Flap/Rotary Wheels for Die Grinder

[FASTdan]

In my line of work (aluminium inlet manifolds) I regularly use 30mm dia rotary flap wheels for polishing internals of the manifolds. I have used various ones in the past (usually randomly selected from the internet based purely on price) and lately have repeatedly ordered from RDG tools:

http://www.rdgtools.co.uk/acatalog/EVERYTHING_ELSE_ABRA.html
However I have to be honest, they dont last two minutes.

One issue is my evolution die grinder is fixed RPM (29000 off the top of my head) which is actually above the rated speed for most. However the RDG ones do hold up no problem (where some I have had break away violently in large chunks!). At these speeds they do a great job but as I say turn to dust rapidly.

Can anyone recommend a higher quality alternative? Am I likely to see any longer life or should I just accept it? I dont mind paying more if I see a decent life improvement. They're also horribly dirty to use as just seem to turn to black dust.

 

[W4yne]

I have seen someone in the past "possibly in here" fit a voltage regulator "dimmer switch" into the cable thus giving their fixed speed grinder variable speed.

 

[pedrobedro]

Your grinder will be rated at it's no load speed which will soon slow down if you exert any pressure on it. I find the black stuff is just something you get from working aluminium.

 

[armalites]

I've bought grinding disc (flexi) from these guys before and their stuff is pretty.

http://www.abrasivesformetal.co.uk/Spindle-Mounted-Flap-Wheels.aspx

I found an invoice I had from them where i bought a box of each grit in Zirconia, just run out on the 36s and it turns out I bought them in 2007!

Sure I don't use them every day but 5 years supply for what was £20 isn't too bad at all.

I guess as with many things you get what you pay for and if you can afford to buy in bulk in a couple of months you forget what you've spent and don't have to put your pocket again for some time.

Have you thought about a cheap air powered die grinder? You could control the air flow,they cost £20 and are very compact.

 

[normspanners]

Have you thought about a cheap air powered die grinder? You could control the air flow,they cost £20 and are very compact.

my air sealey die grinder is vaiable speed

 

[graffian]

You use cartridge rolls for polishing.
Or a bolt with a slot cut in it and a strip of emery rolled around it.

 

[mike 109444]

Another option to slow down the grinder is to make up an adapter lead and use one of the yellow 110v builders type transformer (if you or a mate has one kicking around as most builders seam to use cordless now) It is what I use when using a 1/4 router for grinding/sanding as they are also to fast for most sanding drums and safer if out of balance/round.

 

[Paul G]

3M sell them but they come in a box of 40.
I need some, but don't need £59 worth.
The bigger ones (60x30) they sell in 10's so I'm going to give those a try anyway.

I hear what your saying about quality. I bought some from a car show once and they just disappeared in a cloud of dust.

I have emailed 3M to see if they will split a box, but if they don't do you fancy going half's?

Cheers,
Paul G

 

[normspanners]

Another option to slow down the grinder is to make up an adapter lead and use one of the yellow 110v builders type transformer (if you or a mate has one kicking around as most builders seam to use cordless now) It is what I use when using a 1/4 router for grinding/sanding as they are also to fast for most sanding drums and safer if out of balance/round

Good idea Mike, Yeh I just remembered I did this when using a jig saw that was'nt variable speed to cut some plastic window sheets, as I was cutting, it was melting and welding the plastic back together behind the blade. Because it was not hard work the saw handled the low voltage no problem and it cut the windows perfectly and there was a LOT of cutting to do.

 

[FASTdan]

3M sell them but they come in a box of 40.
I need some, but don't need £59 worth.
The bigger ones (60x30) they sell in 10's so I'm going to give those a try anyway.

I hear what your saying about quality. I bought some from a car show once and they just disappeared in a cloud of dust.

I have emailed 3M to see if they will split a box, but if they don't do you fancy going half's?

Cheers,
Paul G

Where have you seen them at that price (£59)? To be fair thats not a bad price per unit, though I appreciate as you say its a large quantity. But I would probably go for that as I use a lot of them - so thanks for the offer of halves but I would want the full lot due to useage.

Cheapest I can see the 3m ones is on RS @ £20.88 for 10.

I have a couple of air grinders but do not have the air supply to run them properly at the moment. I also find they are slow in comparison to the electric.

The 110V idea is an interesting one, or indeed the dimmer switch.

 

[FASTdan]

I've bought grinding disc (flexi) from these guys before and their stuff is pretty.

http://www.abrasivesformetal.co.uk/Spindle-Mounted-Flap-Wheels.aspx

I found an invoice I had from them where i bought a box of each grit in Zirconia, just run out on the 36s and it turns out I bought them in 2007!

Sure I don't use them every day but 5 years supply for what was £20 isn't too bad at all.

I guess as with many things you get what you pay for and if you can afford to buy in bulk in a couple of months you forget what you've spent and don't have to put your pocket again for some time.

Have you thought about a cheap air powered die grinder? You could control the air flow,they cost £20 and are very compact.

They're not badly priced are they? Might give them a try as the 3m ones on RS are out of stock until mid feb!

 

[normspanners]

The 110V idea is an interesting one

Thing is with that idea there is nothing to go wrong, as you would'nt be 'pushing' the tool on polishing would you? coz on ally you normally let the speed do the work.

 

[Paul G]

Where have you seen them at that price (£59)? To be fair thats not a bad price per unit, though I appreciate as you say its a large quantity. But I would probably go for that as I use a lot of them - so thanks for the offer of halves but I would want the full lot due to useage.

Cheapest I can see the 3m ones is on RS @ £20.88 for 10.

I have a couple of air grinders but do not have the air supply to run them properly at the moment. I also find they are slow in comparison to the electric.

The 110V idea is an interesting one, or indeed the dimmer switch.

Hi Dan,
O well, here go's. Not good at this sort of thing.
http://www.3mdirect.co.uk/p-2603-3m-339-shaft-mounted-flap-wheel.aspx

fingers crossed
Paul G

edit to add:-

Bu**er me. It worked.
O, and I lied. It's £59 and FIVE PENCE

 

[mike 109444]

Good idea Mike, Yeh I just remembered I did this when using a jig saw that was'nt variable speed to cut some plastic window sheets, as I was cutting, it was melting and welding the plastic back together behind the blade. Because it was not hard work the saw handled the low voltage no problem and it cut the windows perfectly and there was a LOT of cutting to do.

Not wishing to hijack post from Fastdan but does follow on a bit for any one reading ori post. Know what you mean about the "self healing" plastic had same.
I have used the transfromer ideal for most of the tools I use on the car body work. You get less torque from the tools but that can be a blessing (saftey wise) Any out of balance is easer to stop tool before it is thrown out of your hand. A lot of the sanding and grinding disc.pads ect are not designed to run at the sort of speed of a grinder (thoses for power drill use) I also use it on a power file attachment I have made up for my angle grinder and there is also an adapter for the rota zip tool that turnes it into a mini angle sander/grinder which I fit to my B&D router. All in all a much safer and more usable way of using high speed tools! Also tools run quiter, less noise for neighbours.

 

[FASTdan]

Hi Dan,
O well, here go's. Not good at this sort of thing.
http://www.3mdirect.co.uk/p-2603-3m-339-shaft-mounted-flap-wheel.aspx

fingers crossed
Paul G

edit to add:-

Bu**er me. It worked.
O, and I lied. It's £59 and FIVE PENCE

Thanks very much for the link, spot on!! Why on earth on the normal 3M website in the 'where to buy' bit, does it not direct you to 3mdirect?!! It just list a few dealers lol madness.