Grinder Cutting Wheels

[Medic4040]

Which cutting wheel is the best for grinding down the fiberglass and what's left of the wood. I am using one that is "best for metal" and it's doing it but is there something that was specifically designed for this that would do the best?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Grinder Cutting Wheels

That's the wheel 90%+ of us use. Just take your time and it will eat through the fiberglass just fine.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Grinder Cutting Wheels

Hands down, a flap disk for the grinder is the best you will find.

They are aggressive and remove material fast. They are excellent at blending surfaces together. They work on wood, fiberglass and steel equally as well. They do not clog up or heat up the material being cut because it actually cuts and does not grind away the material.

Once you try them you will never go back to a grinding disc again. The only con is that they are somewhat expensive.

 

[Medic4040]

Re: Grinder Cutting Wheels

Thanks guys. I am going to go w/ the flap disc and compare the differences.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Grinder Cutting Wheels

To be clear, this is what I am talking about.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/115/2620/=108buk

Many people think of the traditional wood working type flap disc that would be used in a drill press or hand drill.

 

[vandy21]

Re: Grinder Cutting Wheels

I actually use the masonry blade. It works pretty well. Similar to this...

http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/604893_front200.jpg

 

[JaSla74]

Re: Grinder Cutting Wheels

Flap disc 80 grit worked great for me. Used 40 briefly, but it was a bit more aggressive than I cared for.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Grinder Cutting Wheels

I've never found the flapper type discs to work all that well, not even close to a single disc of the same grit. They start out OK, but dull quickly and don't wear away fast enough to expose new grit and cut fast. I never see them used in fiberglass production shops, but I'm sure there must be some using them, I do see them in metal fab shops though.

I've purchased hundreds (possibly thousands) of cases of grinding discs over the years and cost wasn't an issue, it was speed and longevity of the cut. Every now and then I would find a brand or style that worked great, it would be available for a few years and then be discontinued.

The metal and masonry discs work well for some types of grinding or cutting, but not great for fairing.

I have all of these types plus a few others in my shop and the ones that gets used the most are the standard single discs in 24 or 36 grit.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Grinder Cutting Wheels

My two favorites have been my Metabo 7" grinder with a 36 single disk, and a Dewalt 4 1/2" with a Weiler flap disc in 80 grit. For finer work I have a small air sander with a fiber backed single disc from Ingersol Rand.

The 7" grinder was originally bought for heavy metal fab work but has been great for knocking down large amounts of glass for repair work.

I've tried various brands of discs and wheels, there can be a huge difference between brands in how well they work or last.