What Can an Angle Grinder Cut?
Just about anything, including wood. Yes, you can cut wood with an angle grinder.
Angle grinders are aggressive tools. They are handheld and spin extremely fast. Depending on the disc used, they can cut all manners of wood, tile, metal, plastic, stone, and all sorts of composite materials.
There’s no fence or guide included with angle grinders since they aren’t designed to be precision machines. With the right disc, they can diminish the bite they take out of material; but most discs are designed to power through whatever they encounter.
Since angle grinders are handheld tools, they can be brought to any workpiece or material. This makes them popular across many different contexts like woodshops, automotive shops, welding shops, tile and stone processors, fabrication shops . . . you name it, most industrial settings have a place for an angle grinder.
Can Angle Grinders Cut Wood?
Absolutely.
Check out our recommendations for the best corded angle grinder as well as the top rated cordless angle grinder.
Angle grinders make quick work of both softwoods and hardwoods. With a cutoff disc made specifically for wood, you should have no problem cutting anything with an angle grinder.
Cutoff wheels for wood are usually aggressive compared to other types of discs. Make sure the handle is placed appropriately and that your body is positioned such that the grinder is steadily placed against the workpiece.
Angle grinders are more commonly used in woodshops for shaping. While cutting operations use the sides of the disc to cut through wood, shaping and carving operations engage the workpiece with the face of the disc. A carving disc like this one from Kutzall rapidly removes material while allowing for finessing around curves and bends to create contoured surfaces.
Not all woodworking projects contain exclusively straight edges and flat surfaces. This is where an angle grinder with a carving disc shines. Carving discs are necessary for many furniture making applications like contoured legs and chair seats.
Besides Wood, What Can an Angle Grinder Cut?
Angle grinders really show their potential in other ways besides cutting wood. Their most common use is actually cutting and grinding metal.
We join wood together with glue and a wet rag can remove any squeeze out. We join metal with welds, which can’t be wiped away with a paper towel.
An angle grinder with a grinding disc cleans up welds between components. It also polishes the mating surfaces to create a seamless transition.
Angle grinders are also invaluable in masonry applications. Tile and stone are no match when addressed with a stone disc on a grinder. Specific wheels can cut concrete, brick, mortar, slate, and even porcelain and ceramic tile. Diamonds imbedded in the cutting rims of these discs allow them to power through the toughest masonry projects.
Angle grinders can also be used on wood for purposes other than cutting. Sanding discs can make quick work of smoothing over imperfections when a carving wheel would be too aggressive. Wire wheels and stripping discs remove paint and rust from wood and metal surfaces in short order.
There are polishing discs for automotive uses, but we’re hesitant to recommend these since the wrong speed or disc can ruin your paint job in a hurry. A buffer specifically designed for painted automotive surfaces spins at much slower speed which is safer for your paint.
However, the undercarriage of your car or truck is a welcoming place for angle grinders. Rusty bolts that refuse to budge with an impact driver can always be persuaded with an angle grinder.
Lawn implements like shovels or lawn mower blades are easily sharpened back to their original glory with an angle grinder. With a metal grinding disc, your mower can return to actually cutting grass instead of whacking it into oblivion with a dull edge.
What's the Best Angle Grinder for Cutting Wood?
Really any angle grinder will be able to cut or carve wood. As long as a decent debris guard is included, most angle grinders will suffice for processing wood.
Check out our review of some of the top corded angle grinders for wood here!
The main differentiation in performance will be in the disc you select.
Do you want to make a simple cut in wood? Maybe try a circular saw first (we have a great comparison here!), but a standard carbide wheel with some teeth will suffice.
Do you want to remove paint? These stripping wheels come in different grits for light, medium, or tough removal jobs.
Do you want to carve contours or other shapes in wood? Shaping discs like this one from Kutzall do a fantastic job in contouring furniture or other workpieces.
There Might Be Better Ways to Cut Wood
Depending on what you’re trying to do, there may be better tools to make cuts in wood. Angle grinders are aggressive and handheld, so straight and clean cuts are unlikely.
If you need a handheld solution that will provide a less ragged cut, consider using a circular saw. They’re just as capable as angle grinders and will result in a much cleaner cut. Paired with a straight edge guide and a clamp, you’ll be able to make just about any cut with a circular saw.
We’ve reviewed some of the top cordless circular saws. DEWALT or MILWUAKEE will be your best bet here!
Jig saws are another fantastic handheld power tool that can make clean cuts in all sorts of sheet goods and lumber. While their cuts aren’t as straight as those of circular saws, they will result in much cleaner cuts than angle grinders.
Additionally, they allow for curved cuts if desired. We’ve stacked some popular jig saws against each other. Check out our review here and read about why the playing field is very competitive for jig saws these days.
There are many ways to tackle wood cutting operations and angle grinders are just one option. They’re more suited to carving and contouring jobs but they’ll do the job in a pinch with the right blade. Check out a side-by-side-by-side comparison of some of our favorite angle grinders!
