Grinding welds, what do you use?

[lyrikz]

Lately i have been using a 4 inch grinder to get the welds down, then a sanding disk on an air wheel to get it smooth.. Only problem i seem to run into is that i hit the surrounding metal quite a bit and im sure its thinning it out. Thinning out already thin metal isnt very good....

I was thinking what if you used a dremel with a little metal bit on it... That work better? IM open for all suggestions on what you guys use...

[71blksuper4x4]

I've seen a lot of people use flap disks attached to either a d.a. sander or 4 inch grinder. They seem to do wonders, please chime in if I am wrong.

[cstm68]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

I've seen a lot of people use flap disks attached to either a d.a. sander or 4 inch grinder. They seem to do wonders, please chime in if I am wrong.

i use these all the time and i dont need to use any filler. just a coat or two of primer.

[tcb-1]

a dremel may take too long.

I use a flapper wheel once the weld is ground down some. It still is a bit big to get into sharp corners though....

[Palf70Step]

I have a 4 and 4 1/2 inch grinder. I use both a grinding disc and flapper discs, mostly the flapper disks when I am doing sheet metal work.

[suville]

You can buy a welding wire I believe its called "easy grind" and if my memory serves me its made by USAB ? Anybody have any more info on the source? I tried a roll of it didnt think it was much different and I had to special order it from the local welding store!

[powerbench]

4 inch grinder wih flapper disk's and a 90degree die grinder with 3M Roloc sanding disk

[arkracing]

I use a 4" grinder with the "butcher" grinding wheels to grind down the bulk of the weld, and then a Flapper.

The 5" air grinders are great @ doing what you described - grind the surrounding metal. They are good for a quick blending of a large area - but that is about it.


What type of metal are welding/grinding - sheet metal or thicker "frame/bracket" thickness stuff?

[Shane]

For sheetmetal work: 4" cutoff wheel first in a straight die grinder ... then an 80 grit flap disc ... then a 120 grit flap (both in cheap HF 4" grinders) ... and last a 3" 180 grit 3M Roloc in a 90 degree die grinder.

Anything thicker than 1/8" is a 4" grinder with a 60 grit grinding stone followed by the flap discs listed above then then Roloc

[Dingfodgy]

Nothin' but flap discs for this homie! First I hit it with a 60 grit, then a 120. Finally, I'll blend it all with a 180 flapper. For the tight places- nothing beats a dynabrade narrow belt sander.....tis da' shiznit!

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by Dingfodgy

Nothin' but flap discs for this homie! First I hit it with a 60 grit, then a 120. Finally, I'll blend it all with a 180 flapper. For the tight places- nothing beats a dynabrade narrow belt sander.....tis da' shiznit!

Attachment 342076

There's a tool I don't have, any more info where I can get one

[Dingfodgy]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

There's a tool I don't have, any more info where I can get one

Here's some distributors in the Philly area that you could check out. Be advised these tools, although pert near bullet-proof, are not cheap. I think I paid ~$425 for my dynafile- there may be cheaper brands out there, but it was an employee purchase dealio- so it just came out of my payroll for a few months. If I had to fork over all the scratch at once.....fogettaboudit!

Philadelphia, PA A. A. Abrasives 215-925-6367 1.03

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Trevose, PA Industrial Supplies Co. 800-359-6200 16.69

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Boothwyn, PA E & R Industrial Sales, Inc. 610-485-9700 17.15

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Trainer, PA E & R Industrial Sales, Inc. 17.15

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North Wales, PA Maxwell Products 215-699-2224 18.87

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[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by Dingfodgy

Here's some distributors in the Philly area that you could check out. Be advised these tools, although pert near bullet-proof, are not cheap. I think I paid ~$425 for my dynafile- there may be cheaper brands out there, but it was an employee purchase dealio- so it just came out of my payroll for a few months. If I had to fork over all the scratch at once.....fogettaboudit!

Philadelphia, PA A. A. Abrasives 215-925-6367 1.03

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trevose, PA Industrial Supplies Co. 800-359-6200 16.69

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boothwyn, PA E & R Industrial Sales, Inc. 610-485-9700 17.15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trainer, PA E & R Industrial Sales, Inc. 17.15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

North Wales, PA Maxwell Products 215-699-2224 18.87

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks, North Wales my hometown, I'll check them out. Gotta love the weekly deductions

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by Dingfodgy

Nothin' but flap discs for this homie! First I hit it with a 60 grit, then a 120. Finally, I'll blend it all with a 180 flapper. For the tight places- nothing beats a dynabrade narrow belt sander.....tis da' shiznit!

Attachment 342076

Anyone have a pic of this flap discs??? You put the flap discs in your grinders?

[Jim_PA]

Yeah, you put the flap disk in the grinder. It's like sandpaper, but it's in little sections, and they all overlap to form a circle. I don't know how/why they are better than just sandpaper, but I messed with one the other day, and I was impressed with how evenly it sanded the area I was testing.

[Shane]

flap disc ala' google

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by Shane

flap disc ala' google

Figured thats what it looked like, just making sure.

Originally Posted by cstm68

i use these all the time and i dont need to use any filler. just a coat or two of primer.

I have small indentions and low spots here and there... 1/16 of an inch or less, will need some kind of filler.... Or some thick build primer....

[cstm68]

Originally Posted by lyrikz

Figured thats what it looked like, just making sure.



I have small indentions and low spots here and there... 1/16 of an inch or less, will need some kind of filler.... Or some thick build primer....

yes that is what i use. in your case i would use some light filler like evercoat and then high build primer

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by cstm68

yes that is what i use. in your case i would use some light filler like evercoat and then high build primer

I was thinking of getting that stuff that had the metal in it... Guess its a bit harder to sand, but holds up better then anything else. I cant remember the name right now.

[bob1967]

I used to use butcher discs until a friend showed me flapper discs now thats all I use, much easier to work with

[67L30WGN]

90 degree die grinder with 2" green 50 grit 3M Roloc sanding disks. I have full control and can get at and create almost any contour. All three of these areas had new metal sectioned in by welding and were shaped and cleaned up with the above combination, then finished with a 3" medium scotchbrite type roloc on the die grinder.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by 67L30WGN

90 degree die grinder with 2" green 50 grit 3M Roloc sanding disks. I have full control and can get at and create almost any contour. All three of these areas had new metal sectioned in by welding and were shaped and cleaned up with the above combination, then finished with a 3" medium scotchbrite type roloc on the die grinder.

You have a picture of your setup???

[67L30WGN]

I'll take a picture of my setup for you tomorrow.

[67L30WGN]

Originally Posted by lyrikz

You have a picture of your setup???

Here ya go... My two favorite tools for metal fab. I save the discs as they wear for smaller areas, until they are wasted.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by 67L30WGN

Here ya go... My two favorite tools for metal fab. I save the discs as they wear for smaller areas, until they are wasted.

I have your top setup there.. I like that.. Only problem is i start getting water coming out of my tool after a bit... I have a water catcher on my compressor, but i dont think its installed in the right place... :shrug: