The Ford Barn

Ziffer · 07-15-2010, 06:35 PM

I'm looking for input here on abrasives. I love the 4" 3M Green Corps 1/32 wheels for cutting but they get more expensive every day it seems. I've tried Metabo and they just don't get the job done. Sait are okay but not the best. What are you guys using that cuts aggressively, the wheels last, etc.

Thanks
Russ

metalman · 07-15-2010, 06:59 PM

I think I've used just about every one out there. Yes, the 3M green corp are by far the best, last the longest, but just way too $$$. I use only Sait now, I feel they are the best value. They might last only half as long as the 3M but cost 1/3 as much. Most of the brands IMOH around the same price or less then the Sait are worthless.
FWIW I always try to use the 3" x .035 for cutting sheet metal and only Sait and 3M have them that thin that I can get around here.

Uncle Bob · 07-15-2010, 07:01 PM

Everything else I've tried just doesn't hold a candle to the 3M wheel for how long they last, though they're expensive they last, so real cost is competitive.

Ronnie · 07-15-2010, 07:20 PM

Norton charger or evo tough to beat

Frank The Plumber · 07-15-2010, 07:37 PM

Try www.colonialtools.com, see what they have.

thunderbirdesq · 07-15-2010, 08:48 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I've had good luck with the Dewalt 4.5" cutoffs. That said, with my next build, I'm gonna do something I shoulda done a loooong time ago. Buy a plasma cutter!

Dave72dt · 07-15-2010, 09:29 PM

I've had good luck with the Dewalt 4.5s also. They're only costing me $2 each at my local Tractor Supply. As long as I don't crowd them, they last well.

Frank Cowan · 07-15-2010, 09:58 PM

I use the cheapest I can find... harbour freight. The 3 inch are $7 for 10 and the 4.5 inch are $8 for 10 both on sale half the time. I use a lot of them. I bet others last longer.

Steel 35 · 07-15-2010, 11:37 PM

Flexovit, Sait are the two I am using, I only get the ones with the cup no flat ones I believe there 4.5 and the guards are off, yes I have had my thumb stiched back on, I know they cut well and I have a phobia of them but some things ya can't do with a guard on. ....I use them to support my old ford.

BUBBAS IGNITION · 07-16-2010, 02:31 PM

We have the harbor freight ones stuck in the ceiling, and even have stitches from them after they blew up and cut thru our legs.
Spend the money......

John Kennedy · 07-16-2010, 02:43 PM

The cheap ones scare me. I don't use them.

53ash · 07-16-2010, 03:18 PM

I cut about 1/2 way through my left fore finger when a Dewalt went to heck, but that was my fault, not the blade. That is usually the problem.
Dewalt does a good job for us. We work with Stainless daily at my business, and they do a good job on our sheet metal.

hbleadsled · 07-16-2010, 10:21 PM

I use 3m and harbor freight NOW you guys scare the hell out me. no more harbor freight for me.

MLK · 07-17-2010, 05:14 PM

Lawson's are good, but expensive. I quit using cheap cut off disks....too many people have had them come apart, and I hate changing out a disk every few minutes because they wear out so quickly.

Mike

Fordors · 07-17-2010, 06:55 PM

Hi guys, I was a regular at the old Barn under a different name; first time poster at the new place. The new 'site is great, lots less BS and no back biting here.
I had a pretty serious injury about 30 years ago from a cutoff wheel. I was working on my 5 window, wearing my GM issued safety glasses when I had a wheel grenade immediately upon start-up. A chunk went under the frame of the glasses and I received 15 stitches at the ER. I never, ever use a c/o wheel without a full face shield anymore.
The wheel had most likely gotten a nick in the edge when I had last set it down and as soon as it got up to speed whamo! That one was a little too close. I would recommend anyone to look for a nicked wheel, hold the tool away from you when you first start the spindle, and consider the face shield.
Also, yesterday I saw this thread and I e-mailed Sandusky/Chicago Wheel. I think they were the manufacturer of the wheels I used to get from GM (never mind!) BITD. They worked great; 3" X 1/32 with a 1/4" hole. As soon as I find out pricing and where available I will post the info.

HOTRODPRIMER · 07-17-2010, 09:07 PM

I have had good luck with the Dewalt 4.5" cutoff wheels,,HRP

andyg · 07-17-2010, 10:56 PM

Pferd or pferdd is the best I have ever found. They last a long time and are very thin. Made in germany but a quaility cutoff wheel indeed. I will correct the spelling on this post when i get back to the shop.

jdl · 07-18-2010, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyg

Pferd or pferdd is the best I have ever found. They last a long time and are very thin. Made in germany but a quaility cutoff wheel indeed. I will correct the spelling on this post when i get back to the shop.

I have never used this brand but here is the link..

http://www.pferdusa.com/products/206/index.html

skip · 07-18-2010, 09:26 AM

"I love the 4" 3M Green Corps 1/32 wheels for cutting but they get more expensive every day it seems."

You pay for what you get. Buy the best. I agree mis use these in the slightest and they will come apart and kill you.

We used thousands of these when building a Palmer Johnson Yacht. Along with about 17,000 Milwaukee saw 'Z All blades per hull.

skip.

gearheadbill · 07-18-2010, 10:27 AM

You might try, as I did, to find them on Ebay. I recently bought 40 packs of 5 discs for less than $100. Not always available but I got lucky.

