Grinder nut keeper

[Dan Dubeau]

Ill start off by saying this is NOT my idea. Wish I could remember whose, but I ran across it a couple weeks ago on Instagram and thought it was genius. Finally made my own...








Not much to it. In this case I just cut off a 5/8-11 bolt. Made a simple pot chuck out of a nut, by slicing almost through 2 corners, and through one. Turned one end of the bolt down, and threaded it with a die to whatever my grinder handle is. In this case it was m8x1.25, but I have seen 5/16-18 before.

I'm going to make a bunch more for some guys at work, so I'll take some more detailed pics if you'd like.

Handy thing if you switch between discs and wire wheels a lot......

 

[jcdammeyer]

My head must be thick today. I don't get it. What does it do and what's it for?

 

[David]

Clever idea.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

When you switch to a wire wheel on a grinder, you don't use the nut. You can either put it on the bench, a peg on the wall, pocket, etc.....Or in this case, keep it with the tool, so that when you switch back to a disc, it's right there where you need it.

 

[jorogi]

When you switch to a wire wheel on a grinder, you don't use the nut. You can either put it on the bench, a peg on the wall, pocket, etc.....Or in this case, keep it with the tool, so that when you switch back to a disc, it's right there where you need it.

John will electrify and automate it somehow

 

[Martin w]

That’s a great idea!

 

[jcdammeyer]

That’s a great idea!

What? To electrify and automate it somehow?

 

[Martin w]

What? To electrify and automate it somehow?

Your cue. Challenge accepted!

 

[mickeyf]

My approach was to buy grinders on sale or dirt cheap at yard sales etc. I have one with wire wheel, one with grinding disc, one with cut off disc, one with abrasive pad. Yes, takes up more room, but avoids swapping the business end and saves lots of time in the long run if a project requires more than a single disc type. Same with hacksaw handles for a dollar or less at yard sales - 14, 18, 24, 32 tpi. blades - you always have the one you need handy.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

That used to by my solution too. I have 5-6 of them now. For most projects though, I find myself just preferring my one lone cordless grinder and swapping discs when needed. My corded ones see very little action anymore, except for big projects outside needing longer run time. I have another cordless grinder on the way, so disc swapping should be less. Carpal tunnel in my right hand makes it go numb running most 4.5" angle grinders for long. One reason why I like the cordless ones as the handles are smaller. Rat tail 5" are nice too, but my fav is a rigid with slim handle and motor in the back. Not a ton of power, but really well balanced nice to use. With they still made them, I'd pickup a few more and donate my old regular 4.5" ones.

On the jobsite, we're usually mobile. Generally one grinder and disc swapping for what's needed at the time. That's were I can see the nut keeper being handy.