Quiet angle grinder

[Sonic EscapeParticipant @sonicescape38234]

I have a Bosch variable speed angle grinder. I always used it on lower speeds but even so it is quite loud. Noise is an issue because I tend to use it during the night. When everybody is sleeping 🙂
When I lived in a house this was not a problem. But this apartment building has absolutely no sound insulation. I made a quick experiment. I power it without the left part and I found out that it is significantly less noisy. It sounds more like an hair drier. But where does most of the noise came from? The gears? The needle bearing? Is there some magic grease that could help? Does it worth to try to replace the bearings with a better quality ones?

 

[howardbParticipant @howardb]

The gears look as dry as a bone and are more than likely the source of the noise.

Either get some of this special grease for brushcutter heads,which have a pair of helical gears, or make up a sloppy 50/50 mix of ordinary chassis grease and 90 grade hypoid gear oil. Clean out the old grease first of course. Don’t fill it completely, leave room for the grease to expand when it gets hot.

https://www.matijardin.fr/fr/15241-graisse-speciale-renvoi-angle-toutes-marques-bardahl-150-g.html

 

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

Disks on an angle grinder are spinning at 5,000-10,000 rpm and not balanced, therefore a lot of vibration and noise. Then when grinding there are millions of little stones, drumming on metal. Not much you can do to quieten it.

A belt grinder is quieter but still noisy. Quietest method is a hand file.

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Cooling fan ?

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, well I’ve used angle grinders ever since I first started working for a living, and I’ve used all the normal sizes from cheap ones to the industrial pro models, and I’ve never come across a a quiet one, even when they are not actually grinding anything, and of course the instructions say that you should wear ear defenders while using them at all times, as well as all the other PPE associated with their use. Cheap ones though, are prone to be noisier and vibrate more than the better quality ones. Of course, they are not the sort of thing designed to be used inside a domestic dwelling.

The very first angle grinder I used, had a cup shape real grinding stone on it, which was a bit of a beast to use, and there wasn’t even a guard around the grinding stone.

Regards Nick.

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

If you ever come across one that does NOT make noise, please let me know !

Those things make more noise than anything else in my shop. [But they are handy !}

[brickyParticipant @bricky]

Useing an angle grinder in a flat can be a fire hazard,I set fire to a thick leather apron whilst grinding from the sparks hitting the apron, so take care.Like others I can’t see how one could reduce the noise of a grinder.

Frank

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

NOISE ! The armature, the fan, the disc, the bearings and gears. With the disc dolng about 8000rpm and the armature and fan about 30,000 there’s not much you can do. I would be cautious of messing with the grease and fire is a REAL hazard. Good luck. Noel.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

What are you actually using the grinder for? There may be quieter methods.

If just for cutting stock then invest in a hacksaw or chop off bandsaw.

If using it to remove burrs or do a bit of weld prep then a small belt sander/linisher will be quieter and less spark risk as well a sbeing a lot cleaner.

If you must use the grinder then try and time when you use it such as early evening than work on other things as it gets later.

[Adrian R2Participant @adrianr2]

Cordless dremel type tool eliminates the bevel entirely, get a good quality variable speed one with decent bearings and use abrasive paper round a mandrel or an impregnated nylon wheel rather than stones?

Or a super high speed dental type tool, raise noise frequency above human perception level 🙂

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

I think air grinders are just as noisy – just a different sound!

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

Dremels have run time issues.

[Dave Halford]

On Dave Halford Said:

Dremels have run time issues.

What do you mean?

[Sonic Escape]

On Sonic Escape Said:

On Dave Halford Said:

Dremels have run time issues.

What do you mean?

He means Dremels(and their clones) are near useless when new, and wear out quickly.

[Sonic EscapeParticipant @sonicescape38234]

I have a Dremel. I find it quite usefull. I can’t say nothing about the wear. Mine is still working fine.

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

I have a DeWalt cordless angle grinder and it has significantly less mecahanical noise than mains ones I’ve used. Grinding noise will be the same all else being equal.
If you get a cordless grinder don’t keep it in your car aor carry it around. They are a favorite tool of burglars and bike thieves. In the UK there is an offence of “going equipped” which carrying one could cause your arrest. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/60/section/25

Robert.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

A lot will depend on what you are doing with the grinder. I use my Dremel quite happily for certain jobs but it is not what I reach for when cutting 8mm x 200 flat bar or cutting 3mm plus steel sheet and the discs would likely cost many times what the piece of metal cost. Same for weld prep the grinder or linisher gets it done in a few seconds, I’d be all day with a Dremel and sanding drums.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

For various reasons, I have three angle grinders (A Bosch which has needed a mechanical rep, and now regarded as unreliable) A Makita bought as part of my retirement gift, and a cheap Power Devil.

The quietest?  Surprisingly, the Power Devil (installed on the cut off stand, so little used.

Still too noisy for night time use in an apartment, I fear.

Howard

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

The real problem is that some people just dont understand !

What could be more soothing than the gentle whirl of an angle grinder in the small hours ? I even had one old biddy objecting to the sound of my 12 ” planer at night !

People are strange indeed.

[Alistair Robertson 1Participant @alistairrobertson1]

I find that John Deere Corn Head Grease to be the most effective cure for noisy bevel gearboxes of almost all types.

It certainly quietens them up and also extends their life. In fact I have never had to throw out a grinder etc. for any other reason than being burnt out!

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

The words angle grinder and quiet dont go together for me, they are angry sounding at best.

[Bill DawesParticipant @billdawes]

Not really an answer to your question I know but I have a Bosch Easy cut/grind cordless mini tool, Really nice little tool for use where you need a more delicate touch (eg cleaning up a boiler with not very professional silver solder ‘gobs’, can’t say who made it!) cutting rivet excess etc.

Bill D.

[Sonic EscapeParticipant @sonicescape38234]

Interesting, how long does the battery last?

[Author]

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