It is unnecessary to say that cutting metals is not child’s play. It is both a risky and challenging job. To make this procedure as perfect and smooth as possible, you need the Best Angle Grinder Wheel for Cutting Metal.
So, having the most suitable cutting wheels makes or breaks the deal, and there is no alternative.
But how to find a good quality wheel? It depends on some key factors. For example, types and thickness of the material, accessibility of the metallic area, number of disks, RPM rate, etc.
Here we listed some best quality items and reviewed them sincerely for you. Please go and check them out!
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Last update on 2023-03-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What is Cutting Wheel for Grinder?
Before we get into a wheel for an angle grinder, let’s learn what an angle grinder is.
An angle grinder is an authoritative tool for grinding, cutting, polishing, etc. It is a handheld power tool that supplies immense power and speed to rotate the wheels or discs. These discs are attached or detached according to your need.
Several options for wheels or discs are available in the market. The design, structure, or material can change depending on its purpose.
The discs we cut metals are generally called cutting discs or wheels. Cutting discs can also come in different shapes or forms. However, these are solid and sturdy circular discs with tapered edges to provide a smooth cut for metals.
Types of Angle Grinder Discs or Wheels
An angle grinder is a multi-purpose power tool. Depending on what type of wheel you are inserting, the outcome changes. This quality makes it an essential tool for many construction workers.
In general, you can find 10 types of angle grinder discs or wheels. Each one serves a different purpose. Let’s look into the kinds of discs for angle grinders.
1. Cut-off Wheels
Cut-off wheels are also known as parting wheels. These are thin, tapered circular discs that cut metal surfaces. You can find various thicknesses among cut-off wheels.
While more delicate discs make the quicker cut but tend to break, thicker discs cut slower.
2. Diamond Cutting Discs
If you want superb cutting discs that effortlessly cut sturdy metals or stones, then diamond cutting discs are the way.
Diamond grits are included in the grits, providing more cutting strength than cut-off wheels. With power, it comes with better durability as well.
3. Grinding Discs
As the name suggests, grinding discs are used for grinding. You can grind metal or stones with grinding wheels.
Several grinding discs are available in the market; some have higher grit for the more refined finish, while others have low grit for the coarse finish.
4. Flap Discs
Flap discs use for sanding down and smoothing out surfaces. These discs have abrasive surfaces, usually containing aluminum oxide. They are similar to grinding discs but more abrasive.
While grinding discs have a single abrasive surface, flap discs overlap several sheet-like pieces. These small abrasive sheets are called flaps and, hence, flap discs.
5. Wire Discs
Wire discs or wheels have a lot of wires connected in a circular formation. Some types have twisted wires, while others are straightly attached to the head. Depending on the outcome you want, you can choose any of these two.
The purpose of wire discs can be similar to grinding discs. However, these are harsher and stronger on the surface. You can use a wire disc to remove rust or paint from a metal surface. These wheels can leave scratches or marks on delicate metal surfaces.
6. Paint Stripping Discs
Paint stripping discs can remove paint from different surfaces. These discs are good for wood or soft metal surfaces, but they are also suitable for metal surfaces, as you can use them for car paint removal. So if sometimes you don’t have sanders for car paint removal, these Stripping Discs can be a quick fix.
Although wire discs can also do this job, they can be too harsh on the surface and damage it.
The discs of paint striping wheels are like a cushion layer made of poly fiber material. It is like grit and fiber, which removes paint effectively without damaging delicate surfaces.
7. Concrete Grinding Discs
Concrete grinding discs are structurally different than general grinding discs for apparent reasons. These discs are meant to smooth down concrete surfaces. These discs can also grindstones, granite, marble, bricks, etc.
Concrete grinding discs have significant patterns on the discs, which helps to polish sturdy materials like concrete. These are made of abrasive materials and are also incorporated with fiberglass.
8. Polishing Pads
You can use specific discs to polish surfaces and enhance their beauty. Polishing pads or buffing pads help to polish different surfaces.
