Grinder wheels: types of grinding and polishing cutting wheels for angle grinders + tips on how to choose and change correctly

The appearance of a car often worries owners no less than its technical condition, which is why many people polish the body regularly. This not only allows you to give the car a presentable look, but also protects the paint layer from premature destruction. Properly selected drill attachments for car polishing will allow you to complete the work as accurately as possible, ultimately obtaining an excellent result.

Types of discs for grinders

Diamond blade - For the manufacture of such disks, diamond-coated steel is used. It can cut any metal, cut various types of natural stones and artificial stones.

A diamond blade can be used to cut glass and ceramics. It is important to make several shallow cuts when working. This circle cut is narrow and neat.

There are new polishing wheels on sale; they have an elastic base. The new items have a non-smooth surface that resembles a turtle shell, hence the name: “Turtle”.

Carbide disc - Discs are made from high-alloy steel with the addition of chromium, nickel and molybdenum. The successful combination of these metals with steel gave this type of disc mechanical strength, thermal strength, and resistance to corrosion and oxidation. I mainly use carbide blades to process aluminum, high-carbon steel, and sometimes wood.

Abrasive disc (fiber wheel) - In the production of this type of disc, the basis is latex paper or fiber. An abrasive material, such as aluminum oxide or silicon carbide, is applied to such a base. The abrasive disk is connected to a support plate; it is needed to stop the cooling of the abrasive.

These discs are used both for cutting and for stripping and stripping. The fiber wheel is suitable for any material: iron, wood, stone, concrete. They can remove old paint, scale and even carbon deposits from any surface.

Making your own nozzles

If there is no suitable option on sale, then for a disk with a high level of rigidity you can make a soft layer of great thickness and place it between Velcro and a plastic base. Using a utility knife, you need to cut off the Velcro where the soft layer will be glued. For the soft layer, a bath sponge is mainly used. It must be remembered that individual elements can shift, breaking the overall symmetry.

You can also use a felt disc, which is used in a polishing machine and machine. First, you should make a pin with a suitable diametrical size and apply a thread on one side. On this side you need to secure the disk, which is surrounded on both sides by a wide nut and a limit washer. This device is not difficult to manufacture and can be used to process various surfaces.

Each type of work has its own disk

It is important to use your own disk for each type of work. Cutting wheels cannot be used for stripping and vice versa. Based on this, it is possible to divide the types of disks by type of work.

If it is necessary to cut or saw, then use cutting discs.
If you have to cut wood products, use saw blades.
If you need to peel off old layers of paint and varnish materials and primer or make the surface smooth, you need a roughing or grinding disc.
You can process metal, wood, and plastic products with a flap disc.
For final polishing of surfaces, a polishing disc is best.

What to look for when choosing a polishing wheel

Sometimes polishing attachments are already included with polishing fluids, however, if the products are purchased separately, you need to take them into account:

Form. There are two types of discs: surface grinding (circular) and flap (cone-shaped). In order for polishing to be carried out as efficiently as possible, it is better to purchase products of several forms.
Rigidity. This parameter directly depends on the type of polishing paste. If the liquid is used to restore the body, then it is necessary to select more rigid polishing wheels. To choose the right disc, just pay attention to its color: black ones are considered the softest, orange ones are medium hard and are suitable for all pastes, white circles are the hardest, so they are most often used to remove the most serious scratches.
Diameter. It is better to purchase several discs of different diameters, then it will be more convenient for you to polish different parts of the car and hard-to-reach places. Large discs are usually chosen for polishing the body, and the smallest ones for headlights.
Mounting type. The discs can be attached to a polishing machine or a regular drill in two ways: screwed onto a thread or fixed with Velcro. The latter option is considered universal, since you do not have to select discs based on thread diameter.

When choosing a nozzle for polishing a car, it is necessary to pay the greatest attention to the material of the sanding coating, since it will depend on it for what kind of work the wheel is most suitable.

Metal discs

Cutting wheels for working with metal are made from a super-hard material that is chemical-resistant and extremely fire-resistant based on aluminum oxide.

Cutting wheels made from these materials can be of two types:

Flat;
Convex.

Discs with a convex center are used for cutting metal products very close to the wall.

Tips for choosing a disc

Various retail outlets offer a variety of products from different manufacturers. The most popular of them: Yato, Bosch, Stanley, Makita, Kronenflex. Their difference is not only in cost, but also in quality.

Cheap cutting discs usually have low performance characteristics . These are strong vibrations during operation, overcooked edges, and tearing out of the inner ring. When purchasing, you can use the following advice: if it crunches when the disc is slightly bent, then there is a high probability of it quickly grinding down and breaking.

It is necessary to pay attention that hard circles for metal will last longer , but will require increased pressure on the tool when working, while soft ones will cut more efficiently, but will wear off faster. Thin circles are elastic and hold the load better when the tool is distorted. A thick wheel can be used for grinding, and during its operation it will be more convenient to control the correctness of the cut.

It is also important to note: although an angle grinder is a very convenient and necessary tool, it is also a source of potential danger. When operating it, you should not forget about safety precautions and under no circumstances remove the protective casing from the equipment.

Wood discs

Toothed or circular discs are installed on permanently mounted “grinders.” A special feature of such a disc is the presence of teeth on the outside tipped with carbide materials.

There are chain discs, they have a chain. Suitable for medium density wood. When working with such a wheel, you cannot cut wood with metal elements; the chain will quickly become dull when it comes into contact with them. Everything is like with saws.

Sometimes you need a blade that can cut all types of materials - this is a universal blade. The nozzle has the appearance of a regular disk with three additional teeth, tipped with hard metal.

The disc with a tungsten carbide edge has tungsten carbide coating on the outside. There are technological holes on the disk, they help remove heat during operation. This disc is suitable for wood and plastic. Working with such a disk makes it easier to encounter various metal objects, such as screws.

What material to choose a disc from?

Today, the market offers a wide range of car polishing attachments that help remove both small cracks and deep chips. Let's take a closer look at them.

Wool wheels

Wool discs are the most popular due to their low cost and efficiency. Such products are suitable for rough processing of paintwork.

A harder finish can be achieved using a polishing wheel made from twisted wool thread. Such products are suitable for medium-depth cracks and small defects.

Abrasive discs

Wheels made from abrasive materials are also considered hard, but unlike their woolen “colleagues”, they are more efficient and, accordingly, more expensive.

The products have these properties due to the special chemical composition of the polishing surface coating itself. More often, the abrasive layer is made of electrocorundum, chromium and silicon.

Felt discs

Circles made of felt are most often used for metal car body parts. Such products come in different types, depending on the level of wooliness of the polishing coating. For polishing, it is recommended to purchase thick-wool wheels, which work best at removing fairly deep scratches from non-ferrous metal surfaces. Fine wool circles are used the least often.

The diameter of felt discs can be from 70 to 250 mm, and the width remains the same - 25 mm.

Vulcanite (rubber) wheels

Such discs remove a thin layer of paintwork, after which the surface has a mirror shine. Therefore, vulcanite wheels are used only at the final stage of polishing, when coarser disks have already been used.

The polishing surface of the wheels is made of vulcanized rubber with the addition of abrasive components.

As a rule, only metal surfaces are treated with a rubber polishing disc at the final stage of restoration work.

Felt discs

Felt wheels are used at the stage of basic work, after rough processing, but before final polishing.

Felt products cope with most types of damage and work effectively not only on metal surfaces, but are also suitable for headlights, glass, bumpers and other body parts.

When using such a universal product, one important nuance must be taken into account - the disc must be periodically moistened in water. Then it will be several times more effective.

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Also, felt discs are suitable for almost all polishing pastes, together with which they remove scratches even faster.

ZM disks

This type of wheel is used after the car parts have been coated with primer and varnish. Such products are the easiest to attach, and sometimes even used without grinding machines. By and large, ZM is a cheap consumable material for washing and dry polishing body parts made of any material.

Foam rubber is most often used as a polishing layer in such discs. When choosing foam discs, it is worth considering one nuance - the smaller the cells of the circle, the better it will polish the paintwork.

Please note that the attachment on a drill for polishing a car will be less effective compared to a disk mounted on a grinder (or as it is popularly called, an angle grinder). Therefore, let's look at some recommendations for choosing specialized equipment.

Stone discs

Stone cutting discs, also known as diamond discs, are used for cutting all types of stones. There are several types of discs with applied diamonds.

Solid Discs - There is a continuous tape on the disc. Diamonds of non-natural, artificial origin are applied along the entire circumference of the tape. The disc is designed for high-precision cutting.
Segmented discs - The disc has several technological holes or slots, this increases resistance to mechanical and temperature loads.
This type of drive is more productive. The disc is designed for rough, not precise cutting.
Turbo discs - To increase mechanical strength, improve heat dissipation and increase cutting speed, the disc has grooves on the sides of the rim. The disc cuts any mineral materials.
Turbo segmented discs - Discs are characterized by high performance and versatility.
Diamond blades differ not only in structure, but also in the cutting method. Can be dry cutting and wet cutting.
Dry cutting - This method provides a more precise cut. But its disadvantage is a large amount of dust. This type of work requires good ventilation.
Wet cutting - This kind of cutting involves water cooling due to a constant flow of liquid. The disadvantage of such discs may be the bulkiness of special equipment for supplying liquid.

Rating of quality products from 50 rubles

C 24/R Makita D/25292 (13349299)

Japanese brand, produced in the Middle Kingdom. The equipment is designed for manipulating stone. Purchased for angle grinders. It is in great demand among both professionals and beginners. Suitable for both domestic and commercial use. Breakdowns are rare due to the use of innovative technologies in the production process. It copes well with rough machining of stones, concrete and bricks. Thickness – 6 mm, diameter – 100 mm, weight – 100 grams. Type – grinding. Straight shape. Flange mounted. Sold in convenient packaging.

How much does the product cost? You can buy it for 39 rubles.

C 24/R Makita D/25292 (13349299)

Advantages:

reliability;
wear resistance;
strength;
long service life;
practicality.

