HSS Hire 631 Operating & Safety Manual

ABRASIVE

WHEELS

©HSS Hire Service Group Plc 1997 No. 631/01

Group Office: 25 Willow Lane, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 4TS

Hire Shops

Reinforced, depressed-centre

GRINDING WHEELS. Reinforced,

flat CUT-OFF WHEELS.

Operating & Safety Guide 631

Use the right wheel mounting flanges, ensuring they
are clean, undamaged and free from burrs.

Make sure the flange size is compatible with the size
if the wheel (see table). Above 230mm the flange
diameter must be one third that of the wheel.

To fit a wheel, follow the instructions supplied with
your machine.

If you have hired the machine from HSS, contact your local
HSS Hire Shop if you have any problems.

In any case, never force a wheel onto the machine’s

spindle and never over-tighten the machine’s
mounting bolt/flange.

Before switching the machine back ON, remember to
reposition the safety guard.

Finally, run newly fitted wheels at operating speed for
at least one minute before using them to cut/grind.

This helps ‘seat’ the wheel and lets you double-check that
you have fitted it correctly. Clear the work area while doing
this.

DO throw used wheels away, NEVER re-use a wheel
once it has been removed from a machine.

Make sure the workpiece is firmly and safely secured.
If using a portable machine, adopt a comfortable,

balanced stance that lets you support and control the
machine, keeps the whole of your body clear of the
wheel, and lets you see clearly what you are doing.

Make sure, too that the work area is free from trip
hazards and that the ground offers a secure footing.

If using a grinding wheel with a depressed centre,
always hold it at an angle to the workpiece.

When cutting, work in a straight line, taking care not

to trap or pinch the wheel in the cut.

Never try to force the wheel through the workpiece
and never apply pressure to the side of the wheel.

USING WHEELS

Never use a grinding disc for cut-off work or vice
versa. If in doubt, contact your local HSS Hire Shop.

Regularly check the disc’s condition and replace if worn

or damaged.
Ensure replacement discs are distortion free and

undamaged and that the paper washers are not wrinkled
or torn. NEVER FIT SUBSTANDARD OR OLD, USED

DISCS.
Don’t grind on the side of cut-off or grinding wheels

less than 4.5mm thick. They are not strong enough. Use

the edge instead.

When you have finished using a portable machine, wait
for the wheel to stop turning and put the machine
down gently; taking care not to knock the wheel. Ideally,

rest the machine, clear of the ground, on a suitable cradle.
Always let the wheel come to a halt naturally. Never

apply pressure to the wheel in order to slow it down.

Contact your local

0990 282828

FLANGES FOR WHEELS

(From 100mm to 450mm diameter)

Wheel Minimum Minimum Minimum Minimum Radial width of

Diameter Outside flange flange depth of bearing surface

diameter thickness thickness recess
of flange at bore at edge

of recess

(Minimum) (Maximum)

/mm /mm /mm /mm /mm /mm /mm

100 30 - - - - ­125 39 - - - - ­230 39 - - - - ­300 100 13 5 2 8 16
350 117 13 8 2 10 20
450 150 16 10 2 13 25

Guard Position

Disc

10–15 

Degrees

90 Degrees

Grinding Operation

Cutting Operation

Guard Position

Disc

For advice on the safety and suitability of this
equipment contact your local HSS Hire Shop.

Keep children, animals and bystanders away from the
work area.

Never use this equipment if you are ill, feeling tired,
or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

This equipment should only be used by a competent
person who has read and understood
these instructions.

There is a serious risk of personal injury if you do not
follow all instructions laid down in this guide.

Safety Goggles MUST be worn by everyone in
the work area.

Some materials when cut contain substances

which, when inhaled, can be harmful to health.
A suitable mask must be worn when using this
equipment.

Grinding and cutting equipment generates

potentially harmful noise levels. To comply with
health and safety at work regulations, ear defenders must
be worn by everyone in the vicinity.

Wear gloves, protective clothing and
footwear that covers all exposed skin.

Avoid loose garments and jewellery that could catch in
moving parts, tie back long hair.

If you sustain an injury while using an abrasive wheel,
seek medical advise immediately.

Ensure the work area is well lit and ventilated, if in

doubt, ask about dust extraction and ventilation equipment
at your local HSS Hire Shop.

