Use and Care Manual
6
7
Grinding Wheel Selection
Use grinding wheels, and accessories that are:
• correct size as written on tool’s nameplate.
• rated at or above the RPM listed on the tool’s name-
plate.
• correct accessory, wheel type and grit for the job.
Grinding is the cutting action of thousands of abrasive
grains on the face of a grinding wheel. When grinding
metals such as steel and iron, choose an aluminum
oxide grinding wheel. Select a silicon carbide grinding
wheel for stone and concrete. Use cotton reinforced
wheels for non-ferrous metals.
Type 1 Reinforced 1/8" thick or less Cut-Off Wheels
are suited for small cut-off and shallow notching
operations only. Always handle wheels carefully to
avoid damage. Before installing any wheel, always
inspect it for cracks. If wheel is cracked, discard it to
prevent others from using it.
Care of Grinding & Cut-Off Wheels
Grinding/cut-off wheels should be protected from:
• wetness and extreme humidity
• any type of solvent
• extreme changes in temperature
• dropping and bumping
Grinding and cut-off wheels should be stored:
• in an organized way so wheels can be removed
without disturbing or damaging other wheels
• with their safety information
Grinding and cut-off wheels should NOT be dropped,
rolled or bumped.
Discard wheels that have been dropped, rolled,
bumped, subjected to extreme changes in tempera-
ture, or come into contact with solvents or wetness.
WARNING
Only use accessories with Maxi-
mum Safe Operating Speed rated
at least equal to the maximum speed marked on
the power tool. This speed is based on the
strength of the wheel, allowing for a reasonable
measure of safety. It is not meant to imply a best
or most efcient operating speed. Do not exceed
the Maximum Safe Operating Speed.
Installing/Removing
Grinding & Cut-Off Wheels
Make sure the wheel does not extend beyond the
bottom of the guard. Threaded hub grinding wheels
may require a deeper guard (see "Accessories").
1. Remove the battery pack. WARNING! Always
remove battery pack before changing or removing
accessories.
2. Properly position the guard.
3. Wipe the ange, FIXTEC nut and spindle to re-
move dust and debris. Inspect the parts for dam-
age. Replace if needed. Use only MILWAUKEE
mounting hardware designed for your tool.
4. Place the ange on spindle, as shown. Rotate
ange until it is engaged on the spindle.
NOTE: If using a threaded hub grinding wheel, do
not install the ange or FIXTEC nut.
Spindle
Flange
Threaded hub
grinding wheel
FIXTEC nut
with tightening
tab
Wheel
5. Place the selected wheel on the spindle and align
it with the ange.
6. Press in the spindle lock button. With the tightening
tab up, thread the FIXTEC nut clockwise onto the
spindle. Use the tightening tab on the FIXTEC nut
to grasp the nut and tighten securely. Press down
the tightening tab.
7. To remove wheel, remove the battery pack and
reverse the procedure.
NOTE: In some cases, the FIXTEC nut may be too
tight to remove by hand. In this case, use the wrench
to remove.
Sanding Disc Selection
Use sanding discs and accessories that are:
• correct size as written on tool’s nameplate.
• rated at or above the RPM listed on the tool’s name-
plate.
• correct accessory, wheel type and grit for the job.
Select the correct type of sanding disc for your job.
Generally, use 24 or 36 grit for heavy stock removal;
50, 60, or 80 grit for medium stock removal and 120
grit for nishing. Always begin with a coarse grit, us-
ing successively ner grits to obtain the desired nish.
•Aluminum Oxide: For fast cutting, general purpose
discs for most metal jobs. Best for cold-rolled steel,
stainless steel or metals requiring tough, fast cutting,
long lasting abrasives.
•Aluminum Zirconia Bi-Cut: Unique grit pattern is
arranged in clusters for faster stock removal and
cleaning. Ideal for removing paint from cars, boats,
etc. without clogging.
•Ceramic: Lasts up to 3 times longer than Aluminum
Oxide Discs. For general metal working. Ideal for
tough jobs.