Flaws:

not identified.

Professional (1256.422.2 mm) Maxweld KRPR-12564 (16486904)

Cleaning consumables are purchased to bring metal surfaces into proper condition. Thickness – 6.4 mm, diameter – 125 mm. The disc is of the grinding type. Bore diameter – 22.2 mm. Concave shape. Attaches with a clamp. Installation location: flange. The packaging contains one item of the product. The weight of the structure is 140 grams. The Belarusian brand is manufactured at Chinese production facilities, but there have been no complaints about the quality.

The product is sold at a price of 81 rubles.

Professional (125*6.4*22.2 mm) Maxweld KRPR-12564 (16486904)

Advantages:

quality of materials used;
ease of operation;
wear resistance;
positive reviews;
can be ordered online in the online store.

Flaws:

not installed.

SP-Novoflex Metabo 617170000 (15869836)

An inexpensive grinding wheel is produced at a domestic enterprise. Durable steel is used in manufacturing. Installed on hand grinders. Designed for cleaning steel surfaces. A distinctive feature is high productivity and a huge working resource. Belongs to the grinding type. Diameter – 125 mm, thickness – 6 mm. The shape is concave. Flange mounted. The product weighs 0.170 kg.

The average cost is 87 rubles.

SP-Novoflex Metabo 617170000 (15869836)

Advantages:

practicality;
functionality;
versatility;
performance;
strength;
durability;
safety.

Flaws:

none.

Tsunami D-16110011562300 (15856003)

A six-millimeter metal cleaning wheel with a diameter of 115 mm is very popular among craftsmen. Straight shape. The seat is a flange. Weighs 150 grams. Sold at any specialized retail outlet. You can use the online store service. There is practically no defect on sale. The domestic manufacturer controls the quality of the product at all stages.

The purchase price is 93 rubles.

Tsunami D-16110011562300 (15856003)

Advantages:

strength;
long service life;
versatility;
wear resistance;
absence of marriage;
achieving a positive result in a short period of time.

Flaws:

not identified.

A21 R BF 14 A BU80 Luga-Abrasiv D/11201502260000 (15854285)

The sanding attachment is used with hand sanders. Ideal for power grinding of parts and structural elements made of durable steel. Quickly and efficiently puts welded seams in perfect order. The product is produced by a Russian company. The reviews are only positive. There are no complaints about quality and durability. They are purchased by both amateurs and professional builders. Thickness – 6 mm, disc diameter – 150 mm. Flange mounted. The shape is straight. Each circle has its own packaging. To extend service life, the manufacturer's recommended speed must be observed.

Purchase price – 98 rubles.

A21 R BF 14 A BU80 Luga-Abrasiv D/11201502260000 (15854285)

Advantages:

strength of the materials used;
application of innovative technologies;
versatility;
practicality;
reliability.

Flaws:

not installed.

Grinding disc

Grinding discs come in a variety of shapes: flat and cup-shaped; by surface type: petal, wire, diamond, disc.

Flap disk - used when working with wooden surfaces.
Wire disc - used for stripping or removing rust.
A diamond blade is good when working with stone. When working on stone or similar surfaces, use a bowl-shaped wheel.
Disc disc - for grinding metal.

Using a polishing wheel

By using a polishing wheel on a drill, you can update the appearance of your car. This procedure is most effective if you need to smooth out small chips or remove tarnishing of the surface.

The work is carried out in 2 stages:

removing paint from the body surface;
applying polishing compound.

Protective treatment is also carried out to reduce the negative effects of various types of precipitation and ultraviolet radiation. It is mainly done when preparing a car for sale. A protective layer (it contains wax or silicone) is distributed over the surface of the body to form a film that is invisible to the eye, repels moisture, and makes the body shiny. You can polish a used car with a soft pad if there is no paint damage. It can also be used with careful treatment with a protective agent.

Instructions for replacing a disc on an angle grinder (step by step)

No matter how durable the circle is and is resistant to all kinds of influences, sooner or later it will need to be changed. Replacing a disk consists of several stages:

Disconnect the grinder from the power source.
Press the button that locks the spindle.
Insert the key with the pins into the nut that secures the circle.
Turn the wrench counterclockwise until the nut gives way. In this case, do not forget to hold the latch. As soon as the nut starts to move, you can tighten it by hand.
Remove the nut from the spindle, then remove the used disc.
Now you can safely put on the new disc.
We perform all steps in reverse order. The nut does not need to be tightened with a wrench; it is enough to fix it manually.
We plug in the tool and continue working.

How to unscrew a disc on an angle grinder if it is jammed

During operation, for one reason or another, a nuisance may occur - the disk may jam. We offer you two ways to solve this problem:

First way

We find, in our arsenal, a piece of metal plate no more than 1 mm thick.
Clamp the plate in a vice.
Break the remaining disk. It's better to use pliers.
We insert the plate between the upper nut, the one that secures the disk, and the lower nut.
Let's start cutting.
The remains of the disk between the nuts will wear off, and the nut will begin to move freely.
Remove the nut