Cordless Angle Grinder for chasing stone wall? Plus can I use a mortar rake with stone?

[DIYNotIan]

Hi all

I've got some lead work coming up and will need to chase the stone wall for the flashing. I'm planning to get an angle grinder and use a 10mm thick blade like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08CY465GJ/ref=ewc_pr_img_2?smid=A213SFYA0CUE59&psc=1

Or

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08CY32NQ4/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A213SFYA0CUE59&psc=1

(or the 125mm equivalents if I get a larger grinder).

My question is will a cordless angle grinder be powerful enough or am I better getting a corded model? If going cordless, my preference would be DeWalt 18V as I've some other gear of the same.


One other question.... If once I've cut the chase it isn't quite deep enough and I can't get deeper with the grinder and disc, could I use this inside the chase to make it a little deeper? Just to be clear, the chase will be a straight line (parallel to the roof below), and will be cut through both mortar (lime) and the stone itself, as the wall is random stone.

Mortar Rake 8mm x 40mm - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. For raking out mortar using an angle grinder prior to pointing. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

Any help most appreciated.

Cheers

 

[flameport]

My question is will a cordless angle grinder be powerful enough or am I better getting a corded model?

Get the corded version.

Cordless won't last long on each battery, and with a fat 10mm blade it's not likely to work too well either.

 

[DIYNotIan]

Thank you very much, that's really helpful.

Anyone have any thoughts on using the mortar rake to add extra depth (as per OP)?

Thanks again

 

[Mike13]

I suspect that the small diameter mortar rake is going to wander badly as it digs into one side or the other, the line will end up looking like a drunkards walk.

 

[DIYNotIan]

I suspect that the small diameter mortar rake is going to wander badly as it digs into one side or the other, the line will end up looking like a drunkards walk.

OK, thanks for that - perhaps that's a non starter then. I guess I thought that if there was already a 30mm deep chase, and I was using the mortar rake inside the chase to give me additional depth, that the sides of the chase would be enough to act as a guide. Does the end of the rake do the cutting/grinding or the whole thing?

Cheers

 

[Mike13]

It is the whole length, and small diameter cutting ends tend to try and dig in on one side or the other. I know when I have used a dremel carbide cutter on steel it is hard not to make it quite messy.

 

[lostinthelight]

Mortar rake is pretty useless unless along a joint

 

[DIYNotIan]

OK, thanks for confirming. I'll stick with the 125mm discs in that case. Cheers

 

[DIYNotIan]

Just an update... I sent the manufacturer an email RE the two discs linked int he OP... They said they think that the Turbo version (second link) would be better suited than the segmented (first link). And also, that although it is hard to tell, I may need 4-5 discs for the 7-8 metres I need to do. Does that sound right?

Cheers

 

[lostinthelight]

Make your first cut with a narrow disc which should act as a guide and east the strain on the 10mm

 

[DIYNotIan]

OK, thanks for the advice, I'll be sure to do that.

I'm going to try to fix a length of wood to the wall to help as a guide. I'm thinking it will likely impede the grinder though, and stop me getting maximum depth. So my idea was to cut a shallower channel first, remove the wood, then go over it again with the cut acting as the guide in the absence of the wood. With your tip in mind, maybe I could:

- Use the wood as a guide and cut with thin disc
- Keeping the wood in place, cut again with 10mm disc.
- Remove wood and go over again with thin disc
- Finish with 10mm disc, going over it several times if needed to get maximum depth.

Does that sound ok or is there a better order?

Also, and sorry for the basic question, but when I go over the think cut with the thicker blade, should I be aiming for the thin cut to be central to the thicker cut, or at top/bottom? If that makes sense?!?!

Thanks again

 

[opps]

A 115m grinder will cut up to about 30mm deep, a 125mm will be about 38mm. The rake you are looking at is 40mm (max)

Angle Grinder Buying Guide | Screwfix

Learn all you need to know about angle grinders. What they are, how they work and what they are used for. Plus, types of angle grinders, how to choose one and more.

www.screwfix.com

BTW, I haven't verified the above link.

I don't see a problem with using the timber guide though. If you use, for example, architrave, you will get pretty close. Remove the timber and the angle grinder will follow the slot.

 

[DIYNotIan]

UPDATE on the Sabrecut.

Turns out the discs probably aren't 10mm thick after all! It took a LOT of digging to find that out! I'd even had various emails with their tech discussing my intended use, within which I'd mentioned several times that I was using them because the 10mm thickness was perfect for the 10mm width chase I was planning to cut, and not a word said. Bl00dy useless! It seems the 10mm refers to the width of the diamond, NOT the width of the disc. Grrrr.

Also, it seems they are one of these companies that have two different trading names and branding styles, but with the same items, the same website, etc. That's what first got me to suspect the discs weren't 10mm. All seems a bit odd and I think I'll steer clear. For reference, the other "brand" is TopsTools.

Cheers

 

[crank39]

Not sure which 18v DeWalt grinder you have but my brushless one is a beast, easily as powerful as a corded including chasing out for lead, note the blade is 6mm thick

 

[DIYNotIan]

Hi all

I've whittled down my choice to a Makita or a Parkside which will be in Lidl stores from Thursday. I can't start until next week and was just reading up on them. I found that:

- The Makita manual says that the maximum disc thickness is 6.4mm.

- While the Parkside says 3mm!!!

Is that a "we can't condone using a thicker disc" type maximum? Or are they saying a thicker disc physically wouldn't be compatible/won't fit? Does anyone have a 5" Makita or a Parkside they could check this on? Potentially scuppering my idea of using a thicker disc....

Ta