Reviewed by M7 product team · Last reviewed: 4 November 2026

What Is an Angle Grinder Used For? 8 Common Jobs on Site and in the Workshop

An angle grinder cuts, grinds, finishes and cleans. It is mainly used to cut steel and soft metals, grind and finish welds, chamfer and deburr edges, remove rust and paint, polish, and sand wood. Use the accessory designed for the material and task.

The jobs below apply to both air and electric angle grinders. We start with the trades that use them, then cover each of the eight jobs, whether it is typical on site or in the workshop, and the accessory it needs.

Who uses angle grinders?

Anyone who cuts, grinds or cleans metal regularly; start from your trade to find the jobs and accessories you need.

8 common angle grinder jobs at a glance

Each job needs its own accessory; check that it is rated for the material and for your grinder’s speed.

Why one angle grinder takes both cutting and grinding discs

Cutting and grinding discs share the same centre bore, so one grinder can take both; but each disc must be used only for its own job and with the right guard.

Cutting machines and grinders were once separate tools, each with its own guard. Because cutting and grinding discs have the same centre hole, many buyers chose one grinder for both jobs.

• Grinding discs are thicker, usually with a depressed centre (Type 27), and are worked at a shallow angle.
• Cutting discs are thin and flat or slightly depressed. A thinner disc cuts with less waste, but if the operator twists it mid-cut, it can shatter and throw fragments outwards.
• Guards: the European safety standard for angle grinders, EN 62841-2-3, which CE-marked grinders follow, says to use only the disc types specified for the tool, with the guard designed for that disc, and to use each disc only for its intended application.

Check the spindle thread before you buy discs and accessories

Spindle threads differ by market: imperial (such as 5/8″-11) in the United States, metric (such as M14) in Europe. Check the thread before buying flanges, wire brushes and polishing pads. M7’s air angle grinders come in two spindle versions: S with an imperial 5/8″-11 spindle and M with a metric M14 x P2.0 spindle.

How to cut steel, pipe and rebar with an angle grinder

Use a thin cutting disc for metal, let the disc do the work and never put side pressure on it. Typical on site and in the workshop.

• Steel section, pipe, sheet and bar: the most common angle grinder job.
• Rebar: reinforcing bar is often heat-treated and hard, so choose a disc rated for hard steel and let it cut at its own pace.
• Stainless steel: use a disc marked “inox”, from the French for stainless. Stainless steel is harder than mild steel, and an inox disc reduces heat discolouration and contamination of the surface.

The safety warnings in EN 62841-2-3 say not to grind with the side of a cutting disc, and not to jam it or apply excessive pressure while cutting.

Can an angle grinder cut aluminium and copper?

Use a cutting disc marked for aluminium or non-ferrous metal, because soft metals clog ordinary abrasive discs. Typical on site and in the workshop, for example copper pipe in plumbing.

Aluminium and copper are soft. During cutting, the metal smears onto the disc and fills the gaps between abrasive grains, so the disc stops cutting, overheats and wears unevenly. Discs made for aluminium or non-ferrous metals are designed to resist this clogging.

Grinding down welds with a grinding disc

Use a grinding disc to remove excess weld and stock quickly; this is the first, coarse step. Typical in fabrication workshops.

• Disc: a Type 27 grinding disc with an aluminium oxide (A) abrasive for steel. Silicon carbide (C) discs suit non-ferrous and other materials.
• Technique: work at a shallow angle and keep the disc moving.

How to read a grinding disc code

The code on the disc describes its abrasive, grit, hardness and bond. For example, A30RBF means:

• A: aluminium oxide abrasive
• 30: grit size; a higher number means finer grains and a smoother finish
• R: hardness grade, on a scale from A (soft) to Z (hard)
• BF: reinforced resin bond

The disc label also shows its diameter, thickness, bore and maximum speed.

Finishing welds and surfaces with a flap disc

Use a flap disc after the grinding disc to smooth and blend the surface; this is the second, finer step. Typical in fabrication workshops.

A grinding disc removes material fast but leaves an uneven surface. A flap disc is made of overlapping abrasive flaps, so it is softer and follows the surface, leaving a smoother finish for painting or coating.

• Coarse grits (around 40): heavier blending.
• Medium grits (around 60 to 80): general finishing.
• Fine grits (around 120): final finish before coating.

Chamfering and deburring metal edges

Use a flap disc for small burrs and light chamfers, and a grinding disc where a lot of material sticks out. Typical in the workshop and on site.

• Deburring: cutting leaves rough, sharp edges called burrs on metal, plastic or wood. Remove them from cut ends, plate edges and pipe ends.
• Chamfering: a square 90° edge is sharp. A chamfer removes it, either as a straight bevel (C chamfer) or a rounded edge (R chamfer). Plate edges are often chamfered before welding.