Do not work near flammable gasses or liquids, petrol
or paint thinner fumes for example. Keep combustible

materials at a safe distance- at least 5m.
If working above ground-level, work from a suitable,

stable platform – an access tower for example. Never
work from ladders or steps.

Take special care when cutting into anything
containing pipework or electrical cables. If in doubt,

hire a cable avoiding tool from your local HSS Hire Shop, to
determine the exact position of such hazards.

Stop the machine if you experience discomfort or
numbness during use.

Make sure you know how to switch the machine OFF
before you switch it ON in case you get into difficulty.

Always switch OFF and unplug any tool before
making adjustments to it. Check that it is switched OFF

and that you have removed all spanners and keys before
plugging it back in.

Having switched OFF, always wait for the disc to
come to rest before putting the tool down.

GENERAL SAFETY

Check the condition of the equipment before use.
Ensure side handles and guards are correctly

adjusted and secure before starting work.
Watch your footing. Take special care if working other

than on firm, level ground.
Information on COSHH regulations is available from your

local HSS Hire Shop.

To reduce the risk of electric shock, use a
suitable RCD (Residual Current-Operated Device)

available from your local HSS Hire Shop, or power the
equipment from a mains circuit with a built-in RCD.

Make sure you know how to operate your particular
grinding or cut-off machine safety and correctly.

If using an HSS MACHINE...
Read the Operating & Safety Guide supplied with it.

If you have any queries, contact your local HSS Hire Shop
for advice.

If using your OWN MACHINE have it professionally
serviced regularly and tested for electrical safety. In

particular, check the tension of any drive belts, and
double check that any built-in speed control governor

is working correctly.
Have its spindle speed checked regularly. Always have

the speed checked if the machine has just been serviced or
repaired.

WHATEVER you are using…
Make sure the machine is fitted with an adequate,
securely fitted safety guard.

Make sure the safety guard is correctly positioned

before switching the machine ON. It should cover at least
half the wheel and protect the user if the wheel should
accidentally break up in use.

Check the machine’s general condition before use,

paying special attention to the state of the wheel flange
plates. If it shows signs of damage or excessive wear,
do not use it! If you have any doubts about the condition
of an HSS machine, return it to local HSS Hire Shop.

Use the correct wheel for your grinding/cut-off
machine. In particular, check that the machine’s

WHEEL SAFETY

MACHINE SAFETY

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Warning

Abrasive wheels operate at very high speeds. If they

should break in use, the fragments that fly off can be

extremely dangerous. So, always treat them with

respect and follow the safety rules.

spindle speed does not exceed the maximum at
which the wheel can safely run (see the wheel’s label).

Use the right abrasives wheel for the job. If in doubt,

contact your local HSS Hire Shop for advice.
Handle abrasive wheels with care. They are easily

cracked if knocked or dropped – cracked wheels are
potentially dangerous.

Always check the wheels for damage before use. Brush
off any dust and tap gently with a non metallic object. If the
wheel sounds ‘dead’ assume it is cracked.

Never fit or use a wheel you think may be damaged.

Stack flat cut-off wheels one on top of the other,
ideally on a flat, level, steel base-plate. Wheels with a
depressed centre should either be carefully stacked
one on top of the other or, better still, left in their
original protective packaging.

Never store abrasive wheels where they will be
exposed to extreme temperatures or damp. Improper

storage damages the wheels.

Note that the use of abrasives wheels in certain

(mainly trade) situations is regulated by law. Both the
wheels themselves, and the way in which they are fitted
and used, must conform to BS4481 and BS4581. If in
doubt, contact your local HSS Hire Shop for advice.

Abrasive wheels should be fitted only by authorised,
trained personnel.

Before fitting a wheel, switch OFF the grinding/cut-off
machine and unplug it if electric.

Use the proper tools to change/fit wheels. There are

supplied with machines hired from HSS. If using your own
machine, consult the manufacturer’s instructions.

Note that some machines have reversible front flanges
to take thick and thin abrasives wheels. Make sure such
flanges are the right way round for the chosen wheel.

Disc

Front

Flange

Back

Flange

Boss

WHEEL FITTING

RULES AND REGULATIONS

WHEEL STORAGE