Diamond cup wheels - which one to get?

[opto_isolator]

There are many out there! I am looking at picking up a Hitachi 4.5" grinder from Lowes ($39 not a bad deal!) - but am having a difficult time finding the right diamond cup wheel. Lowes and Home Depot only have 7" cups on their web sites, which means that I am going to have to order one online. I see there "turbo" ones that have cross hatched cutters, versus the circular ones that have concentric cutters. What's the difference? Is one better than the other? Are there different "grit" sizes to the wheels?

Thanks!

 

[pauls_workshop]

The Dewalt 4.5" double row diamond wheel is a good one and the one I used. Their 7" version is also good. You can get an HF 4.5" version that some have used and liked. Get the Dewalt off Amazon or internet for best price, around $40 if you look. Some use more expensive types also and like those. - Paul

 

[ScaldedDog]

I just used the Dewalt one yesterday to get up close to some edges. It works great, but keep in mind that without some sort of dust removal mechanism, you'll cloud the earth. I rented a 7" grinder from Home Depot, with their cheapest 7" wheel, and hooked it up to my 5g shop vac. It worked great! Essentially no dust until the vac filter gets clogged. You will go through a bunch of filters if you go this route.

Mark

 

[retfr8flyr]

Spend a little more for your grinder and get one with variable speed capability. It's much easier to use the grinder on the slowest setting. I used the DeWalt cup for the edges when I did my floor but I would get the Diamana grinding tool from Scotty, if I knew then what I know now.


Earl

 

[pepi]

Spend a little more for your grinder and get one with variable speed capability. It's much easier to use the grinder on the slowest setting. I used the DeWalt cup for the edges when I did my floor but I would get the Diamana grinding tool from Scotty, if I knew then what I know now.


Earl

You are right on that, just got a Milwaukee 5'' with variable speed, makes a huge difference, increases the life of flap disks. To new not tried it with a cutoff disk but I am guessing variable speed will help there also, much, much better control.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Diamabrush hand tool on a variable speed grinder is the bomb .
Literally can grind with one hand.

 

[pauls_workshop]

If your favorite grinder doesn't have variable speed, you can also use a "router speed control" like the one Harbor Freight sells to give you this capability. Handy to have lower speed when grinding softer concrete areas. You want high speed and high amps for the harder concrete areas. My 30 year old basement floor had some of both in it! For those needing a good grinder, the Black and Decker 8.5 amp 4.5" one is a good one. HF sells cheaper 4.5" grinders also and their most expensive one is good, but pales compared to the B&D, because it has much less amperage. Before I discovered the router speed control, I used both, the HF for the soft areas and the B&D for all else to do my floor. Worked well, so that is another option. - Paul