Safety Information

Read this first

This page is general guidance. It does not replace the manufacturer's instructions, your tool's manual, training, or the laws and workplace rules that apply to you. If anything here conflicts with those, follow the stricter rule. We do not claim that a product meets a particular standard unless its product page says so and we can provide documentation.

Choosing the right product

• Maximum speed (RPM). Every wheel or disc has a maximum operating speed. Your tool's speed must never be higher. Check the marking on the product and the speed rating on the tool.
• Size and arbor. The diameter must fit under your tool's guard, and the arbor hole must match the spindle. Do not enlarge a hole or use a bushing that the product was not made for.
• Right product for the task. Use cutting wheels for cutting, grinding wheels for grinding, and a product made for the material you are working on (for example metal or stainless steel).
• Guard. Always use the guard supplied with the tool, set up for the product you are using. Never remove it.

Inspect before every use

• Look for cracks, chips, gouges, warping, missing material and signs of moisture or damage to the packaging.
• Do not use a product that has been dropped, struck or stored where it could have been damaged.
• Check the expiration date if one is printed on the product (see Storage and shelf life).
• If you have any doubt, do not use it.

Mounting and first start

• Unplug or disconnect the tool before mounting a wheel or disc.
• Use the correct flanges and tighten only as the tool maker instructs. Over-tightening can crack a wheel.
• Make sure the product turns freely and runs true.
• With the guard in place, stand out of line with the wheel and let a newly mounted wheel run at working speed for the time the manufacturer specifies before you start work.

Cutting, grinding and flap discs

• Never grind with the side of a cutting wheel. Thin cutting wheels are made to cut only with their edge, in a straight line. Side loads can shatter them.
• Do not twist, bend or jam a wheel in the cut. Let it cut without forcing it.
• Clamp the work piece so it cannot move. Do not hold small pieces by hand.
• Keep your hands and body out of the plane of the wheel in case it breaks.
• Do not use a wheel that is worn down to the point where the guard no longer protects you.
• Let the wheel stop completely before you put the tool down. Never use a wheel for something it was not designed for.

Protective equipment

• Safety glasses with side shields, and a full face shield for cutting and grinding.
• Hearing protection, and gloves that fit closely.
• Suitable respiratory protection when there is dust (see below).
• No loose clothing, jewelry or long loose hair that can catch on the tool.

Dust, sparks and noise

• Sparks. Cutting and grinding metal throws hot sparks. Remove flammable materials and vapors and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Dust. Grinding and sanding make fine dust. Work outdoors or with dust extraction and wear a respirator rated for the dust.
• Silica, lead and other hazards. Cutting or grinding concrete, masonry or stone can release crystalline silica. Sanding old paint can release lead. Learn about these hazards and the rules that apply before you start.
• Noise. These tools are loud. Wear hearing protection.

Saw blades

• Match the blade's diameter, arbor and maximum speed to the saw, and mount it in the direction of the arrow.
• Use the blade guard and set the depth so the blade just clears the work.
• Support the work and use push sticks. Never reach near a spinning blade, and unplug the saw before changing it.
• Do not use a blade with missing, chipped or bent teeth, cracks or a warped plate.
• Know the risk of kickback. Keep your body out of line with the blade.

Files

• Always fit a handle on the tang. An unhandled file can injure your hand.
• Files are hard and brittle. Do not use them as a pry bar or hammer, and do not strike them.
• Wear safety glasses and keep your free hand clear of the cutting direction.

Storage and shelf life

• Store wheels and discs flat or as the maker instructs, in a dry place without extreme temperatures, away from solvents and moisture.
• Handle them carefully. Do not stack heavy items on them or drop them.
• Resin-bonded wheels and discs can weaken as they age. If the product has an expiration date, do not use it after that date.

Damaged products and disposal

If a wheel, disc or blade is cracked, damaged or you are unsure of its condition, stop using it. Make it unusable (for example by breaking it in two) so nobody else can use it, and dispose of it with your normal waste unless your local rules say otherwise. If it arrived damaged, contact us. We will replace or refund it under our Return & Refund Policy.

Standards and references

These documents are the main US references for the safe use of abrasive wheels and are worth reading if you use them often or in a workplace:

• ANSI B7.1, Safety Requirements for the Use, Care and Protection of Abrasive Wheels.
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.215, Abrasive wheel machinery, and OSHA's rules on personal protective equipment.
• The instructions and markings from the product manufacturer and from the tool manufacturer.

Naming a standard here does not mean our products are certified to it. California Proposition 65 warnings, where required, appear on the product page.

Report a problem

If a product fails, breaks in use, or you or someone else is injured, stop using it, keep the product and packaging, and contact us right away at support@toolshedshop.com or +1-781-647-7970 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm ET). Include your order number and what happened. If we learn of a safety problem with something you bought, we will contact you using the details from your order.