Leather Gloves for Angle Grinders

Why wearing leather gloves when operating an angle grinder is important.

By Jim Hingst @hingst_jim

Angle grinders are some of the most useful tools that you can use when roughing out a woodcarving. Of course, a grinder is primarily used with metal. Many of the metal working tasks include deburring, brushing, sanding, polishing and cutting. 

As useful as angle grinders are, they are also one of the most dangerous tools to use. That’s why you need to use your angle grinders in a safe manner and wear all of the personal protection equipment (PPE) required by OSHA or any other governmental agency.

The list of PPE recommended, when using an angle grinder, includes:

• Safety glasses with side shield
• Full face face shield
• Air respirator with a filter for particulates
• Hearing protection, such as ear plugs or ear muffs
• Leather apron
• Leather gloves

Why wear gloves when working with an angle grinder?

Opinions of workers vary regarding whether or not you need gloves. Some people will argue that gloves are a hazard when operating power equipment. Their rational is that the glove can get snagged in the cutting wheel. If you keep both hands on the tool at all times that shouldn’t be a problem.

In fact, you cannot properly control an angle grinder when it is in operation unless you are holding it with two hands.  Grinders should always have the side handle installed. Neither the side handle nor the safety guard should be removed.

The Lancelot chainsaw blade from King Arthur's Tools fits 4 ½” angle grinders. The Lancelot blade is pictured below along with the smaller Merlin blade, which is designed for mini-angle grinders. 

King Arthur's Tools Lancelot 4-Inch Diameter 

14 Tooth Fine Cut Chain Carver for Angle Grinders

The Lancelot blade can rip through either soft or hardwood. Sometimes grinding blades can kick up chunks of wood along with any metal buried in the wood.  Whether you are grinding on wood or metal, good leather gloves provide protection against laceration caused by flying debris.

Tillman TrueFit Gloves

One popular manufacturer of leather gloves for welders and mechanics is Tillman.  I recommend their TrueFit line of gloves, shown below. These goatskin gloves provide great abrasion resistance, yet they are thin enough to give you the dexterity that  you desire when working. One word of caution: in my opinion, these gloves tend to run a little small. XL is a very popular size for most men. An XXL size, which is their largest glove, is also available.

● Double reinforced finger tips.

● Additional padding in palm for increased comfort and longer wear.

● Nylon spandex back for precision fit, with hook and loop wrist closure allows for adjustable sizing. 

Safety Training

Often you will see tradesmen using angle grinders on the jobsite in an unsafe manner. Don’t follow their bad example. If you are a shop owner, I would recommend that you provide your employees with training on the safe use of angle grinders before they are used. You should also require that any employee that uses a grinder  also uses safety equipment, including leather gloves. By requiring use of PPE, you can prevent injuries  in your shop.

Additional Safety Articles

Spray Painting Safety
Safety Rules for Angle Grinders

Table Saw Safety

What Does ‘Going Green’ Mean?

Solvents and Fire Safety

Fire Extinguishers

The Importance of Fire Inspections

CPSIA Update

Steps to Improving Ladder & Scaffold Safety

Safety Rules for Woodcarvers

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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 485 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.  Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon. 

Slides of Jim's Artwork

© 2016 Jim Hingst