Sanding disc ???

[Rick_L]

For much of my fabrication finishing, I've been using a right angle air die grinder with a 3" "Roloc" style rubber backing pad, and I usually start out with a 36 grit disc.

I just wondered what brand and style discs others were using, and what you thought lasted well and cut well. I've been using cloth backed discs from McMaster Carr - they are Standard Abrasives brand and they are cloth backed. They cost about $0.75 apiece when you buy in boxes of 25, and my opinion is they don't last very long. They cut nicely when new, but it's not that way for long.

Just wondering what the alternatives might be. Cheaper is not cheaper overall if you spend all your time changing discs.

I do rough in some work with a cutoff wheel or grinding disc, especially if it's mig.

[Chevynut]

Rick, I have used some discs that I got at Super Chevy the past couple of years...probably made in China. I decided to try 3M Rolocs because I was told the more expensive discs last longer. I really didn't see much difference. I had to grind my welds on my stainless tank and I was really disappointed at how many discs I went through. I ended up using a 4" Makita grinder first then finishing with the Rolocs.

I bought the 3M stuff in a box of 50 from J&L Industrial Supply and I think they were around $1 each.

[Rick_L]

I've also tried flap discs. They seem to work fair on the 4-1/2" grinder, but not so great on the 3". They cut great for about 2 minutes when new, then no good. And they're expensive.

I still use them on occasion, but only in certain situations.

[MP&C]

Rick, I think I'm using the same discs you are from Mcmaster Carr. I agree they lose their bite rather quickly. For dressing welds, I'll use a 1/16 wide cutoff wheel to get it close and the sanding disc to finish. I just stopped by my local welding supply saturday, picked up a couple pair of tig gloves, and noticed they had the SAIT brand 3" sanding discs. As I was running low, I got 2 boxes /50 of the 60 grit, one box 36 grit, .75 each. I'll have to let you know how they compare, they're still in the box.

[scotts406]

When the disc starts to loose it's bite (I use 3M ) I trim off about 3/16 around and reinstall on a 2" disc holder, I get a little more life out of them that way. just my 2 cents. Scott

[Tuned55]

I have tried several and always go back to the 3M Roloc. Your right , they don't last near long enough so best I can do is try to get a good buy on them which for me means ebay. I also have a 2'' backer so I can trim them. As far as cutting wheels I went from my air die grinder to a 4'' angel grinder and won't go back to the air die grinder. The cutting wheels don't last long enough either but it beats hack saw :cool:

[Hotroddder]

I almost always buy Zircon discs. They cost more but usually the life is much better. I used to manage a Wood Stove Mfg plant and we use a lot of sanding and grinding discs. The Zerc discs almost always proved themselves as at least as cost effective or saved us money. If we saved time changing discs then it saved us money. Heat is the killer to these discs. If you can overcome the urge to push hard on a well cutting disc and keep the head down, then they will last longer.

They also make ceramic chip discs and I have tried them as well. They seem to be available in the finer grits, like 50 - 100 g. They have actual ceramic fragments bonded to the backing and they will last quite long if not over heated, but they are the most expensive.

I believe they even have some diamond dust discs, but I have not had the opportunity to try them.

The flap discs work well in the 4" and larger size. The smaller ones seem to tear up to quickly and not last.

In grinding wheels, I will only buy zircon wheels. They reduce the amount of crap flying around as they breakdown much slower than the cheaper wheels.

In my opinion, buying higher grade, longer lasting materials is always worth it. It makes for a bit cleaner environment and less time changing abrasives. I never buy cheap abrasives.........

3M is a great brand, but if you buy other brands and make sure you are getting the correct material you can save some money. I have used Merit and several other brands with success.

[Rick_L]

Sounds like everybody is pretty close to being on the same page.

Robert, if you think of it, post your results on the SAIT discs.

