How to remove a wheel from an angle grinder without a key

Safety regulations

When working with an angle grinder, it is important to remember that this tool has an increased risk of injury. Accordingly, it is impossible to lose vigilance in any case, even when disconnected from the mains. When using auxiliary tools and materials to replace the disc, be careful with them as well. Locksmith tools can also cause perceptible injury.

It would seem that there is nothing difficult in replacing the disk with a new one. Nevertheless, at this stage, the master is faced with a problem. the nozzle is tightly clamped with a fixing nut that does not want to loosen. How to remove a jammed disc from an angle grinder? What methods are used for this? What tools can be used if the original key is lost? You will learn how to remove a clamped disc from an angle grinder in this article.

Read also: How to make a hole in plastic

What else can you do?

Measures to prevent jamming

By taking care of the safe operation of the angle grinder in advance, you will save yourself the trouble of taking corrective action. Such events include:

• Placement of cardboard or plastic washers between disc, flange and spindle head. They do not allow the tool to jam, but even in the case of a corkscrew, they can be removed / melted and the element can be easily unscrewed.
• The abrasive wheel must be installed correctly. To do this, place the front side of the circle on the support flange (picture to the gearbox). It must not come into contact with the clamping nut. In this case, the standard metal ring in the center will act as a washer that protects against jamming.
• Weld a regular nut on the clamping flange, which allows you to press the installed disc using a conventional wrench.
• Check the tightening torque. No excessive force is required to install the cutting element. Otherwise, it will jam under intense loads.

How to remove a disc from an angle grinder with a wrench?

If the special wrench that comes with the angle grinder is not lost, then it will be easier to cope with the task. For those who are interested in how to remove a disc from an angle grinder, experts advise first of all to fix the spindle. It is on it that the disc is located and is pressed with a flange. It is dismantled with an open-end wrench. To make this technically possible, the flanges are equipped with special holes into which the pins of the key are inserted.

To fix the spindle, you need to press the button, which is located on the housing on the back of the disc. During operation with an open-end wrench, the lock must not be released, otherwise the spindle will continue to turn. If the disc rotates clockwise in the angle grinder, turn the open-end wrench counterclockwise and vice versa. It is important that the flange yields and moves. Now it can be completely unscrewed and set aside. Then the old disc is removed and replaced with a new one.

EASY, FAST, SIMPLE Replace a Cutting Wheel on Angle Grinder With NO TOOL

Retaining flange heating

This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to replace a cut-off wheel on an angle grinder when there is no special key nearby. The lock nut must be heated with a hot air gun, a gas torch, or by pressing it hard against a block of wood. Once the flange is sufficiently hot, it can be easily squeezed out with a hand protected with a welding glove. However, this method has one drawback: there is a risk of damage to the plastic case of the angle grinder.

Disk destruction

The cardinal solution for unscrewing a clamped lock nut is the destruction of the disc. It is necessary to break the disc with pliers or pliers. As a result, a ring and hard-to-reach fragments will remain. Next, you need to take the largest piece of the disc and clamp it in a vice, with the cutting edge up. Now grind off its remains and the ring on this shard. After that, you can easily unscrew the clamping nut with a standard wrench that comes with the angle grinder.

The first way

Then you need to take a metal plate, the thickness of which is less than that of the disc. With the help of this plate, its remnants will be grinded. To do this, turn on the angle grinder, and clamp the metal piece securely with pliers. After completing these steps, the nut can be unscrewed even by hand.

What is the cause of the malfunction?

Before wondering how to remove a disc from an angle grinder, experts recommend figuring out why a nut is biting on an angle grinder. It is noticed that this problem is mainly observed in angle grinders, which have a significant disk size. A disc over 18 cm is considered large. During operation, a torque is generated. Further, when the master starts cutting, a small bump occurs. In other words, a force is exerted on the disk. If the size of the nozzle is less than 12 cm, then this effect will be negligible. If the disc is large, then the nut is tightened by inertia more. As a result, it is not possible to dismantle it in the usual way. Learn more about how to remove the disc from the angle grinder below.

What causes the problem?

When spinning at idle speed, it is difficult to face this problem. Especially when working with light wheels and tools with soft start function. However, after an increase in revolutions and contact with the cut surface, the following occurs:

• When material resistance arises at the circle, the angular velocity of rotation sharply decreases, it slows down.
• By inertia, the motor continues to run at the same speed for several moments, dragging the gearbox and spindle with it.
• The lock nut is tightened by inertia more strongly along the thread of the spindle head, thereby pressing in the cutting disc.

That’s it, the process of tightening the fixing flange is completed. an emergency situation is obvious. Its occurrence is influenced by the following factors:

• Large circle size.
• High tool power.
• Rotor massiveness.
• A sharp increase in the depth of cut, i.e. increase in resistance.

