This is for Myrtle the Morris rather than the Rover, as I'm going through metal-cutting discs like nobody's business!
Was wondering what type/manufacturer of cutting discs people on here prefer. I have an angle grinder that can take 4 1/2 inch discs and have been using some cheapo carbide ones from Machine mart so far. I'm happy to spend a little more for a better quality product - ideally something that will last a bit longer than 5 bolt heads or 24 inches of 18 gauge steel!
Michael
The super thin ones actually tend to last longer (I know it doesn't seem to make any sense), but they cost more.
I get all mine from Toolstation http://www.toolstation.com Free next day delivery over £10
I either buy their cheapo standard cutting discs, about £4.20 for 10 http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Pow...Metal+Cutting+Disc+115x22mm/d80/sd/p
..or I get the more expensive thin jobbies, £12.94 for 10 http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Pow...utting+Discs+115+x+1+x+22mm/d80/sd/p Now whether they last 3 times as long, I'm not sure !
I've tried a few types on my 4.5" grinder. The 0.8-1.2mm discs are definitely the best for cutting steel. However, all the ones I have tried wear out just about as fast as yours. I've just accepted that they don't last long.
However, I did fairly recently replace my cheapo grinder with a half decent Bosch one and I suspect this has helped prolong the discs a little? I am guessing that the better engineered grinder has less run-out on the bearing and less vibration which is kinder to the discs?
If you have to pay £2 to cut through 24" of steel sheet that still seems like a good price to pay if the alternative is using a hacksaw .
I wonder what the diference is with smaller air-powered cut-off saws that pro's tend to use - do they last longer? If you have a compressor, you can buy quite cheap cut-off saws but I have no idea how much the discs cost or how long they last?
I use Klingspor ones, mainly because I nick them from work 8)
I only used three discs for all of the work I did on Sparky and now have the angle grinder at work where we modify pressure pots by cutting off 13mm steel bar. We have done 6 of them with no noticeable difference in diameter of the disc.
I have found that they last a lot longer if you don't put pressure on them, just let the discs do the work and not lean on them.
I'll get the spec on Monday
Richard
What are you cutting. by that I mean are you using the grinder to cut metal which you are using to make repair panels of just cutting out rot from the car.
As Richarad has said the very thin ones cut through the metal with ease although you can't abuse them, no grinding disc likes going through double layers of metal.
For cutting sheet metal I use a drill mounted nibbler which is superb and much neater (google "falcon nibbler). The nibblers do work on the car but it is sometimes access which is the problem. You can get them for and air compressor aswell.
I buy my discs from machine mart or bills tool store which is a local temple to all things tool.
Colin
quattro said:
I use Klingspor ones, mainly because I nick them from work 8)
I only used three discs for all of the work I did on Sparky and now have the angle grinder at work where we modify pressure pots by cutting off 13mm steel bar. We have done 6 of them with no noticeable difference in diameter of the disc.
I have found that they last a lot longer if you don't put pressure on them, just let the discs do the work and not lean on them.
I'll get the spec on Monday
Richard
Yes please RIchard, wouldn't mind getting some more info on these.
I've been on a mission to get metal cutting tools since I started working on cars, I've got a great selection now Each has it's place.
Tin snips
Angle grinder (4", 4 1/2", 9" and 4" air powered)
Electric Jigsaw (don't use them often for steel, tend to burn out)
Air hack saw
Air cut off saw (just like an angle grinder really but discs are smaller)
Air nibbler (great but creates loads of razor sharp half-moon shards that stick in your knee)
Air Shears (excellent for cutting from a big sheet)
I bought a "Rage Evolution" sliding mitre saw that apparently cuts steel, but I daren't try it Supposed to be good for tube and box section.
new toy - Plasma Cutter, cut into a home safe in about 30 seconds, can write your name in 18 guage sheet easily, brilliant, but you wouldn't want to use it near a car interior !
webmaster said:
I bought a "Rage Evolution" sliding mitre saw that apparently cuts steel, but I daren't try it Supposed to be good for tube and box section.
I bought the chop saw version for cutting firewood. Looking at a bit of old gatepost it had gone through, I was surprised to see a length of iron hinge that it had sliced through without any indication that it wasn't the same rotten wood. So it will cut steel easily, but as replacement blades cost a bomb I won't be using it much for that.
One of my favourite toys is a Makita reciprocating saw. It takes different blades for wood, steel, etc, and can often reach bolts where access is too restricted for an angle grinder. And blades are cheap enough not to worry about.
Thanks for all the replies, guys. Sorry I haven't been back onto this topic in a while, I've been away for a week or so!
arthuy said:
What are you cutting. by that I mean are you using the grinder to cut metal which you are using to make repair panels of just cutting out rot from the car.
A bit of both really. At this stage, I'm cutting out totally rotten floor panels in the Minor. Most of it is like bran flakes, but there are some bits of good steel that I'm going through. I will be making repair panels in a few weeks.
