Using a Mini Angle Grinder for Woodcarving

By Jim Hingst @hingst_jim

Mini angle grinders have been great additions to my tool box. Because these tools can accept a variety of cutting blades, grinding discs and sanding discs, I can use them for a number of different applications from cutting to sanding. Most importantly, used for woodcarving, the mini angle grinder is a great time-saver, when I am roughing out a carving.

A variety of disks for cutting, grinding and sanding are available for grinders, such as my Arbortech Mini Angle Grinder.

Arbortech Mini Grinder Complete w/Motor

● Great mini angle grinder for detail work.

● More powerful and more durable than other mini angle grinders.

● Minimal kickback for safer operation.

King Arthur's Tools (www.katools.com) has developed a wide range of 2" cutting, grinding and sanding accessories for Merlin and Proxxon long neck angle grinders. They also offer a great selection of disks for 4.5" angle grinders. Pictured below is a 2" tungsten carbide carving wheel with needle-like teeth that will chew through wood very quickly. 

 For your long neck mini angle grinder, King Arthur's Tools also offers a mini chain saw blade attachment. See below.  It is a real  eight-tooth saw chain that’s only two inches in diameter. Just like the full size chain saw blades, it can bind and kick back. For that reason, do not forget to wear your safety gear, especially a full face shield. 

Although these power tools are much smaller than a full sized angle grinder, they demand your respect. With a sharp cutting blade, you can remove large chunks of wood in a snap. And with that much power, if you don’t use this equipment safely, it can snag and kick back on you, causing a serious injury.

Holding the angle grinder in different positions allows you to make different types of cuts. 

In making a trench cut, keep the angle of the grinder at about 25° to 30°. Turn the tool on first, before engaging the cutting blade into the wood. With both hands on the grinder pull the tool toward yourself. Allow the power tool to do the work, rather than forcing the blade into the wood.

In removing large chunks of wood, first cut parallel grooves.

Then cut into the grooves at an angle. Be sure to wear eye protection, to avoid the flying wood chips and debris.

After roughing out an area with a mini grinder, you can make more precise cuts with a gouge. Mini grinders and other power tools will not replace traditional hand tools. They will, however, save a tremendous amount of time. 

To remove a large section of an interior space, drill several large holes in that area. Rough out the remainder using your mini grinder. Finish the job with a gouge. 

Safety First

When working with a grinder, always wear a full face shield. If a cutting disk snags, the tool can kick back on you, resulting in a nasty facial laceration. 

For many jobs power tools can help you work easier, faster and more accurately, than with hand tools, if you you use the equipment safely. However, if you use these tools carelessly, serious injury can result. Before you use either a  full size angle grinder or a mini grinder, be sure to read the safety precautions in the manufacturer’s manual. Here are a few tips, which can help prevent accidents:

• Keep your work environment clear of clutter. And position extension cords so you are not tripping over them.

• Wear all of the recommended safety equipment, including a dust mask, a full face shield, leather apron and ear plugs. A full face visor will not only protect your eyes but  is recommended, when working with power tool, to prevent nasty facial lacerations.

• Illuminate your work area so you can see what you are doing.

• Work in a well-ventilated area. Keep the windows and doors of your shop open and use high volume fans to improve the air flow. Or better yet, work outside if you can.

• If you do work outside, don’t work when it is raining. Water and electricity do not mix.

• Do not wear any jewelry or loose clothing, when using power equipment. Clothing should be tight fitting, so you don’t get it snagged in the tool.

• Make sure that you have a first aid kit, fire extinguisher and cell phone handy when you are working.

• Never remove a safety guard from your angle grinder. The guard is designed to prevent serious injury. 

Equipment Operation

Here are a couple of tips, when operating the mini angle grinder:

• When you are changing a blade, disconnect the power.

• Clamp the piece that you are working on securely to your work bench.

• Turn the grinder on, and then keep both hands on the tool at all times during operation.

• Don’t muscle the blade or bit into the wood as you are cutting. Let the machine do the work.

• If the grinder gets hot, turn it off and let it cool down. 

Using a mini angle grinder helped my rip through the excess wood as I roughed out my design. The time that I saved allows me to focus on working on the details. (Carving in progress.) 

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About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.

Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer.  Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.

Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for  publications, such as  Signs Canada, SignCraft,  Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and  Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 325 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.

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© 2015 Jim Hingst