A Brief Explanation Of Angle Grinders
To grind, cut, polish, etc., an angle grinder is a powerful tool that is employed. This disc-based handheld device performs the aforementioned operations. Whether you’re in the metalworking, construction, woodworking, or auto body repair industries, you’ll find a purpose for an angle grinder.
These power tools are extremely adaptable because of the variety of wheels and discs that can be mounted on them. They use these discs to do anything from grinding and cutting to sanding and polishing.
Here you will find a variety of essential wheels and discs for angle grinders. If you want your angle grinder to work as well and as quickly as possible, you should read this article.
How Do I Choose A Grinding Disc?
The grinding disc is the most common angle grinder disc and stands out from the rest. There are several varieties of grinding wheels, each with its size and purpose (as the tasks they are expected to do and the size of the angle grinders are varied).ts
Grit is the standard for describing the roughness or smoothness of a grinding wheel. Similar to sandpaper, a coarser grinding disc has a lower grit number, and a finer grinding wheel has a higher grit number.
Grinding discs with a lower grit speed up the material removal process but at the expense of increased sparking and a rougher finish. Similar to high-grit discs, they can cause light burning and increased scratching.
The material being worked on, the strength of the tool being used, and the desired finish are all important considerations when selecting a grinding disc. The following are some critical considerations:
- When working with metals and stones, a diamond or silicon carbide disc is the abrasive of choice due to its extreme hardness.
- Use a finer grit of abrasive, such as aluminium oxide or zirconia, on softer materials like wood or plastic.
- A coarse grit should be used for intensive grinding and rapid material removal. Select a fine grit for a smooth finish.
- It’s important to take the disc’s size and shape into account to ensure a good fit with the tool and the surface you’ll be polishing.
- If the disc’s maximum RPM is lower than the tool’s maximum, it could be dangerous to use.
- If you are working on a large project, it is especially important to get a disc that has outstanding evaluations and a reputation for longevity.
- Think about how long the disc will last and how much it will cost before making a decision.
Always make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions for any unique recommendations you might need.
Different Types Of Angle Grinding Wheels
Angle Grinder Wheel/Discs
The grinding disc is the most common angle grinder disc and stands out from the rest. There are several varieties of grinding wheels, each with its size and purpose (as the tasks they are expected to do and the size of the angle grinders are varied).
Grit is the standard for describing the roughness or smoothness of a grinding wheel. Similar to sandpaper, a coarser grinding disc has a lower grit number, and a finer grinding wheel has a higher grit number.
Grinding discs with a lower grit speed up the material removal process but at the expense of increased sparking and a rougher finish. Similar to high-grit discs, they can cause light burning and increased scratching.
The main things a grinding wheel does are grind, smooth, deburr, and prepare metal for welding. They can also be used to remove welds from metal and to hone the blades of instruments like shovels and pruners in the garden.
Cut-Off Discs
Cut-off discs are the second most commonly used tool in angle grinders. Cut-off discs cut metal bars and sheets. For precision cuts, cut-off wheels are thinner than grinding wheels. Working with them is riskier. Angle grinders break quickly when moved or bent. Shattering a cutting wheel might cause significant injuries. Thus, angle grinder cutting requires high-quality safety gear.
Cut-off discs cut bars, tubes, and small metal sheets and plates. They also cut welds. Use an angle grinder and cut-off wheel to shorten bolts.
Flap Discs
Similarities exist between grinding discs and flap discs. While grinding discs are typically used for roughing, flap discs are typically used for finishing. This accounts for their more mellow disposition. Flap discs are available in a variety of grits, similar to grinding discs. Discs with greater numbers are smoother.
Heavy grinding is followed by smoothing using a flap disc. In addition to being effective at removing burrs, it also works wonders on scratches. Burrs and scrapes are sharp, so touching them without protection (like a safety glove) can cause severe cuts. In addition to sanding down and polishing gouges, chamfering tools can also be used to remove sharp edges from metal.
Wire Wheels
Wire wheels are made up of a web of wires fastened to a circular hub. Like other kinds of discs for angle grinders, wire wheels come in a wide range of diameters and shapes to suit their many uses. A wire wheel with thick, twisted bristles is rougher and does its job better. Thinner, straighter bristles are used for more delicate tasks because they are thought to be less aggressive.
Using a wire wheel to sand down a rusty workpiece is a quick and simple approach to getting a smooth finish. These attachments for angle grinders are multipurpose, as they may also be used to strip paint from a surface.
Diamond Cutting Discs
When it comes to angle grinder discs, diamond-cutting discs are far and away the most effective. The rims of these wheels have been adorned with sparkling diamonds. In most cases, you can use the rim to cut through whatever you’re trying to slice. The longer and more precisely they cut, the higher the cutting rim must be.
Diamond cutting discs can be used to slice through tough, impenetrable materials like granite with ease. They can be utilized in dry or wet cutting applications.
Polishing Pads
Putting polishing pads on your angle grinder will give you the polished look you’re going for. Simply put, a polishing pad is used to gently polish a chosen surface. Like every other attachment for an angle grinder, polishing pads come in a wide range of shapes and materials, each of which can give the finished product a different look.
Use polishing pads with an angle grinder that may be adjusted in speed. Not all angle grinders can be used for polishing because of the required speed.
Polishing pads are an excellent tool for giving metal objects a mirror-like finish. Because of this, polishing pads are a common sight in auto body shops.
Conclusion
To get the best performance and safety, it’s important to choose the right wheel for the material and job at hand. When using angle grinding wheels, you must take all of the safety steps that the manufacturer tells you to take.
Think about the tool’s power, the surface it will be used on, the disc’s size and shape, how long it is expected to last, how much it will cost, and what the tool’s manufacturer suggests.
If you take these things into account, you’ll be able to choose the best disc for the job and maximize both performance and safety.
Visit grinding disc types for additional information about grinding wheels, and don’t forget the safety guidelines!
