Thin cutting discs with a sell by date

[hotrodder]

FWIW this saftey sheet is typical of all brands (expiry date/shelf life mentioned under 'injury caused by product breakage')... http://www.klingspor.ca/html/pdf/pdf_1/18_ds_fepa_englisch.pdf

Like everyone else i've only managed to break discs by being hambfisted, doesn't mean that they can't become more brittle/delicate with age/poor storage though...

 

[Barry Crompton]

thin cutting discs

Thanks for showing the video. That is one serious wound which could easily have been a lot worse. All cutting and grinding products should be clearly identified with the sell by date. Many of them stamp a sell by date code on the internal metal ring. Check it out and if it is not clear then speak to your supplier who should be able to explain what it means. Any professional abrasive supplier will withdraw discs from sale when they are close to the sell by date.

 

[rtbcomp]

What is about these discs that deteriorates in storage over time?

 

[rtbcomp]

Just checked mine (all 115 mm)

Phoenix Extra Thin cutting discs VAL 10.2012 stamped on the centre ring
Dronco 1mm Perfect V10/2013 stamped on the centre ring
Dronco metal grinding disc stamped V07/2005 on the centre ring

 

[Shox Dr]

The Dronco had numbers on them, that "might" be years but none stated a "use by"

 

[Drains]

I have various discs, some of which appear to have a date (eg v10/13), some with a year stamp on the centre ring, some with nothing. None of them say "use by" or anything like that, and in all the years I've been using grinders (30 ish), it's never been raised as an issue.

I imagine if there is any relevance to the date it's because of the use of inferior resins which degrade over time. That's Clarke rubbish for you!

I can say that I have come across two bad makes of disc - Clarke and Nexus, both with out-of-balance discs. (Plus Dronco discs, not because they don't work, but because they stink). I once had a Clarke 230mm cutting disc explode on me and there was no operator error involved, although it wasn't my machine and I don't know what the history of the disc was.

I've killed a few 1mm slitting discs, but the disc has never been at fault.

And as for the bloke who posted the video, well I'm not going to accuse him of operator error without a spot more evidence, however likely it might seem.

 

[rtbcomp]

Markings can be confusing, I just bought some orange squash from Netto and it says "JAN12 1207" so it's probably over 800 years out of date.

They don't always say "use by", "sell by" or "best by" either.

 

[Shox Dr]

And as for the bloke who posted the video, well I'm not going to accuse him of operator error without a spot more evidence, however likely it might seem.

Agreed. BUT IF he had been wearing gloves, then...

As for dates. I've lost count on the amount of Grinding safety courses I've been on and not one has ever mentioned Dates

 

[Robotstar5]

We did an abrasive wheels course last year and one of the things we were told to check for was a "use by" date. None of the examples had the words "use by" just a date, this was so that discs could be sold to different language countries.

Checked the Dronco cutting discs I was using today, just had 2013 stamped on metal collar, also found they were rubbish compared with the Wurth ones we usually use!

 

[PTvor]

The only thing I've seen on angle grinder discs looking anything like a 'don't use after' date is on Sait Planet thin cutting discs. They have Valid (and scadenza) with the rest of the printing on the label and 06/2013 obviously over printed next to it with some adjustable stamp. It's right on the edge of the disc and wears off with very little use.

On new Makita grinding discs there's V.01/2014 over printed. Nothing to suggest it's important safety information.

I bought some JAK brand cheap cutting discs when I was stuck, and I can't see any sort of date on them.

As for selling the discs in different countries, there are symbols for all the dos and don'ts. If this was important, there's no obvious reason why there shouldn't be a date expiry symbol.

This area of the date expiry of angle grinder discs seems like an odd business. Safety information is usually quite clear, not hinted at and expressed in different ways.

 

[rtbcomp]

This has cropped up here also

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=207&t=1052486&nmt=WARNING%20-%20ANGLE%20GRINDER%20DISC%20PROBLEMS

From here

http://www.merchandising.flexovit.eu/uploadedFiles/SGmerchandisingflexoviteu/Documents/7.%20technical%20information.pdf

"Shelf Life of Cutting-Off and Grinding Wheels
All cutting-off and grinding wheels have a use by date engraved on the metal bore ring.
Wheels should not be used after this date."

and here

http://www.devonline.gov.uk/index/information_and_services/environmental_health/eh-healthandsafety-intro/eh-hs-guidance/eh-hs-abrasivewhe.htm

"Shelf life-All organic bonded wheels will bear a use-by date of three years from the date of manufacture. "

 

[Welderpaul]

Had some consumables delivered today. Grinding discs have 07/2014 printed on the metal ring. Nothing to suggest that this is a use by date. Nothing on the safety label in the box which covers every possible safety precaution.

 

[PTvor]

I wonder if it isn't a CYA exercise by the makers to put some sort of use-by date on angle grinder discs because the regulations are going that way even though they aren't presently clear, and there are potential legal actions surrounding what's obviously a potentially dangerous product. So it's better to show willing, and have some defence in a court case, but no one wants to be the first to spell out a use-by date, which they don't see as necessary and which would put off customers and sellers.

 

[Robotstar5]

Had a look at the HSE website and you can download a .pdf on abrasive wheel safety link BS EN 12413 clearly states expiry/use by date marked on wheel/disc.

 

[Shox Dr]

We did an abrasive wheels course last year and one of the things we were told to check for was a "use by" date. None of the examples had the words "use by" just a date, this was so that discs could be sold to different language countries.

Checked the Dronco cutting discs I was using today, just had 2013 stamped on metal collar, also found they were rubbish compared with the Wurth ones we usually use!

Thinking back it's 3 years since my last one.


Interestingly if you read the RBTcomp's linky, it states

Quote" Shelf life-All organic bonded wheels will bear a use-by date of three years from the date of manufacture."


So are the ones that don't have dates, synthetically bonded???



.

 

[rtbcomp]

They could have been made before the legislation was introduced.

 

[Shox Dr]

Arrrrrrrrh Good job I am off for an eye test today.Just had another look and there's a few with dates on the collars.doh

 

[john224]

Ive Still got discs that are 10 years old and still work ok not had any explode on me yet ??,,...(( grinding discs though ))
As money is tight and ive got 50 + discs left and i am still useing them,, 99% of the time when using them i wear thick leather gloves,,

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

Ive Still got discs that are 10 years old and still work ok not had any explode on me yet ??,,...(( grinding discs though ))
As money is tight and ive got 50 + discs left and i am still useing them,, 99% of the time when using them i wear thick leather gloves,,

I use glove all the time nowadays when using the grinder. Too many times have I been caught out with the odd knick in my finger....it hurts!


As for the use by dates, whether they are worth heeding or not, it sure is a great way of scaremongering people to go and spend out on new discs more often. Oh yeah, Im currently using a disc at work 4 years out of date, It hasnt nuked me yet

 

[brightspark]

Arrrrrrrrh Good job I am off for an eye test today.Just had another look and there's a few with dates on the collars.doh

so are u going to do your bit for safety go buy a fresh lot and give me your old stockpile and il add them to the shed load i have gathered over 30 years and wont be using I THINK NOT