Another grinding wheel thread...

[mikehaugen]

I have read countless threads/debates/reviews on "what is the best grinding wheel" but they all seem to focus on how long they last. My interest is in how long they perform well.

I've used many varieties over the years (mostly 4-1/2") and haven't paid a lot if attention until recently. I'm trying to find a 6" wheel that doesn't glaze and stop working well... I really don't care how long it lasts as long as it removes material at a fast rate throughout it's life. I like flap discs but a new grinding wheel will get more done hands down... that is until it gets a glaze, which seems to be around the point where you reach the fiber mesh reinforcement.

6" discs are not very plentiful and I was at fastenal a while back and they had some abmast on clearance. I had never heard of them but since they were cheap I figured I'd give them a try. First impression was "wow! these are awesome!"... for about 3 minutes. I tried metabo, and while better, they slowed down after about 5 minutes. I've tried norton (norzon plus I believe) in 4-1/2" and they weren't very impressive either.

So are there any discs that won't become useless within minutes on mild steel? And no, I don't believe I'm putting excessive pressure one them, but maybe I'm wrong.

 

[radios1]

glazing can be caused by putting too much pressure on it,(which causes the metal to stick to the wheel) as well as a low "friability" that is, a low rate of the grit being cracked, and giving you a nice clean, and sharp surface.. I've never has this problem, but then, I was a good machinist with a lot of experience.. personally, I've had a lot of good luck with the harborfreight wheels for angle grinders, cheap, and very friable.. they have never clogged on me, and wore down after a lot of use, and still clean.. there are industrial wheels, like borazon, carbide, and diamond, but I don't think you want to pay for those in a home setting.. you could also consider a "Wax Stick" for lubrication..

 

[mikehaugen]

I don't feel that I'm putting too much pressure, but as I said I could very well be wrong... I would estimate pressure as weight of grinder x2. It's pretty scientific I know.

 

[mikehaugen]

Also, I've never though of or heard of using wax... I have a stick that I use for sawzall blades, hole saws, and band saws... maybe I'll give it a try

 

[sandfs]

I tend to go with sait and their A24N for fast removal. A disc that lasts forever but doens't do anything but get metal glowing red doesn't appeal to me much. They do at least give you a description so you can set your expectations ahead of time.

1/4″ Wheels – Type 27 & Type 28 | United Abrasives

 

[Ritothebull]

Rex-Cut Abrasives, Their Sigma Green disc for steel & stainless. After I found these I threw away all the other grinding wheels in my shop and I had a bunch. Their not cheap but if you hate grinding as much as me their worth every penny.

 

[dragoneggs]

Rex-Cut Abrasives, Their Sigma Green disc for steel & stainless. After I found these I threw away all the other grinding wheels in my shop and I had a bunch. Their not cheap but if you hate grinding as much as me their worth every penny.

You normally get what you pay for... I have used a bunch of abrasives and while I have not conducted a controlled scientific experiment, I am convinced there is definitely a correlation between price and durability from my experience. Always hunting for the new cheap awesome abrasives though. Norton treating me pretty good though.

 

[yomax4]

It's always a tradeoff. Either you can cut fast and the wheel wears fast or if you want your wheel to last forever, You'll be grinding forever. 3M has that disc out that will cut fast and outlast any wheel but I think they are 3 bucks per disc. Norton, Sait, Camel and Walter are what I use the most.

 

[stuckmotor]

Rex-Cut Abrasives, Their Sigma Green disc for steel & stainless. After I found these I threw away all the other grinding wheels in my shop and I had a bunch. Their not cheap but if you hate grinding as much as me their worth every penny.

I've seen green disc in youtube videos and wondered where they came from. Thanks for answering my unasked question.

 

[mikehaugen]

Thanks for the replies guys... sait was going to be my next try. Although I believe 3m may have grinding discs now in their cubitron line, I may be confusing that with something else.

In the long-lasting/ fast-cutting tradeoff I'm definitely more interested in the fast cutting variety.

The green discs sound interesting also I will have to look into those.

 

[Ritothebull]

Now if I could only find a 12'' cutoff wheel that's worth a hoot?

 

[dstig1]

Thanks for the replies guys... sait was going to be my next try. Although I believe 3m may have grinding discs now in their cubitron line, I may be confusing that with something else.

In the long-lasting/ fast-cutting tradeoff I'm definitely more interested in the fast cutting variety.

The green discs sound interesting also I will have to look into those.

If you are talking about hard grinding wheels for an angle grinder, then yes, 3M has them out. I have been using one and it is great for cutting through steel fast (4.5"). Of course i could be biased given I work there and got it from a friend for free...

 

[MOTractor]

I tend to go with sait and their A24N for fast removal. A disc that lasts forever but doens't do anything but get metal glowing red doesn't appeal to me much. They do at least give you a description so you can set your expectations ahead of time.

1/4″ Wheels Type 27 & Type 28 | United Abrasives

Thank you for that link! It is about time to buy another box!

 

[muddstopper]

If I have a lot of grinding to do, I prefer to use rocks instead of disc. the rocks will cut faster and last longer than a disc.
4"/3" x 2" x 5/8-11 Flaring Cup Wheel | Type 11 | Norton 6624351512 - Lehigh Valley Abrasives
You wear one of those out in a day and you have done a lot of grinding.

 

[crazyal]

For 4 1/2" 1/4" grinding wheels I have been converted to using Harbor Freight wheels. At first I was a skeptic as I didn't want some Chinese junk spinning at high speeds breaking apart and ruining stuff in my shop and potentially injuring me. But after using them for 6 months now I've never had one fail. They are cheap so if the glaze up or if the grinder falls and the wheel breaks I chuck it. You can buy them for less than $15 for a pack of 10 and they go on sale for around $10 for 10 pretty often. I've bought plenty of more expensive brands but they just don't last any longer. If you have a store close by pick up a 10 pack and try them.

 

[aczlan]

For 4 1/2" 1/4" grinding wheels I have been converted to using Harbor Freight wheels. At first I was a skeptic as I didn't want some Chinese junk spinning at high speeds breaking apart and ruining stuff in my shop and potentially injuring me. But after using them for 6 months now I've never had one fail. They are cheap so if the glaze up or if the grinder falls and the wheel breaks I chuck it. You can buy them for less than $15 for a pack of 10 and they go on sale for around $10 for 10 pretty often. I've bought plenty of more expensive brands but they just don't last any longer. If you have a store close by pick up a 10 pack and try them.

Around here Tractor Supply has Miembro brand on clearance from time to time. I think last time I bought a 10 pack of 1/16" x 4.5" wheels for $8. They seem to work better than the "Warrior" brand ones from HFT.

Aaron Z

 

[THEPARTYHOUND]

+1 for cheepo harbor freight. They work well for me...cant tell any difference from the expensive ones.