Try buzzing off dirt that’s set on garden tools. It will even work on set-on cement. Pick the cup wire attachment for flat surfaces and the wheel to get into crevices.

Make sure to pick the right type of blade for the project you’re working on. For metal, a cutoff wheel works well, and it’s fairly cheap. For masonry, tile, and concrete, choose a diamond wheel. Read the attachment to know what materials you can use the wheel on. [4] X Research source

Pick a tuckpointing wheel that’s about the width of your mortar to make the job go faster.

Don’t let the blade get too hot, as it will become very brittle. If it turns black or blue, give it a rest for a moment. Check the wheel for the arrow showing you which direction it will rotate when on.

Put in ear plugs or cover your ears with noise-canceling earmuffs, as the sound from the machine can get very loud. Wear a dust mask for particularly dusty jobs, like sanding and grinding mortar. [9] X Research source

Grab the handle with whatever hand feels most comfortable. The deadman’s switch is a safety feature. If you accidentally drop the grinder, it will go off automatically.

With sanding, you can apply a bit more pressure.

With cutting, use the side of the wheel to cut the piece head-on, meaning you should hold the wheel perpendicular to the piece you’re cutting.

It might start cutting things you don’t want to cut or even flip back towards you.

Set the grinder wheel-side up on a table when you’re not using it.

Plus, a larger tool is more difficult to handle, which can lead to injury if you’re not careful.

That way, if you turn your grinder to max, you still won’t go over the max speed of the accessory.

A grinding disc with noise reduction and a handle that reduces vibrations can also make your grinder safer.