To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Finally got a die grinder... Need discs/attachments

mike93lx

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Messages
37,407
Location
Richmond, VA
Just bought the M12 right angle and a basic starter kit of discs from Lowes. Main plan is rust removal on auto work, but I am sure I'll find lots of other stuff to use it on.

Any recommendations on what to use for abrasives/pads/spindles?
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

engineer2

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 13, 2009
Messages
11,795
Location
Chicago burbs
I've had good service from Pferd.
BTW, if you get wire wheels from our friends at HF, make sure you wear a full face protective shield. they tend to throw wires out more than other brands.
 

Dave455

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 19, 2013
Messages
5,800
Location
Sussex, England
For rust removal, try 3M Roloc bristle pads, as shown below. Awesome to use, very fast, very forgiving, and give an excellent finish.
9D4BF2AA-B80D-42B3-AAB8-D5ACE1191312.jpeg

If you go on to do more you will probably want to remove metal.

Start with some carbide burrs. They remove metal at an incredible rate, but tend to chuck splinters everywhere so wear decent gloves and eye protection.

Slightly less severe are stones. They still remove anything, including hardened areas, but give a better finish. For finer finishing the rubber backed abrasives such as Cratex points are great.

Whatever you get, get decent quality. Die grinders are high speed tools and cheap accessories just won’t work. I turned up to do a job once, and one of the guys asked “why do you bother with those stones, they don’t work”? He’d only ever tried the cheap ones, which disintegrate almost instantly.

I advise obtaining a copy of the MSC catalogue. They sell all, the accessories, and most seem to be of acceptable quality!
 

sick467

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 11, 2012
Messages
269
Location
Hughesville, Mo
I keep the 1/16th cutoff wheels, 1/4" grinding wheels, and the sand flapper discs on hand at all times. These items are definitely a "get-what--you-pay-for" type of thing. HF is NOT a good place for them...maybe half the price, less than half the life and yours depends on it. Dewalt products (from Lowes) are good. I find myself buying from industrial supply places often and use the Dewalt prices as a guide as to what quality I'm being sold.

Same goes with wire wheels, "get-what--you-pay-for". I like the twisted wire wheels (cupped or flat) for removing rust and the sandpaper flappers for extra cleaning. But, I have to say I have not tried the Roloc bristle pads.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

R.Bolte.Jr

Active member
Joined
Apr 5, 2020
Messages
28
Location
In the middle of the yard

They have the roloc arbors on that page too. The per disk price is cheaper than Milwaukee and last longer.
 
Last edited:
OP
M

mike93lx

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Messages
37,407
Location
Richmond, VA
I worked for Norton for a bit... I don't like buying cheap abrasives, especially those that spin fast.

Thanks for the recommendations. Those roloc bristle pads look awesome. Feel like they would be nice for cleaning rust off brake parts
 

Jswain

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2013
Messages
2,455
Location
Calgary, AB
The roloc bristle discs are AMAZING for cleaning off gaskets/prepping surface for new gaskets or gasket maker.

Also the roloc scotch Brite pads are nice to have for cleaning paint/rust

Either way start with the roloc holder first and go from there. A straight die grinder is better for the burrs/wire wheels/sanding drums but doesn't mean you can't use them with the right angle
 

kelpaso1

MEMBER EMERITUS
Joined
Sep 28, 2009
Messages
3,962
Location
New Brunswick
The roloc bristle discs are AMAZING for cleaning off gaskets/prepping surface for new gaskets or gasket maker.

Also the roloc scotch Brite pads are nice to have for cleaning paint/rust

Either way start with the roloc holder first and go from there. A straight die grinder is better for the burrs/wire wheels/sanding drums but doesn't mean you can't use them with the right angle
The tool guys will be around soon and say NEVER use a ROLOC to clean a gasket surface. I have used them for 25 plus years and never had a problem. Yes you need to be careful on aluminum, and you must clean the part thoroughly after. If you are using one on a block you must cover every part except the gasket surface you are cleaning.
 

Xcursion88

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2013
Messages
785
Rice cakes.... get as many as you can if at a decent price. They can be a real ***** to obtain at times.

3" cut off disc.... get if you can find the ones rated for 25,500 rpm they hold up longer (you're running slower obviously)

You can use the cut off discs to lightly grind if tedious enough

If you have those you can do anything and everything
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom