safety shield on a hand grinder

The safety shield is there for a reasion, dont take it off. I know it is a pain in the butt some times, but don't remove it. Voice of experience.

I had a 3 inch pneumatic cutoff with a composite housing/guard. Wheel exploded, taking the guard with it. Smacked my hand pretty good, but I have to think it could have been worse had the guard not been in place.

Indeed, when a wheel flies apart, it scatters with some real velocity. Even if the guard does not stop all of the shrapnel, it will slow it down tremendously.