HOW TO READ A GRINDING WHEEL SPEC

The Measurement of a Grinding Wheel

Diameter of grinding wheel x Thickness of grinding wheel x size of arbor hole -

We will reference the AA Abrasives #60397 - 12x2x1-1/4 Pedestal Grinding Wheel T-1 Vitrified A36 - from our Vitrified Bonded Grinding Wheel Series.

12=Diameter x 2=Thickness x 1-1/4=Arbor Hole

*Note that the arbor hole can be bushed down meaning a bushing may be inserted in the arbor hole to reduce the size of the arbor hole.

Pedestal Grinding Wheel

What does the rest of the description mean after the size?

T-1 means the grinding wheel is flat. This is also referred to as a Type 1 Grinding Wheel or a straight toolroom wheel;

Vitrified is the bonding of grinding wheel;

A36 - A means it is an aluminum oxide grinding wheel and the 36 means the grinding wheel is composed of a medium grain size also known as grit.  See the grain size chart below.

A/O  also means aluminum oxide;

RPM is the Revolutions Per Minute or Maximum Operating Speed  - not all specifications will show this. The tool, the grinding wheel and application must be in agreement to ensure safe operation.

Grinding Wheel Specification Sheet

Grain Size/Grit:

Coarse: 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 20, 24

Medium: 30, 36, 46, 54, 60

Fine: 80, 100, 120, 150, 180

Grade:

Soft: B, D, E, F, G, H

Med:  I, J, K, L, M, N

Hard: O, P, Q, R, S, T

Bond:

V- Vitrified

B- Resin

B2: Resin Bonded

BF: Reinforced Resin

Grain Types:

A- Dark Aluminum Oxide – Most common grain. Used for Heavy Duty General Purpose

AS3- 20% Ceramic Aluminum Oxide, 30% Pink Grain, 50% White Grain. Excellent for form and corner holding.

AZ- Blue Aluminum Oxide- Grinds fast with excellent cool cutting action and requires minimal dressing.

RA- Red Aluminum Oxide (Ruby)- Harder grain and sharper than PA & AZ wheels good for steels with high level chromium

PA- Pink Aluminum Oxide- General Purpose Grain that is tough but friable. Tool Room sharpening applications.

WA- White Aluminum Oxide- Highly friable grain for fast cool cutting. Good for light grinding on all steels particularly on tool and die steels.

GC- Green Silicon Carbide- very friable use for carbide grinding applications.

AA Abrasives carries its own line of Grinding Wheels.  We are also an authorized distributor of Norton Grinding Wheels. 

Visit our webstore to view our full line of abrasives and industrial power tools.

aaabrasives.com

Our webstore is open 24/7.

We are available by phone M-F 8:30 - 5 EST

1-800-888-1802

AA Abrasives Distributor of Metabo Abrasives and Power Tools

Metabo Angle Grinders

AA Abrasives, Inc. carries Power Tools and abrasives from Metabo. We are a full line distributor for Metabo Power Tools carrying quality power tools designed by German Engineering. Metabo’s power tools provide long service life. Metabo Drills are engineered to meet industrial manufacturing demands. Metabo Angle Grinders are built using the latest technology.

Metabo Abrasives

In addition, AA Abrasives, Inc. recently acquired a large supply of Metabo abrasive products that can now be offered at the lowest cost anywhere. Supplies are limited. 

Here is a listing of some products we are offering:

• Metabo Abrasives 616347119 - 6"x4-3/4"x2"x5/8"-11 ZA16T Cup grinding wheel Type 11 Item # 616347119 is sold in packs of 10. These high quality cup grinding wheels are made of aluminum oxide for general purpose grinding and are ideal for grinding steel and other ferrous metals. High stock removal. Good wheel life.
• Metabo Abrasives 616760000 - 7x1/4x7/8 A36M - Grinding Wheel For Aluminum Type 27 Item # 616760000. These aluminum oxide wheels are for general purpose use and can be used on steel and other ferrous metals.  Excellent rate of cut. Good wheel life.
• Metabo Abrasives 616795000 - 7x1/8x7/8 ZA24T - Cutting Wheel For Steel - Stainless Steel Type 27 Item # 616795000. These cutting wheels are made of zirconia alumina and are ideal for steel and stainless steel applications. Very aggressive stock removal. Extremely long wheel life.
• Metabo Abrasives 656379000 - 7x7/8 ZA36 Flap Disc - For Steel - Stainless Steel Item # 656379000. These flap discs are made with a zirconia alumina grain that delivers extremely long life with very aggressive stock removal offering excellent blending capabilities. 
• Metabo Abrasives 656367000 - 9"x7/8" ZA50 Resin Fiber Sanding Disc Closed Coat Abrasive Disc Item # 656367000 is a very aggressive closed coat sanding discs perfect for stock removal on steel, stainless steel and other metal applications. Metabo abrasives extremely long life resin fiber sanding disc is also available in #60 grit Metabo Abrasives 656368000 .
• Metabo Abrasives 655379000 - 3"x1"x1/4"sk A120 grit Flap Wheel Item # 655379000 this tough but flexible aluminum oxide resin bond flap wheel is designed for many abrasives applications such as deburring, finishing, polishing and cleaning.
• Metabo Abrasives 655795000 - 7x1/8x5/8-11 ZA24T - Cutting Wheel For Steel - Stainless Steel Item # 655795000 Pipeline these aluminum oxide general purpose wheels are ideal for use on steel and other ferrous metals. Extremely long wheel life. Feature Applications- Steel/Stainless Steel and pipelining also available in 9”  Metabo Abrasives 655796000 - 9x1/8x5/8-11 ZA24T.
• Metabo Abrasives 655610000 - 7x1/4x5/8-11 A36O - Grinding Wheel For Stainless Steel and Steel Item # 655610000 these aluminum wheels are specially formulated for harder metals such as stainless steel. Good stock removal. Good wheel life. Also available in the 9” size Metabo Abrasives 655622000 9x1/4x5/8-11 A36O -Grinding Wheel For Stainless Steel and Steel Item # 655622000.

You may also be interested in AA Abrasives Resin Fiber Sanding Discs or AA Abrasives TruZirc Flap Discs. We offer a full range of sizes and grits.

Visit our website at aaabrasives.com

Or 

Call to speak to a technical abrasives applications specialist: 1-800-888-1802

AA ABRASIVES WAFFLE WHEELS-FLEX-GRIND-FINISH-FGF WHEELS

AA Abrasives, Inc. introduces our newest wheel for grinding and finishing metals in one step. The AA Abrasives WaffleWheels-Flex-Grind-Finish-FGF-Wheels are reinforced resin bonded wheels with a flexible structure for multiple tasks.  The Waffle Wheel-Flex-Grind-Finish-FGF-Wheel is made of a white aluminum oxide grain for contaminate-free results and is recommended for metal, aluminum, non-ferrous metals, stainless and regular steel. 

     The face waffle pattern of the Waffle Wheels-Flex-Grind-Finish-FGF-Wheels is designed for cooler grinding and minimal material load up for a smooth finish. The flexibility of the waffle pattern on the face wheel is recommended on contours and is engineered to absorb vibrations to reduce operator fatigue. 

    

Some of the advantages of the Waffle Wheels-Flex-Grind-Finish-FGF-Wheel over a traditional grinding wheel are:

• They do not leave as deep scratches

• Operator has more control over taking down welds and metal removal while grinding

• Ability to have more control when getting close to Parent Metal

• A one step process prior to powder coat or painting over metal

Waffle Wheel-Flex-Grind-Finish-FGF Wheel

    The AA Abrasives Waffle Wheels-Flex-Grind-Finish-Wheels are used with a right angle grinder and are available in both a 7/8” and 5/8-11 arbor hole in a 4-1/2", 5" and 7” size in a T-27.

