Convoluted Surfacing Wheels for Grinders

[Pathfinder]

I'm looking for a recommendation on a convoluted surfacing wheel for prepping aluminum car parts for a high polish finish. The wheels are expensive so I want to make sure I buy the right wheel. The available grits are listed as fine, medium, and course in either silicone carbide or aluminum oxide. The wheels also come soft or hard.

I'm not looking to remove sand casting texture. I'll do that with flap wheels. Ideally I would use the convoluted wheel to remove the sanding marks and smooth and blend the surface prior to buffing.

Thanks,

John Minton

 

[terryo1965]

I would use a fine grade silicion carbide wheel in a 8 or 9 density. If you are looking at 3M wheels I would use a EXL deburring wheel 9S-FN. A medium grade aluminum oxide wheel would blend your casting marks nicely but you would sacrifice the finish a little bit.

 

[Pathfinder]

Thanks Terry. That is exactly what I needed to hear. And yes, I am looking at the 3M wheels.

John Minton

 

[ckadams00]

There has been a lot of talk lately on the 3M EXL wheels as being the cat's meow. A couple of people have said they are like a wire wheel, followed by steel wool followed by buffing all in one. I don't have one yet -they are expensive! - but I'm convinced. Check out "Red Leader" he has a couple of good examples.

Also, they are priced pretty well right now at Enco:
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INLMPI?PMPANO=0623187&PMKBNO=2695&PMPAGE=20&PMCTLG=01

 

[terryo1965]

I have been an abrasives sales rep for 20 years selling to industrial accounts. I don't think you will find a metal working shop that doesn't use a Scotch-Brite type deburring wheel. I am a big fan of wire wheels for removing crud and heavy rust, but for light deburring, fine metalfinishing or light cleaning of metal the Scotch-Brite wheels are hard to beat. They are expensive but they last a long time. For the average guy in his garage it will last years. Once you have one you will be amazed at how many uses you will find for it.

 

[Pathfinder]

Thanks Ckadams. The same wheel I was looking at on Amazon is $3.60 more on Enco, but I ordered from Enco instead since they had the adapter I needed to reduce down to a 1/2" shaft.

John Minton