The cutting guard and grinding guard on an angle grinder serve different purposes and are designed to provide safety based on the specific task being performed. Here's how they differ:

1. Purpose: The cutting guard should be used when the angle grinder is fitted with a cutting disc, such as for cutting metal, tiles, or other materials.

2. Design: Cutting guards are usually narrower and designed to shield the operator from sparks and debris that are ejected in a more concentrated direction due to the thin cutting disc. They have a closed section to enclose the cutting disc and prevent sparks and debris flying in all directions.

3. Disc Type: Used with cutting discs, which are generally thin and designed for slicing through materials.

4. Protection: Since cutting discs are thinner, the guard is positioned to protect against potential disc breakage and any sparks or shrapnel from the cut.

1. Purpose: The grinding guard is used when working with grinding discs, which are thicker and designed for surface grinding, smoothing, or material removal.

2. Design: Grinding guards are typically wider, covering a larger portion of the disc since grinding produces more debris and sparks over a broader area. They have an open bottom section to allow for the disc to come into contact with the work at a narrow angle.

3. Disc Type: Used with grinding discs, which are thicker and designed to withstand more force from lateral pressure.

4. Protection: Since grinding often requires the disc to be used at a slight angle to the work, the grinding guard has an open bottom section.

Key Differences:

1. Disc Type Compatibility: Cutting guards are for cutting discs, and grinding guards are for grinding discs.

2. Shape and Coverage: Cutting guards are narrower, enclosing the disc while grinding guards are more open, offering more coverage to handle the wider angles used and dispersion of sparks and debris from grinding tasks.

3. Safety Focus: Cutting guards focus on protecting against high-speed debris from thin discs, while grinding guards are designed to protect from debris over a wider area due to the grinding process.

Using the appropriate guard for each task ensures optimal safety and efficiency.