Angle Grinder

Rodneypotter · Post by **Rodneypotter** » Sat May 17, 2008 10:33 am

Hello all

I thought I would relay my DIY disaster, last Easter we embarked upon building our single story extension, myself and my bricklayer got the shell up in four days Father-in-law came down and helped do the roof, ceiling and floor, he also left his 9” angle grinder (being the friendly builder that he is) so I could open up the doorway between the existing house and the extension.

Fast forward to the next available weekend, starting inside the extension cutting what were the outside course of bricks, I start happily cutting the doorway, did the top cut then started on the first down cut, all going well apart from the dust !! stop for a drink and take off my goggles once finished my cuppa go back into the extension and as I only have about three courses of bricks left don’t bother putting my goggles back on, start the grinder off and immediately hit a rather hard bit of brick, the next thing I can taste metal and realise the grinder has smacked me in the face

I immediately think I have broken my nose (I hadn't) as I run into the house to get something to stop the blood.
I managed to stop the bleeding and have a cup of tea. My wife comes back from shopping and says you have split your eyelid open and need to go to casualty, I also split me lip and cut above and below my eye.
We arrive at casualty and the triage nurse takes one look at my face as cool as a cucumber says S**T, not what you want to hear form a nurse.
Anyway thanks to a amazing Maxillofacial surgeon I know have a complete eyelid with a very fine scar.

Below are pictures taken upon my return from A&E. Excuse the ugly mug I wasn’t thinking about my appearance.

Needless to say I am very lucky to have survived and haven’t used a angle grinder since.
Chris

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Sat May 17, 2008 10:48 am

Hi Chris,

You are extremely lucky that you never lost your eye!

Your injuries look bad, but they could of been a hell of a lot worse.

Was it a diamond disk in the grinder or an abrasive disk?

I know a guy that lost his eye when using a grinder as the abrasive disk disintegrated.

Rodneypotter · Post by **Rodneypotter** » Sat May 17, 2008 10:56 am

Hi UHM

I can't remember what disk was in there but I do sometimes have a flashback and can taste metal again

as it was the handle and the metal guard that hit me, reagrds being lucky when I told my Father in Law his first words were 'your were so lucky I knew someone who was killed when that happened'

NOT what you want to hear immediately after the incident.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Sat May 17, 2008 11:03 am

I'd guess it was an abraisive disk as these are normally the disks that cause problems. They create shed loads of dust and vibration and are very dangerous.

Diamond cutting disks are much safer.

I often wear a visor when using a grinder as they are so dangerous.

I remember years ago we had a window fitted by safestyle and it needed some flashing adding above the window. They sent a guy out with a 9 inch grinder and he was grinding out an horizontal joint with it, with no saftey glasses, goggles or dust mask- which is total madness!

Rodneypotter · Post by **Rodneypotter** » Sat May 17, 2008 11:11 am

Visor-bought one of those as soon as the swelling went down, and another pair of goggles and that was just to finish of the doorway with a hammer and bolster, luckily for me the inner leaf of bricks were much softer

, although it still doesn't stop me feeling a rather large numpty for letting it happen in the first place

Chris

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Sat May 17, 2008 11:15 am

Rodneypotter wrote:Visor-bought one of those as soon as the swelling went down, and another pair of goggles and that was just to finish of the doorway with a hammer and bolster, luckily for me the inner leaf of bricks were much softer , although it still doesn't stop me feeling a rather large numpty for letting it happen in the first place
Chris

These things happen, I'm just glad that it was not much worse than it could of been.

Rodneypotter · Post by **Rodneypotter** » Sat May 17, 2008 11:24 am

ultimatehandyman wrote:
Rodneypotter wrote:Visor-bought one of those as soon as the swelling went down, and another pair of goggles and that was just to finish of the doorway with a hammer and bolster, luckily for me the inner leaf of bricks were much softer , although it still doesn't stop me feeling a rather large numpty for letting it happen in the first place
Chris
These things happen, I'm just glad that it was not much worse than it could of been.

Thanks
But at least it allowed me to post in the DIY disaster forum

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Sat May 17, 2008 1:03 pm

Jeez, that could have been so much worse. It just goes to show, a moments lapse of concentration and tragedy can happen.

Glad to see you're on the mend. Good luck with your extension.

Rodneypotter · Post by **Rodneypotter** » Sat May 17, 2008 2:46 pm

Thanks Skiking

Extension all finished bar one or two drops of paint as is the way, will try and find the pics I took. Moved onto the bathroom now and almost finished that. Don't you just love tiling

Chris

Only-Me · Post by **Only-Me** » Sat May 17, 2008 3:07 pm

Dope

EJJ150847 · Post by **EJJ150847** » Sat May 17, 2008 6:48 pm

We've all done it, hope we learn from your lapse of judgement.

John

Welsh Decorator · Post by **Welsh Decorator** » Sat May 17, 2008 7:35 pm

Nice bit of work by the NHS

Next time, get the apprentice to do it

Tryanything · Post by **Tryanything** » Sat May 17, 2008 9:02 pm

Welsh Decorator wrote:Nice bit of work by the NHS

Next time, get the apprentice to do it

Next time, let the wife do it but make sure she's not wearing
any protection round here neck

Gadget · Post by **Gadget** » Sat May 17, 2008 9:14 pm

I must admit I never (or rarely) use goggles!..

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Sat May 17, 2008 10:49 pm

Gadget wrote:I must admit I never (or rarely) use goggles!..

You should do Gadget!

I know they do not look cool, but eye injuries are often life changing!

I watched a video a few days ago where a guy was talking to his mate, who was using a grinding wheel and the disk disintegrated. The guy using the grinder had safety glasses on, his mate did not and lost both eyes. He had to live out the remainder of his life depending on other people and could not see his kids growing up.

Taking risks with your eye sight is like Russian Roulette, you may get away with it a few times, but there is always a chance that you will not always be so lucky one day!