Anne K. Wellings on wed 8 may 02
I just bought a 4" angle grinder at Harbor Freight Tools, after reading
on the archives that this is the way to go for cleaning kiln shelves. I
got a wire cup brush with twisted bristles and a fiber-reinforced masonry
disk, as per the recommendations in one of the posts. (Another post
mentions a cup stone. What is that, and how would it be used?)
I seldom get glaze on the shelves, so my main problem, besides flaky kiln
wash, is kiln wash which has become too stuck to remove easily and is
getting glassy in patches. I will be switching to a non-flaking,
non-fluxing kiln wash, but more about that in another post.
I was envisioning a grinding or sanding disk that would fit flat against
the kiln shelf, but now realize that the angle grinder does not work this
way, that you use the edge of the disk at an angle. I realize I need to
practice on some really cruddy old shelves that I seldom use. But does
anyone have advice on not gouging into my good shelves while using this
thing?
I know I need eye protection and a respirator, and I've taken note of
other safety warnings in the archives.
Any other tools recommended that are less likely to damage shelves? One
post mentioned an electric paint chipper. How about an electric drill
with an attached disk?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Anne
Mike Gordon on wed 8 may 02
Hi,
I have found that when using an angle grinder that the surface to grind
should be at a comfortable height, like waist high. This takes the
strain off your back for the most part and lets the grinder hang from
your shoulder. Move it back and forth with your left hand ( if your
right handed ). Don't let the disk stay too long in any one place. It
takes practice. Mike Gordon
Brian Molanphy on thu 9 may 02
anne wrote:
'But does
anyone have advice on not gouging into my good shelves while using this
thing?'
what kind of shelves? i recently cleaned up silicon carbide shelves that
hadn't been cleaned forever. i wasn't sure what was potentially more
damaging, hammer and chisel or wire brush cup on an angle grinder. i erred
on the side of the angle grinder, and the shelves ate half a cup. half a cup
of wire brush, that is. the shelves look good. whether or not the vibration
from the chisel and grinder set up internal stresses in the shelves (like
they did in my wrists), i have no idea. also dunno how other types of
shelves would put up with the wire cup brush. i guess it would be gentler
than your fibre-reinforced masonry disk.
do tell about your non-flaking, non-fluxing wash when you get around to it.
pardon me if you already know how to use these tools, but i recommend that
your first concern be: not gouging into yourself. consider the shelves after
that. wear a mask and goggles and earplugs and gloves.
good luck, brian
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