Sage Grinder Safety Advice....Guard Related....

["John Klassen" <jaklassen2001@zzzzzzzzzzzz>]

I had a 7" metal cutting carbide blade fragment on me today while cutting a
metal project.  I have 3 nice gouges in one arm and a gouge in my cheek to
show for it. This is with a guard on.  Probably would have been a lot worse
without.  Picking the bits out of the arm wasn't fun but it'll be a memory
in a week or so.

I have used diamond blades without guards but do take the time to inspect
the blades frequently, retiring any that show sign of cracking or the
sintered matrix letting loose. With marble I use the masory blades with or
without a guard, whatever suits the particular cut at the moment.  It is
important to note, while not advocating the use of grinders without guards,
that if you plan to do so you should try to learn to stand out of the path
of any debris or possible blade fragments as well as wearing a decent pair
of gloves and goggles.

In my case today, I had it all right, but maybe a guy in the shop dropped
the grinder earlier?  I don't know, can't point fingers and will get over
it.

My advice would be, use a guard whenever possible, inspect the blades, where
the proper safety stuff and learn to stand out of the path of the debris or
possible fragmented blade.

Good Luck

John