An angle grinder is a versatile tool used for various purposes like cutting, polishing, etc. Yet, little did you know that you can use this tool as a compact drill?
This article will introduce you to some angle grinder attachment for drill, their PROs, CONs, and some essential notices when using these attachments in your drilling jobs.
Contents
Can You Use An Angle Grinder For Drilling?
Since an angle grinder works similarly to a drill, you can use it for drilling. In other words, you can utilize this power tool as an occasional electric drill without spending extra money for a professional driller.
So, how can it perform drilling?
An angle grinder consists of three main components – a robust electric motor, a spindle, and a blade/attachment. When the motor is running, it also rotates the spindle. The rotating movement of the spindle rotates the blade/attachment.
Since this power tool uses battery power or a constant power supply, you can perform many types of jobs within a short time without tiring your body like manual tools.
You can pick up a blade or attachment for specific purposes. For drilling purposes, you should use a conversion kit (or a converter). This kit is often sold separately and not included in the angle grinder product package.
Popular Angle Grinder Attachment For Drill DIYers Should Have
Drill chuck converter
A popular angle grinder attachment for drill that DIY hobbyists often use is the quick-change drill chuck attachment.
When purchasing this attachment, you should check if its internal thread fits the arbor size of your angle grinder. For example, if the arbor size is 0.39 inches, it will work with a converter of M10 thread.
A drill chuck converter can be installed easily. Choose an appropriate item, and install it into your angle grinder. Then, you can use it as a compacted drill.
Also, you can use this drill chuck converter with drill bits of many sizes. For instance, this Yasorn converter accepts drill bits from 1-10mm. The chuck’s key helps you change drill bits easily and securely.
However, keep in mind that it is not suitable for heavy-duty drilling jobs.
There are two ways to install this attachment into your angle grinder:
- First, installing the drill chuck without the grinder’s guard
- Second, installing the drill chuck with the guard.
You can choose either the first or the second way. In the first way, you can see the drilling hole, while in the second way, the guard will keep dust and small particles from flying into your face and eyes.
Angle grinder adapter for mushroom log inoculation
If you want to grow mushrooms on logs, this adapter is your time saver. When attached with a high RPM angle grinder, this compact drill can get the log inoculation process 4 times faster and more efficiently than a hand drill with low vibration.
However, this adapter for drill bit can only fit one drill bit size, meaning that you can’t change the drill bit like the above drill chuck converter. And it can be used for mushroom cultivation purposes only.
Extra Info: Can You Turn A Drill Into An Angle Grinder?
As I have said before, these two power tools have a similar operating principle. Thus, you can use an angle grinder as a drill, and vice versa, turn a drill into an angle grinder.
This extra session lets you know that you can use your current drill not merely for drilling purposes. It can also be versatile as a grinder when going with appropriate attachments.
Buffing and polishing
You can use your cordless drill with a set of cotton or cloth attachments for buffing and polishing glass, metal, ceramic, and other materials like when using an angle grinder.
Sanding
Instead of wasting time on sandpaper pads, you can attach a drum sander or flap sanding discs to smooth up the working surfaces with high precision. These attachments can polish or remove small imperfect details on the surfaces without burning or damaging the materials.
Removing rust
A drill with a wire brush attachment can remove rust and paint from metal surfaces easier and safer than using chemicals and compounds. Yet, since this attachment can generate heat, you should set your drill speed to a maximum speed of 4,500RPM.
Grinding
You can turn your drill into an angle grinder with a drill arbor adapter to handle light-duty grinding jobs. This attachment will provide you with a ½-inch arbor that can fit with grinder discs with a ½-inch arbor hole.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is an angle grinder used for?
You can use this tool for cutting, deburring, grinding, finishing, and polishing various materials.
2. What is an angle grinder adapter?
An angle grinder adapter is a connector that connects your grinder with an attachment for specific purposes.
3. How do you sharpen a drill bit with an angle grinder?
To do this, you need first to examine your dull drill bits. Install a grinding wheel onto the grinder.
Then, place a jig on a bench and adequately attach the bit to the jig. Use a hand to hold the bit, and use the remaining hand to hold the angle grinder so that the bit is placed parallel to the bench’s surface. Turn on the grinder and start sharpening until the drill bit is sharp.
Final Words
After reading this article on angle grinder attachment for drill, you understand that these two power tools have a similar operating principle. Thus, you can use your angle grinder as a drill, and vice versa.
Since these two tools are electric-powered and can be dangerous even for professionals, you should wear proper safety clothes and gear when working with them.