These discs usually come with soft materials based on their purpose. You can use polishing pads to polish stainless steel, glass, cars, wooden furniture, etc.
9. Wood Cutting Discs
Some cut-off wheels are capable of cutting wood. However, if you are looking for a disc dedicated to cutting wood efficiently, it is better to use a wood-cutting disc. These wheels are ideal for cutting both hard and soft.
The formation of wood-cutting discs can be slightly different from metal cutting wheels. Wood-cutting wheels may have toothed blades similar to saws. Moreover, the tips of the blades can contain carbide, which provides incredible strength for cutting woods effortlessly.
10. Wood Carving Discs
Tood carving discs are perfect for serving the purpose of efficiently and effortlessly carving woods. Wood is a sturdy material, and it requires power to cut it. Hence, like wood cutting discs, wood carving blades are also incorporated with carbide.
Wood carving discs also have a toothed surface. However, they are a lot in number compared to wood-cutting discs. These discs have many small sharp spikes to provide precision and a smoother finish.
Note: Although die grinders are not used for wood carving, sometimes it brings a more professional finish than an angle grinder. We covered the subject in another article; see if you want to know what are the good Die Grinders for Wood Craving and other polishing, grinding, etc., projects.
Top 3 Metal cutting Angle Grinder Comparison Table
Last update on 2023-03-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Can I Use an Angle Grinder for Cutting Metal?
An angle grinder is a versatile power tool. You can use this tool for different building purposes. It is more of a device that holds a disk by which you can complete various tasks of your project. You can accomplish different results depending on which type of disk you use.
You can cut metals like aluminum, steel, iron, etc. Also, you can cut wood, lumber, bricks, and pretty much any dense material. We can simply say that this power tool can cut almost any material you need for building something.
Moreover, you can also use an angle grinder for sanding or polishing. With the correct disk, this tool can solve problems with uneven surfaces.
Best Angle Grinder Wheel for Cutting Metal: Top 10 Reviews
If you wonder which metal cutting wheel will best suit your purpose, then the first question you need to ask is what outcome you want. Based on that, you can choose the most suitable cut-off wheel for your angle grinder.
There are limitless choices available when it comes to metal cutting wheels. We have selected the 10 best angle grinder wheels for cutting metal for your convenience.
Depending on your expectations and need, you can choose an angle grinder wheel from any of these.
1. Benchmark Stainless Steel Cut Off Wheel
Benchmark Abrasives is a well-known name when it comes to grinder discs. Thus, the first option for a metal cutting grinder wheel is from the brand Benchmark Abrasives.
You can use these Aluminum Oxide cut-off wheels with almost any angle grinder. The disc is 6 inches in diameter and is very thin. The thickness is 0.045 inches, to be precise.
These thin blades make a clear cut without much disturbance to your ears. The discs maximize performance while cutting in the lowest possible time.
With this high-performance cutting wheel cutting sturdy metals is effortless. You can cut cast iron, steel, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, etc. The maximum speed for the cutting disc is 11000 RPM. Moreover, the double fiberglass mesh ensures safety as well as durability.
Overview
- Brand: Benchmark Abrasives
- Grit Material: Aluminum Oxide
- Wheel Diameter: 6 inches
- Thickness: 0.045 inch
- Maximum RPM: 11000
- Pack: 25
Pros
- It can cut a variety of metals effortlessly
- Compatible with any angle grinder
- Provides highspeed and high-performance cutting
- Durable and long-lasting
Cons
- Tend to flex sometimes
2. EZARC Wheel for Metal
If you are looking for a heavy-duty metal cutter, the best option is to choose a diamond cutting-edge metal cutting wheel. This one is from the Ezarc brand, one of the best diamond cutting wheels.
Diamond-infused discs are a hundred times stronger than bonded discs, making them ideal for cutting solid metal. This disc can cut both solid metals and metal sheets or pipes. Materials like rebar, iron, copper, and aluminum – can all be cut effortlessly with this cutting wheel.
The discs make cutting extremely simple. It takes almost no time to cut materials with the diamond edge at high speed. The maximum RPM for this disc is 13200. This high speed ensures a smooth and clean cut. This blade ensures precision, longevity, performance, and safety.
