Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Removing rust and paint with Angle Grinder

I am rebuilding a badly rusted mower deck. Now that I have it apart, I need to remove the rust and old paint. I acquired a 10 amp 4.5 inch Dewalt angle grinder to do the job but I am uncertain about which accessories to use. I have looked at cups with crimped or knotted wire and wheels with the same, sanding pads, sanding flappers and a paint stripping pad(Stotch Brite on Steriods)

I can't remove too much metal since some of the rust pockets are fairly deep. I want to avoid needing to do welding on the deck.

Any recommendations which to use?

Use the knotted cup brush along with a good pair of safety glasses, face shield would be better.
Mike

The wire wheel will throw wires at you. Protect your neck and any other exposed skin.

If the deck is that thin, see if you can find a better deck under a trashed motor. Save the grinding time.

If the deck is that thin, see if you can find a better deck under a trashed motor. Save the grinding time.



I agree. You can often get an old non working mower for free or next to nothing. Just be sure the motor will fit. 25 yrs ago I put a long shaft motor on a short shaft frame/deck, had to raise the motor with plywood, lower the wheels and cut the grass short.

Thanks for the thought on the wire cup versus the wheel. I read on the web that angle grinders are very dangerous so anything I can do to reduce the risk is great. I think a full face shield is in my future.

About the mower deck,
It is a 1976 John Deere 300 garden tractor with a 48 mower that I am restoring so there isn't to many extra decks avaiable

It is a 1976 John Deere 300 garden tractor with a 48 mower that I am restoring so there isn't to many extra decks avaiable



I wondered why you chose to repair instead of replace, now we know :)

I use wire wheels (go for the quality ones-you'll get less loose wires in your arm that way),and a few different types of 3M wheels (they've got some new ones that work great)...and also a grinding wheel (for the tough stuff), used with care, for rust removal

Sounds like you might want to check out Eastwood Co.'s Rust Encapuslator
I usually remove as much rust as I can before using it, but I have used it for years in places/situations where I couldn't
It works very well over rusty parts