Bringing versatility to a power tool, angle grinders have a disc that rapidly rotates to cut, grind, polish, sharpen and clean a range of tough materials, such as copper and iron, brass, brick, tiles, stone and mortar. When you change the disc and the speed, you can seamlessly swap from grinding through metal, to polishing it.

Corded or cordless, angle grinders are wonderfully versatile, and below is a closer look at exactly what they can be used for:

• Polishing and grinding metal

An angle grinders primary purpose is to grind metal, which it does with the help of abrasive discs available in a variety of materials, such as carbide, aluminum and diamond-tipped discs. Once the grinding disc is attached and the tool is switched on, the disc will rapidly spin to help you flatten or smooth metal.

Set to a lower speed, the finish of metal can be improved and the color enhanced with a polishing wheel made of cotton, or a similar material.

• Cutting metal

While it will smooth, polish and grind metal, an angle grinder’s rapidly rotating disc can also be used to cut through metal. Plumbers working with lead pipes or galvanized iron might use it for this purpose, while welders commonly use angle grinders to cut metal and clean up a project.

All you need to do to use an angle grinder for cutting instead of grinding, is to swap out the disc from an abrasive grinding one, to a cut-off disc. Thinner than grinding discs, cut-off discs are more susceptible to bending and may even break if forced through the metal at too fast a pace.

• Cleaning metal

Paint, rust and lacquer can easily be removed from any metal surface using an angle grinder; all you need to do is attach a plastic stripping disc or metal cleaning wheel, and you can start taking off any layers of rust or paint that are chipped and peeled, without causing any damage to the metal beneath it. Choose from a plastic stripping disc attachment or a metal cleaning wheel according to the task you need to fulfil.

• Sharpening tools

Tasks such as restoring the edge of blades on lawn mowers, chisels or axes by sharpening them can be carried out with an angle grinder, once an abrasive grinding disc is attached. Do note, however, that while this tool can be used for sharpening tools quickly, you may want to use a sharpening stone afterwards to get a more precise edge to the blade.

• Cutting tile, stone and other masonry materials

Angle grinders can also be used to cut safely and effectively through tougher materials of a masonry nature, such as stone, brick and tile, even though their primary use is for cutting metals. To do so, simply swap the metal cut-off disc for a masonry cutting wheel, and although they are robust, if used frequently or with too much force, it may be necessary to replace the wheel on a regular place to ensure clean cuts every time.

• Removing mortar

Mortar often needs to be replaced, particularly on older structures, but doing so without causing any damage to the bricks isn’t easy without the help of a tool such as an angle grinder. With a thick abrasive grinding disc, or masonry cutting wheel, you can use the tool to chip safely away at the mortar.

Angle grinders are one of the most versatile tools you can buy, and as such, are a staple of many professionals within a range of industries. To get your hands on a high quality angle grinder for less, check online retailers and choose the right one for your needs.