The angle grinder power tool with different discs and wheels is one of the most versatile tools. I have used It in my workshop and car repairing work. It is fantastic at cutting, grinding, and polishing work for wood, metal, pavers, etc. It requires separate disks/ wheels to do that much work.
So if you have the correct grinding disc, your angle grinder will be ready for different projects such as DIY, construction work, or others. That means a specific grinding disc needs for particular work. I will show you the most popular disc types and their uses with an angle grinder.
Today, I list 13 types of angle grinders and their different types of uses. Let’s see the details:
What is Angle Grinder Disc?
An angle grinder disc is intended for use in the angle grinders. This disc rotates at maximum speed when connected to an angle grinder to perform cutting, grinding, and other tasks.
Depending on the different models, it can rotate at any speed between 2800 RPM and 12000 RPM. The speed at which it rotates also depends on settings.
Angle grinder discs can be of many types. You can use different discs with a single grinder for multipurpose like cut, grind, polish, deburr, carve, and many more.
Also, using these discs, you can work on various materials, including stone, metal, concrete, brick, etc.
13 Types of Angle Grinder Discs & Their Uses
So you know the basics. Now, I will share most popular discs and wheels list. Learn about them and maximize the grinder efficiency using the suitable one for your job.
1. Bristle Discs
Let’s start with the one that very few people are aware of. And, that is bristle disc. A bristle disc is a molded, abrasive-filled disc used on metal and aluminum for automotive use.
This disc has 80 grit and is molded with abrasive, unlike wire brushes. The bristles are soft. Hence, it is used for polishing, finishing, deburring, blending, and cleaning. It also removes coating, scratch, defects, rust, and paint.
2. Flap Discs
Flap discs are similar to grit discs, but it is pretty finer. It uses an abrasive named Aluminum Oxide. Like grit discs, there is not a single flat piece of disc. Instead, it consists of several layers of abrasive sheets called flaps.
Hence, it is referred to as flap discs or flap wheels. It comes in several grits. The higher the grit, the smoother it is. Flap discs are mainly used for finishing because of their smoother nature. You can smoothen a deeply-grinded surface with it.
Also, it can remove chamfer edges, sharp corners, burrs, and scratches, and remove rust. It can polish any surface. However, it can perform any delicate grinding jobs that your regular grit discs cannot do.
Angle grinder flap disc is suitable for mild and stainless steel.
3. Grinding Discs
Grinding discs are the most-known type of disc. It does what an angle grinder is supposed to. Grinder discs come in a disc shape featuring a ribbed edge. This edge is intended to remove rough metal edges at a higher speed.
The disc features an abrasive compound that includes a bonding agent and grains. It comes in several grits. Depending on the coarse or fine abrasive grains you want, you can select between a lower or higher grit.
Select a low, coarser grit for those who will use a grinding disc for the first time after reading our recommendation. It may not give you a smoother finish as a high grit does.
You can use a grinding disc to clean sharp edges and cuts. It can also remove excess material from a surface and prepare it for welding.
Another surprising function of a grinding disc is that it can sharpen gardening tools. However, a grinding disc is ideal for mild steel but not recommended for stainless steel.
4. Cutting Discs
Now let’s talk about a disc with which almost everyone is familiar. If you are not aware yet, the name clearly indicates what it is, cutting disc.
A cutting disc is intended to cut stainless steel, aluminum, steel, and other metal alloys.
Cutting discs come in a number of thicknesses. Usually, cutting discs are thinner than grinding discs. The thinner discs can cut through metals more efficiently. But, too thinner discs are likely to breakage.
Working with those thinner cutting discs is riskier. It is more likely to bend while you change the position of the grinder. On the other hand, thicker discs are robust and durable. While you use thicker discs, it is less prone to failure or warp.
So, there is a tradeoff. You’ll need to consider these things when choosing between a thinner and thicker one. Whichever you use, do not push the disc too forcefully or too hard on the metal. It will do nothing but shatter the disc.
5. Sanding Discs
The sanding disc makes an angle grinder capable of sanding high-quality materials. The disc is smoother. Therefore, it ensures the material you are sanding doesn’t get scratched. It works more like refinishing surfaces.
