even molten tile in your eyes from the sparks.
Neither of which would be pleasant.

Its a good grinder for the price that does its job. Just wish there were better inst
ructions and it was a bit more robust.

Summary: