Grinding Disc Suggestions

Any suggestions for grinding discs? I was planning to some serious work on my car starting with the body. What do ya'll use? I have some ideas like this Smith & Arrow I'm really interested in. (http://stores.shop.ebay.com/smith-an...__W0QQ_armrsZ1). It's actually very cheap and has a lot of good feedback from 6000 sales. But if ya'll have any other in mind then that would be great also.

For rough body work I use Dewalt flap discs

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=178821-70-DW8308&lpage=none&cm_mmc=search_gps--gps--gps-_-DEWALT%2036%20Grit%204-1/2"W%20x%204-1/2"L%20Flap%20Disc

Have never gone back to traditional grinding discs again. Can't see the link as it appears broken, so I don't know what it shows.

Harbor Freight sells a lot of things that look like the Dewalt versions. They do not however, work or last like the Dewalt versions. Like most other things, you will get what you pay for.

i used the traditional stone type grinding disks to the dewalt flap wheels and cant imagine going back to the stone type ones.

for body work i use the flap wheels

for rough/heavy work like grinding off welds on frames i use normal old grinding wheels.

Best bang for the buck on traditional flap wheels is (IMHO):

http://www.lehighvalleyabrasives.com/servlet/StoreFront

1.79 ea. for made in the usa wheels.

Plenty of other abrasive products, too. I buy a lot from them.

-James

edit: just looked at the price on the dewalt ouch!

jamscal wrote: Best bang for the buck on traditional flap wheels is (IMHO): http://www.lehighvalleyabrasives.com/servlet/StoreFront 1.79 ea. for made in the usa wheels.

BOOKMARKED

For ziz wheels and such I generally get the Norton stuff that HD sells. For flappers, I've gotten decent life out of Norton from Fastenal. HD doesn't carry flappers.

If you are just removing paint and Bondo, knotted wire wheels have always worked best for me, they are easier on the metal below. For grinding welds I use flap discs or for small stuff those 2" wheels for an angle die grinder.

walterj wrote:

jamscal wrote: Best bang for the buck on traditional flap wheels is (IMHO): http://www.lehighvalleyabrasives.com/servlet/StoreFront 1.79 ea. for made in the usa wheels.

BOOKMARKED

Plus 1. Thanks!

Thanks for the link too--- I love flap discs. I've been using the HF versions, and still like them- so if there are zirconia USA made discs that are better AND cheap, count me in.

+elevenbilionty for the link. I normally get the Dewalts when they go on sale at Farm & Fleet (a WI chain), even then they're still $4.99 ea.

$1.79 is a bargain.....

Jensenman wrote: If you are just removing paint and Bondo, knotted wire wheels have always worked best for me, they are easier on the metal below.

Recently while working in my father's shop I noticed he had upgraded to the big 7" HF angle grinder with a 4" knotted wire cup on it. I wondered why he had such a big grinder pushing such a small cup until I used it; the real handle and added weight of the big grinder sure made controlling the brush easier and the bigger motor never even noticed the load. Went out and bought one for myself as soon as I got home.

Somehow, I never discovered the flap disc until last Summer. It's now my favorite tool.

My standards are good old Stait 1/4" grinding discs, 40 and 80 grit flap discs and the stait 1/16" discs for cutting. I probably use a grinder at least 20hrs a week at work.

Recently I discovered these things

with a 40 grit sanding disc they are perfect leveling off welds. The fact that they are flexible is great. They float over the surface and only cut on the high spots even when you bear down on them. Perfect for bodywork type stuff. you can flatten a seam without gouging the surface.

After several trips to the ER and numerous scars on my hands, I consider the 4" angle grinder the most dangerous power tool I've ever owned. When they bind up and kick back, bad things happen. Any body have this happen, or am I just very unlucky?

Oh, they are dangerous bastards.

But without danger, there is no reward.

DILYSI Dave wrote: For flappers, I've gotten decent life out of Norton from Fastenal.

Here's a Fastenal money saving tip: make up a business name and set up a "cash only" account at your local store (mine is Bob's Automotive). You'll automatically get at least 15% off of every purchase, and you can also get them to drop 'shipping and handling' charges for things that are in stock in the store (for walk-ins they're supposed to charge retail or more, plus a random shipping and handling fee). If you're 'cash only' they only need a company name and phone number to set up an account, it's only if you try to get credit do they ask for, and verify, more information. When I was working there, people who walked in off the street would be charged 400 - 800% markup, and I was supposed to add in a random shipping and handling fee of whatever I thought the customer might pay, whereas anyone on account would have the markup cut to 100-300% with no S&H fee.

Bob

So far, my 4.5" grinder has never gotten away from me. I've blown up discs and such, which is quite exciting, embedded plenty of wires from the wheels in myself as they spun off, but it's never eaten me too badly.

Now the big 7"+ machines, I've got some ugly scars from them.