So I did a thing...
Specifically I broke a thing.
Some backstory here.
During the February Ice storm / power outage, I had to use my fireplace for heat, meaning a lot of my lesser scrap woods got burned. Unfortunately I found that there were critters that got past my chimney cap and the related screen / mesh stuff and I needed to replace the mesh (Hardware cloth if you are interested). Well the hardware cloth had rusted to the top of the flue in places and I had to cut it off. Just a light touch with the angle grinder.
Well me having butterfingers the day I did it managed to get to the top of my big ladder, and slipped my grip on the grinder, yelled to the person stabilizing my ladder and they slapped it away before it gave them a concussion, and the grinder went headlong onto the concrete patio. It looked okay, but it started sparking, and smoking, and apparently just decided that last bit of abuse was more than enough for my now, what is it 23 year old B&D angle grinder...
Now an angle grinder is NOT a tool I use a lot, but when I use it, I more or less abuse it so there was NO WAY I was going to spend a lot on a grinder.
So my choices seemed to be Harbor Freight and Northern Tool as they seem to carry the same stuff with different labels.
I came home with the Chicago Electric 6 amp 4.5" angle grinder. The wheels from the B&D fit the way they should, and the stowage bag I have been using for years worked perfectly.
All for $16.00 and change after tax. They had them marked down and took the coupon.
I know, not much of a story, and I wish I had caught the fall of the old grinder on video, I am sure it looked funny.
BUT it got me thinking, this isn't the first powertool I have destroyed doing something stupid.
So far it has been.
Specifically I broke a thing.
Some backstory here.
During the February Ice storm / power outage, I had to use my fireplace for heat, meaning a lot of my lesser scrap woods got burned. Unfortunately I found that there were critters that got past my chimney cap and the related screen / mesh stuff and I needed to replace the mesh (Hardware cloth if you are interested). Well the hardware cloth had rusted to the top of the flue in places and I had to cut it off. Just a light touch with the angle grinder.
Well me having butterfingers the day I did it managed to get to the top of my big ladder, and slipped my grip on the grinder, yelled to the person stabilizing my ladder and they slapped it away before it gave them a concussion, and the grinder went headlong onto the concrete patio. It looked okay, but it started sparking, and smoking, and apparently just decided that last bit of abuse was more than enough for my now, what is it 23 year old B&D angle grinder...
Now an angle grinder is NOT a tool I use a lot, but when I use it, I more or less abuse it so there was NO WAY I was going to spend a lot on a grinder.
So my choices seemed to be Harbor Freight and Northern Tool as they seem to carry the same stuff with different labels.
I came home with the Chicago Electric 6 amp 4.5" angle grinder. The wheels from the B&D fit the way they should, and the stowage bag I have been using for years worked perfectly.
All for $16.00 and change after tax. They had them marked down and took the coupon.
I know, not much of a story, and I wish I had caught the fall of the old grinder on video, I am sure it looked funny.
BUT it got me thinking, this isn't the first powertool I have destroyed doing something stupid.
So far it has been.
- Skil Orbital Sander. Dropped from ladder and smashed to bits.
- B&D Orbital sander. Died in warranty but during COVID, no way to get warranty service.
- Mr. Heater Portable Buddy propane heater. Dropped on shop floor and smashed to bits.
- B&D Cordless drill dropped into the lake while working on a dock. VERY glad that was cordless!
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