How to attach a mortar raking starter kit?

2nd March 2020


How to attach a mortar raking starter kit


	Shop for Mortar Rakes


		Most mortar rakes are designed to fit onto the spindle of an angle grinder.

		Before you begin

			Step 1 – Turn off machine Turn the power off and unplug the machine from the mains electrical supply.

			Step 2 – Remove disc To fit a mortar rake starter kit to an angle grinder, you first need to remove the disc that is fitted onto the angle grinder

			To remove the disc, turn the power tool upside down and lay it on its back.



			Step 3 – Loosen lock nut Use the lock nut wrench to undo/loosen the lock nut.

			Step 4 – Remove lock nut Once this is loosened, remove the lock nut.

			Step 5 – Remove multi-disc Now the lock nut is removed, you can take off the depressed centre grinding wheel/multi-disc.

			Step 6 – Remove inner flange After this the inner flange can be removed

			Now you only have the spindle on the bearing box and the wheel guard, which you will need to remove. Never use a disc in an angle grinder without a wheel guard!

			Your angle grinder will then be stripped back and you will be left with the spindle uncovered.

			Do I need an adaptor?
			You can buy mortar rakes that fit directly onto the spindle of the angle grinder or that need to go into an adaptor before screwing onto the spindle.

			Installing an adaptor
			Step 1 – Attach adaptor The mortar rake adaptor attaches directly to the spindle. Twist the adaptor onto the spindle using a spanner to tighten it on. Once you have screwed the adaptor onto the spindle, insert the mortar rake into the adaptor and twist to tighten.

			Attaching a mortar rake straight onto the spindle
			If the mortar rake is designed to fit directly onto the spindle, simply screw it on by hand, then tighten with a wrench.

			Inserting the mortar raking starter kit
			Step 1 – Insert aluminium ring Place the adaptor/aluminium ring over the neck of the wheel guard collar

			Step 2 – Push ring down Push the ring onto the guard collar of the angle grinder



			Step 3 – Push sole plate down Making sure it is a snug fit, push the sole plate down over and onto the aluminium ring.

			Turn the sole plate onto the aluminium ring until it is properly fitted.

			You can tighten the sole plate onto the aluminium ring with an Allen key – most mortar rake starter kits will provide one of these.

			Setting the raking depth
			The sole plate provides the opportunity to set the depth you will be raking to. Some sole plates are already pre-set to a raking distance – though most let you adjust the depth yourself!

			It is advisable to set the depth of the sole plate prior to attaching it to the angle grinder. Follow the instructions on the starter kit in order to do this.

			If you want to check the depth of the sole plate once it is on the angle grinder, measure the distance between the tip of the mortar rake and the flat square base of the sole plate. This distance shows you the maximum distance you will be routing.

			Attaching a dust extraction unit
			Once the sole plate is attached, you need to insert the outlet pipe into a dust extraction unit. This fits over the top of the outlet pipe.

			A dust extraction unit is a form of industrial vacuum that is designed specifically for the removal of dust and debris created through building work.

			Once all of this is set up you are ready to turn the tool on!

			Remember – depending on the type of mortar rake you are using, you may have to make a starter hole in the mortar, into which you can guide the mortar rake.

			Other types of mortar rake allow you to rout straight into the mortar. These mortar rakes tend to be steel bodied and coated in tungsten carbide or solid tungsten carbide and have a larger diameter than longer length mortar rakes. They often have a tip designed to cut straight into the mortar.