Abrasive Safety - PLAY IT SAFE AT THE WHEEL

by EMI Supply, Inc.
This article was published on Friday March 20, 2009.
PLAY IT SAFE AT THE WHEEL

DO NOT USE ABRASIVE FLAP DISCS ON HIGH-SPEED PISTOL GRIP AIR SANDERS!

Why mounting abrasive flap discs on high-speed pistol grip air sanders is dangerous.

Saint-Gobain Abrasives does not approve of mounting abrasive flap discs onto high-speed pistol grip air sanders. There are three obvious reasons for not mounting abrasive flap discs on high-speed pistol grip air sanders.

1. Speed: High-speed pistol grip air sander speeds typically exceed the speed of abrasive flap discs. For example, 5” flap discs are usually rated for 13,000 rpm and high-speed pistol grip air sanders are typically rated for speeds of 14,000 to 22,000 rpm. In addition, many of these tools are ungoverned and if air pressure is not controlled, speeds can greatly exceed the tool’s rated speed. Excessive speed can break the strongest abrasive flap disc. Never exceed the rated speed on the flap disc!

2. Mounting System: High-speed pistol grip air sanders are designed for sanding applications using coated abrasive paper discs mounted to back-up pads. Typically a high-speed pistol grip air sander has a concave/convex mounting system designed to grip/pinch coated abrasive discs and back-up pads. This type of concave/convex mounting system applies uneven stress to the hardback of an abrasive flap disc which can cause the disc to break.

3. Disc or Wheel Guard: Typically high-speed pistol grip air sanders are unguarded tools. They are designed for use with coated abrasive paper discs that do not require a tool guard. Abrasive flap discs have a hardback which could break due to foreseen events such as excessive operating speeds, tool or disc drops and excessive side pressure on discs, etc.



The message is simple. NEVER MOUNT AN ABRASIVES FLAP DISC ONTO A HIGH-SPEED PISTOL GRIP AIR SANDER. Always play it safe at the wheel.

For additional information on this topic or if you need any other abrasive safety information, please review ANSI, OSHA, and all literature provided by the abrasive wheel and machine manufacturer. You may also contact the Saint-Gobain Product Safety Department at Tel. (508) 795-2317 or Fax: (508) 795-5120 or contact your Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc. representative with any safety-related questions.
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