Grinding welds

What are you using to grind welds after welding sheetmetal? I've been using 80 grit flap discs on my 4' grinder and was just wondering if there is anything better? I just want a little more control.

Thanks,
Todd

 

I like using a right angle die grinder with the roloc 3M discs. I use 50 grit. they work the best.

 

I've used a 5" air grinder w/24 grit for decades; the past couple decades I've added a right angle die grinder w/ 24 or 36 grit roloc discs.
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges.

 

The courser grit(24-36) produces less heat (less warpage) then finish with a 50 to clean up the deeper scratches.

 

me too...although I'll use a small cutoff wheel to knock down the big lumps if needed. seems to do the job more quickly with less heat going into places that don't need to be ground.

 

36 grit discs on 5" body grinder is what I use. The key is to not make any more than necessary to have to grind down.

Also what I do is turn one upside down as the backing plate (so the grit faces your trigger finger) this way you have a 2 sided disc...you can hit the back side of something without flipping the grinder over. Makes it easy to grind tubing also since you can just hook the backside up under it and go around and it keeps itself flat & level. Then when your front side one wears out you flip it upside down when you put the new one on, so you've always got a 1/2 worn out one on the back and never have to mess with regular backers again.

 

I used to do that too, still do when absolutely nessasary to get to a spot. Just be DAMN sure you don't extend your finger when you take it off the trigger; OUCH!!!
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

He who laughs last thinks slowest.

 

ouch...


60 flapper
2 good eyes

 

I agree with you wholeheartedly,smaller lighter tools and better control.Plus a 1/8th thick cutoff wheel makes a nice space between panels for butt welding. Jerry

 

tighten up on your feed and your heat. less grinding.

 

I use the edge of a 1/4 inch cutoff wheel on my 4" grinder. I don't know what the heck a 1/4 inch thick cutoff wheel is intended for, but it knocks down a weld bead really well, with almost no heat or grinding on the metal around the bead. I got the wheel at Lowe's. Then I finish with a 40-grit flap disk.