Overview
- Brand: EZARC
- Grit Material: Diamond Cutting Edge
- Wheel Diameter: 4.5 inches
- Thickness: 0.047 inch
- Maximum RPM: 13200
- Pack: 1
Pros
- Suitable for both solid and sheet materials
- It saves a lot of time
- No risk of shattering of the disc
- Works both as cutter and grinder
Cons
- It can be loud while working
- It can become slow after a while
3. PEGATEC General Purpose Metal Cutting Wheels
The next cut-off wheel on our list is from the brand Pegatec. This disc helps you cut metal efficiently with its high-performance quality.
It comes with a combination of fiberglass mesh and sharp ceramic alumina. This makes it extremely easy to cut through sturdy metals. Moreover, despite being very solid, the disc is thin, decreasing cutting time.
This hardcore cutting wheel can cut various materials, such as iron, steel, stainless steel, solid steel bar, metal pipes, structural steel, etc. Having a diameter of 4.5 inches makes it ideal for any professional angle grinder.
Furthermore, it comes with incredibly high speed. Having 13300 RPM as maximum speed can effortlessly cut most metals you can think of.
This disc has outshined many older cut-off wheels and deserves a shot, although it is a new product. Last but not least, the fantastic quality of these wheels is that they are long-lasting and worth every penny.
Overview
- Brand: Pegatec
- Grit Material: Aluminum Oxide, Silicon Carbide
- Wheel Diameter: 4.5 inches
- Thickness: 0.04 inch
- Maximum RPM: 13300
- Pack: 10
Pros
- Solid-built discs
- It makes minimal burrs
- High performing with less time
- Works on various materials
Cons
- Sometimes the disc breaks
- It can cause heating up on the surface
4. DEWALT Angle Grinder Cutting Wheel
One name that you must have heard when it comes to power tools is Dewalt. They are well known for making fantastic and highly functional power tools.
Likewise, they have an incredible option for cutting wheels for their angle grinders. These wheels can be used with other angle grinders as well.
The grit comes with aluminum oxide, fiberglass, and abrasive materials that provide an effortless and clean cut. The thin blade of 0.045 inches is ideal for cutting most metals smoothly.
Above that, it makes minimal noise or burrs. It fits perfectly with most angle grinders having a diameter of 4.5 inches.
Regardless of high performance and efficiency, the discs last a long time. The fiberglass ensures durability and longevity.
Overview
- Brand: Dewalt
- Grit Material: Aluminum Oxide
- Wheel Diameter: 4.5 inches
- Thickness: 0.045 inch
- Maximum RPM: 13300
- Pack: 5
Pros
- Cuts metal smoothly
- Creates very minimal noise
- It lasts longer compared to other cutting wheels
- Works on various metals
Cons
- It might vibrate
- The disc might tend to break
5. Milwaukee Flat Cut Off Wheels
Up next, the cutting wheel on our list is from Milwaukee’s brand. It is their 4.5 inches cutting wheels can be attached with any angle grinders.
Although it is for Milwaukee angle grinders, it works fine with others if they fit. These discs are sleek and flat and contain abrasive materials.
These cutting wheels work superbly for cutting stainless steel. It can also cut other metals as well. Moreover, the cutting experience it provides is outstanding.
These wheels are specialized to prevent vibration while working. It makes cutting a lot smoother and effortless. It also cuts metal very fast without any burrs. The wheels have incredible speed and perform well.
Overview
- Brand: Milwaukee
- Grit Material: Aluminum Oxide
- Wheel Diameter: 4.5 inches
- Thickness: 0.045 inch
- Maximum RPM: 13580
- Pack: 10
Pros
- Great value for money
- It has great durability
- It makes superb clean cuts
Cons
- The longevity might vary
- Some customers had issues with missing discs
6. S SATC Wheels for Grinders
If you are searching for cutting wheels for your 3-inch angle grinder, your best option is here. This 3-inch diameter cutting disc is from the brand S SATC. This heavy-duty cutting disc is for detailed works that cannot go with 4.5- or 6-inches grinders.
These discs are fragile and make a clear and clean-cut on metals. This is also ideal for concrete as well for its high performance.
The blades are combined with abrasive materials such as corundum and white alundum grain and reinforced by double fiberglass mesh that ensures an effortless cut.
This cutting wheel can cut steel, stainless steel, galvanized steel, iron, sheet metals, tubes, pipes, or plastic.
This remarkable disc meets the ANSI safety requirements. These discs are powerful yet safe to use. This prevents vibration while cutting as well as reduces burrs. With high functionality, it also provides precision. Moreover, it has high speed, 20000 RPM, making cutting done in a blink.
Overview
- Brand: S SATC
- Grit Material: Aluminum Oxide
- Wheel Diameter: 3 inches
- Thickness: 0.06 inch
- Maximum RPM: 20000
- Pack: 25
Pros
- It can cut heavy metals effortlessly
- It has incredible speed
- Prevents vibration and burrs
Cons
- It might flex
- These wear out quickly
7. Panlen Angle Grinder Cutting Disc
Another best universal cutting wheel from the brand Panlen. They are suitable for cutting most metals, including stainless steel, rebar, aluminum, iron, etc. You can cut both metal sheets and tubes using this excellent metal cutter.
It is a standard 4.5 inches diameter cutting wheel that you can easily attach with most angle grinder models. The thin disc can effortlessly cut through metal. The disc contains double fiberglass mesh and an abrasive layer to ensure that you get a clean cut every time.
With a speed of 13300 RPM, these wheels make cleans cut with minimal effort. Precision is something you will surely get from these wheels. These are durable as they come with alumina particles. Regardless of being fast and abrasive, these discs are burr-free and ensure a pleasant experience.
Overview
- Brand: Panlen
- Grit Material: Aluminum Oxide
- Wheel Diameter: 4.5 inches
- Thickness: 0.05 inch
- Maximum RPM: 13300
- Pack: 10
Pros
- Works great on thicker metals as well
- It has good longevity
- High-speed and thin discs
Cons
- Breaks easily
- It wears out pretty quickly
8. Makita Aggressive Cutting Disc for Metal
Makita is quite popular in the power tools game. They have great cut-off wheels for angle grinders. It is their 4.5 inches wheel for cutting various types of metals. Although these are most suitable for Makita angle grinders, you can use them with other brands.
It can cut through solid metal to sheets effortlessly. Cutting steel, rebar, stainless steel, iron, structural tubes is not a problem with these discs. When it comes to solid metals, they can be cut from small to medium diameter ones.
These high-performing discs provide outstanding balance while cutting through metals. They have precision and consistency.
These well-built cutting wheels have a low tendency to break or blow out. These are durable and last a long time. Moreover, these discs are contamination-free and corrosion-free.
Overview
- Brand: Makita
- Grit Material: Aluminum Oxide
- Wheel Diameter: 4.5 inches
- Thickness: 0.05 inch
- Maximum RPM: 13290
- Pack: 10
Pros
- Cuts solid and sheet metals cleanly
- It prevents rust and corrosion
- High performing and has stability
Cons
- It tends to melt sometimes
- It wears out quickly
9. WORKPRO Thin Cutting Disc
Another cutting wheel ideal for 4.5 inch angle grinders is this one from WorkPro. These discs are bonded with aluminum grains and corundum. These are incredible for cutting metals like stainless steel, pipes, copper, iron, carbon steel, etc.
These powerful discs cut metal pretty aggressively, so make sure to wear protective gear before cutting. These make cutting smooth as butter. They are formulated to decrease cutting time. With a speed of 13300 RPM, the wheel cuts metals in the blink of an eye.
The ultra-thin disc makes clean cuts. Moreover, these are burr-free. Precision is one of the most extraordinary qualities of this tool. Its losses minimal material while cutting through a surface, making it an efficient option.
Overview
- Brand: WorkPro
- Grit Material: Aluminum Oxide
- Wheel Diameter: 4.5 inches
- Thickness: 0.045 inch
- Maximum RPM: 13300
- Pack: 20
Pros
- High quality and durable
- It makes clean cuts with minimal wastage
- It has great precision
Cons
- It tends to chip
- It tends to break or shatter
10. BHA Cut Off Wheels
Lastly, we have an outstanding cutting wheel from the brand BHA. This disc is suitable for 4-inch angle grinders and compatible with most brands. These are infused with aluminum oxide grains, making them abrasive enough to cut metals smoothly.
Moreover, the wheel includes fiberglass mesh. It helps a lot with cutting heavy-duty metals. It makes cutting easy, but it also increases the wheel’s durability.
This ultra-thin disc ensures there is minimal cutting waste. If you do not want to be wasteful, this one is undoubtedly a good option. The package for these cutting wheels includes 25 pieces of discs. One package is good enough for a project as you do not have to purchase frequently.
Overview
- Brand: BHA
- Grit Material: Aluminum Oxide
- Wheel Diameter: 4 inches
- Thickness: 0.04 inches
- Maximum RPM: 14600
- Pack: 25
Pros
- Ultra-thin blades cut smoothly
- Minimal wastage
- Suitable for aggressive cutting
Cons
- Not ideal for professional works
- It might shatter or break
Why You Need an Angle Grinder Wheel?
Having an angle grinder wheel that suits your necessities is probably any welder’s dream. However, only having the angle grinder is not enough for a top-notch job.
An appropriate angle grinder wheel is also necessary. Otherwise, the cutting job can look sloppy even after having an excellent angle grinder.
This is more vital for cutting metals as a tiny error can ruin the entire project. Hence, choosing the best grinder wheel is the key to finishing off an excellent metal construction project.
It improves your performance and keeps you safe from unwanted injuries.
How to Choose the Right Cut-Off Wheel? [Buying Guide]
Before purchasing any cutting wheel for your grinder, you need to consider some essential things. Unless the discs are compatible with your machine and suitable for your job, they would be useless. So, here are the topics that you should keep in mind.
a. First Thing First, Consider the Disc Size
The first thing that you need to keep in mind is the size of the disc. By size, we actually mean the diameter of the cutting discs.
A few options are available, such as 3 inches, 4 inches, 4.5 inches, or 6 inches. Depending on your angle grinder, you need to choose the compatible size. For instance, a 4.5 inches angle grinder will not work with a 6 inches disc or a 3 inches disc.
A head-up just in case you have not purchased your angle grinder. More oversized discs can cut larger pieces of metal and might take less time. On the other hand, smaller discs or grinders are better for smaller or detailed work.
b. Consider the Disc Thickness for a Perfect Cutting Wheel
Disc thickness makes or breaks it quite literally. There is a fine line between too thin or thick and perfect thickness cutting wheels. Thin blades tend to provide precision, clean-cut and minimal wastage. However, they are more prone to breaking, obviously for being lean. They are more fragile and risk shattering, chipping, and whatnot.
On the opposite spectrum, thicker discs work slower. Being sturdy, you get less flexibility and precision. Wastage could be higher compared to thinner blades. So, finding out which one works best for you can be pretty challenging. You might have to go through trial and error before finding the perfect cutting wheel for your machine.
c. Observe the Disc Material to Ensure a Good Quality
Disc material is essential for the vulnerability of the discs. Usually, the cutting wheels are of a combination of elements. They can have aluminum oxide, fiberglass shes, other harsh elements like diamonds that ensure a smooth and clean cut. Without good material, the cutting job can become tiresome. The metals might not cut properly, can make a lot of waste, can damage the metals, or the discs can break too.
Choosing a cutting wheel with great material is the key to longevity and durability. So far, aluminum oxide cutting discs are best for cutting any metals. Sometimes discs infused with diamonds work even better for more vital metals.
d. Check Out the RPM Rate (Rotation Per Minute)
RPM stands for Rotation Per Minute. This indicated how fast the cutting wheel could rotate.
