Can Angle Grinders Cut Wood? All You Need to Know

Can Angle Grinders Cut Wood? All You Need to Know

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You might have heard of an angle grinder and how it is great for cutting metal and hard materials. However, knowing everything that you can do with this tool will help you get the most out of it when you work with one.

So, can angle grinders cut wood too?

Well, yes, they can, but you need to know exactly how to use the tool and what blades to use. That said, there are some major risks involved with using an angle grinder for woodcutting, so knowing what to prepare for will help to keep you safe.

We will discuss all you need to know so you can get started on whatever home project or job that you need to finish.

Can You Cut Wood with an Angle Grinder?

Well, yes. You can cut wood with an angle grinder because it has the strength and capability to do so. However, that does not necessarily make an angle grinder the best option for the job. Although an angle grinder might be good for smaller jobs, you might think twice about handling a large job with this tool.

Several alternative options – especially saws – are designed for wood cutting, which the angle grinder is not. Using a circular saw, hand saws, jigsaws, and reciprocating saws are all better options than an angle grinder. These alternatives offer safer use when cutting wood and allow you to have a more precise cut without having the extra safety precautions.

If you are deciding whether you want to use your angle grinder for cutting wood or not, think about what will work best for you. These alternatives can be pricey, and if you have an angle grinder already, it might seem frivolous to buy another tool.

However, you will need to make sure that you have the right blade.

So, take this all into consideration.

What Are the Best Angle Grinder Blades for Cutting Wood?

When it comes to cutting wood with an angle grinder, you need the right type of blade to do the job. So, let’s go over a few options that make the best blades for cutting wood.

Well, first let’s talk about whether or not a standard blade can be used to cut wood. This is a mistake that many newer uses make, and it is one that you will want to stay away from. Using a regular blade will cut, however, the safety is just not up to par. If anything goes wrong, the grinder could lift and fly off the table you are working on.

With high speeds of revolutions, you could get very seriously hurt. So, instead of attempting to use a standard blade, you should look for one of the woodcutting blades mentioned below to help lower the risk of an accident and keep your project looking smooth and precise.

This angle grinder wood carving disc is a top option that will work for both soft and hardwoods. It comes with the strength needed for wood but also has the right shape and design to be able to handle woodcutting jobs without problems. This is one of the options that you should look for, and ones like it, that are designed for the job that you want to do.

As this option can cut hardwood, plywood, MDF, and other materials, this is a great choice.

Wood Cutting Angle Grinder Blade

How to Use Cut Wood with an Angle Grinder

If you are going to use an angle grinder for the job, then there are important steps that you need to take to maintain your safety while getting the job done. So, let’s get into all the steps that you need to follow to ensure that you are safe when using your angle grinder to cut wood.

Step 1: Gear Your Gear Ready

You need to have PPE gear, or personal protection equipment, for the job on hand. This means that you will have your goggles, gloves, apron, cap, and mask to protect you from small particles and from getting any major injuries. This is what should be used for all major projects that require power tools.

Step 2: Adjust Your Blade

After you have bought the woodcutting blade for your angle grinder, you will need to install it and make sure that it is secured. You don’t want the blade to feel loose, and you don’t want it to wobble. If you still see these issues, try to adjust and re-secure it. This will help you identify what went wrong, and if the blade goes on correctly right away, then you won’t need to fix it.

Step 3: Begin to Cut

When cutting wood with an angle grinder, you need to think about what this tool is mainly used for. It is not made for cutting wood, so starting with smaller cuts at a time will help you get the job done. You don’t want to push hard and risk the grinder coming back up, which would be in your direction.

So, take it slow and make sure that you are giving the tool lots of breaks. If you feel any pushback at all, stop cutting and give it a minute. Then, you can slowly work your way back to cutting the wood.

Step 4: Cut at a Slight Angle

This is something that might be difficult to understand at first, but because this is not a saw, and you don’t want to have it facing straight ahead like one. So, cut the wood at a slight angle to prevent kickbacks and keep the blade cutting for a long time.

Mistakes to Avoid, Tips & Tricks

Even when you follow these rules, there are things that you just cannot fully learn without doing it yourself. However, you do not have to learn from experience if you get tips from those who have already made these mistakes. So, here are some helpful tips and tricks to use when cutting wood with an angle grinder.

The first mistake to avoid is to go too fast. When doing something quite dangerous, you might have the natural feeling to get it over with as fast as possible. Well, in this scenario, you could end up paying dearly for it. Going slow and being deliberate about your movements is one of the most important things about using an angler grinder to cut wood.

So, take your time. Do not rush the work or else you may experience kickback from the grinder and potentially be very hurt.

Another thing that you should keep in mind is that you will likely have to get used to cutting at a bit of an angle. Your first instinct will be to cut straight down, but that will raise the chances of injury. Instead, practice using a slight angle with each cut. Because this tool is meant for carving wood, and not necessarily cutting it, the angle will work better and cut more precisely.

The last thing that you should think about when using an angle grinder to cut wood is that the safety guard is your best friend. Some people don’t like the guard since it can get in your way a bit, but this is the one thing that is keeping you safe from the blade directly.

So, don’t try to move or remove the guard, this will just open you up for a disaster.

Should You Cut Wood with an Angle Grinder?

With everything that has been said, is it a good idea to cut wood with an angle grinder?

Well, no, it is an option that should be only a last-ditch effort if you have no other tool for the job. With the higher chance of injury that comes with this tool, it is just not worth the higher risk of getting injured by kickback.

Even with a woodcutting blade, you are putting yourself at risk.

However, if this is your only option and you need to find a way to finish a job, then using the tips and safety measures that we laid out for you will keep you safe and help you from getting injured while finishing your project. Just keep all of these things in mind while working to stay as safe as possible.

Carving Wood with an Angle Grinder

Summary

Cutting wood with an angle grinder is not the safest thing to do, especially when there are other more appropriate tools to get the job done. However, the higher level of risk associated with this project will be necessary if an angle grinder is all you have. So, take the necessary precautions and make sure that you are taking all steps to keep yourself safe while using the angle grinder.

Also, if you need to come back to this article to refresh your memory after some time, then feel free to re-read it as many times as you need to. The best thing to do is only work with tools that you are comfortable with, and after some practice, you could be used to this tool too.