The use of a toolless mounting guard makes installation and removal of the guard quick and simple.
As a result of variable depth adjustment, the guard can be set to a specific depth while still collecting dust throughout its entire length of operation.
A large viewing window allows you to see more of the work area, which allows you to have greater control and accuracy.
The installation of a dust extraction port results in a cleaner jobsite.
The Bosch TG502 is a new tuckpointing guard for all AG40, AG50, and AG60 series grinders, and it replaces the previous model. Its tool-free installation makes it quick and simple to install as well as to uninstall. When using variable depth adjustment, it is possible for the guard to collect dust all along its length, from the initial plunge to the point at which it is removed from the material. When the machine is in operation, the large viewing window makes it simple to see the line of cut. When used in conjunction with a vacuum, the dust extraction port ensures a cleaner work piece and job site.
Using this adapter in conjunction with a vacuum is a must when tuck-pointing is being done correctly and efficientl. The first thing to keep in mind is that if you are holding the grinder assembly at head-height for an extended period of time, it can become quite heavy. The use of a step stool to allow you do higher-up work at chest level or below would be recommended simply for the purpose of reducing exhaustion. Additionally, proper lighting for your work is essential. By design, the guard completely encloses your immediate work area, making it difficult to see how your blade is oriented in relation to the mortar. The plastic window that is intended to allow you to see into the work space becomes clouded up very quickly, and in some cases it may even become abraded, making it impossible to see your blade position after a short period of time. You get a “feel” for where your blade is, but I found myself having to remove the tool from the wall to double-check my work due to the lack of visibility through the window on a regular basis. The fact that the guard is spring loaded to retract the blade into the dust cover when the tool is pulled away from the wall reveals another problem – it sticks and binds when the tool is pulled away from the wall. This is a problem because, on the one hand, you’re not supposed to let the grinder wind down while it’s in contact with the work; on the other hand, if you pull the assembly away from the wall while the blade is still spinning, a significant amount of dust will escape when you break the wall contact. I’m not sure if some graphite dry lube would help, but it’s a problem because, on the one hand, you’re not supposed to let the grinder wind dow. As a result of the visibility issue, the tool must be removed from the wall on a regular basis, and a binding of the guard’s retraction/depth adjustment causes dust to escape. If the guard’s action can be improved by polishing and/or lubricating the metal contact surfaces, I’m confident it can be improved further. I haven’t tried this yet, though. However, it is because of these flaws that it only receives three stars instead of five. Remember that when using this guard, you must ensure that the guard contact surface is parallel to the wall in order to minimize dust escaping from behind the guard. I found it helpful to put a small piece of gorilla tape on the left side to help contain the end, as it would frequently rise off the surface due to operator error, which I believe was the cause. In order to compensate for the sticky depth adjustment, I had to lock the grinder on (my Bosch is the paddle switch type with a lock at the base) and use two hands, which made the work more tiring and less precise. I ended up having to use two hands to compensate for the sticky depth adjustment. If I had to do it all over again, I would have spent the extra time making sure the depth adjustment could be moved freely back and forth without binding before starting the work.
