Single speed or Variable speed angle grinder ?

[lennyzx11]

I splurged a year ago and bought a Milwaukee 5" variable speed grinder. I like to slow it down for a wire brush. So much better than the HF grinders I have, but cost a lot more too. The wire brush is the only thing I can see any reason to slow it down. I haven't used flap wheels, don't know if they would benefit from slower speed.

You are missing out on not using flap wheels. Try one for metal prep and see how good it works.

 

[bigdeano]

You are missing out on not using flap wheels. Try one for metal prep and see how good it works.

I'll give it a try. I can see they would be good for removing mill scale without gouging the metal.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I'll give it a try. I can see they would be good for removing mill scale without gouging the metal.

You will be surprised how fast a flap wheel ( sometimes called Tiger paw) will cut. I use them to sharpen my lawnmower blades. They cut fast but don't overheat as bad as a grinding disc. They aren't cheap but they last a surprisingly long time and unlike grinder disc that get out of balance and bounce up and down on the metal, the flap disc are smooth as silk.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I see no need for variable speed on a grinder, I want it to cut as fast as possible. I have a variable speed buffer and it overheats when running slow as I suspect a variable speed grinder would do.

 

[dragoneggs]

You will be surprised how fast a flap wheel ( sometimes called Tiger paw) will cut. I use them to sharpen my lawnmower blades. They cut fast but don't overheat as bad as a grinding disc. They aren't cheap but they last a surprisingly long time and unlike grinder disc that get out of balance and bounce up and down on the metal, the flap disc are smooth as silk.

I am not sure on the terminology now that we are talking about flap wheels. I often use and really like what I call 'flap discs' and love them.



But I have never tried what I think are typically called flap wheels.



Are we all on the same page here?

 

[Big Barn]

I am not sure on the terminology now that we are talking about flap wheels. I often use and really like what I call 'flap discs' and love them.

View attachment 554580

But I have never tried what I think are typically called flap wheels.

View attachment 554581

Are we all on the same page here?

I use both but am definitely guilty of referring to the flap DISC as a "wheel". Glad you pointed that out.

 

[Industrial Toys]

There is a HUGE quality range in Flap Disks. You get what you pay for. Someone gave me a Walter disk maybe fifteen years ago and I am still using that same disk. I mean it's hard to say how much I have used it, and I do save it for finishing work, but it has amazed me.

 

[ArlyA]

I agree. While working in a HS metal shop, they used them which promoted me to gave flap wheels a try. Gee, those 40 grit worked nice. I like to have one grinder setup with a normal wheel and another with a flap. They do rock.

You are missing out on not using flap wheels. Try one for metal prep and see how good it works.