How to Use an Angle Grinder to Sand Wood

Removing mill marks or sanding wood is a crucial step before using it for different woodworking projects. Learning how to use an angle grinder to sand wood is an easy and practical way to do this job.

Natural wood comes with a lot of flaws that need to be taken care of before using it for the desired project. In this article, you’ll learn about how to sand wood with your angle grinder.

Why Use a Grinder for Sanding

The angle grinder can play a big role in your workshop because it’s versatile and practical to use. From removing rust off metal to cutting sheets of metal to smoothing out wood for a project, a high quality angle grinder is the tool to pick for the job.

An angle grinder works with wood for cutting, carving, shaping, and sanding purposes. It’s all about using the right material and picking a suitable attachment for the job.

Unlike other tools that are more specialized like the cut-off tool, the angle grinder can handle a wide range of tasks for you. 

Before using the angle grinder, you should get yourself acquainted with the machine and all the attachments. This power tool should be used carefully; otherwise, you might be in danger. Moreover, picking the wrong accessory will affect the overall quality of your work.

Sanding Wood with an Angle Grinder

Sanding doesn’t only make your wood feel smoother; it’s the process of abrading the fibers to make the surface feel more uniform. This can be done before sticking pieces together or getting the wood ready for a finish stain.

Sanding wood with an angle grinder is both quick and precise. Here are the steps for how to use a grinder to sand wood:

1. Attach the Flap Disc to the Grinder

To turn your angle grinder into a sanding tool, you need to attach the right accessory. Angle grinders work with several attachments, but a flap disc is what you need to sand wood.

1. This disc is made of overlapping sheets of sandpaper. These sheets are arranged around the center of the disc and will remove a large surface area of the wood in a single movement.
2. An abrasive flap disc is attached at an angle to remove the dents and imperfections from the surface of the wood.
3. This attachment is cost-efficient and will save you a lot of time. It sands wood faster than other tools like a regular sanding block and can also do the job in better quality. Moreover, it’s quite safe, so it’s a good choice for DIY enthusiasts and amateurs.
4. Always make sure that power switch is off and that your angle grinder isn’t connected to a power source before attaching the flap disc.
5. Depending on the type of wood you have, you can choose your flap disc. The sanding paper is available in 40, 60, 80, 100, or 120-grit varieties, so you can pick the right one based on the wood you’re working with and the expected outcome.

2. Use Your Angle Grinder

Now that you’ve secured the flap disc, it’s time to turn on your machine.

1. Secure your wood to a table or steady surface using several clamps. Because the grinder requires two hands, you have to secure your wood first. 
2. Hold your angle grinder with both hands. Keep your hands away from the flap disc to avoid injuries.
3. Always start using the angle grinder with a heavy-grit flap disc. Use the angle grinder gently to smooth out the surface, then work your way up to a light-grit flap disc of 100 or 120 for the finishing touch and removing the deepest scratches.
4. Keep your hands away from the machine and wear protective goggles to protect your eyes from the debris. Some people also prefer to use a faceguard for maximum safety. Wearing your work gloves is an excellent choice to protect your hands.

3. Remove the Saw Dust

After using your angle grinder to sand wood, you should always remove the saw dust before moving onto the next step. 

• Don’t use a brush or broom, as it will scatter the dust everywhere, and you might accidentally inhale it. Inhaling the sanding dust causes several health issues.
• A vacuum cleaner is an excellent tool to use because it will remove all the dust and keep your work area clean. Use sticky rags to remove the smallest amount of dust left before adding coats of finish or stain. 
• You can also use compressed air with a good exhaust system to throw the dust away.
• If you have a dust collection system in your shop, you can also use this. You can also build your own DIY dust collector. 

Conclusion

Although there are several methods available for sanding wood, using an angle grinder is always an excellent choice. You probably have this machine already, so you need to learn how to use it to sand wood and remove all the imperfections from the surface.

Always start with a piece of scrap wood to see the result before working on the actual project. Follow all the safety features, and you’ll be impressed with the results.