[VAL] CAUTION - grinding wheels and rivet stem removal

["Tom" <tmeeker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Concerning the use of "grind wheels" for taking down the stems of Olympic
Rivets or any other rivets or any aluminum, brass, etc.  

Do not do it -- do NOT use ANY grinding wheels no matter how small and agile
or how careful you are -- these grinding wheels are made for iron and steel,
NOT aluminum, brass, or any other *SOFT METAL*.  What will eventually happen
is the grinding wheel will fill it's voids with this soft metal and SHATTER
or EXPLODE in your hands, face, etc.  Do NOT use grinding wheels for ANY
soft metal!

That said, you can use sanding discs or even cut-off wheels on a die
grinder, just don't use grinding wheels made of stone on soft metal.

A cut-off wheel on a die grinder works very well to take down any metal in a
hurry but BE CAREFUL as they are very unforgiving with your fingers, hands,
arms, clothing not to forget that they will eat into aluminum skin in a NY
minute if you are not paying attention to what you are doing.  Don't get
distracted whenever you are using these types of power tools or ANY power
tools for that matter.

Sanding discs like the ones used for steel body repairs will work a lot
better for taking down rivet stems and they come in all types of grit from
very rough to very fine.

If you really get down to it a diamond file will remove the rivet stem also
but  you will be there a while. ;)

Tom
WBCCI 5303