Choosing the right product for grinding and surface treatment applications can be daunting. These can be done using a variety of abrasive products, each with many different sizes, textures and styles. Although there are many choices that are good, it can also cause confusion.
For example, when you use a right angle grinder, the choice of tools includes sanding disc adhesive, flaps, and resin fiber discs, each with its own advantages and limitations.
Compare the three types in this article, assuming that each die type you use is the same size as the hub.
Sanding disc adhesive typically provide the longest product life and maximum durability, but they also produce relatively slow cutting speeds and the roughest surfaces. Regarding the price, the sanding disc adhesive is located in the middle of these three options.
The flaps provide fast cutting and a long service life, and the service life is longer than the resin fiber disc, but not as long as the sanding disc adhesive. The main advantage of the flaps is that they can be ground and finished at the same time. Moreover, they are ground and polished at a consistent speed during the life of the disc. The disc usually has the highest initial purchase price among the three product options.
Resin fiber discs have the worst durability and the shortest life, but the initial purchase price is also the cheapest. Resin fiber discs can be cut very quickly in a short time. However, on the first use, the particles wear and become dull, which means that the cutting speed and surface finish will continue to decrease when using the disc.
Moreover, the resin fiber disc must be paired with the support mat to support, which increases the cost. Choosing the right liner will affect the stiffness and performance of the disc. If you use a resin fiber disk with a flat shaft hole, the lock nut that secures the disk to the liner can interfere with grinding at small angles or in narrow areas.
After understanding the differences and benefits of these three products, you should answer the following questions before choosing.
Question 1: Is surface finish important?
If the answer to this question is no, then the sanding disc adhesive is a perfectly acceptable choice. Due to its longer life and durability, it is cost effective compared to the use of flaps and has a lower initial purchase price.
If the answer is yes, it’s best to use a flip-top disc because you can use it to mix and maintain a consistent finish in one go without the need for a separate product for grinding and finishing.
Resin fiber discs are ground and finished, but keep in mind that as time goes by, the finish and cutting speed will decrease.
Finally, you can use a sanding disc adhesive to complete the process, but because the velcro sanding disc leaves a rough surface, you need to use an auxiliary tool for finishing. Although the use of two tools instead of one can help extend the life of the finishing tool, it also increases the labor time required to get the job done.
Question 2: Is the price important?
Resin fiber discs are the cheapest option if you initially care about the initial purchase price of the product. Keep in mind that these discs are best for small jobs. Initially they cut fast, but they wear very quickly compared to folding plates or sanding disc adhesive.
Although the initial purchase price of the resin fiber tray is lower, you may need to purchase 15 or 20 trays to get the same life as a flip tray. Keep in mind that the use of resin fiber discs also requires the purchase of liners.
Buying a flap at a higher initial price can provide a greater return on investment. When reviewing the cost of a purchase, it is important to consider how many times you need to grind and finish to ensure the best value.
Question 3: Do I need higher productivity?
If you want to increase productivity or productivity or reduce labor costs, choosing a finishing tool can impact time and cost savings.
If you need a fine surface finish, the flaps can be ground and finished in one shot, saving you time by maximizing overall productivity.
The use of a sanding disc adhesive can help increase productivity and productivity in situations where surface finish is not important because of the high overall cut rate, long life expectancy and durability. More work can be done and it can be done.
Question 4: Am I worried about damage to the workpiece?
Sanding disc adhesive usually have a greater chance of damaging the workpiece, especially if you push hard or the sanding disc adhesive slip because they are harder than the flap or resin fiber disc. When making the first stroke, especially when using a new zirconia flap disc, pull the sanding disc adhesive in your direction instead of pushing it away to reduce the chance of gouging. The return of the gouging results in an increase in the cost of the damaged material or a waste of time to eliminate the error.
In addition, the sanding disc adhesive has a greater heat retention tendency than the flap or the resin fiber sheet. For example, when a sanding disc adhesive is used on stainless steel, this heat causes the material to “blink” (the surface actually turns blue) due to excessive heat. This in turn can result in increased cost of damaged materials or increased rework time.
Folds are generally more tolerant, so if you push or slide over, there is less chance of gouging the material. Resin fiber discs can also be tolerant depending on the hardness of the liner used.
For the best results, consider your choice
Although you have a number of product choices for grinding and surface finishing, it is important to understand the pros and cons of each product to get the best results and get what you need for your job. Perhaps product life is the most important factor, or you are looking for the fastest cut speed. Is the initial purchase price a key consideration, or are you more interested in increasing productivity and productivity?
Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution, knowing your goals and objectives can help you narrow down your choices and choose the best product for your job.