In this case, it can be very difficult to remove the disc from the angle grinder. Additional measures need to be taken.

How to remove a disc from an angle grinder with a wrench?

If the special wrench that comes with the angle grinder is not lost, then it will be easier to cope with the task. For those who are interested in how to remove a disc from an angle grinder, experts advise first of all to fix the spindle. It is on it that the disc is located and is pressed with a flange. It is dismantled with an open-end wrench. To make this technically possible, the flanges are equipped with special holes into which the pins of the key are inserted.

To fix the spindle, you need to press the button, which is located on the housing on the back of the disc. During operation with an open-end wrench, the lock must not be released, otherwise the spindle will continue to turn. If the disc in the angle grinder turns clockwise, turn the open-end wrench counterclockwise and vice versa. It is important that the flange yields and moves. Now it can be completely unscrewed and set aside. Then the old disc is removed and replaced with a new one.

Step-by-step algorithm of actions

The circle is fixed on the spindle head with a lock nut with an M14 thread. In the standard configuration, there is an open-end wrench with special protrusions for engagement with holes in the fixing flange.

To unscrew the nut, you need to fix the spindle. For these purposes, there is a special retainer located on the back of the angle grinder. By pressing the button, you will fix the gearbox with a cotter pin, excluding the possibility of its rotation.

Insert the key into the holes. Hold the lock with one hand, and with the other turn it counterclockwise with a wrench, sliding the nut.

The direction of movement of the disc is usually clockwise. However, there are models that may be different. In any case, unscrewing occurs in the direction opposite to rotation.

When the nut is slid, it can be unscrewed without effort by hand.

After intensive work with the tool with metal inside the casing, you can find a build-up of burnt scale with abrasive. Use a steel brush to remove residues.

After cleaning, install the lower flange in place, while aligning the grooves of the spindle with the grooves of the flange. A gasket is placed on top.

If your model does not have additional spacers, then such washers can be prepared from plastic or thick cardboard. Next, you need to correctly place the disc on the angle grinder and close it with a similar gasket.

Important! Installable spacers allow you to easily unscrew the nut even if the disc is jammed or broken.

Turn the top retainer counterclockwise (counter-rotating) by hand while supporting the cutting wheel. In this case, you also need to tighten the spindle lock and tighten the flange until you feel resistance. Use the open-end wrench to hold out with a little effort. Do not overtighten the mount, otherwise you can overtighten the circle and it will warp.

Now you can continue to work. However, problems occasionally arise and it just does not work to unscrew the disc on an angle grinder. How to change the disc on an angle grinder in such cases, let’s see further.

Measures to prevent jamming

By taking care of the safe operation of the angle grinder in advance, you will save yourself the trouble of taking corrective action. Such events include:

• Placement of cardboard or plastic washers between disc, flange and spindle head. They do not allow the tool to jam, but even in the case of a corkscrew, they can be removed / melted and the element can be easily unscrewed.
• The abrasive wheel must be correctly positioned. To do this, place the front side of the circle on the support flange (picture to the gearbox). It must not come into contact with the clamping nut. In this case, the standard metal ring in the center will act as a washer that protects against jamming.
• Weld a regular nut on the clamping flange, which allows you to press the installed disc using a conventional wrench.
• Check the tightening torque. No excessive force is required to install the cutting element. Otherwise, it will jam under intense loads.

Breaking the cutting wheel

You can unscrew a jammed nut by completely destroying the disk. If there is already damage, then you can break it with your hands, but most often this will not work. Better to take a hacksaw or metal blade and cut it. This leaves you with a center ring and hard-to-reach pieces. Having found a suitable plate, holding it in a vice, grind off the remnants of the abrasive on it to the metal ring. After that, it will be easily unscrewed with a standard key.

The most radical way to unscrew a jammed hold-down nut is to cut it. It is advisable to resort to it only in extreme cases. Of course, you can find a new one, but you have to spend your time and money. Spare clamping elements are often included with the angle grinder.

We remove the cutting disc in a non-standard way

Discs on an angle grinder are fixed with a nut, which is twisted in the same direction in which the spindle of the power tool rotates. And when the rotation stops abruptly, self-tightening of the fixing nut occurs.

In order to unscrew it later, you need an effort that significantly exceeds that that arose with a wedge, and it is simply impossible to do this with a “native” or gas wrench.

You need to do otherwise, namely, remove the cutting disc from under the nut, and then nothing will interfere with the unscrewing of the last.

Heat

This is one way to remove the disc from the angle grinder without a key. The fixing nut is heated with an industrial hair dryer or gas burner. This will make the flange much easier to unscrew. However, there is a risk of damage to the plastic parts of the angle grinder or gearbox.

