WHAT IS A FLAP WHEEL?

MOUNTED FLAP WHEELS

A flap wheel is a versatile abrasive tool. Flap wheels are made of coated abrasive flaps arranged radially around a hub.  They are flexible and allow adaption to the shape of the workpiece. Flap wheels are suitable for applications such as deburring, finishing, polishing and cleaning. Mounted flap wheels are for use on die grinders, flexible shaft tools and high speed portable drills. Flap wheels produce a uniform, consistent finish on many different materials. Safe maximum RPM ratings are indicated on each flap wheel.

Flap Wheels are used in a wide variety of industries such as: aircraft manufacturing, engine manufacturing, assembly and tool rooms, furniture manufacturing, manufacturing of sporting goods, pots and pans manufacturing, tool and die manufacturing, nuclear power and power plant maintenance, manufacturing food and dairy equipment. The versatility of flap wheels make them an effective abrasive tool for many industrial abrasive applications. 

Video of 1"x1"x1/4" flap wheel-60 Grit - Item 10094 on an extension die grinder used for sanding and deburring inside stainless steel tubing.

AA Abrasives offers a full line of flap wheels, 1, 2 and 3 inch sizes available in either 1/4" Shank and 1/4-20 Threaded Shank with a Grit range from 40 to 320. These flap wheels mount to die grinders with a 1/4" collet.

Mounted Flap Wheel with 1/4" shank- Available in 1"- 2"- 3" diameters
Mounted Flap Wheel with 1/4-20 Threaded Shank - Available in 1" - 2" - 3" diameters

AA Abrasives offers a wide selection of Dynabrade extension die grinders suitable for this type of grinding. Choose from front or rear exhaust. Extension die grinders are available with either a 3" or 7 1/4" extension.

Dynabrade - 51302 - .5hp straight line die grinder - 20,000RPM - gearless, front exhaust - 1/4" collet
Dynabrade - 51306 - .5hp straight line die grinder - 20,000RPM - gearless, rear exhaust - 1/4" collet
Dynabrade - 53511 - .5hp straight line die grinder - 20,000RPM - 3" extension, rear exhaust - 1/4" collet
Dynabrade - 53502 - .5hp straight line die grinder - 20,000RPM - 7-1/4" Extension, rear exhaust - 1/4" collet

Unitized Wheels - AA Abrasives, Inc.

Unitized Wheels

AA Abrasives’ Unitized Wheels are designed to improve quality, increase productivity, and lower manufacturing costs. These multi finishing grinding wheels are excellent for cleaning, deburring, blending, finishing, and polishing. The structure of Unitized Wheels  minimizes heat build up to extend wheel life.  These wheels are less conforming than other preparation wheels to ensure a more consistent and uniform finish.

Unitized wheels are constructed by bonding and compressing layers of abrasives impregnated with non-woven nylon making it more aggressive than a Surface Prep Wheel. On a flat surface a unitized wheel will outlast the surface prep wheel making it a more efficient method for deburring, polishing and cleaning.

AA Abrasives, Inc. carries three types of Unitized Wheels.

2SF - is a softer less aggressive unitized wheel made with silicon carbide and is considered a fine.  This specific wheel is used in applications calling for a very fine non aggressive finish. Specifications: 4-1/2x7/8 #2SF Grey T-27 11,000 RPM  Item #33735.

Suggested Application for a 2SF unitized wheel - polishing mechanical parts such as blades, welds and threads or softer metals such as brass, aluminum, and copper. 

3SF - is considered a medium-soft silicon carbide fine grit. Specifications: 4-1/2x7/8 #3SF Grey T-27 11,000 RPM  Item #33736.

Suggested Application for a 3SF unitized wheel is cleaning heavy scale and oxidation on alloys, titanium and stainless.  

2AM - is considered a medium density with an aluminum oxide grain. This unitized wheel is the most aggressive and is recommended on heavier steels such as carbon and stainless steel. Specifications:  4-1/2x7/8 #2AM Tan T-27 11,000 RPM  Item #33737.

Suggested Application for the 2AM  unitized wheel - heavy blending or substantial burr marks on heavier steel. The 2AM unitized wheel will work on sharpened edges.

Use these unitized wheels on a variable speed grinder such as a Walter Big Buff 30-A-265 

or a Metabo 14-125VS Variable speed . You can decrease the RPM for duller finishes and polishes.

Our online abrasives store is always open - Visit us at aaabrasives.com anytime.

Or call 1-800-888-1802 to speak to an abrasives specialist - M-F 9-4 EST