Need safety tips for cutting concrete pavers with angle grinder - almost lost a finger!

Hey guys, total newbie here trying to DIY a patio. I've got some 2-inch thick concrete pavers that need trimming to fit around my flower beds. Tried using my 4.5" angle grinder with a diamond blade yesterday, and man, that thing kicked back hard - almost took my thumb off! What am I doing wrong? Should I be using a different attachment or technique? Any safety tips would save my remaining digits!

OP, you're lucky you still have all your fingers. Concrete cutting 101: ALWAYS use a clamp or vise to secure the paver. Never freehand that stuff. Diamond blade is right, but make sure it's rated for concrete/masonry. Wear full PPE - safety glasses, gloves, long sleeves, and a dust mask (concrete dust is nasty). Make shallow passes, don't force it. And for god's sake, keep both hands on the grinder. Seen too many sparkys in the ER from kickback.

I feel you OP! I tried cutting some pavers last month and my grinder jumped so bad I put a gash in my shed wall. Dan's right about clamping - I use two C-clamps now. Also, wet cutting helps with dust if you can set it up (but be careful with electricity obviously). One thing that helped me: mark your cut line with chalk so you can see it through the dust cloud. And maybe start with a cheaper blade to practice? I ruined my first diamond blade by pushing too hard.

Precision is key. Verify your grinder's RPM matches the blade rating - mismatch causes vibration and kickback. Use a guide fence if possible. For 2" pavers, consider scoring first with multiple light passes rather than one deep cut. Check blade for damage before each use. And never cut without the guard properly installed - I know guys who remove it for 'better visibility' and end up with stitches. Your hands are worth more than a slightly easier view.