With a hammer drill or a drill in slotting mode

You can unscrew the disc on an angle grinder without a key using a drill or a perforator, having previously switched it to the jackhammer mode. A suitable drill is used as a working nozzle, most often 6 millimeters. Push the drill against the edge of the clamping nut hole, fix the movement of the spindle and move it from its place by short-term activation. This method allows you to turn away even very difficult snacks.

Keyless

It often happens that a tool is lost or broken. Manufacturers don’t bother providing quality parts. In this case, you will have to remove the disc without a key. And there are several ways to do this.

• With an adjustable wrench. Just turn the nut a little, practically no force. The disadvantage of this method is the ability to damage the rotary element.
• With a chisel. The shaft is treated with WD 40 and waited for 15 minutes. After that, they begin to gently tap the circle with the help of a chisel. It will take a long time, but it will begin to give in and soon become easy to unscrew by hand.
• Heated nuts. Not a very safe way, but still effective. Using a torch, process the flange and carefully unscrew it with a glove. The danger is overheating, which will cause the oil in the gearbox to boil.

However, experts advise you to still use a special key so as not to get injured. Also, strictly follow the safety precautions.

When the need arises

Replacing the circle is required in case of damage to an already installed disk or requirements for installing other equipment. For example, if you worked with wood and now you need to cut a steel pipe, you will need to replace the nozzle.

Removal method with key

The machine always comes with an open-end wrench and instructions for use. It clearly describes the order of action if it is necessary to replace the circle:

• Unplug the power cord.
• Lock the button for the stopper of the rotating spindle.
• Holding it, unscrew the flange nut with a wrench.
• We remove the old disk and put a new one.
• We fix it and tighten it with a universal key.

After it is installed, turn on the machine for half a minute. the maximum rotation speed. The disc should not dangle or hit the casing. Correct operation means correct installation.

Removing a disc from an angle grinder

an angle grinder is a versatile tool that is used to solve various tasks. For example, sharpening hacksaws, grinding stones and concrete, processing steel profiles, wood and other materials. Each operation requires a specific attachment. a disc. Knowledge of the device design and conversion skills will help solve this issue.

How to properly place a disc on an angle grinder

Get a wheel that strictly fits the size of your angle grinder. When installing a new accessory, remove the protective cover and clean it thoroughly.

If the disc rotates clockwise, then the nut is also unscrewed in this direction. Twisting will occur counterclockwise.

There are universal nuts on the market that can be easily unscrewed without special tools. If you do not want to use additional keys, purchase such a mount.

Remove a grinder disc without the wrench very dangerous

For the rest, the main thing is to observe safety precautions. Work only with the tool switched off and de-energized, follow the instructions.

How to remove a disc from an angle grinder?

The wheels are fastened to the angle grinder using a swivel nut. As a rule, in order to remove it without problems, a special key is supplied with the tool. Nevertheless, in work, it is far from always at hand. Meanwhile, it is necessary to replace the disk right now.

On the website https://DeWALT.top/rashodnik-DeWALT/abrazivnij-instrument/ you can familiarize yourself with the offer of abrasive consumables for the tool. Below we describe possible ways to remove wheels from an angle grinder when there is no key at hand.

Necessary compliance with safety rules

It is imperative to understand that the angle grinder is the tool with the highest possible injury rate. Therefore, it is recommended to remain vigilant when using it even when it is turned off (when replacing circles).

Not every beginner knows that the replacement of an abrasive wheel is carried out exclusively on equipment disconnected from the network. In the case of rechargeable models, the battery is disconnected at the time of replacing the wheel.

Traditionally, the replacement of wheels on an angle grinder is as follows:

• the equipment is disconnected from the network;
• a stopper is activated on the rear of the tool;
• the circle is dismantled with a key.

This is a method that absolutely every user of the indicated equipment should use. However, the masters make full use of alternatives. Their main disadvantage is the possibility of damage to the instrument.

Replacing a circle with opposite rotation

The method given below has several positive aspects at once: it is possible without using a key, it is possible even with a broken stopper. Most grinders users believe that with a broken stopper, it is almost impossible to unscrew the nut that secures the disc.

Imagine their surprise when they find out that even a key is not required to dismantle the circle.

The secret lies in the fact that the circle must be rotated in different directions. Hands are protected with gloves and the disc is touched by the palm, providing alternate rotation in one direction or the other.

A few sharp changes in the direction of rotation of the wheel are enough for the nut to unscrew itself.

How to Change a Grinder Wheel | 4 Different Ways

See also:

• Learn how to weld a garage door yourself.
• Pipe Cutting Tips. http://postroyka.org/kak-rezat-trubyi/

The video clearly demonstrates the given method of removing the cutting wheel from an angle grinder without a key and a stopper: