Shark cutting discs

[SirDick Diodenob esquire]

I am using Shark brand 3inch cutting discs (1mm thick disc ) to cut 1 inch square tube approx 3mm wall thickness , getting about 15 to 18 cuts per disc before the disc gets too worn down which cost 10 Euro for 12 discs which is approx £ 0.70 per disc . Is there a brand available that will do more cuts per disc even if it costs more , I seem to be using a lot of discs , I know Shark brand is a cheap Chinese brand but I suppose all cutting discs are now made in China ?

 

[troppo]

G`day Dick
Go round some of your local tool suppliers and talk to them, if you suggest your looking at buying them by the boxful they may give you a couple of different brands to try out. I`ve always found that buying them by the box is more expensive initially but works out cheaper in the long run. Good luck with the search mate.
Cheers
Troppo

 

[pedrobedro]

What machine are you using them on? Air powered cut off tool discs are expensive compared to angle grinder discs for some reason and it would probably be cheaper to buy a 115mm electric angle grinder and discs to use in it than keep buying the ones you are using now plus you will get more cuts from bigger discs. A good hacksaw would be even cheaper

 

[troppo]

What machine are you using them on? Air powered cut off tool discs are expensive compared to angle grinder discs for some reason and it would probably be cheaper to buy a 115mm electric angle grinder and discs to use in it than keep buying the ones you are using now plus you will get more cuts from bigger discs. A good hacksaw would be even cheaper

An even better idea

 

[SirDick Diodenob esquire]

troppo , I agree could probably get a better price from a larger tool supplier but I am out in the sticks in Donegal , I know I can get them cheaper in England but tool suppliers are reluctant to post stuff outside UK and where I am we pay through the nose for everything . Pedro , sorry for misleading but I am using 115mm discs in an angle grinder not the 3 inch air tool discs I mentioned originally . I was using Dronco 115 x3mm thick discs made in Germany but they dont seem to have any more life in them than the Chinese ones .

There was a time years ago when I would happily have used a hacksaw for this job and it would have taken me all week but I dont have that kind of energy now .

 

[troppo]

Well how many discs do you go through?, would it be worth calling the irish supplier and asking prices on 10 boxes or so?
Make a few phone calls to the larger tool shops in other areas and ask them, postage shouldnt be too bad inside ireland. If your using quite a few of them and you can save good money buying in bulk its well worth doing if you could afford

 

[john224]

What type of discs are they as i use discs for << stainless steel >> as they last longer cutting and grinding steel,,
Also Do you have a variable speed grinder if so try using a slow speed for cutting as this will make discs last longer as well ,,ALSO why not try a tiped cutting disc run on slow speed i use tipped stone/Brick cutting discs to cut body work on cars but i only have a standered grinder,,

 

[pedrobedro]

It's not the speed that wears them out, I find if I let them cut at their own pace instead of pushing they last a lot longer. 115mm grinders don't usually come with speed control, that's 9" or 230mm with polishing facility.

 

[octo0072000]

TRY THIS works for me

try this cuts steel alloy wood etc well mine is the 255mm one and i have no problems cutting 3mm box with it replacement blades are about £30 and again let it cut at it's own speed and wear goggles does throw the the bits about

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Evolution...Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item45fe68eddf

 

[SirDick Diodenob esquire]

Troppo , I am getting through about one disc every seven to ten minutes and this goes on for a few hours each session . John , my small grinder does not have variable speed but am thinking about trying a 230mm grinder . Pedro agree letting the disc cut at its own pace seems to get more out of them . I have just been to the local agricultural supplier and paid Euro 2.50 each for a couple of Kencut ( Dronco ) 1mm inox special 115mm discs and will see if for three times the price of Shark brand they will cut three times more , you can see what my problem is having to pay over £2 for a decent brand name which you can probably buy in England for less than £1 . Octo I cannot use a chop saw for this as I am cutting freestanding large frames .

 

[octo0072000]

saw

have a look on evolutions site one below is hand held circular saw they also do a still type hand held electric disc type cutter


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-EVOLU...Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item336d1e3a95

home site uk based
http://www.evolutionpowertools.co.uk/uk/index.html

 

[PTvor]

Tried ebay? How about Smith and Arrow which have been discussed on here and seem to be OK? I haven't tried them.

I've had cheapies from a pound store (5 for £3) and they were better than I expected, but I didn't expect a lot. The last lot are Sait Planet which I bought from a welding supplier to make up an order, otherwise about a fiver for shipping. They seem pretty good but I don't have a direct comparison in terms of cutting up box section. I wore one out cutting up a trailer. I'd buy them again but wouldn't particularly seek them out. The supplier does Tyrolit now. 64p each.

Not all discs are made in China, there are a fair few made in Germany, the Sait are made in Italy and I've got a couple of Norton, yet to try, which are made in France.

 

[Shedendman]

Shame you haven't a toolstation over there,i use these
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Pow...itting+Disc+115+x+1+x+222mm/d80/sd1750/p35514
Not top of the range,but i have no complaints with them,as said before,last a lot longer if you let the wheel do the work

 

[SirDick Diodenob esquire]

Thanks for the advice so far . Have now used the Kencut ( Dronco ) made in germany disc , it didnt cut or last measurably better or for longer than the cheap ones , I cant claim I am doing a very accurate comparison as not very controlled conditions . Have now bought three Bosch Rapido Inox discs for £0.85 each will see if these are any better .

 

[octo0072000]

smith and arrow discs

Tried ebay? How about Smith and Arrow which have been discussed on here and seem to be OK? I haven't tried them.

i have used the smith and arrow one's last ok for me work out at 70pence each delivered see fleybay link

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-5-115mm..._Metalworking_Supplies_ET&hash=item519b684229

 

[Rick]

Smith and arrow were rubbish for me on stainless I use disc from local welding suppliers now they seem better.

 

[Shox Dr]

When you are cutting, do you wear the print/decals/paint from the sides of the disc? Is there a Yellowish powder around the cut? Do the discs smell when is use?

If the answer is yes to any of the above, then you are either pushing the disc, and or not cutting straight, causing the disc to wear prematurely.

 

[SirDick Diodenob esquire]

I am managing to keep the cut in a straight line with no sideways pressure , I know with these 1mm discs there is no leeway for moving slightly off course like you can get away with the thicker discs and I am not trying to push the discs and consciously dont put pressure on the grinder , they all cut fast enough for me . My interest is in getting the maximum amount of 1inch square tube cut for the minimum cost , may be a 230 mm grinder will be more efficient in terms of amount cut v cost of discs ?

 

[PhillipM]

Even 125mm discs would make a huge difference if you're trying to do it in one pass.

 

[Ed.]

I am using Shark brand 3inch cutting discs (1mm thick disc ) to cut 1 inch square tube approx 3mm wall thickness , getting about 15 to 18 cuts per disc before the disc gets too worn down which cost 10 Euro for 12 discs which is approx £ 0.70 per disc . Is there a brand available that will do more cuts per disc even if it costs more , I seem to be using a lot of discs , I know Shark brand is a cheap Chinese brand but I suppose all cutting discs are now made in China ?

If you do a lot of cuts like you seem to be doing then I would suggest getting a small band saw, after the initial purchase price, a bimetal bandsaw blade will keep on cutting for an extremely long time time, very economical. Just remember to get the appropriate tooth sized blade to match the thickness of the metal tube you are cutting. Otherwise buy by the 10 or 25 disc boxes off E-Bay. I usually buy the 1.2mm Smith and Arrow discs and I don't think that they are any worse or better than anything else around.