Product Safety: Angle Grinder Chainsaw Disc Attachment

[Morakot]

From the Tools from Hell forum...

 

Saw this official announcement; it basically concluded that a chainsaw disc attached to an angle grinder has a safety profile of a chainsaw crossed with an M80. ????‍♂️

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-safety-alert-issued-for-angle-grinder-chainsaw-disc-attachment

 

 

Widely sold in Thailand at various online retailers. Definitely NOT recommended!

 

 

Edited October 12, 2021 by Morakot

[worgeordie]

A couple of years ago I bought the 9" Chainsaw attachment for

a angle grinder, the day after it arrived , there was a post on TVF,

about this guy that was using one and suffered a terrible injury

on his leg ,a large gash down to the bone....so it went in the box

with other good idea ,at the time Chinese stuff,

 

The problem is most angle grinders here have a on/off switch ,

that is not automatic ,does not have a trigger switch, I had some

workers in my house, and  thought i would use their angle grinder to

cut a bit of metal, so plugged the wires in with the 2 bits of sticks,

that are used as a plug by many Thai workers , and the angle grinder

took off from the bench, they had left it switched on, I never checked.

 regards worgeordie

[Morakot]

 

On 10/12/2021 at 5:10 AM, worgeordie said:

Chainsaw attachment for a angle grinder

 

Yes, BLADE attachments are not very safe because --unlike a proper chainsaw-- they don't have a brake that disengages the drive in the event of a kickback. Likewise there's a lack of a trigger switch as you already mentioned is a problem.

 

 

The DISC attachment apparently is even worse! The report states that chainsaw discs attached to angel grinders have caused several catastrophic injuries to face and neck areas. Apparently the entire contraption can propel itself upwards when kickback happens.

Edited October 13, 2021 by Morakot

[sometimewoodworker]

2 hours ago, Morakot said:

The DISC attachment apparently is even worse! The report states that chainsaw discs attached to angel grinders have caused several catastrophic injuries to face and neck areas. Apparently the entire contraption can propel itself upwards when kickback happens.

you are absolutely correct. The above video was made as a public service by an extremely experienced woodworker.

this is the result of a relatively mild kickback and he was wearing protection. He was lucky enough to get what most would consider mild injuries considering what could have happened.

[bbko]

A chainsaw spinning between 7,000-11,000 rpms, what could go wrong? 

 

Edit; I heard larger chainsaws need a permit in Thailand but this mini-saw is absurd.

Edited October 13, 2021 by bbko

[Rampant Rabbit]

2 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

you are absolutely correct. The above video was made as a public service by an extremely experienced woodworker.

this is the result of a relatively mild kickback and he was wearing protection. He was lucky enough to get what most would consider mild injuries considering what could have happened.

The  switch is  the main problem, I ended  up with 6  stitches in my  knee, it  wa s on the END  of the angle grinder, As i moved it  past my leg it  caught  on my trouser material and turned it  on..............right over my leg....I .just  tell  everyone it was from my days  as a Ninja in Japan.

But YES those switches are atrocious, I  have 2  angles grindersone at  my  other  house a Bosch has the  switch when you release it  it stops, wouldnt  have happened with that one but the other a Makkta or Makta is a death trap......have nightmares  now of  looking like Joker in Batman

Edited October 13, 2021 by Rampant Rabbit

[Rampant Rabbit]

1 hour ago, bbko said:

A chainsaw spinning between 7,000-11,000 rpms, what could go wrong? 

 

Edit; I heard larger chainsaws need a permit in Thailand but this mini-saw is absurd.

Ah well  like everything else  here its  supposedly  limited to a  bar  length of  less than 12  inch  without a  permit BUT when you  buy it  they sell it  as a 12  inch and after  sell  it you they then can add a 14-16-18  inch bar and chain......to  by pass regs

[kamalabob2]

If you want to buy a more powerful name brand petrol chain saw it is not difficult in Thailand. You need only work with your retailer to go to the correct government office to obtain the FREE permit for a chain saw in Thailand. There is a police background check requited, which is inexpensive. Once you or your Thai spouse pass the requirements you can obtain the permit for a specific larger more powerful chainsaw than the "normal" 11.5 inch chainsaws sold all over Thailand. A responsible retailer will not sell the longer bar, or the more powerful chainsaw unless you have the permit. The longer cutting chain is not an issue as it is a consumable. Husqvarna and Stihl chainsaws have decent service and parts in Thailand in my personal experience.