The disc offers a clear finish when used with an angle grinder. Moreover, it ensures minimal damage while using. Many types of sanding discs can be used with an angle grinder, such as resin fiber discs, semi-flexible discs, and surface conditioning discs.
6. Strip Disc
Strip discs are an economical and safe option for removing paint or coatings from several surfaces. It can remove paint from the metal surface without scratching. These are equipped with poly-fiber, which is coated with abrasive grains.
These discs are suitable for removing coatings that are tough to clean. Strip discs are a must-have if you remove adhesives or coatings from wood or fiberglass. They come in two colors with two different grits โ purple (coarse grit) and black (3″ 75mm/44โโ100mm).
7. Diamond Disc
Diamond discs are the sharpest and toughest member of the family. Indeed. These discs have diamond grits inserted into the surface of the steel disc edges. The diamond grit is rated as a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale.
These discs usually have a cutting rim for cutting the hardest materials like concrete, stone, tile, etc. It can cut through these materials more quickly. However, the higher cutting rim is incredibly efficient and durable.
A diamond disc is a go-to option if you cut through tough-to-penetrate and resistant materials. Once you invest in a diamond disc, it will last longer and will be effective in the long run. You can use these discs in both wet and dry cuttings.
8. Metal Cutting Disc
Metal cutting discs are specially designed to cut metal sheets, stock, and bars. Metal cutting wheels/discs are made from reinforced fiberglass, organic resins, and abrasive material. However, these are formed under heat and pressure.
These discs often feature aluminum oxide and zirconia grain for durability and versatility. However, these sanding materials ensure good performance for cutting steel and ferrous metals.
Above all, they come in different thicknesses.
9. Wood Cutting Disc
As you may know, wood is a sensitive type of material. If you try to cut wood with a disc made for hard materials, it will damage the wood. So, you need a disc that is solely designed for cutting wood. A wood-cutting disc is what you need.
Wood cutting discs generally have a toothed blade with tungsten carbide tips. The carbide tips are solid and hence used for cutting wood. They can make clean cuts through both hardwood and softwood, including oak, pine, walnut, cherry, maple, etc.
10. Carving Disc
A carving disc is a high-quality disc designed to work like a planer. It has carbide teeth welded into a steel frame. However, this disc comes in a donut shape rather than a flat shape.
The carbide teeth are located on the entire surface of the wheel instead of the edges. There are a hundred teeth on the wheels’ surface. These discs can make a concave surface over the wooden surface.
11. Paint Stripping Disc
As the name suggests, the paint stripping disc is uniquely designed for stripping paint. These discs are equipped with poly-fiber material, which works as a cushion to prevent over-grinding.
Besides, it has silicon carbide grit that allows for faster stripping with less pressure. Unlike a wire wheel, it removes paint efficiently without scratching the surface. You can use it to remove epoxy and other residues from wood, fiberglass, and soft metal.
12. Wire Wheels
Wire wheels are the most aggressive-looking type of grinder discs. These discs are equipped with wires connected to a circular-shaped base. However, wire wheels come in different sizes and patterns.
These discs feature wire bristles scattered in a radial structure. Wire bristles can be thick and twisted or thin and straight. The thick and twisted bristles are similar to coarse grit and are considered more abrasive.
Wire wheels with twisted bristles should be used if the job needs to be done faster. It will not deliver precision. So, you can use it to polish harder metal and remove rust from workpieces.
On the other hand, straight bristles are less aggressive. It can be used for more delicate jobs that require more precision. Thinner and straight bristled wire wheels are suitable for softer metals.
13. Polishing Pads
Last but not least, there is a type of disc intended exclusively for polishing jobs. A polishing pad or buffing pad itself explains its purpose. It can gently polish a surface and make it shiny.
Polishing pads can be of many shapes and are equipped with different materials. You need to choose the right type of polishing pads for the surface you are polishing.
I use polishing pads with an angle grinder to polish my car surfaces. Polishing needs to be done at a certain speed. Using the polishing pads on an angle grinder with a speed control switch is essential. So, you can take it slow and do the polishing job perfectly.
Summary
So now you know how an angle grinder can do more than just cutting and grinding. Yes, it needs a set of angle grinder discs to make your angle grinder versatile.
It would seem like you have many tools for which you invest a few bucks. This is the best way to use most of your angle grinder. Your angle grinder can literally perform any tasks that come its way.
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