Always wear gloves when using a grinder?

Hey all, I just had a close call with my angle grinder while wire wheeling a rusty beam. The wheel caught and slung a wire into my hand. I was wearing gloves, but it still hurt. Anyone else think thin leather gloves aren't enough? What do you use?

Yeah, Hank, you need heavy-duty welding gloves if you're doing wire wheels. I learned the hard way years ago. Also, make sure you're using a guard, and check the RPM rating on the wheel. I always run my grinder at the lowest speed for wire brushing to keep the wires from flying off.

I agree with Pete. I've got a collection of different gloves for different tasks. For heavy grinding and wire wheels, I use these gauntlet-style welding gloves. They go halfway up your arm. Worth every penny. Also, eye protection is a must - those wires can come right at your face.

On the job site, we have a strict rule: no gloves with grinders. They can get caught in the wheel and pull your hand in. I know that's controversial, but for me, bare hands or tight-fitting nitrile palmed gloves give me the best control. Also, always use a side handle for stability. Hank, you might want to upgrade to a tool with a 'soft start' feature.

Thanks for the input everyone. Tim, I'll look into those gauntlet gloves. DrillMaster, I hear you about gloves getting caught, but wires in the hand suck too. I'll try using the side handle more often. Appreciate the advice!