To grind down granite, you primarily use an angle grinder equipped with a diamond grinding wheel, applying specific techniques to ensure a smooth and clean result.
Grinding granite typically involves removing material from the surface or edges to shape, smooth, or reduce thickness. The most common tool for this process, especially for shaping or minor surface work, is an angle grinder.
Essential Tools
- Angle Grinder: A powerful handheld tool used for cutting, grinding, and polishing.
- Diamond Grinding Wheel: Specifically designed for grinding hard materials like granite. Ensure it's rated for granite or stone.
- Safety Gear:
- Safety Glasses or Face Shield
- Dust Mask (Respirator recommended due to fine silica dust)
- Hearing Protection
- Work Gloves
The Grinding Process
Using an angle grinder for grinding granite is often a freehand-cut method. The goal is to carefully control the tool to remove material layer by layer.
- Preparation: Secure the granite piece you are working on. Ensure you have adequate ventilation or work outdoors due to the significant dust generated. Put on all your safety gear.
- Tool Setup: Attach the diamond grinding wheel securely to your angle grinder.
- Starting the Grind: Turn on the angle grinder before touching the granite. Bring the spinning wheel into contact with the surface or edge you want to grind.
- Grinding Technique:
- Keep the tool moving. Do not hold the grinder stationary in one spot, as this can create divots or excessive heat.
- Do not force the tool. Let the weight of the grinder and the abrasive action of the diamond wheel do the work. Forcing the tool can lead to poor results, increased chip-out, and potential damage to the tool or material.
- Applying this technique of keeping the tool moving and not forcing it will help minimize chip-out and deliver the cleanest cut.
- Handling Resistance: If the tool is really laboring or slowing down significantly, it indicates you are trying to remove too much material at once or moving too fast. In such cases, make the cut in two passes (or more). This means taking off a thin layer, then going back over the area to remove more material, rather than trying to remove it all in a single, heavy pass.
- Checking Progress: Periodically stop and inspect the surface to see your progress and ensure you are achieving the desired shape or smoothness.
- Finishing: Depending on the desired finish, you may switch to finer-grit diamond polishing pads after grinding to achieve a smoother surface.
Tips for Success
- Work in a well-lit area to clearly see what you are doing.
- Use a consistent angle and pressure for even material removal.
- Clean away dust frequently to better see the surface you are working on.
