"John Doe" wrote in message
b.com...
Generally speaking... Can you use an angle grinder instead of a
bench grinder for some stationary grinding tasks? Any other
smaller and lighter tool to do lesser tasks than what a bench
grinder is normally used for? A rotary tool?

Thanks.

Your question is too broad and vague to answer well.

An angle grinder, belt sander or Dremel (or a file) can handle some of a
bench grinder's tasks but not all and not necessarily as well. If you don't
have permant space for one there are small portable bench-type grinders for
smaller work. I prefer the Delta original of this 1x30 belt sander for light
work:
http://images.harborfreight.com/cpi/...8399/38300.GIF
It smooths steel, aluminum, wood and plastic nicely but is too slow to
remove much steel, like grinding the mushroom off a cold chisel.

Angle grinders take some skill and practice to use precisely. I use a 4-1/2"
one to rough-grind lathe bits and reshape damaged woodworking tools, which
is pushing its limits. I couldn't sharpen a plane blade with one. That's a
job for a properly dressed bench grinder. The belt sander doesn't do too
well on them because the paper belt seems to compress and rebound too much
to grind a flat razor edge.

jsw