[keenxxx]

I need to install a top cap on a 75' concrete block retaining wall (going to use adhesive). The blocks were slightly overfilled no more than 3/16". I borrowed a friends 7" angle grinder w/ a diamond cup wheel. Removed material easily but the dust made me stop after a couple blocks. Thought about adding a 7" dust shroud but watched a video that mentioned dust control really needs a flat continuos surface for the dust collection to work. Would a smaller 5" dust collecting grinder be better suited for the task @ hand?

I pictured a few I ground down.

 

[Bud9051]

In one area where I wanted to create a slope like you see under a garage door I built a guide so I could slide my circular saw and diamond blade across and get a perfect depth at the desired angle. In your case it would be flat. After cutting groves every quarter inch or so I used a cutoff tool as a power chisel to chip out the material I had left. Then cleaned it up with my angle grinder requiring far less actual grinding.

As a note, that grinder is sucking a lot of that dust in with the air to cool it. Not recommended but I taped up the vents on my grinder with foil tape and then only ran it for 30 seconds at a time with long cooling spells in between. When I finally removed the tape the grinder was perfect.

Bud

 

[Windows on Wash]

Grinder and dust collection rarely go hand in hand unless you are talking about one that is specifically made for that.

 

[SeniorSitizen]

A strong air current from a fan aimed in the correct direction will help with the dust the operator inhales. A good dust mask is paramount. For grinder protection from dust, a foam air filter with a light coating of oil on the surface will protect it. Those can be purchased. Cover air intake ports with it and clean frequently.

 

[chandler48]

We do as SS suggests with a large 36" fan trained on the working area, making sure it isn't aimed at the neighbor's house It helps to keep the bulk of the dust out of the internals of the grinder and away from your face, but a mask is mandatory, as well as hearing and eye protection.

 

[huesmann]

Set up a water mister while you're grinding, and/or soak the grout you're grinding off in advance.

 

[stadry]

dustmuzzle.com &/or joedue.com - all of our grinders have shrouds which hook up to vacs - as a h/o, you're not required to use hepa vacs - as contractors, we are,,, wtr makes a horrible mess &, if not cleaned upright away, will cure into low strength conc

 

[carpdad]

1. a good dust mask.

2. tool rental which already may have the whole shroud/vacuum for dust. If buying own, could be a trial and error. I bought makita shroud with brush around the edge which works well. It's for 5" grinder. But plastic shroud with cheap band clamp, could work well or loosen up or crack half way into work. Also need fairly strong shop vacuum with both paper bag and barrel filter for easy dust collection and cleaning.

3. I was wondering if you dry laid the blocks? How do they sit and is it necessary for them to sit flat on the wall? Is the problem all the way across? Just high do the blocks sit? Is it possible you can use shims to straighten the blocks and use more glue?

 

[keenxxx]

dustmuzzle.com &/or joedue.com - all of our grinders have shrouds which hook up to vacs - as a h/o, you're not required to use hepa vacs - as contractors, we are,,, wtr makes a horrible mess &, if not cleaned upright away, will cure into low strength conc

Dustmuzzle pricing is worth a second look - thanks!

 

[keenxxx]

1. a good dust mask.


" I was wondering if you dry laid the blocks? How do they sit and is it necessary for them to sit flat on the wall? Is the problem all the way across? Just high do the blocks sit? Is it possible you can use shims to straighten the blocks and use more glue?

Not really sure why they overfilled and did not smooth level. More high spots than low spots for shim use. It really doesn't need that much work to knock down the high spots. Ideally, laying the blocks in a bed of mortar would eliminate the need for any levelling.

 

[stadry]

another thought - vac & chipping gun w/1"chisel bit

 

[clineco]

Sounds to me like you have a perfect excuse to buy a wet tile saw from Harbor Freight...no dust

 

[chandler48]

How will he manipulate a wet tile saw to do the job he needs to do. Difficult enough to use a grinder or SDS with a flat blade.

 

[stadry]

yeah, i wanna see a tile saw in action too
'SDS' = type of tool chuck as opposed to taper/jacobs,,, he's such a know-it-all
we do much of this work for a living so efficiency is the most important factor after quality & permanence,,, if we waste time, we'e not making $$
know many diy'ers don't have this urgency as their labor time's free

 

[clineco]

How will he manipulate a wet tile saw to do the job he needs to do. Difficult enough to use a grinder or SDS with a flat blade.

Ha ha. I misread what he was trying to do. That would be tough indeed.

 

[huesmann]

That's why I suggested the mist or soak.

 

[stadry]

you want a BIG mess ? use water or mist & you'll have slurry flying 10' on a hand grinder,,, on our 10hp walk-behinds, we do use water to flush the swarf away from the dia segments