Cutting wheels for grinders: the right choice for safe work

Application of cutting discs for metal

Certain wheels are used when cutting samples of varying degrees of hardness. It could be:

• brick;
• concrete;
• metal;
• granite, difficult to cut.

How to choose cutting discs for an angle grinder for metal
You can also perform grinding at any level, stripping metals, cleaning surfaces from paint, corrosion and adhesives.

Cutting discs can be selected for small, medium and large grinders. When choosing, the main attention should be paid to the selection of external and internal diameters. The depth of the cut will depend on the size of the circle.

Cutting wheels for metal

Also important is the number of teeth – cutting segments, which varies from 24 to 100 and is responsible for the cutting speed. The greater the number of teeth, the higher the speed.

When cutting metal, discs with a diameter of 200–300 mm are most often used. They are used for cutting aluminum and steel profiles, sheet steel, fittings and non-ferrous metals.

Standard disk sizes

The sizes of discs for grinders are standardized. The table shows the main technical characteristics of attachments for grinders:

The dimensions of non-standardized circles may differ from those indicated in the table if they are manufactured according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Cutting discs

Cutting discs, or they are also called abrasive discs, are most often used for grinders. Electrocorundum or silicon carbide of different sizes and hardness are used as abrasive grains. Nozzles are available in bakelite (with and without reinforcing elements) and vulcanite bond, flat and with a recessed center. The latter type cuts metal with an emulsion, since it has a low degree of heat resistance and cannot work under increased loads. Discs differ according to the material they can work with. The marking of such products contains an inscription and color. Explanation of the inscriptions in the table:

If there is a blue stripe on the disk, then the circle is intended for working with metal, and green for working with concrete.

The circle markings are clearly shown in the figure.

Products made with vulcanite binder operate at speeds from 50 to 80 m/sec, with bakelite binder – from 80 to 100 m/sec.

The disc itself indicates the date until which it can be used, i.e. the expiration date. If it is on a vulcanite bond, then this period does not exceed 1 year, on a bakelite bond - 6 months.

Grinding wheels

The products belong to the group of abrasive materials and are used before preparing the product for grinding, to clean contaminated surfaces and tarnished colors on metal. They consist of an abrasive substance and a binder. Available in hard and flexible. In the first case, a binder of bakelite, vulcanite or ceramic is used, in the second - based on rubber.

The degree of surface cleaning depends on the grain size. A distinctive feature of the grinding wheels is that they have the same seat diameter, equal to 22 mm. They are available in outer diameters of 115, 125, 150, 180 and 230 mm and thicknesses from 3 to 20 mm.

This group of products includes cord brushes, the working surface of which is metal wire. The products are called twisted cutters and come in cup-shaped and disk-shaped.

Sanding discs

Products in this group allow you to grind with the required degree of roughness on metal and wood. The grain size plays an important role. The finer the grain size, the higher the quality of the sanded surface. Manufacturers produce wheels with the following grain sizes: 50, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000. Consumables can be made of emery, have a sponge, felt, felt or fabric surface.

The felt wheel is used to perform polishing operations on grinders that are equipped with a speed control device. Products are made from coarse or fine wool of sheep, cows, goats, and camels. The diameter of such circles is from 50 to 150 mm, and they are 25 or 30 mm thick. It is recommended to polish at the speed specified by the consumable manufacturer.

Grinding wheels

Using sharpening discs, the edges of cutting tools are brought into working condition, and weld seams are also cleaned. Available in flat and cup-shaped. A distinctive characteristic of such products is their thickness, which is at least 5 mm.

Popular manufacturers and high cost of discs

Prices for consumables for grinders vary from the lowest - about 20 rubles, to several thousand rubles. The high cost directly depends on the manufacturer and what material will be used. The current market is rich in choice of manufacturers, both domestic and foreign.

Bosch

German company, a leader in the production of power tools and related materials. A wide variety of attachments for grinders: diamond and abrasive cutting wheels for stone, metal and wood. The company's products comply with ISO.

Characteristics of Bosch circles on the front of the disc

FIT

Canadian manufacturer of tools for professional and household use. The range includes a wide selection of cutting discs for metal and stone.

Dremel

American company. Produces high quality power tools. There is also a wide selection of attachments for grinders:

• cutting wheels for metal, wood and plastic;
• with diamond coating on concrete, marble, ceramics and porcelain.

