Fastener

PCT No. PCT/AU91/00420 Sec. 371 Date Apr. 30, 1993 Sec. 102(e) Date Apr. 30, 1993 PCT Filed Sep. 12, 1991 PCT Pub. No. WO92/04549 PCT Pub. Date Mar. 19, 1992.A fastener (50) is disclosed suitable for securing a grinding wheel (92) to the spindle of an angle grinder, the fastener (50) being capable of tightening and loosening by hand. The fastener (50) comprises a first disc-shaped component (52) having a first pressure transmitting surface (53) adapted to bear against the grinding wheel (92), and a second disc-shaped component (54) having a threaded hub (56) non-rotatably fixed thereto. The first and second components (52, 54) are assembled on the hub (56) so as to be rotatable with respect to each other, and the second component (54) is adapted to apply an axially directed compressive force to press the first component (52) against the grinding wheel when a torque is applied to the second component (54). A solid dry lubricant washer (62) is provided between facing surfaces of said first and second components (52, 54) in an annular recess (64) immediately adjacent the hub (56), for reducing friction when one of the components ( 52, 54) is rotated relative to the other (54, 52). The lubricant washer (62) can ensure that a significantly increased proportion of the torque applied to the second component (54) is converted to compressive force transmitted through the first component (52) to the grinding wheel (92). A gripping device in the form of a flap (72) is pivotally connected to the second component (54), and is capable of pivoting to an upright position in which the flap (72) can be manually grasped to apply a torque to the fastener.