Hotrodder, I'll try the Zircon sometime. Curiously, what prompted my post was that I just ordered some abrasives from McMaster Carr, about $100 for a little bitty box of stuff. One thing I did order was a Zircon belt for my belt sander. Looking forward to trying it.

[Hotroddder]

I get my stuff from a local Abrasives supplier. McMaster car has a good selection, but top level pricing. I use a lot of 2" die discs. I pay $.75 each for the Zirc discs. 50 G standard runs about $.50 each. I also get some stuff from WW Grainger. Occationally you can find quality stuff at swap meets, but as always, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is......

On the cutoff wheels, I use Walker SS wheels 3" X .030. They last great and don't break down too fast.

Hotroddder

[prostreet]

Hi Guys
I seem to be stuck on 3M , I buy a few hundred at a time and they do give me to much of a break but they seem to do the job. I use 36 grit and Finnish off with 80 and polish with 220. I give most my customers back there car in bare metal is why I use a finer grit in the end. I did how ever find a company in Ohio that you can buy direct and I get my cut off wheels from them.
There is also a fellow that comes to Carlisle Events and I get 4 to 500 cut of wheel from him and he gives them to me in the area off 60 to 65 cents each. Depending on how many beers he had . :D

[Chevynut]

I just bought 30 thin (1/32") 3" cutoff wheels from a vendor at Goodguys for $20. I have used these for a long time and they really do the job and are relatively cheap. I have used Norton and other cutoff wheels, and I think these cheap ones are just as good. I bought some 3M 12" disc sander PSA discs....they stick better than the cheap ones from HF (can't hardly get them off!), but they don't last any longer, IMO. They cost 2-3 times as much too. Personally, I don't subscribe to the theory that expensive abrasives are better than cheap ones. It hasn't been my experience.

[Hotroddder]

I bought some 3M 12" disc sander PSA discs....they stick better than the cheap ones from HF (can't hardly get them off!), but they don't last any longer, IMO. They cost 2-3 times as much too. Personally, I don't subscribe to the theory that expensive abrasives are better than cheap ones. It hasn't been my experience.

I guess if you shop at HF then that explains it.... :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p

just kidding.....

Hotroddder

[prostreet]

Hi Chevy nut
The fellow I found on line said the ones I get are knock outs from large cut off disc. I think most are made from a few manufactures and labeled. The thin ones are the choice in my shop they cut threw cleaner, quicker and with far less heat. With a little practice you can make them last , I make an easy cut on my line first and and this thins the cut area and as I travel back and forth the metal gets thinner each pass and the wheel dose not get as punnished as if you try to cut threw all at once. :)

[Rick_L]

I have found that the 3M "Green Corps" cutoff wheels last longer for me.

I use thin ones for cutoff, especially when a thin cut is to my benefit. I use thicker ones for dressing welds, etc.

[prostreet]

Hi Folks
Here the link to the online cut off wheels.
http://www.abrasives4sale.com/2to4.htm These work well . :D

[56-210sedan]

I just bought 30 thin (1/32") 3" cutoff wheels from a vendor at Goodguys for $20. I have used these for a long time and they really do the job and are relatively cheap. I have used Norton and other cutoff wheels, and I think these cheap ones are just as good. I bought some 3M 12" disc sander PSA discs....they stick better than the cheap ones from HF (can't hardly get them off!), but they don't last any longer, IMO. They cost 2-3 times as much too. Personally, I don't subscribe to the theory that expensive abrasives are better than cheap ones. It hasn't been my experience.

Laszlo, Would you happen to remember the name of the vendor at the Good Guys Show?

[Chevynut]

Marty I bought some more this year along with some roloc-type discs. My credit card statement says "MPP Tools" in MN.

[Shua57]

I like buying flap disc from HF for my finishing. I'm having trouble determining what works best so I grind then flap disc. They burn up quick but make a nice surface. I also have used the Norton disc on my DA. Everything I have tried never last long enough:sign0020:
Josh