MetaboW8-115 Quick 600264420 as shown in video on electric power tool with AA Abrasives Waffle Wheels-Flex-Grind-Finish-FGF-Wheel 4-1/2x1/8x5/8-11 WA46-QBF#40750.

Recommended Dynabrade 52632 Air Grinder with AA Abrasives Waffle Wheels-Flex-Grind-Finish-FGF. Dynabrade 52632  for use with AA Abrasives Waffle Wheels-Flex-Grind-Finish-FGF-Wheel 4-1/2x1/8x5/8-11 WA46-QBF#40750.

Recommended Metabo W24-180 US606445760 electric power tool for use with AA Abrasives Waffle Wheels-Flex-Grind-Finish-FGF-Wheel 7 x 1/8 x 5/8-11 WA46-QBF #40754.

Recommended Dynabrade Air Grinder 50350 for use with AA Abrasives Waffle Wheels-Flex-Grind-Finish-FGF-Wheel 7 x 1/8 x 5/8-11 WA46-QBF #40754.

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

GRINDING WHEEL GUIDE –

FEATURING THE 4 1/2 x 1/2 x 7/8 GRINDING WHEEL – Type 27 – A24R

AA Abrasives 40100 – Grinding Wheel – T-27 - A24R

4 1/2x1/4x7/8, Grinding Wheel, T-27, Resin Bond, A24R, Metal

• Our most popular wheel

• For general purpose grinding

• Longer life for fewer wheel changes

AA Abrasives – 40100 – Grinding Wheel

A24R grain is designed for use on tougher metals where consistent stock removal and wheel life is important. Grinding wheels made with this grain have a longer life than other grinding wheels resulting in fewer wheel changes.

What does it mean? A24R: A=Aluminum Oxide, 24=Grit (Coarse), R=Medium Bond. See the Grinding Wheel Guide below.

Portable grinders with Type 27 depressed center wheels are a favorite combination among the power tools users for metal fabricating.  AA Abrasives – 40100 – Grinding Wheel – T-27 - A24R is recommended for structural steel metal and welds and most other ferrous metals on grinders such as Dynabrade 50303 or Metabo WE14-125VS.

Dynabrade 50303 Depressed Center Wheel Air Powered Grinder can be used for fast stock and weld removal-rust and scale removal and heavy duty deburring with a 4 ½” Type 27 depressed center wheel like the AA Abrasives 40100.

Metabo WE14-125VS Electronic Variable Speed Small Angle Grinder is an alternate grinder that can be used with a 4 ½” Type 27 depressed center wheel like the AA Abrasives 40100. The advantage to using a variable speed grinder is that when you switch from a grinding application to a surface finishing application you can lower the RPMs according to the product specifications. If you do not require a variable speed grinder, check out the Metabo W8-115 4 1/2" Angle Grinder.

GRINDING WHEEL GUIDE

The First series of letters indicates Grain Type; A=Aluminum Oxide (Used in Metal Applications) C=Silicon Carbide (Used for Masonry Applications) ZA= Alumina Zirconium used for (Stainless Steel and Ferrous Metal Applications) TA=Ceramic Treated Aluminum Oxide (Used for Metal Applications)

The Second series of letters indicates Grain Size or Grit; 8-24=Coarse, 30-60=Medium, 70-180=Fine and 220-Up=Hard. The Third series of letters indicates Bond Hardness; A-N=Soft, O-S=Medium and T-Z=Hard.

Wheel Types; Type 1=Flat Wheel for Cutting, Type 27=Depressed Center Wheel for Grinding and Cutting Applications, Type 28=Hat or Saucer Shaped for Grinding and Type 29=constructed with an upward angle built into the grinding section to provide full face contact for light stock removal and blending operations.
Type 28 and Type 29 wheels may only be used on the face and never on the periphery for cutting-off.

Note: Harder Wheels have a longer life where a softer wheel will cut faster.

Fine Grain=Long Life=Slower Cutting and Grinding.

Coarse Grain=Short Life=Fast Cutting or Grinding.