Installing Backing Pad and Sanding Discs
1. Remove the battery pack. WARNING! Always
remove battery pack before changing or removing
accessories.
2. Wipe the accessories, disc nut and spindle to
remove dust and debris. Inspect the parts for dam-
age. Replace if needed. Use only MILWAUKEE
mounting hardware designed for your tool.
3. Place the ange on spindle, as shown. Rotate
ange until it is engaged on the spindle.
4. Slip backing pad onto spindle with at side away
from gear case.
5. Place sanding disc on backing pad and secure
assembly to spindle with disc nut.
Spindle
Backing pad
Disc nut
Sanding disc
Flange
6. Press in the spindle lock button while turning ange
nut clockwise. Tighten securely.
7. To remove backing pad and sanding disc, remove
the battery pack and reverse the procedure.
Installing/Removing/Cleaning
the Dust Screen
Using the dust screen will increase the performance
and extend the life of the tool.
1. To attach the dust screen, snap the screen over
the tool’s handle.
2. To remove the dust screen, pry it away from the
tool using a at screwdriver.
3. To clean the dust screen, tap against a hard sur-
face, or blow clean with compressed air.
OPERATION
WARNING
To reduce the risk of injury, always
wear proper eye protection marked
to comply with ANSI Z87.1.
When working in dusty situations, wear appro-
priate respiratory protection or use an OSHA
compliant dust extraction solution.
Controlled Start
The controlled start feature reduces the torque reac-
tion "jerk" when the trigger is pulled.
WARNING
Always hold the tool rmly with
both hands using the handles
provided before and during grinding.
Paddle Switch Operation (2980-20)
To start the tool, grasp the handle and side handle
rmly. Push the lock-off button forward and squeeze
the paddle switch.
To stop the tool, release the paddle switch. Make
sure the tool comes to a complete stop before laying
down the tool.
Slide Switch Operation (2981-20)
To start the tool, grasp the handle and side handle
rmly and slide the switch to ON.
To stop the tool, release the switch. Make sure the
tool comes to a complete stop before laying down
the tool.
To lock-on the switch, slide the switch to ON and
press down on the front of the switch. To stop the
tool, press and release the switch. Make sure the tool
comes to a complete stop before laying down the tool.
General Operation
1. If you have just installed an accessory or are be-
ginning a period of work, test the wheel by letting it
spin for one minute before applying it to the work-
piece. WARNING! Never use a accessory that has
been dropped. Out-of-balance or damaged acces-
sories can mar workpiece, damage the tool, and
cause stress that may cause accessory failure.
2. Use a clamp, vise or other practical means to hold
your work, freeing both hands to control the tool.
3. WARNING! Hold tool securely with both hands.
Start the tool.
NOTE: If the battery is inserted when the tool is
ON, the tool will not run. Turn the tool OFF, then
back ON to begin work.
4. Allow accessory to come to full speed before
beginning work.
5. Control pressure and surface contact between ac-
cessory and workpiece. WARNING! Never bang
accessory onto work.Too much pressure causes
accessory failure or slows speed.
6. When nished, turn off the tool and make sure it
comes to a complete stop before laying it down.
Using Grinding Wheels
WARNING
The guard type must match the
wheel type to provide maximum
protection for the operator if the wheel should
break.
When grinding, hold tool at a 5
o
to 15
o
angle, using
constant pressure for a uniform nish. Too great an
angle causes concentrated pressure on small areas
which may gouge or burn work surface.
For best result use only this portion of disc
Hold at a 5° to 15° angle
Using Cut-Off Wheels
Cut-Off Wheels are suited for small cut-off and shal-
low notching operations only.
WARNING
The guard type must match the
wheel type to provide maximum
protection for the operator if the wheel should
break.
When using a cut-off wheel, hold the tool as shown,
using only the edge of the wheel. WARNING! Using
the face of a Cut-Off Wheel (as in grinding) will cause
the Wheel to crack and break, resulting in serious
personal injury.