Just wondering what kind of flapwheels you guys use when grinding. I have tried the the "el cheapo" master mechanic type and the DeWalt. They work great, but the lifespan is for hell. Am I mayb doing something wrong, or just using ****py wheels? Side Note: also; what about discs for your die grinder, 2.5" I think. The ones with the rubber backer that they screw onto.
I like to use 4-1/2" zirconia abrasive flap wheels. Most of the "made in USA" brands are great. Zirconia cuts cool and fast. The Chinese ones shred apart too fast. For the 3" roloc discs, I really like 3M "Green Corps" zirconia abrasive discs. Their aluminum oxide discs are good too, but the zirconia ones seem to last longer and cut faster and cooler. Aluminum oxide cuts fast at first too, but then the grains smooth out and then it cuts slower and creates more heat. You can keep using aluminum oxide for a long time, but it gets slower and slower.
Do you guys have a source to buy flap discs in bulk online somewhere? Or at least a little cheaper than $5 a pop? - Matt
The trick is to get all the weld spatters and rough welds ground down first with a regular grinding wheel, then use the flapwheel only for the final finish, they last pretty good that way.
I've found Norton's last pretty well, but are a bit $pendy. The Pearl's are alright for the price, but they go away fairly quickly. My welding supplier told me about a new one he carries, has an orange back, costs like the Pearl, but wears like the Norton. I'll give him a holler and get the name....
I get my stuff from S.O.T out of Garland,TX thatnks to Irrational Metalworks. I think they are nationwide, Rusty
I forget the company that makes my favorite ones, PREMIER rings a bell though, and they have a version called FAT BOY that are thicker than the normal versions. They are softer then the real thin stiff kind and don't gouge if you know how to use it. Just try to use them as flat as possible, cause they'll wear funny if used at a higher angle. ------- For grinding discs the GEMINI by NORTON has the best durability i've found. ------- Then for cut-off the best by far is the WALTER ZIP DISC. these kick *** over any other. --------- Oh yeah these are all pricey, usually 4-5 bucks each, then the welding shop adds on a HAZMAT fee over a certain amount. Each one though lasts 2 or 4 times longer than the cheezmay types. TP
Walter is what we use in the shop...its orange in color. A good way to increase the life of those flap disks is to grind off the plastic backing once it's been used to that point. Basically, you find a nice hard and sharp corner, fire up the grinder and cut the plastic backing away (like a lathe almost) against the corner. This allows you to use the flap disk almost down to nothing. It also gives ou a smaller diameter wheel to get into smaller areas.
I have been using quite a few from www.bulletindustries.com lately. They don't last quite as long as Metabos but are a fraction of the cost.
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