An easy way to unscrew the nut of an angle grinder. How to change a disc with or without an angle grinder key? What does a key look like for an angle grinder?

Modern angle grinders (angle grinders) are equipped with a wide variety of attachments. Designers are trying to ensure the successful use of their developments for grinding, cutting and polishing dissimilar materials. But changing the nozzles does not happen manually, but using special devices.

We’ll talk about the features of choosing keys for an angle grinder in our article.

Features of application

You most often have to use a key for an angle grinder when you remove and change the disc. And such a need arises mainly due to the appearance of cracks in the disk itself. Before using the key, you must stop the equipment and turn off the power. Failure to comply with this rule can result in big trouble.

After de-energizing the device, use a wrench to tighten the lock nut. Sometimes it happens that the disk is jammed to the limit, and a standard tool does not help. Then you can use a powerful gas wrench. The remaining part of the disk can be cut off with a regular hacksaw; After replacing the disk element, the lock nut is returned to its original position.

How to choose?

The key used during operation must provide quick and reliable clamping of the disk, so the tool is made of high-strength steel; only under this condition will it work for a long time.

• presence of a soft start function (prevention of jerks during startup);
• possibility of blocking brushes during power surges;
• option for automatic spindle balancing (reduction of runout during use);
• the ability to hold the start button is very useful feature during long-term work.

Some craftsmen prefer to use a universal wrench to work with an angle grinder. This device can tighten and loosen threaded flanges not only on an angle grinder, but also on a wall chaser, and even on a circular saw.

The main part of the key is made of tool steel. It would be very good if the handle had a polymer coating. The universal device has a movable working part, the dimensions are adjusted very smoothly. Their range can vary quite widely.

• Judging by customer reviews, attempts to find such a tool in branded retail chains and large electrical goods stores are usually not successful. It is advisable to look for a key for an angle grinder at construction markets and in stores selling hardware.
• When choosing, please note that a device from one brand may not be suitable for grinders from other manufacturers. To minimize the risk, you should take the nut with you as a sample. You can make such a mechanism yourself using an open-end wrench: in this case, the workpiece is drilled and the hardened fingers are welded.
• The steel grade must be indicated on the handle of a high-quality adjustable wrench. If the manufacturer does not do this, then it cannot be trusted.

• It is undesirable to purchase a mechanism with even slight play.
• The diameter of the nuts (in millimeters) that the factory wrench can unscrew is indicated after the letters “KR”.
• Before purchasing, you should check the tool in your hand to see if it will slip out.

You should not buy goods from companies of dubious quality that offer too low a price.

You will learn how to make a universal key for an angle grinder in the video below.

An angle grinder is a universal power tool. With its help, you can cut steel profiles and wood, process concrete and stones, perform grinding and roughing work, and sharpen hacksaws. And for each operation there is a specific circle. For example, you cannot grind surfaces with a thin cutting wheel for an angle grinder - it will quickly break. How to properly place a disc on a grinder when grinding and breaking a wheel or switching to another type of work?

According to the instruction manual, replacing the disc on an angle grinder should be done as follows.

1. Unplug the power tool cord from the outlet.
2. Press the spindle rotation lock button.
3. While holding the grinder's stop button, use an open-end wrench to unscrew the flange nut. You need to turn the angle grinder wrench in the direction of rotation of the disk. If it is difficult to press a button with one hand and operate the key with the other, ask someone close to you to help.
4. Remove the old disk from the spindle shaft.
5. Install a new disk.
6. Secure it with a nut manually or using the same universal wrench. At this moment, you need to hold the stopper with your other hand. Do not overtighten the nut.
7. Plug in the grinder for 30 seconds at maximum speed. If the disk rotates freely, without beating, without touching the protective casing, you can start working.

The delivery set of the angle grinder must include an open-end wrench. Cheap grinders often come with a poor quality key. It can quickly break (however, this also happens with tools from leading manufacturers). In the end, the key can simply be lost . How to properly install a disc on an angle grinder in this case, without having a suitable tool at hand?

