Recommended grinding wheels, flap discs and cup brushes?
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Recommended grinding wheels, flap discs and cup brushes?
What types of grinding wheels, flap discs and/or cup brushes do you recommend for following tasks on mild steel? Assume thickness of 1/8 to 1/4
Mill scale removal/pre-weld cleanup?
Beveling?
Smoothing/blending welds?
Paint prep?
Also, do you have favorite brand?
Mill scale removal/pre-weld cleanup?
Beveling?
Smoothing/blending welds?
Paint prep?
Also, do you have favorite brand?
- dacolson
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Re: Recommended grinding wheels, flap discs and cup brushes?
For flap disks: I’m not a pferd fan boy but I pick them up when I swap gas tanks at my welding supply shop. I buy a ton of Neicko and Benchmark on Amazon which are fine - especially for the price. The pferd last longer but cost a lot more.
Mill scale/paint removal - 3M scotchbrite-style clean and strip pads for angle grinder
Beveling - grinding wheel
Weld smoothing/blending - flap disks
Paint prep - roloc surface prep for pneumatic angle grinder
Mill scale/paint removal - 3M scotchbrite-style clean and strip pads for angle grinder
Beveling - grinding wheel
Weld smoothing/blending - flap disks
Paint prep - roloc surface prep for pneumatic angle grinder
Dave C - QueNorth Smokers
Farmington, MN
Farmington, MN
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Re: Recommended grinding wheels, flap discs and cup brushes?
Dave's recommendations are all good, but there really is no silver bullet for that stuff from my experience.
I have seen guys argue about what to buy for specific jobs, and worked around a bunch of metal tradesmen for years, and grew up in metal shops. and it seems everyone has their favorite brands, and way of doing each and every one of those thing that you list. I can say, just try something, then try something else. They seem to always be coming out with the next latest and greatest thing.
I buy a lot from Roark supply, They have a bunch of selections, and decent pricing. Amazon is good too, and free shipping over $25 usually
pick what works best for you.
I typically buy over $100 of supplies at a time, which also gives me free shipping from Roark
https://www.roarksupply.com/
I have seen guys argue about what to buy for specific jobs, and worked around a bunch of metal tradesmen for years, and grew up in metal shops. and it seems everyone has their favorite brands, and way of doing each and every one of those thing that you list. I can say, just try something, then try something else. They seem to always be coming out with the next latest and greatest thing.
I buy a lot from Roark supply, They have a bunch of selections, and decent pricing. Amazon is good too, and free shipping over $25 usually
pick what works best for you.
I typically buy over $100 of supplies at a time, which also gives me free shipping from Roark
https://www.roarksupply.com/
Regards,
"tinspark's" build links below:
Last build-GF:https://smokerbuilder.com/forums/viewto ... 30#p114730
First build- Santa Maria Smoker: https://smokerbuilder.com/forums/viewto ... 7a614a230a
Santa Maria Rebuild: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=7533&p=112344&hili ... 34#p112344
"tinspark's" build links below:
Last build-GF:https://smokerbuilder.com/forums/viewto ... 30#p114730
First build- Santa Maria Smoker: https://smokerbuilder.com/forums/viewto ... 7a614a230a
Santa Maria Rebuild: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=7533&p=112344&hili ... 34#p112344
- dacolson
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- Location: Farmington, MN
Re: Recommended grinding wheels, flap discs and cup brushes?
Have you tried the ceramic flap disks? Interested. Great site btw. Is there a cutoff wheel you prefer from them?tinspark wrote: ↑November 10th, 2020, 1:45 amDave's recommendations are all good, but there really is no silver bullet for that stuff from my experience.
I have seen guys argue about what to buy for specific jobs, and worked around a bunch of metal tradesmen for years, and grew up in metal shops. and it seems everyone has their favorite brands, and way of doing each and every one of those thing that you list. I can say, just try something, then try something else. They seem to always be coming out with the next latest and greatest thing.
I buy a lot from Roark supply, They have a bunch of selections, and decent pricing. Amazon is good too, and free shipping over $25 usually
pick what works best for you.
I typically buy over $100 of supplies at a time, which also gives me free shipping from Roark
https://www.roarksupply.com/
Dave C - QueNorth Smokers
Farmington, MN
Farmington, MN
- Dirtytires
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Re: Recommended grinding wheels, flap discs and cup brushes?
The best wheels for performance are probably not the cheapest ones. Try a few different ones to see what you want. When I started welding, I bought the cheapest ones as I figured they were all the same. Over the years, I’ve found they cut half as well and wear out twice as fast as a mid-high price wheel. My point is the the more expensive wheels tend to last longer, cut easier and are less abusive on you/your tool so are actually cheaper in the long run.
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Re: Recommended grinding wheels, flap discs and cup brushes?
What @Dirtytires said. Ya gets what ya pays for.