Husqvarna

A Swiss company known for its high performance and durability of products. We offer a wide selection of cutting diamond and abrasive discs. The negative point is the high price.

MESSER

Korean manufacturer. A wide range of attachments for grinders:

• carbide wheels for high carbon steel;
• segmented diamond for concrete and asphalt;
• discs for cutting ceramic products, porcelain stoneware and marble.

Zubr

Russian company. Manufactures power tools and cutting equipment. Wide selection of universal attachments for grinders.

Hitachi Power Tools, Luga Abrasiv Extra

. Excellent price-quality ratio. In the assortment you can find budget options, which does not affect the quality of the products.

Types of discs for grinders

Grinder circles are replaceable elements. When working with different materials, you need to understand their types. This will help to perform the necessary operation efficiently. Circles are classified according to the following parameters:

• by appointment;
• type of work performed;
• design;
• type of cutting;
• material of manufacture;
• sizes.

Depending on their purpose, there are attachments for working on metal, wood, stone, concrete, marble, etc. Manufacturers indicate the purpose in the marking, which is applied directly to the product itself. Many varieties are universal tools, suitable for processing several types of materials.

Based on the type of work performed, as indicated in the title, manufacturers produce the following attachments for angle grinders:

• stripping (metal brushes, end flap wheels, with mandrel, batch);
• roughing (grinding wheels, twisted cutters, diamond roughing wheels);
• saws The presence of teeth on the cutting edge is a design feature of the product. This allows you to obtain particularly clean cuts on wood, plasterboard, gas silicate, plywood and other similar materials;
• cut-off Cutting and diamond discs are produced with a continuous cutting edge and divided into segments;
• grinding (discs with varying degrees of grain size and hardness);
• polishing (felt, felt, with special Velcro and grinding attachments);
• for cutting joints in asphalt, concrete, etc.;
• milling (for cutting grooves, bowls, edge processing, etc.);
• sharpening A characteristic feature is the ability to perform operations with the side surface.

The disk is a product of a certain diameter and thickness, which has a mounting hole for attachment to an angle grinder with a cutting edge of a solid, segmented or shaped configuration.
The choice of a specific type depends on the operation being performed and the material on which it will be performed. Cutting using such attachments can be done dry, wet or combined. The labeling indicates this feature. Depending on the material used, the discs can be abrasive, carbide, diamond or brush. The basis of the first type of circles is special latex paper or fiber, onto which an abrasive layer with a binder is applied. The nozzle, made of fiber, comes with a rubber or plastic support plate. Carbide disc is a product made of alloy steel. Such consumables can be used for cutting aluminum, stainless steel, high carbon steel and other materials, as indicated in the marking.

Diamond blades are a universal consumable. It is a steel product with diamond coating applied to its surface. This allows you to get the thinnest cut in any material. Popular products, popularly called turtles, are a type of attachment made on a flexible base, have a grooved structure and are attached with Velcro. In addition, they produce diamond blades with a solid edge for cutting in the wet method, segmented and turbo-segmented for cutting in the dry method, and combined ones.

How to choose the right disc for an angle grinder

Wheels for grinders can be purchased in retail chains in a varied assortment and at reasonable and high prices. With the help of products made from different materials and using different technologies, diverse operations are performed. What are the basic selection rules and what to pay attention to? It is necessary to clearly know what materials you will be working with. You also need to pay attention to the following factors:

• diameter and thickness (indicators should not be greater than indicated in the passport data for the angle grinder or, more simply, the disc must fit into the protective casing);
• seat size (must correspond to the diameter of the grinder spindle);
• rotation speed (it must correspond to the type of grinder, indicated on the disk itself);
• type of cutting (dry, wet or combined).

The rules that must be followed to make products last longer are simple. For hard materials, choose discs with a soft binding, for soft ones – with a hard one. The work area should not overheat during operations. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically remove the disc from the material to allow it to cool. You cannot make deep cuts in one pass. Do not press the product with great force and work at high speeds. Remember: if during operation the disc experiences beating or cracks appear on it, you cannot cut with this consumable. It needs to be replaced.

The video explains in detail and clearly about grinder wheels:

We ask those who have encountered discs for grinders, made their choice and worked with specific models, to share their experience in the comments to the text.