Question About FLEXCUT Grinding Disks

[DumbStudent]

Hi I was wonder if FLEXCUT grinding disks are actually better than normal grinding disks or flap disks.

To me, they seem like they solve the issue of dust getting stuck between the grits, which I'd imagine is great for grinding flat surfaces. The main reason I'm asking is cause I'd need to grind coupons to practice welding. I've seen some comments saying that their lifetime is quite short and they're expensive. But for the most part, it's been pretty positive comments and reviews, but I've never even seen them being used so I'm a little confused as to why I've never heard of them before.

Do you guys have any opinions on FLEXCUT?

 

[Martin w]

Yes., I like the Walter wheels.

They are fairly expensive but worth the money in my opinion. I tend to use flap wheels for blending welds only. I like to keep flap wheels sharp. Same thing happens with wood sandpaper. When it gets dull it is hard to get a nice smooth finish. Flap wheels work on the same premise .
When I worked at a fab shop, I saw lots of stuff get scrapped because of some joker grinding out porosity or a bad robot weld and not being able to blend it back without gouging or making divets with a flap wheel.

 

[phaxtris]

I havent seen those in years, but they do work decently well, they dont last very long from what i recall. They are better than the normal 1/4 walter griding disc which are terrible these days, far to hard, a disc of last resort.

3M silver 1/4" grinding discs are in my opinion the best out there at the moment, reasonably priced, a close second are the discs that come with a new Makita grinder....i wish i knew who made those for them, they are excellent

I would not buy the flex cut's for coupons, grinding a nice flat surface can be done with a normal disc, and you likely need the practice at that as well

are you practicing open root or cwb cupons ?

 

[DumbStudent]

are you practicing open root or cwb cupons ?

Was planning on doing some T joints and butt welds with flat plates. But it's TIG, so needa grind mill scale first. I was using normal a grinding wheel earlier and maybe it was just worn out, but that sucked. All it did was smoothen out the mill scale. Idk maybe the grit was too high or something. Also I don't plan on grinding after the weld.

 

[phaxtris]

You can't really select the grit with a 1/4" disc, but discs that are to hard do get glazed, current Walters are bad for this

Another option would be a sanding disc, you would need a backing pad, then some 24 or 36 grit carbide or zirconia discs. far superior to flap discs

Ie

https://a.co/d/7OusaRx

With

BHA Angle Grinder Ribbed Backing Pad for Resin Fiber Disc, 5" x 5/8"-11 : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

BHA Angle Grinder Ribbed Backing Pad for Resin Fiber Disc, 5" x 5/8"-11 : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

a.co

 

[Stuart Samuel]

Was planning on doing some T joints and butt welds with flat plates. But it's TIG, so needa grind mill scale first. I was using normal a grinding wheel earlier and maybe it was just worn out, but that sucked. All it did was smoothen out the mill scale. Idk maybe the grit was too high or something. Also I don't plan on grinding after the weld.

Other options for removing mill scale are masonry discs (I had some from a Canadian Tire combo pack of cut-off discs, worked well on scale) or a soak in vinegar.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

For mill scale these are my new go to. Once you get under the edge, just chase it around, and the scale peels right off like magic. They don't last long if you bear down on them and try to grind through it all, but a light touch chasing the edge around works wonders. WAY better than traditional discs IMO.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09ZKTSZYR?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2