Angle grinder

Compact and sturdy – power packs for tasks such as grinding, cutting and separating

Ideal for cutting, grinding and brushing metal as well as for cutting tiles and stone

For a long time, the angle grinder was a tool reserved for professionals only. But the diverse, intelligent application options reaching far beyond mere cutting operations to the derusting and polishing of large metal surfaces sparked the interest of many a handyman. Both – the declared pro and the avid do-it-yourselfer – are tempted by a considerable range of these increasingly popular power tools; including an ever-growing number of various cutting, roughing, polishing and sanding discs for different applications.

Angle grinders from Trotec: Brand quality plus cost-efficiency

Until now, however, you basically only had two options when choosing an angle grinder: either good but expensive, or mainly cheap. With this series of robust high-performance PAGS angle grinders Trotec provides newcomers, ambitious do-it-yourselfers and experts alike with the right devices for severing, cutting, grinding, brushing, smoothing, derusting, roughing or deburring metal, stone or ceramic materials.

Trotec’s PowerTools now offer a smart choice: good price, good product and good design – all in one.

HighPerformance in every respect, for we do not only stand for measuring devices and air conditioners, but also for power tools of brand quality: professional Trotec solutions with an excellent value-for-money ratio!

What is an angle grinder?

Angle grinders, also known as a side grinders or disc grinders, serve the purpose of cutting, grinding and polishing a variety of materials such as concrete, ceramics, rock, timber and metal. Even though the functional principle is basically the same for all angle grinders, the different designs still vary in terms of size and performance.

It is for this reason that not each angle grinder is equally suitable for every application scenario. To avoid a bad buy, we provide you with the information necessary for a well-conceived purchase decision, e.g. which accessories to use for which purpose.

Angle grinders – what to take into account for your purchase decision

Angle grinder types

The first angle grinders very made of solid cast iron and extremely heavy, also the shape was not exactly wieldy. Sure they make part of the work easier for the craftsmen, but using them was still a strenuous effort. Today’s models are much lighter and consequently easier to use. Through the years the following designs were developed – all with pros and cons …

• Mini angle grinders

Mini angle grinders like the PAGS 10-115 use cutting discs with a diameter of up to 115 mm. They are best suited for cutting metal, but quickly reach their limits with concrete.

• One-hand angle grinders

Relatively handy and comparatively light devices such as our angle grinder PAGS 10-125 for single-handed operation do a good job in assisting hobby craftsmen in their work. With a diameter of about 125 mm the discs of these flexible tools are somewhat larger than those of the mini angle grinder and can cut through tougher materials such as thin concrete slabs.

• Two-hand angle grinders

Bimanually guided angle grinders such as our PAGS 10-230 are genuine pro tools. The cutting discs have a diameter of approx. 230 mm and can even cut up concrete flooring or massive slabs of concrete. Unfortunately these powerful devices are heavier and therefore not as easy to handle.

Before making your decision on which angle grinder to buy, you should be absolutely clear about what you mostly want to use the device for.

Speed and performance of angle grinders

The angle grinder should have sufficient performance values or you won’t get any proper work done. With respect to the various activities you should allow for the following wattages:

for polishing: 500 watts
for grinding: 1,000 watts
for cutting through simple materials: 1,500 watts
for cutting through strong metals: 2,500 watts

As a novice you’ll be very well off with our all-rounder PAGS 10-125 – an angle grinder with 1,200 watts of power. The ambitious handyman or professional, however, should opt for the PAGS 10-230 with its high-performance 2,000 W motor; it brings along a larger disc diameter and equipment features such as soft start, starting current limitation and a gearhead that is adjustable in 3 positions for optimum handling.

Meanwhile there also battery-powered angle grinders in addition to the conventional cable-connected models. But these often come with a lower performance and are therefore best suited for lighter work in the DIY sector or for application sites where the power supply would entail too much time and effort.

When looking for a suitable angle grinder, also consider the specified idle speed. This value is indicative of the angle grinder’s maximum output rate. Whilst a high idle speed points to a powerful motor, a low speed value suggests a weaker drive.

Housing and weight

To achieve a long lifetime your angle grinder should have a stable housing that is resistant to dust and moisture to protect the electronics of your device. Low weight is another great benefit for prolonged operation. Depending on the angle grinder model it amounts to 1.5 to 6 kg.

To ensure safe handling, almost all angle grinder models are fitted with a plastic or metal cover that directs dust, chips and sparks away from you, thus reducing the risk of injuries. For increased comfort a dust extraction system collects the abrasion debris and permits the virtually dust-free operation of the angle grinder.

If you mostly want to cut tiles, we additionally recommend a special holder that stabilizes the material to be cut and ensures an especially straight and precise cut.

Ventilation and cooling

To prevent the angle grinder’s motor from overheating during longer operation, there should always be sufficient ventilation. More recent angle grinder models are provided with electronic cooling systems. If you know in advance that you’ll be using the angle grinder frequently over extended periods of time, it should be equipped with an overload protection. Better keep your hands off an angle grinder that has none of the above features. In such a case overheating is basically bound to occur after only a short period of use and can lead to the total device failure. On principle, the cooling air current should be directed towards the front so it can blow abrasion debris and sparks away from you.

What your angle grinder can be used for depends i.a. on the used disc. With respect to the material there are a number of different cutting discs available to choose from:

Which type of disc is to be used for the angle grinder?

Discs made of silicon carbide suitable for use in granite, concrete, masonry, sand lime bricks, natural and artificial stone (AD 125 S)

Discs made of aluminium oxide suitable for use in metal and sheet metal (AD 125 M)

Diamond cutting discs suitable for use in concrete, brick, granite or tiles (AD 115 DB)

Segmented diamond cutting discs suitable for the quick dry cutting of roofing tiles, concrete or screed (AD 115 DD)

Also, the following accessories are available for angle grinders:

Roughing discs for processing metal (AD 125 MG)
Sanding pads for removing old coats of paint or derusting metal
Serrated washers for grinding or polishing
Fur polishing discs (reduced speed)
Wire brushes for derusting and to prepare soldering and welding work

Abrasive wheels and cutting discs are available with diameters of 115, 125 and 230 mm. Depending on the selected grinding, cutting or roughing disc you can use the angle grinder for various tasks at home, in the garden or for the craft sector.

Large-sized discs are primarily intended for coarse work and only used for the bimanually guided angle grinder. For applications that require a greater level of precision, the combination of smaller discs and a one-hand angle grinder is better suited.

All the discs for angle grinders supplied by Trotec can be ordered individually and as practical special offer package.