As regards thickness, I'd say the ones I'm using are about 2mm or so. I recently got one 1.5mm disc for comparison, and it does seem to be a lot more robust.
I think I'll invest in some much thinner ones. I've been using the correct technique (placing less pressure than the weight of the grinder itself), and the speed of the cuts is not unreasonably slow, but I really do want some more longevity.
Richard (not that one... or that one.... or that one... but quattro Richard), what's the spec of those Klingspor ones you use? Even if they last half as long as yours, they will be infinitely better than what I have already!!
Cheers all,
Michael
So what is the best brand of metal cutting disc for my 4.5" grinders?
I am cutting bits of angle iron, stainless threaded rod, sheet metal (usually pretty thin) and occasionally hardened steel (locks etc). I had a seemingly inexhaustible supply German made and very thin no-name discs that have worked well for years. Since running out of these I have tried a few brands with little luck. Sometimes they fall apart, sometimes delaminate or wear-out in next to no time.
So what is everyone else using for this routine task?
Thanks Monte, found some promotional tins of Rhodius on the bay for £9.99 a tin; same price as the Metabo promotional tins. I'll give both a go for that price as there is something more appealing about using discs that cost less than £1.
Need to look at getting a new grinder or 2 as I am down to my last (working) one. Got used to swapping grinders rather than discs when working. Some call it lazy but changing discs mid-job is a right pain.
Again, thanks for the advice.
Thanks Monte, found some promotional tins of Rhodius on the bay for £9.99 a tin; same price as the Metabo promotional tins. I'll give both a go for that price as there is something more appealing about using discs that cost less than £1.
yeah i think like 1 buck per disc is a very fair price for a good quality consumable, not too expensive, but good, so the discs cut and not just produce dust like those cheaper ones or without brand name...
Need to look at getting a new grinder or 2 as I am down to my last (working) one. Got used to swapping grinders rather than discs when working. Some call it lazy but changing discs mid-job is a right pain.
Again, thanks for the advice.
yeah i know what you mean i hate changing discs all the time too
Jesus T**** F****** Christ! Suddenly I feel all virtuous with just having 3 or 4 on the go.
Anyway, I've had a few of those on your bench. Makita is my favourite for power, the Metabo feels like it will last almost as long as the brilliant Hitachi, but I just buy the Bosch now as I have the world smallest hands!
Wish Bosch would make the stupid guard easier to move though.
I'm not the biggest user but the Metabo is one of the best I have ever used. If I had regular size hands it would be my brand of choice.
Grinders are one of the most basic tools out there so once the quality and power is sorted its all about ergonomics and very much down to personal choice. If someone tries to convince you of one quality brand over another then chalk them up as an idiot and move on.
Price can come in to it though. I once bought 4 Hitachi grinders even though they are (compared to some) relatively low on power. Ergonomics and weight were good and buying 4 for the price of 2 Bosch saves a lot of disc swapping. Quantity has a quality all of its own.
Jesus T**** F****** Christ! Suddenly I feel all virtuous with just having 3 or 4 on the go.
Anyway, I've had a few of those on your bench. Makita is my favourite for power, the Metabo feels like it will last almost as long as the brilliant Hitachi, but I just buy the Bosch now as I have the world smallest hands!
Wish Bosch would make the stupid guard easier to move though.
3 or 4 is still a "healthy" amount
btw. i own another Fein angle grinder (not pictured) click
Bosch is nice imho , i have the Watt model - lots of power. Mine has the old guard mechanism, the newer is not as easy to turn like the Metabo for example (Button is also not as good). But i think if you push the button and turn the guard back and forth for a while it should becoming a bit smoother at least it seemed like it when i tried it in a store and moved the guard like 20 times back and forth
Not to hi-jack the thread, but are the metabo grinders worth the extra cost? I've been to look at them, but the price always turned me off.
Depends on much the extra costs are ?
Hi Monte,
On my most recent Bosch the guard has to be loosened with a hex key before being forced round. In all other regards the Bosch is great but adjusting the guard is something I do frequently to optimise the use of the grinder. Having to use a hex key is plain dumb as it will encourage people to remove it altogether. Safety kit has to be usable to be effective.
I guess the famous German attention to detail is not infallible!
Hi Monte,
On my most recent Bosch the guard has to be loosened with a hex key before being forced round. In all other regards the Bosch is great but adjusting the guard is something I do frequently to optimise the use of the grinder. Having to use a hex key is plain dumb as it will encourage people to remove it altogether. Safety kit has to be usable to be effective.
ok it´s the cheapest Bosch for like 79.-€ .... other tools in this price range often (usually ?) (Metabo, Hitachi, Makita....) don´t have toolless adjustable guards either... Sorry had to defend Bosch
The motor housing is very slim, very very nice ! For single hand use i would choose this Bosch too !
I guess the famous German attention to detail is not infallible!
that´s the chinese attention to detail
The sticker on the tool says "Made in China"
...but i think it´s the price point...