Faster wheels increase more advanced cutting capability. Above that, it reduces working time. These two qualities are essential for any extensive or professional metal cutting work.
Then again, smaller discs tend to have more RPM for apparent reasons, and larger blades are slower. However, keep in mind that the cutting wheel you choose has an RPM of no lower than 3900. In that case, the cutting wheel might not even be able to cut through metal.
e. If You Own A Large Project, Buy A Pack Of Discs
In general, cutting discs or cutting wheels come in numbers. Usually, you will find that they come in packages of 5, 10, 20, or 25 pieces. Having more discs is excellent for larger projects and having spare for an emergency.
As cutting metal is a tough job, and these discs are not immune to breaking, having a little more discs do not harm.
However, if you are cutting metal as a one-time job or for hobbies, you might not need a pack of 25 discs. That would waste both your money and space. You can opt for more miniature packs or single discs in situations like that.
Then again, some cutting wheels are so strong that they do not come in packages as these are strong enough to complete a job by themselves, such as diamond cutting wheels.
How many discs you want to buy is totally up to you. However, we would suggest you can purchase only a few spare pieces as a backup.
f. Consider The Price of the Product According To Your Budget
Every good thing comes at a price. It is impossible to buy something that exceeds your budget and breaks the bank. There are many options for cutting wheels for angle grinders at different price points.
You can choose a cutting wheel based on your budget. With that being said, good quality mostly comes with a higher price. So, for better quality, you might have to invest a little more. However, for home projects, affordable cutting wheels work just fine.
FAQ
Q: How to Cut Steel Metal with an Angle Grinder?
Firstly, you need to place the metal you want to cut on a steady surface. Then hold your angle grinder firmly and ensure that the wire is not in the way.
Afterward, turn on the angle grinder having the tool steadily, and move in the direction you want to cut the metal. Here see step-by-step guidelines on how to use an angle grinder to cut metal.
Q: What Should Clamp Holders be Used for Grinders?
Unless you use a bench grinder, you might need to use clamp holders to cut metals. Clamp holders can help keep the metal steady and increase efficiency.
Q: What is Ideal Speed Setting for Cut Metal?
For different metals, the ideal speed is different. The best way to know the applicable rate is to find the recommended speed in the angle grinder’s user manual. You can set the speed following the manual.
Q: Is it Possible to Sharpen Angle Grinder Blade?
No. An Angle grinder’s wheel or disc helps cut or grind other materials. However, when the edge of the wheels becomes blunt, the best option is to replace them with new discs. Discs mostly come in numbers in a pack so that you can replace them quickly.
Q: Can an Angle Grinder cut the Maximum Steel Thickness?
With an angle grinder having discs of 4.5 inches diameter, the ideal thickness of metals a cutting wheel can cut is about 2-3cm.
Q: What Else do You Need to Cut Metal with an Angle Grinder?
To cut metal with an angle grinder, you need a cut-off wheel. Additionally, you will need clamps to hold the metal on the surface securely. You might also need a marker for precise cutting.
Q: What Are the Differences Between a Grinding and A Cut-Off Wheel?
As the name suggests, a grinding disc grinds the metal surface. It works to smoothen or polish a metal surface. On the other hand, a cut-off wheel works to cut through metals. It cuts metals into pieces.
Q: How Long Do the Grinding Wheel Can Last?
The lasting power of grinding wheels depends on their usage. Frequent use can make wear out pretty fast. However, they usually last between 1 to 2 years.
Q: When Should I Replace My Grinder Wheel?
There is no exact answer to that. The grinder wheel’s longevity depends on how often you use it. However, once you notice its efficiency has decreased or looks worn out, you can replace the wheels with new ones.
Conclusion
A good quality grinder wheel is required for safe and smooth cutting. We’ve already reviewed some great cutting blades.
Now, get the most suitable one that goes well with your budget. A perfect cutting wheel will make your job easier, save you time and give you the best finish.
However, even if you have the world’s best grinder cutting blade, take the necessary precautions and always wear your safety gear.
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