The abrasive discs to choose: the best products on the market

Which abrasive discs should you choose for your angle grinder? There are many factors to take into account when you are about to buy an abrasive disc: functionality, size, materials used and treated, lasting power, price, and so on.

In this article, we will offer an introduction to the world of abrasive discs, dividing the different types according to the different specific uses, and then indicating the best products on the market. Enjoy!

Grinding discs for angle grinders: an introduction

Even before outlining which abrasive discs to choose, it is worth discussing the topic of the grinder itself, the tool on which the abrasive discs are mounted.

The angle grinder, an extremely useful and versatile device, designed for grinding, smoothing, finishing, and cutting.

The machine body of the angle grinder is elongated and rounded, with two ergonomic grips for your hands – perpendicular to each other – to ensure a safe and stable handling.

The grinder has two buttons for ignition, to ensure that there are no accidental activations: usually, you need to operate a lever and a lock button, in two separate positions.

There are many factors that make one grinder different from another. Elements such as power, brand, ergonomics, and so on are to be taken into consideration; however, among the first factors to be kept in mind is certainly its size or, rather, the maximum size of the disc which can be mounted on the angle grinder.

There are smaller and bigger grinders, designed to effectively use abrasive discs measuring 115, 123, 150, 180 or 230 millimetres (4.5, 4.8, 5.9, 7 or 9 in). Let’s have a look at what the main types of grinder discs on the market are!

Choosing the angle grinder disc: the different types

Let’s focus, now, on angle grinder discs. The field is divided into 4 large groups, namely:

·         Diamond discs

·         Abrasive cutting discs

·         Grinding discs

·         Lamellar discs

Diamond discs are expensive discs meant for grinding, they are not disposable, and used to cut cement, stoneware, marble, brick, ceramic, and so on.

Abrasive discs are much cheaper (as they are designed for disposable use) and, as we have previously mentioned, are divided into two groups.

On the one hand, there are real abrasive discs, known as grinding discs, which are used, indeed, in grinding and cleaning of iron, steel, cast iron, or aluminium, as well as non-metallic materials, such as tiles, wood, bricks, and so on.

On the other hand, there are abrasive cutting discs, which are designed to make clean cuts. Finally, there exist lamellar discs, which indeed have some “lamellae” on their sides, meant to ensure perfectly finished objects: their structure makes them immediately distinguishable from other types of abrasive and cutting discs.

Which abrasive discs to choose

We have outlined the many types of grinder discs. Those looking for an abrasive disc can, then, choose from abrasive grinding discs, abrasive cutting discs, and possibly lamellar discs, depending on the type of processing that must be carried out.

If cutting is the main need, our advice is to choose, for instance, 3M’s Cubitron cutting abrasive discs, with ceramic grain, capable of quick cuts, perpendicular and clean on a wide range of different materials, with a reduced grinding effort.

To ensure maximum results at all times, the grind on 3M’s Cubitron abrasive discs’ surfaces self-sharpen during use, to ensure maximum effectiveness.

It should be noted that the Cubitron line of 3M also offers effective grinding discs, excellent for use on stainless steel, mild steel, and various metal alloys. These are also made with a ceramic abrasive material, capable of self-sharpening during use.

Among abrasive discs we are fibred discs for grinding, very different from the ones we have considered so far. These are circular discs are made abrasive thanks to the deposit of vulcanized fibre mixed with a synthetic resin with a binding function.

Fire discs have an extremely low purchase price, which is a reflection of the limited lasting power of each disc. Fibre discs are typically used for bevelling and to remove welds for edge chamfering, as well as to remove imperfections and small holes.

Different from real abrasive discs, though often used for similar or parallel tasks, are the already introduced lamellar discs: the Cubitron line of 3M is complete with lamellar discs, as well.