Grinding the the anode dangerous?

[shep247]

I seem to recall a man telling me once that grinding aluminum could clog the grinding wheel with the soft aluminum, causing heat to be retained, and make he grinding wheel explosive. I was planning on grinding my trim anode tomorrow with a friend's bench grinder to get my new prop to fit.

I'm not sure if the anode is aluminum or zinc, or what kind of wheel he has on that grinder, but I've got an uneasy feeling that I may be putting myself in some sort of danger.

Do you guys have any words about this? I really don't want a grinding wheel exploding in my face.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Grinding the the anode dangerous?

You could clean up your anodes with a wire brush, grinding wheel, file, maybe some muriatic acid...you want to remove the least amount of material while still exposing fresh metal...not much chance of loading/exploding a grinding wheel doing this...Wear your safety goggles, anyway, and Good Luck!

 

[rcl700]

Re: Grinding the the anode dangerous?

It will clog up the grinder wheel. Its not going to blow up though. I would use a vice and cut what you need to useing a hacksaw then clean it up with the grinder. It will cut through easly with a new blade on your saw

 

[Blujay96]

Re: Grinding the the anode dangerous?

Go to a welding supply store. The make a paste you apply to the wheel so it won't fill with aluminum.

 

[n2ostroker]

Re: Grinding the the anode dangerous?

You could ust buy the right anode.. A flat or set back one is pretty cheap(~$15-20) and a heck of a lot easier than cutting that one.