[scsiguru]

So I was getting cleaning out the garage and found my older DeWalt angle grinder. It had a depressed center grinding wheel on it which secures to the grinder with a threaded clamping but. But I also had some hubbed wheels and for the life of me I can’t figure how to tighten the wheel to the grinder.

Instructions said to remove the backing flange (1st photo)...then thread the wheel onto the spindle by hand...then depress the spindle lock button and use a wrench to tighten the hub of the wheel. There is no wrench included and to get the hub there is only about 1/8” clearance. Is there a thin wrench that is used to tighten this? Also, even after it’s tightened there is nothing holding the wheel onto the other end of the spindle...just doesn’t seem safe. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[SeniorSitizen]

It's self tightening. Just use it and enjoy keeping your jack shirt tail or other loose clothing away.:biggrin2:
EDIT EDIT:
If that grinder has a Lock ON switch function DO NOT EVER place the switch in that position for continuous operation.

 

[scsiguru]

It's self tightening. Just use it and enjoy keeping your jack shirt tail or other loose clothing away.:biggrin2:
EDIT EDIT:
If that grinder has a Lock ON switch function DO NOT EVER place the switch in that position for continuous operation.

Hope you didn’t get hurt...that looks bad. Is there even a wrench skinny enough to get in there? Not sure I’d trust it by just hand tightening it.

 

[Nealtw]

It should have come with two wrenches but they can be bought cheap.

They never fall off.

 

[scsiguru]

It should have come with two wrenches but they can be bought cheap.

They never fall off.

Only had the one with the knobs...guess the other one is gone.

 

[Nealtw]

Only had the one with the knobs...guess the other one is gone.

To easy for them to make one wrench with both ends. :wink2:

 

[scsiguru]

To easy for them to make one wrench with both ends. :wink2:

This is all I had in box. Just checked Lowe’s and Home Depot sites and didn’t see any..might be have to go into store and check. Amazon as both wrenches as a kit

but for $10

 

[SeniorSitizen]

Don't waste your time attempting to wrench that one. If I can find time in my busy retirement schedule and I can find my Makita I'll post a pic of the one that needs the 2 wrenches.

 

[Nealtw]

This is all I had in box. Just checked Lowe’s and Home Depot sites and didn’t see any..might be have to go into store and check. Amazon as both wrenches as a kit

but for $10

Table saw wrench? router wrench? what have you. :biggrin2:

 

[SeniorSitizen]

Your Dewalt may be different, but these are the 2 wrenches that came with my Makita. The thin open end wrench is to hold the shaft in two applications. 1) when installing a disk that has no threads, the open end wrench holds the shaft while tightening the thin nut ( upper left in pic ) with the 2 lug spanner.



2) the open end wrench is to hold the arbor shaft when removing the grinding wheel that has a hex nut.


NOTE: the grinder stone you've installed can be installed by starting the hex nut a couple of rounds then turning the grinder on and believe me it will tighten that hex nut in about 0.0005 seconds:biggrin2:but you may need the open end wrench to remove it.

 

[scsiguru]

Your Dewalt may be different, but these are the 2 wrenches that came with my Makita. The thin open end wrench is to hold the shaft in two applications. 1) when installing a disk that has no threads, the open end wrench holds the shaft while tightening the thin nut ( upper left in pic ) with the 2 lug spanner.



2) the open end wrench is to hold the arbor shaft when removing the grinding wheel that has a hex nut.


NOTE: the grinder stone you've installed can be installed by starting the hex nut a couple of rounds then turning the grinder on and believe me it will tighten that hex nut in about 0.0005 seconds:biggrin2:but you may need the open end wrench to remove it.

Thanks for the info and pics!! Yes...I need that open end wrench to get it off after use...will need to keep looking through garage and hope it shows up...if not, maybe I can get one at Lowe’s?

 

[SPS-1]

I have (what looks like) the same grinder. I don't have no open end wrench and never needed it. As you mention in post 1, there is a spindle lock. While pressing the spindle lock, put the face wrench into the drive lugs and tighten/loosen.

What is the open end wrench for?

 

[SeniorSitizen]

My Makita was made before the spindle lock was invented and needs the open end to retain the spindle. On wheels with the hex nut mine can be removed by hand while holding the spindle with the wrench.


Being yours has a spindle lock try removing the wheel by hand before searching for a wrench that may not exist.

 

[SPS-1]

See below:


.

 

[scsiguru]

I have (what looks like) the same grinder. I don't have no open end wrench and never needed it. As you mention in post 1, there is a spindle lock. While pressing the spindle lock, put the face wrench into the drive lugs and tighten/loosen.

What is the open end wrench for?

If you look at one of my photos it's used to either tighten down or loosen those wheels that have a hub (I included a photo of the wheel with the hub). You have to remove the backing flange to use a hubbed wheel.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... I live by the 4, 1/2" angle grinder,..... got 3 or 4 Dewalts, paddle switch,.....

I rarely to never, Ever use a wrench changin' wheels,.....
Usually when they're worn done to the hub,.....

Goin' On, I just run it on snug, 'n go to work,.....
As noted, the motor torque tightens it, Plenty,.....

For gettin' 'em Off,.... Unplug it,....
With a weldin' glove on my left-hand, I grab the face of the disc, 'n sorta lock my fist into my belly slightly, Firmly grippin' the disc/ hub/ wirebrush,.....
With my right hand, I grab the back of the head/ body, 'n push in the spindle lock with my index finger, 'n use my forearm against the grinder, 'n give it a Good Twist,.....

Then spin it off, 'n put on whatever ya need,....

 

[Bondo]

If you look at one of my photos it's used to either tighten down or loosen those wheels that have a hub (I included a photo of the wheel with the hub). You have to remove the backing flange to use a hubbed wheel.

Ayuh,...... Lookin' at that picture,..... I don't like how it looks,.....
There's to much threads exposed on the face,.....
Those threads will get beat up with use,.....

I'd try it With the backer hub, 'n see how it sits,.....
I like the face of the shaft Flush with the face of the hub, or lockin' nut,....

As for the wrench yer missin',.....
You've got a grinder,.....
Find a chunk of steel of the appropriate steel, 'n cut one out, Yerself,...... :wink2:

 

[Yodaman]

I am with Bondo, rarely do I need a wrench to remove or install a new wheel.
Use the spindle lock, and give the wheel a counter clock wise turn and usually breaks free. And most definitely unplug it.

 

[jproffer]

The second wrench does the same job as your spindle lock does. That's why you only have one wrench.

 

[iamrfixit]

Is there a thin wrench that is used to tighten this? Also, even after it’s tightened there is nothing holding the wheel onto the other end of the spindle...just doesn’t seem safe. Any help would be appreciated.

It doesn't need to be tightened because the threads are opposite of the tool rotation. The more you use it the tighter it tries to get. It won't spin off, the tool cannot stop quickly enough to ever break it loose.

When it comes time to take the disc off just pull the plug and engage the spindle lock, grab and turn the disc by hand. If I can't turn it by hand just hold the spindle lock engaged as you firmly bang the wheel into a wood or steel surface. You want to do this in the proper direction as if you're trying to spin the wheel off. Doesn't usually take much, the extra diameter of the grinding wheel gives a bit more leverage so it will pop loose pretty easily.