Thin cutoff discs - any difference between brands

[steveG]

Been going through a few of the 1mm cutoff discs in the angle grinder lately, so thought I'd better stock up before I ran out.

Having a quick look online, for quantities of at least 10, the price varies from around 60 cents per disc to around $2.50 for decent name brand ones (like Flexovit). There's Bosch ones in the middle for $1.50/disc.
Pricing is for 115x22 1.0mm discs.

I'm not too fussed on the actual price, just want to get value for money.
Has anyone used a few different brands and noticed much difference in performance or life?

Steve

[pop058]

I use about a box of 25 of them (125mm) a month and have tried most. I keep coming back to the "Pferd".

I buy from The Bolt Shop and they work out about $1.80 each or thereabouts.

http://www.blackwoodsxpress.com.au/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/0/3/03311386_1.png'time=1480504983678

[TimNZ]

I recently purchased 2 tins of the Bosch ones, never again, they wear way too fast.

Cheers,

[Defender boy]

Mate I always use flexovit ones however the Bosch ones are ok as well. Definitely stay away from cheap ones as I have seen them fly apart and they usually wear down much quicker as well. I've also had several cheap ones spin the center out when you get a slight bit of a jam.

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[debruiser]

I've tried a few brands, cheap ones are just that - cheap and crap, they wear out quick and bust up. While pferd are ok, I find that they still wear more quickly than Flexovit, they are also more prone to explosion. The pferd rep once told me about their "new" and fancy air holes that make them last better because they dont get as hot - maybe it works but I can't see it.

I stick with Flexovit where I can, I find them the most robust, quick and nice to use. I mostly use 125mm discs.

I've also found the same with 6mm grinding discs. Cheap ones are rubbish.

Be aware if you are stocking up - grinding discs absorb moisture and are then very prone to explosion. So either keep them pretty well air tight or don't stock up too much.

At the end of the day I think it's a preference thing - I've seen guys swear by pFerd and then there are the others that hate them and same with Flexovit....

[POD]

I use either pferd or flexovit and have not noticed a difference between those two. I would steer clear of ebay for any cutoff or grinding discs. The cheapo ones are absolute rubbish, seem to be made of compressed dirt.

[Tombie]

Stick with the suggested.
Cheapies tend to explode and the fragments bloody hurt!!!

[Grentarc]

I buy the Makita 12 pack of 1.2mm x 125mm discs from bunnings for about $17 - they work out to just over $1.40 each and last better than the Bosch ones I tried. I did use some Flexovit ones and felt no difference between them and the Makita - I just find the Makita tin more convenient, as Bunnings here only stock the 2.5mm discs.

[workingonit]

The small ones do hurt, particularly with no guard on...

Been using Makita bulk tin.

I'm trying out the diamond edged cut off discs, after having them pointed out to me by the shop when I asked is there any new technology. Packaging says they'll last a zillion times longer than regular discs. The advantage will be that the disc does not reduce in diameter to any extent. They do cut a wider slot though.

[steveG]

Thanks guys - will definitely steer clear of the cheapies then.
Good point about them absorbing moisture over a long period. I hadn't considered that.

My last lot were the Makita bulk tin from Bunnings and have lasted pretty well. Had the odd jam that ripped a piece out of them but they didn't break up/explode and lasted pretty well so I was also reasonably happy with them.

Think I'll grab another tin of those but also pick up a couple of the Flexovit ones when I'm at the steel supplier on Saturday and see how they compare.

Out of interest, I just came across this video which reinforces what has been said about the Flexovit discs. They crap on a bit, but at the 2min mark there's a nice comparison of cutting speed and remaining disc after 15 cuts in 12mm rebar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtCMiNaGq3k

Steve

[roverrescue]

Just to buck the trend
For a while I have stocked up with smith & arrow brand cut discs
They do sell on eBay but direct website sale gets a better price
Buying by the hundred gets them delivered for under a buck a spin

Honestly after trialling numerous 1mm discs burn times are pretty similar and the smith& arrow for me are the best blend of cost vs wear

Note their flap discs are probably borderline on the cost vs quality continuum but I still use them to have s single supplier

Their last batch of linishing belts have been **** and I would be careful their

I think it depends how many you are burning - if you are looking for packs of ten then may as well buy top of the pops ... if I'm ordering a couple hundred cutters a hundred flappers then cost vs quality runs to tighter ratios? ? ?

I'm trying to source some new style double sided abrasive polishing wheels made for 316 filet weld grinding/ finishing

Steve

[Toxic_Avenger]

Abrasive grain and bonding materials they use play a lot to do with it.
Aluminium oxide is the cheaper stuff, then zirconia grade, then ceramic.
The high end ceramic gains self sharpen with use, which is pertty neat. The high end 3M discs (around 19 bucks a wheel) leave the work piece completely cool after grinding, while all the heat is ejected with the swarf.

Hardness of the grain can also be a hinderance, when grinding, the disc can become clogged and lead to poor performance and skate across the material, bluing the work piece with too much heat from friction. Too soft an abrasive, and you'll forever be changing discs.

TL;DR
Stick with a known brand, and what works for you. You can pay big money for specialty abrasives, but most of the savings at that end of town are in production costs in a factory environment (Less wheel changes and faster cut = more widgets out the door at the end of the day).
For a home gamer most 'average' wheels will do the job fine for general fab.