"Steve B" wrote in news:k6smr2$15j$ snipped-for-privacy@speranza.aioe.org:
Its good if you can learn from someone else's experience . . .
I decided a long time ago to make it a habit and policy not to shift my grip unless the grinder was well clear of the work and me and to maintain concentration and not to put down a grinder till the disk is stopped.
Apart from better control, using the handle requires a two hand grip, which keeps your other hand off the work and away from the disk. You probably want the guard turned some to keep the fingers on the side handle off the disk if your grip slips a bit the next time you get a kick. Its also some protection if the disk grenades.
Guys who use grinders a lot may be more relaxed about handling them, but for occasional users, we need to think safety first all the time as otherwise we may not spot risky operations.