Used Roloc discs for the first time

[LoneGunman]

I can kick myself in the azz for waiting so long to try them. I need to keep my IR mini angle grinder out and make something to hook it to on my bench, I must have grabbed it 10 times today. Anyone try the bristle looking ones?

I'm assuming that genuine 3M is the only way to go for disks?

 

[Fedwrench]

Just be careful how and where you use them. All of the big three car manufacturers have bulletins out about not using them anywhere where the dust/pad residue can get in the oiling system. It will cause bearing failure if it does.
The 3m roloc bristle brushes are the best thing since sliced bread. The white ones are great for aluminum. Green and yellow are handy for steel too.

 

[ImportTuner]

Just be careful how and where you use them. All of the big three car manufacturers have bulletins out about not using them anywhere where the dust/pad residue can get in the oiling system. It will cause bearing failure if it does.
The 3m roloc bristle brushes are the best thing since sliced bread. The white ones are great for aluminum. Green and yellow are handy for steel too.

Are the 3M Roloc Bristle Disk that good? I have been meaning to buy some, but I did not want to spend $40~50 for a ten pack. None of the local stores seem to carry them.

 

[Elroy]

Just be careful how and where you use them. All of the big three car manufacturers have bulletins out about not using them anywhere where the dust/pad residue can get in the oiling system. It will cause bearing failure if it does.

Good advise and much appreciate the reminder.

 

[Fedwrench]

Are the 3M Roloc Bristle Disk that good? I have been meaning to buy some, but I did not want to spend $40~50 for a ten pack. None of the local stores seem to carry them.

Yes, they are that good. Shop around for the best deal, try ebay but, I really don't use the scotchbrite type discs anymore. The white one will clean aluminum up without damaging it. They're just one of those things that you have to grit your teeth and buy.

Don't try to save money on roloc discs. The cheap ones will vaporize as you use them and you'll never get all of the residue cleaned out.

 

[billymade]

Are these prices any good?
http://www.levineautoparts.com/clicherfor3m.html

 

[Fedwrench]

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=6563

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=6556

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=6545

Here's a few examples. Sometimes MSC and Grainger have sales too.

 

[LoneGunman]

Fed, thanks for the tip, Ill remember that If I ever need to use it on a vehicle. I've been using them mostly while building my pressure assisted blaster, cleaning before welding, deburring, removing paint ETC

 

[MXtras]

The Standard Abrasives discs are every bit as good as the genuine 3m discs in my opinion.

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNPDF...730350&PMT4TP=*ITPD&PMITEM=09575796&PMCTLG=00


Have you tried flapper discs on a 4.5" grinder yet? If not, add to your list of things to get, You will never use a grinding wheel again. They cut faster, cooler and cut more controlably than any grinding wheel. Awesome.

Scott

 

[LoneGunman]

"Have you tried flapper discs on a 4.5" grinder yet? If not, add to your list of things to get, You will never use a grinding wheel again. They cut faster, cooler and cut more controlably than any grinding wheel. Awesome."

Yup and I was not too impressed with them, maybe because they were HF disks? They seemed to load up real fast and were then pretty useless. Stupid question, the whole thing with a flapper disk is that the used part is supposed to wear away to expose fresh abrasives?

 

[markl]

Roloc's are indespensible for metalworking. I have 3 HF angle die grinders each setup with a different roloc disc. The flap wheels are awesome as well. I buy mine on ebay. Have found some awesome deals. The bristle disk are great as well. My local welding supply store sells standard abrasive disks and are just as good as 3-M. Keep looking on ebay, you can find good deals on them.

 

[Crawlin]

I think my adavanced auto has 3M brand rolocs. Not sure on price though.

 

[bushhawg73]

I love Roloc disks, be careful with aluminum. The wrong disk will remove aluminum fast.

 

[bchee]

can someone please explain what "roloc" refers to specifically?
Is it the brand name of the abrasive material? Or is it a patented way that the disc attaches to your grinder?
thanks

 

[TNToy]

Yup and I was not too impressed with them, maybe because they were HF disks? They seemed to load up real fast and were then pretty useless. Stupid question, the whole thing with a flapper disk is that the used part is supposed to wear away to expose fresh abrasives?

HFs are absolute ****. Grab one from HD or Lowes, and try again.

You'll feel the same way you currently do about rolocs.

 

[bmwpower]

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=6563

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=6556

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=6545

Here's a few examples. Sometimes MSC and Grainger have sales too.

Dang. Those prices are nuts.

I've been meaning to try the Standard Abrasives ones on a recommendation from Scott like 2 years ago, but never got around to running out of my cheapie IR ones...until now. This is timely.

I wish I knew which grit I should go with.

 

[billymade]

"Roloc" is a brand name for a 3M based product that has a pad, attachment and assorted disks with the system; they are typically attached to angle head die grinders (among others): to quote 3M...."3M Roloc Discs provide a fast, efficient method for grinding, blending, leveling and finishing on all types of metal. They lock
securely in place with just a half twist...another half twist and they’re off."

Look at pages 12-19 to get an idea of the whole 3M Roloc system and what disks they offer: http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?66666UuZjcFSLXTtMXfV5XTaEVuQEcuZgVs6EVs6E666666--

 

[nissan_crawler]

A word of caution: I have no issues on my IR or Aircat, but on some die grinders that spool down fast, they will fling that disk like you wouldn't believe, so just watch out the first time or two to see how your die grinder reacts. I've had more than a few go flying by me from a co-workers die grinder.

 

[Diesel-Mech]

A word of caution: I have no issues on my IR or Aircat, but on some die grinders that spool down fast, they will fling that disk like you wouldn't believe, so just watch out the first time or two to see how your die grinder reacts. I've had more than a few go flying by me from a co-workers die grinder.

My Matco die grinder does that fairly regularly, It was rather surprising the first time it happened after I had one smack me in the face. Now I'm just a little more deliberate with the throttle while slowing it down and that seems to prevent it.

 

[eschoendorff]

I can kick myself in the azz for waiting so long to try them. I need to keep my IR mini angle grinder out and make something to hook it to on my bench, I must have grabbed it 10 times today. Anyone try the bristle looking ones?

I'm assuming that genuine 3M is the only way to go for disks?

They're nice, aren't they? I really like the fine green ones... doesn't take off too much material at once and leaves a decent finish.

 

[garfunkle24]

I use Roloc disks frequently enough that I bought this dedicated unit from Blue-Point: I'm tired of killing 90deg die grinders. This one has the motor stratight in line so there are no bevel gears to wear out.

It doesn't have the speed of a die-grinder (18k vs 22 - 25k) but works great for what I need. One less reason to switch attachments on my die-grinders too. I have like 6 die grinders just because I hate switching bits all the time.

 

[72chevy]

As mentioned above Standard Abrasives has some great products.
Their DIY guides offer excellent info for each application. A good read.
http://www.sa-motorsports.com/gasketdiy.aspx

 

[milkovich]

The Standard Abrasives discs are every bit as good as the genuine 3m discs in my opinion.

http://www.mdm.com/issues/1_1/breaking-news/4590-1.html

 

[T56 Impala]

SO, would these be too harsh for removing the paint from an old box? How quickly do they load up?

Sorry for the noob questions. I just picked up the angle die grinder and have yet to use it. These could be a good thing for my tool box resto. Now I just need to by the stuff!

 

[krooser]

Automotive swap meets are great places to find this stuff at good prices. Vendors sell the Chinese ****, too... just buy the name brand and you'll be good to go.

A few years ago I was buying a 1 gallon bag of 3m discs for $6.00.

 

[MXtras]

http://www.mdm.com/issues/1_1/breaking-news/4590-1.html

And that would explain why! I was not aware of that. Thanks!

Scott

 

[gofastman]

A word of caution: I have no issues on my IR or Aircat, but on some die grinders that spool down fast, they will fling that disk like you wouldn't believe, so just watch out the first time or two to see how your die grinder reacts. I've had more than a few go flying by me from a co-workers die grinder.

thats exactly why I wear saftey glasses anytime im in the shop, ya never know if the guy next to you is gonna do something dumb or unsafe