A safety issue with flap discs

[jon f mn]

I figured to post this here as well as tractor talk because it's important to pass the word. I bought one of these double sided flap discs yesterday.

It didn't cross my mind how dangerous they are til too late, I have 7 stitches in 2 fingers to show for it. Anything touches the top side while in use will cause them to shred because the flaps are going backward. This is mine after maybe 10 minutes of work.

I really can't believe these got past safety. You would need to be very lucky to never touch the back side while in use I think. And those hard pieces of sand paper will make a mess of your fingers, or worse.

 

[redtom]

I've never seen them. Help me understand. Is each one two disc's that you separate for further use? When would one use the side that goes the opposite direction? Unless you have a grinder that runs backwards.

 

[Mule Meat]

I've never seen them. Help me understand. Is each one two disc's that you separate for further use? When would one use the side that goes the opposite direction? Unless you have a grinder that runs backwards.

Not two pieces. You just turn it over once one side gets worn.

The ones made by Forney that I have saw scare me more due to them having a plastic center. I left them in the shelf.

I would not use one if you gave me a truck load of them.

 

[Jim.ME]

Supposed to save carrying extra discs? Could have different grits for different applications. And they do give a warning on the page for their discs, not to allow the top disc to contact the work piece when the bottom is in operation. What could possibly go wrong?


Fourney double-sided flap discs

 

[Loosehandle]

I figured to post this here as well as tractor talk because it's important to pass the word. I bought one of these double sided flap discs yesterday.

View attachment 107122

It didn't cross my mind how dangerous they are til too late, I have 7 stitches in 2 fingers to show for it. Anything touches the top side while in use will cause them to shred because the flaps are going backward. This is mine after maybe 10 minutes of work.

View attachment 107123

I really can't believe these got past safety. You would need to be very lucky to never touch the back side while in use I think. And those hard pieces of sand paper will make a mess of your fingers, or worse.

I use single ones all the time, never seen these. Thanks for the warning!

 

[Fixingfarmer]

Thank you the single sided ones from several brands are one of my favorites as well that looks like a very dangerous thing.

 

[Scott 730]

I can't believe any manufacturer thought this was a good idea. I am sure the corporate lawyers will be kept busy as the injuries add up.

 

[zuhnc]

If one were to use the guards supplied on all grinders, there are fewer safety issues. Operator error causes a lot of accidents; I have had my share, but fortunately, only little boo-boos! And I *always* use the guard; prevented damaged fingers a few times.

 

[DoubleO7]

@jon f mn

Did you see this below that I posted on your build thread?

They are well aware of the problem.

https://www.forneyind.com/site/PDPs/PDPs/double_flap_disc_safety_instructions.pdf

 

[jon f mn]

@jon f mn

Did you see this below that I posted on your build thread?

They are well aware of the problem.

https://www.forneyind.com/site/PDPs/PDPs/double_flap_disc_safety_instructions.pdf

Saw that. After the damage was done I looked it up online and saw the warning. Nothing on the discs in the store tho.

 

[Pete7]

Thanks for the warning! I’m going to stay away from those double sided discs.
Sorry you got hurt and hope you heal up fast.

 

[sms]

X2

 

[Charles in Aus.]

A crazy and frankly unhinged idea !
Thank you , now on my list of what to avoid .

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

I can't believe any manufacturer thought this was a good idea. I am sure the corporate lawyers will be kept busy as the injuries add up.

Since the first thing most guys do to their new angle grinders is take the guard and throw it in the trash, they can just throw up their hands and say, "It's your fault because the safety equipment wasn't in place."

 

[Wdj]

Thanks. You probably saved some folks a good amount of pain.

 

[Pitalplace]

If one were to use the guards supplied on all grinders, there are fewer safety issues. Operator error causes a lot of accidents; I have had my share, but fortunately, only little boo-boos! And I *always* use the guard; prevented damaged fingers a few times.

I always use my guards. I do a lot of grinding and wire brushing. When using the wire wheels I use a leather apron and face shield.

 

[Liquid_wrench]

If one were to use the guards supplied on all grinders, there are fewer safety issues. Operator error causes a lot of accidents; I have had my share, but fortunately, only little boo-boos! And I *always* use the guard; prevented damaged fingers a few times.

They would not work with the guard on my 4 1/2" grinder.

 

[Russ from MN]

i see they're made in Turkey, we're probably going to see a lot more of things like that with the tariffs on Chinese goods!

 

[m16ty]

Since the first thing most guys do to their new angle grinders is take the guard and throw it in the trash, they can just throw up their hands and say, "It's your fault because the safety equipment wasn't in place."

I'm guilty, on everything but my dedicated grinders with cutoff wheels. Cutoff wheels are a little less forgiving when you contact the spinning wheel or it shatters.