The most reliable way is to simply buy a new key. You can take a standard one, for a specific flange for an angle grinder, or a sliding one, with the ability to adjust the jaws. But keys for angle grinders are not sold in all hardware stores, and finding the right tool can be difficult. We bring to your attention several tricks with which you can change the disc on an angle grinder without a universal key and save nerves and money.

How to change a disc on an angle grinder without a key?

Method 1. Use a gas wrench. Use an adjustable pipe wrench to grasp the nut and carefully unscrew it without applying much force. Disadvantage: you can crush the nut and break the rotation lock.

Method 2. Make a homemade key for an angle grinder. To do this you will need a long nail (at least 100 mm). You need to cut off the head, the point and give the nail a U-shape. It should be bent in such a way that the “tool” posts fit into the holes in the flange. If the nut is tightened tightly, insert any metal rod between the posts of the nail and, holding it with both hands, rotate the structure in the direction of movement of the circle. At this time, you need to press and hold the spindle lock button. The method is safe, but takes time and additional tools– hacksaws, vices, hammers.

Method 3. Tapping with a chisel. Before changing the disk, you can treat the spindle shaft with WD-40 and wait at least 15 minutes. Then place the tip of a thin chisel at an angle to the hole of the flange nut and gently tap over the entire surface of the hole with a plumber's hammer. Sooner or later, thanks to gentle tapping, the nut will move, and it will be possible to unscrew it manually. The disadvantage of this method is that the holes can be damaged and the flange can be damaged.

Method 4. Heat the nut. If it is difficult to unscrew the angle grinder nut by hand, you can heat it a little with a gas burner or autogen. You need to wear gloves when unscrewing the flange to avoid getting burned. This is the riskiest of the proposed methods. It is possible to overheat the bearings and oil in the angle grinder gearbox.

Finally, I would like to mention some important points regarding replacing a disc on an angle grinder.

The main thing is that when changing a disc on an angle grinder, do not violate safety precautions and perform all manipulations with the tool unplugged.

A universal element for any builder is an angle grinder or, more simply put, an angle grinder. With the help of a grinder, you can cut steel, wood, or process stone or concrete, as well as carry out grinding work or sharpen workpieces. Each operation has its own nozzle and you cannot work on the material with a circle that is not intended for this. For example, you cannot grind surfaces with a thin cutting wheel. In order to replace the nozzle you need a special key, but how can you do this without the help of a key?

How to change a disc on an angle grinder without a key

Method 1

Use a regular gas wrench. You need to grab the nut with an adjustable gas wrench and carefully unscrew it without applying much force. There is a big drawback to this method - you can bend the nut or break the rotation lock. putting in too much effort.

Method 2

You can make a simple homemade key for an angle grinder. To do this, you will need a long nail, the head of which needs to be sawed off and the tip bent so as to give the nail a U-shape. The nail must be bent so that the ends of the workpiece fit into the flange posts. If the nut is tightened very tightly, then you can strengthen the structure with a metal rod, with which you need to rotate your key. This method will not damage the structure of the angle grinder, but it will require time and tools to make such a key.

Method 3

Tapping with a chisel. You need to treat the spindle shaft with regular WD 40 and wait 15 minutes for the job to go easier. After which you need to place the chisel at an inclined surface into the flange hole and gradually unscrew the fastener using tapping movements. This method also has a drawback - you can damage the hole or damage the flange of the angle grinder.

Method 4

You can heat the nut using a gas torch. In this case, you should be able to unscrew it by hand. Be sure to use heat-resistant gloves after heating the workpiece. This method is the most risky, as you can overheat the oil in the tool or damage the gearbox due to heat.

What is important to remember when working with an angle grinder

We are for safety and therefore once again remind you of simple rules when working with this tool:

1. Install only circles of the appropriate size according to the instructions on the grinder. Based on the characteristics of the tool and install circles smaller or the same size as provided by the manufacturer. IN otherwise you risk losing your arms or other limbs.
2. The protective disc develops hardening over time due to constant use. It definitely needs to be cleaned from time to time.
3. Remember, if the circle rotates clockwise, then the nut also needs to be unscrewed clockwise.
4. Before attempting to remove the disc from the grinder, be sure to unplug the tool!

Well, for those who know about safety precautions and already know how to work with a large number of tools, we recommend reading an article on how to make