Removing rust and paint with a wire brush

Use a wire cup brush on flat surfaces and a wire wheel brush on edges, corners and weld seams, with light pressure. Typical on site and in the workshop.

Wire brushes remove rust, old paint, mill scale and other oxidised layers from steel. Use them with care:

• Wires can break off and fly out at speed: EN 62841-2-3 warns that wire bristles are thrown even in ordinary use. Wear eye and face protection, and keep bystanders clear.
• Use light pressure: the standard warns not to overload the wires; pressing hard bends and breaks them faster, especially on thin sheet.
• Check the speed rating: the brush’s maximum speed must be at or above your grinder’s speed.

Polishing metal and paintwork with an angle grinder

Use a foam or wool polishing pad at a lower speed to bring metal or painted surfaces to a shine. Typical in the workshop.

Polishing pads screw onto the spindle or fit a backing pad. Check the pad’s thread, size and maximum speed against your grinder, and use a grinder with speed control where possible. M7’s grinding and polishing accessories include sponge and wool bonnet pads.

Can you sand wood with an angle grinder?

Use a sanding disc on a hook-and-loop backing pad to sand and shape wood; do not cut wood with an angle grinder. Typical in the workshop.

The backing pad gives the sanding disc a softer, flexible support, so it follows the shape of the wood instead of digging in. Keep the guard in place and use light pressure. For cutting timber, use a saw.

What an angle grinder should not be used for

Do not use an angle grinder outside what the accessory and the tool are designed for.

• Toothed saw blades and chain-type wood carving discs: the angle grinder safety standard EN 62841-2-3 (formerly EN 60745-2-3) requires manufacturers to warn against fitting them, because they cause frequent kickback and loss of control.
• Side grinding with a cutting disc: thin cutting discs are not built for side pressure.
• Cutting with a grinding disc: each disc should be used only for its intended application.
• Using a worn-down disc from a larger grinder: a disc made for a larger tool is not rated for the higher speed of a smaller grinder and can burst.
• Working without the guard: keep it fitted and correctly positioned.
• Fitting a disc rated below the grinder’s speed: the grinder’s speed must never exceed the disc’s marked maximum speed.
• Fitting a larger disc than the grinder is designed for: the guard cannot cover it.

Matching the job to an M7 angle grinder

Choose by where the work happens: air for workshops with compressed air, cordless for work that moves. Disc sizes and speeds are taken from the M7 catalogue and each model’s product page.

Speeds are no-load speeds.

Disc sizes vary by region: 100mm (4″) grinders are common in many Asian markets, while 115mm (4-1/2″) and 125mm (5″) are common in Europe.

Related reading

• Angle Grinder Discs Explained for choosing the right disc.
• How to Choose the Right Angle Grinder: Corded, Cordless or Air for the full buying decision.
• Corded vs Cordless Angle Grinder for choosing a power source.

For the right grinder and accessories for your work, talk to your local M7 distributor.

Sources and specification notes

Safety rules come from the European angle grinder safety standard behind the CE mark; specifications come from M7. Reviewed by M7 product team; last reviewed on 4 November 2026.

• Disc use, guards, wire brushes and toothed saw blades: EN 62841-2-3 (formerly EN 60745-2-3), the European safety standard for hand-held grinders, which CE-marked grinders follow. The link goes to the international edition, IEC 62841-2-3; the standard text is sold by standards bodies.
• Disc code letters: ISO 525 (A for aluminium oxide, C for silicon carbide, BF for reinforced resin bond).
• M7 specifications: M7 catalogue (PDF download) (air angle grinders, p.64) and the M7 product pages linked in the model table, checked on 4 November 2026.
• Trade uses and grit ranges are typical examples; follow the tool and accessory maker’s instructions for every job.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an angle grinder used for?

Cutting steel and soft metals, grinding and finishing welds, chamfering and deburring edges, removing rust and paint, polishing, and sanding wood. The accessory you fit decides the job.

Can one angle grinder use both cutting and grinding discs?

Yes. Cutting and grinding discs share the same centre bore, so one grinder can take both. Use each disc only for its own job, with the guard designed for it.

Can an angle grinder cut stainless steel?

Yes, with a cutting disc marked “inox”. Stainless steel is harder than mild steel, and an inox disc reduces heat discolouration and contamination of the cut surface.

Can you cut wood with an angle grinder?

No. Toothed saw blades and chain-type carving discs cause frequent kickback, and the grinder safety standard requires a warning against fitting them. Use a saw to cut wood, and an angle grinder with a sanding disc only to sand and shape it.

Do plumbers and electricians use angle grinders?

Often. Plumbers use them to cut metal and copper pipe and deburr pipe ends; electricians use them to cut cable tray, strut channel and threaded rod.

Contact us, or talk to your local distributor