I'd bet that Dave (@dacolson) & I pick up at the same LWS.
I'm also a believer in the Pferd-USA tooling.
I'd bet that Dave (@dacolson) & I pick up at the same LWS.

"Measure with micrometer, mark with chalk, cut with fireaxe." Ted M., USCG (ret)
"Smoked pork. It belongs in me." Giles L
"Smoked pork. It belongs in me." Giles L
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- beginner
- Posts: 13
- Joined: July 28th, 2013, 8:50 am
- Title: Rookie MIG welder
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: Rocky Mountains
Re: Recommended grinding wheels, flap discs and cup brushes?
dacolson wrote: ↑November 9th, 2020, 11:12 pmFor flap disks: I’m not a pferd fan boy but I pick them up when I swap gas tanks at my welding supply shop. I buy a ton of Neicko and Benchmark on Amazon which are fine - especially for the price. The pferd last longer but cost a lot more.
Mill scale/paint removal - 3M scotchbrite-style clean and strip pads for angle grinder
Beveling - grinding wheel
Weld smoothing/blending - flap disks
Paint prep - roloc surface prep for pneumatic angle grinder
What grit # for the grinding wheel and flaps discs? Thanks for suggestion on the 3M Scotchbrite pads
Maybe this is why I had such a hard time finding any consensus on various forums. There are so many abrasive types it makes my head spin. Will definitely check out that site.tinspark wrote: ↑November 10th, 2020, 1:45 amDave's recommendations are all good, but there really is no silver bullet for that stuff from my experience.
I have seen guys argue about what to buy for specific jobs, and worked around a bunch of metal tradesmen for years, and grew up in metal shops. and it seems everyone has their favorite brands, and way of doing each and every one of those thing that you list. I can say, just try something, then try something else. They seem to always be coming out with the next latest and greatest thing.
-
- Expert
- Posts: 437
- Joined: February 20th, 2020, 3:08 pm
- Title: Papa Oso
- Location: West Coast USA
Re: Recommended grinding wheels, flap discs and cup brushes?
I have not used the ceramic wheels, but have never cleaned out the inside of a CC. I have been eyeballing them too..dacolson wrote: ↑November 10th, 2020, 8:57 amHave you tried the ceramic flap disks? Interested. Great site btw. Is there a cutoff wheel you prefer from them?tinspark wrote: ↑November 10th, 2020, 1:45 amDave's recommendations are all good, but there really is no silver bullet for that stuff from my experience.
https://www.roarksupply.com/
I purchased a 10 pack of these last time (below) from Roark Supply and have no complaint. I do not see too much difference from those and the "walter Zipcuts" from using those and a bunch of other stuff. They say that they are for stainless steel, but work great for mild steel too. I have cut stainless with em too, and they're fine.
Prime Cut™ 6" x .040" x 7/8" Type 1 (Flat) Steel/Stainless Steel Cut Off Wheel - German Made $1.69 each US
Regards,
"tinspark's" build links below:
Last build-GF:https://smokerbuilder.com/forums/viewto ... 30#p114730
First build- Santa Maria Smoker: https://smokerbuilder.com/forums/viewto ... 7a614a230a
Santa Maria Rebuild: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=7533&p=112344&hili ... 34#p112344
"tinspark's" build links below:
Last build-GF:https://smokerbuilder.com/forums/viewto ... 30#p114730
First build- Santa Maria Smoker: https://smokerbuilder.com/forums/viewto ... 7a614a230a
Santa Maria Rebuild: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=7533&p=112344&hili ... 34#p112344
- dacolson
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Re: Recommended grinding wheels, flap discs and cup brushes?
I have a Toll Gas 5 miles from my house. Never been to LWS. Where’s it at?JKalchik wrote:What @Dirtytires said. Ya gets what ya pays for.
I'd bet that Dave (@dacolson) & I pick up at the same LWS.I'm also a believer in the Pferd-USA tooling.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Dave C - QueNorth Smokers
Farmington, MN
Farmington, MN
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- Expert
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- Location: Minnesota
Re: Recommended grinding wheels, flap discs and cup brushes?
LWS = Local Welding Shop. Toll Gas in Lakeville? I've left a bunch of money there.
"Measure with micrometer, mark with chalk, cut with fireaxe." Ted M., USCG (ret)
"Smoked pork. It belongs in me." Giles L
"Smoked pork. It belongs in me." Giles L
- dacolson
- Expert
- Posts: 1577
- Joined: March 24th, 2020, 11:17 am
- Title: Lucky and grateful
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Only competing with myself
- Location: Farmington, MN
Re: Recommended grinding wheels, flap discs and cup brushes?
Lol. Not too quick. Yup. On cedar and 160th. Lately seems like a weekly tank swap for me.
Dave C - QueNorth Smokers
Farmington, MN
Farmington, MN