Bench Grinder Wire Wheel types

[plywoodman]

Hey, new here, however not to the forum world so yes- I did a few searches before stopping to ask:

Does anyone know if there are different grades of wire wheels in the 8" range?

I just got a Delta 8" Bench Grinder as a 1-year belated gift, (recent purchase) and it's mainly going to be used for rust and paint cleaning- meaning mostly just wire brushes. I know Baldor are the best, but they're too expensive for what little actual grinding I would do and so I'm pretty settled into this- except for the wire wheels.

I clean a lot of screws and bolts, and door hinges along with whatever rust accumulates on some of my hand tools now and then (coastal city with a lot of moisture salt/water content in the air so rust happens). The problem is I can't find anything except a coarse rating of the 8in wire wheels. I don't think I would have an issue getting brass over steel, I've only ever used steel on my dad's 6in grinder, but I was wondering if I should return the grinder for a 6in if there really is only 1 8in type. Then again- maybe coarse is all I really need to clean these up. I'm used to using the fine wire wheels on a 6in.

What are your guys' opinions/experiences/knowledge regarding the matter?

 

[rcjoy]

Enco (www.use-enco.com) has 8" wire wheels in medium and coarse.

 

[404]

I get wire wheels from Ebay, USA new old stock and surplus.

I like a small wire diameter .007 crimped wire brush to conform into threads grooves etc. I pick the biggest wheel diameter brush that has higher RPM rating than the motor. The entrifugal force of the rotating wheel makes the wires stand up and stiffen.


I am setting up a new rig that uses an old table saw motor where the blade arbor is part of the motor. Will use the original nut and flanges to mount the wire wheel. Knotted brushes and big wire diameter are great for flat surfaces but hard to get into grooves.

Please do wear excellent eye protection. Wires braking off and shooting through clothing like a needle happen a lot.

 

[Pitalplace]

I use a lot of wire wheels on a bench grinder and on four inch angle grinders. Whatever you do, buy the more expensive as the cheap just throw wire at you. I have found that the DeWalt are the worst. I have had good luck with the Milwaukee wheels.

 

[bob15]

Maybe this will help:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#wire-wheels/=vdsmdv

Click "more" near the top, just below "brushes".

 

[bluebolt]

Get a Weiler Corp USA wheel! I have a 6" one and it NEVER throws wires. I love it, the Chinese one turned me into a porcupine. Anybody want a slightly used Kobalt wire wheel LOL?
Finest 8" Weiler I can find .006 bristles. for 5/8 arbor #01135

https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...ine&ei=nzyvVLrUD4ikgwSy6IHwBQ&ved=0CFgQ2SswAA

 

[honcho]

Check out the Lessman catalog to see the incredible number of types of wire wheel types that are available.

http://www.lessmann.com/pdf/allgemein/Gesamtkatalog_englisch_99KATENG13.pdf

 

[plywoodman]

Thanks. I'll look into these sites. I was hoping someplace local would carry something but I'm stuck with very little local stores, and 6" is the predominate size of coarse/fine at the big blue and orange box stores. Online should probably work though since I won't see myself going through these that often.

Flying wires I know a lot about. When I was younger my dad had eye surgery to remove a metal splinter that resulted from some use of the grinder. He was lucky- his vision is still as good as it was. Stuck needles in skin I'm aware of from using wire wheels on my grinders and so forth. I'm kind of hoping they hold better in the slower rpm bench grinders I have since my Metabo angle grinder goes 7k-10.5k vs the slower 3000 something of the Delta.

 

[plywoodman]

But out of curiosity- can a 6" wheel be used when necessary on an 8" grinder as long as the spindle size matches? Haven't found a definite answer on that.

 

[skruft]

Yes, you can use a 6" with the same spindle or an adapter but then the body of the large grinder may get in the way of some things.

I have generally used very coarse, high quality stainless steel wire wheels because my usual job is to remove very bad rust. I wear approved safety glasses or a face shield at all times. In 30 or so years I do not recall ever being hit by wire from any kind of wire wheel.

 

[Davefr]

When it comes to wire wheels, you get what you pay for. Go with a quality name brand like Weller, Anderson or Osborne sold at industrial suppliers. The no name wire wheels sold at homecenters are ****.

I like medium and course for each side.

After a while flip the wheel around so you can get a fresh edge.

 

[torqueman2002]

I use MSC for bench grinder wire wheels.

I have good service from Weiler.

http://tinyurl.com/MSC-Wire-Wheels

 

[SantaAna12]

If you do go with the brass and find a good one, let me know please.

 

[plywoodman]

I use MSC for bench grinder wire wheels.

I have good service from Weiler.

http://tinyurl.com/MSC-Wire-Wheels

I know this is a late reply, I've been busy with other stuff going on in life (aren't we all?) but I wanted to thank you for this link. The prices seem WAY more favorable than the ones I saw on mcmaster carr (saw wheels up in the high 90's!!!).

 

[plywoodman]

Had to do some internet digging for the wire size differences but it sounds like (correct me if I'm wrong) fine is considered .008 and below, and coarse is .014 and up, with medium being middle of that road?

 

[southalabama]

Deleted had more than one thread going. Posted on wrong one.

 

[driftpin]

Even though it's an old one, the thread and the brands mentioned may help someone to avoid a really-bad episode of wire-work. I like, use, and can recommend Weiler.

 

[GeoBruin]

Even though it's an old one, the thread and the brands mentioned may help someone to avoid a really-bad episode of wire-work. I like, use, and can recommend Weiler.

I've heard good things about the 3M bristle wheels. Not a direct replacement for a wire wheel but a lot of overlap, and maybe better for some users.