I've got an old angle sander. The manual says it takes 7

Pic of the actual device would help.
An sander usually has an eccentric movement of the disc which doesn't necessarily need to spin if you apply pressure. Also an sander sands with the flat side of the disc with sand paper applied, where an grinder grinds with the edge.
Aside from that both devices may look similar, but usually don't.

>>1166549
Ops picture, is he using that tool right? I've only used saws to cut pipe but if I was using that I'd be the exact opposite stance and holding.

>>1166574
...How can you hold it any other way?

>>1166608
I think he means body on the right side, right hand on the handle, left on the tool body, so none of the operator is on the side with the spinny-explodey bits.

>>1166612
You have to be special kind of retard to handle the tool the way it explodes.
Plus he has wheel cover on, and the picture would just show his back instead of the tool.

>>1166619
Shit happens if there's a chink it a zip wheel too. But it is usually due to a stupid operator pinching the wheel.

Most 7" blades have a rating a little over 6000rpm because that the norm of a 7" grinder

A 9" blade at 6000 rpm is asking for trouble

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OP here. I found a picture of the model I have online. It is a Black and Decker Heavy Duty Angle Sander model 4049 Type 1. One thing I was wrong about was the RPM. It is 5,000, not 6,000.

>>1166639
This, that extra 2" in diameter is a lot of extra wheel

>>1166661
>that extra 2" in diameter is a lot
thats what she said

You can run smaller diameter wheels and cutting discs on larger machines, but I'd find or make a blade guard for that old B&D. They are good machines. I collect old guards from dead grinders and adapt them to other grinders I find at yard sales and auctions. (You can never have too many angle grinders, it saves changing out discs, rocks, brushes and flap discs.)

Guards typically clamp to the body or bolt to the gearbox casting. You might find candidates on Ebay.

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Brand names do make a difference.... be safe!

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It's a different device because you use it differently
A sander you press down, a grinder you press forwards
If you press forwards with a sander and put pressure on the device at an angle that it's not use to while it's spinning at full speed, you might damage the device

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>>1167392
This is very true for purpose built machines. This is not true with these old B&D units. Sanders and grinders are basically the same machines. Picture related. This is the data plate from a 'sander'. It clearly says to use a guard when grinding. If you manage to dig up an old manual they will show the same.

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>>1167418
Ha, for shits and giggles I looked for a manual. Low and behold. I'm betting all of those old B&D sander/grinders were like that.

>>1167418
So true. I use mine with multiple disc attachments. Grinder, cut-off, sanding disk, and wire wheel. Use an abrasive sanding disk, and you can carve wood with it. Only be careful, it takes a lot of wood off very quickly.

>>1167270

I had a table saw try and get me like this once, but it missed and now I have a permanent "don't trust auction tools" reminder stuck in the wall.

Some jackass put a fuckhuge pulley on the motor and apparently spinning table saw blades at 4 times their rated limit is a recipe for disaster.

>>1166549
>Is he full of shit?
Yes. If the arbor fits, the speeds are compatible, and the bearings of the tool are built to handle the forces involved (e.g. no milling on a drill press), you're good to go. Be sure to use a guard that fits the wheel when using hard wheels, and don't load cutting wheels from the side like you would a grinding wheel.

>>1166574
And then you would have a hard time seeing where you're cutting. So you'd be more likely to cut crooked, bind the wheel, and catch shrapnel.