15/02/2017
How to choice concrete grinder
All Floors Are Different
If you’ve been in surface prep for even just a week, then you’ll know this from experience. EVERY FLOOR IS DIFFERENT! If you’re on a job that’s 10,000 square feet this week, then next week you’re on another 10,000 square foot job you’re going to be on two different floors, with different levels of hardness, different coatings, different aged floors, and on and on.
Your productivity rate is going to be different on each floor. Each floor will respond in a different way to the grinder and tooling. What may take you 5 hours on one site could take you 20 hours on the other.
Companies that post their production rates for their grinders aren’t giving you a fair comparison about what to expect when you’re actually out on a job.
You really need to compare grinders head to head with each other on a variety of surfaces. When you are looking to buy a grinder, a good company will let you bring your own grinder into a demo so you can get a fair side-by-side comparison.
What Should You Look for Instead of Production Rates?
Your ultimate goal with your grinder is to get your job done as fast as you can but with outstanding results. You should look for a combination of features suited for your typical job. Here are just a few key features to look at:
Pressure on Tool
Ease of Operation
Prep & Cleanup Time Needed
Pressure on Tool
Why it Matters? You could have a grinder with 4 heads and a grinder with 3 heads running against each other. Even though the 4 head grinder is going to be wider and cover more ground, it might not be as efficient as the 3 head grinder. Why? The way the machine weight is distributed gives each grinder different weight distribution on each head. The head pressure directly effects the pressure on each tool. Heavier pressure on tool will give you a better scratch pattern and cut easier. You’ll have to do less passes, and you’ll get more consistent results.
Ease of Operation
If a machine is easy to operate and run, you’re going to be able to go for longer periods of time without taking a break or getting tired.
Prep & Cleanup Time Needed
You can save a massive amount of time on a job if you’re grinder runs clean and cuts close to the edge. If you have a grinder that can hug the edge, you’ll save hours in time when you’re using a hand grinder after your grind.
When you’re wet grinding, how much mess does your grinder make? With a good grinder, you’ll only have to do minimal prep getting a room ready. You’ll just have to cover a small area around the grinder instead of taping off the entire room. Likewise, a good grinder will save you time in clean up as well.
When you’re looking at grinders, make sure to consider the time you’ll save in prep and cleanup. A good grinder with the right features can cut hours off your prep and clean up time.