Although developed originally as tools for rigid abrasive discs, the availability of an interchangeable power source has encouraged their use with a wide variety of cutters and attachments.
The backing system is typically made of hard plastic, phenolic resin, or medium-hard rubber, depending on the amount of flexibility desired.
[citation needed] The use of an angle grinder in cutting is not preferred, because large amounts of harmful sparks, fumes and particulates are generated when compared with using reciprocating saw or band saw.
[2] In a sound pressure level and vibration study conducted by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, grinders under an unloaded condition created noise which ranged from 91 to 103 dBA.
Angle grinders are widely used in metalworking and construction, emergency rescues, and even for the theft of bicycles.
There are a large variety of angle grinders with different disc sizes and power sources: battery, corded or pneumatic.
That is because pneumatic grinders can be powerful while being small and light, because they do not contain heavy copper motor windings.
[4][5] The high-speed angle grinder was invented in 1954[6] by German company Ackermann + Schmitt (FLEX-Elektrowerkzeuge GmbH) in Steinheim an der Murr.