07-15-2010, 06:35 PM	#1
Ziffer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 171	Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) I'm looking for input here on abrasives. I love the 4" 3M Green Corps 1/32 wheels for cutting but they get more expensive every day it seems. I've tried Metabo and they just don't get the job done. Sait are okay but not the best. What are you guys using that cuts aggressively, the wheels last, etc. Thanks Russ

07-15-2010, 06:59 PM	#2
metalman Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 47	Re: Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) I think I've used just about every one out there. Yes, the 3M green corp are by far the best, last the longest, but just way too $$$. I use only Sait now, I feel they are the best value. They might last only half as long as the 3M but cost 1/3 as much. Most of the brands IMOH around the same price or less then the Sait are worthless. FWIW I always try to use the 3" x .035 for cutting sheet metal and only Sait and 3M have them that thin that I can get around here.

07-15-2010, 07:01 PM	#3
Uncle Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Salado, TX. Posts: 733	Re: Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) Everything else I've tried just doesn't hold a candle to the 3M wheel for how long they last, though they're expensive they last, so real cost is competitive. __________________ Luck occurs when preparation and opportunity converge.

07-15-2010, 07:20 PM	#4
Ronnie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canada Where it snows Posts: 2,058	Re: Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) Norton charger or evo tough to beat

07-15-2010, 07:37 PM	#5
Frank The Plumber Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 693	Re: Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) Try www.colonialtools.com, see what they have.

07-15-2010, 08:48 PM	#6
thunderbirdesq Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Williamsport, PA Posts: 345	Re: Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I've had good luck with the Dewalt 4.5" cutoffs. That said, with my next build, I'm gonna do something I shoulda done a loooong time ago. Buy a plasma cutter!

07-15-2010, 09:29 PM	#7
Dave72dt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SW WI Posts: 359	Re: Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) I've had good luck with the Dewalt 4.5s also. They're only costing me $2 each at my local Tractor Supply. As long as I don't crowd them, they last well.

07-15-2010, 09:58 PM	#8
Frank Cowan Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cocoa FL Posts: 66	Re: Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) I use the cheapest I can find... harbour freight. The 3 inch are $7 for 10 and the 4.5 inch are $8 for 10 both on sale half the time. I use a lot of them. I bet others last longer.

07-15-2010, 11:37 PM	#9
Steel 35 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern OR. Posts: 222	Re: Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) Flexovit, Sait are the two I am using, I only get the ones with the cup no flat ones I believe there 4.5 and the guards are off, yes I have had my thumb stiched back on, I know they cut well and I have a phobia of them but some things ya can't do with a guard on. ....I use them to support my old ford.

07-16-2010, 02:31 PM	#10
BUBBAS IGNITION Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SPEEDWAY INDIANA Posts: 4,148	Re: Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) We have the harbor freight ones stuck in the ceiling, and even have stitches from them after they blew up and cut thru our legs. Spend the money...... __________________ If it Makes Spark, we do it !!!! www.bubbasignition.com [email protected]

07-16-2010, 02:43 PM	#11
John Kennedy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tucson Arizona Posts: 301	Re: Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) The cheap ones scare me. I don't use them. __________________ Building a 29 Sedan on 32 chassis........ very slowly....

07-16-2010, 03:18 PM	#12
53ash Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 97	Re: Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) I cut about 1/2 way through my left fore finger when a Dewalt went to heck, but that was my fault, not the blade. That is usually the problem. Dewalt does a good job for us. We work with Stainless daily at my business, and they do a good job on our sheet metal. __________________ We carry: Amsoil Synthetic Lubrication products

07-16-2010, 10:21 PM	#13
hbleadsled Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: salinas ca. Posts: 266	Re: Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) I use 3m and harbor freight NOW you guys scare the hell out me. no more harbor freight for me.

07-17-2010, 05:14 PM	#14
MLK Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Papillion, Nebraska Posts: 1	Re: Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) Lawson's are good, but expensive. I quit using cheap cut off disks....too many people have had them come apart, and I hate changing out a disk every few minutes because they wear out so quickly. Mike

07-17-2010, 06:55 PM	#15
Fordors Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Orland Park,IL Posts: 1,402	Re: Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) Hi guys, I was a regular at the old Barn under a different name; first time poster at the new place. The new 'site is great, lots less BS and no back biting here. I had a pretty serious injury about 30 years ago from a cutoff wheel. I was working on my 5 window, wearing my GM issued safety glasses when I had a wheel grenade immediately upon start-up. A chunk went under the frame of the glasses and I received 15 stitches at the ER. I never, ever use a c/o wheel without a full face shield anymore. The wheel had most likely gotten a nick in the edge when I had last set it down and as soon as it got up to speed whamo! That one was a little too close. I would recommend anyone to look for a nicked wheel, hold the tool away from you when you first start the spindle, and consider the face shield. Also, yesterday I saw this thread and I e-mailed Sandusky/Chicago Wheel. I think they were the manufacturer of the wheels I used to get from GM (never mind!) BITD. They worked great; 3" X 1/32 with a 1/4" hole. As soon as I find out pricing and where available I will post the info.

07-17-2010, 09:07 PM	#16
HOTRODPRIMER Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Upstate,South Carolina Posts: 500	Re: Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) I have had good luck with the Dewalt 4.5" cutoff wheels,,HRP __________________ ‘When one door closes, another opens. But we often look so regretfully upon the closed door that we don’t see the one which has opened for us.’ Alexander Graham Bell

07-17-2010, 10:56 PM	#17
andyg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Springfield,MO Posts: 107	Re: Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) Pferd or pferdd is the best I have ever found. They last a long time and are very thin. Made in germany but a quaility cutoff wheel indeed. I will correct the spelling on this post when i get back to the shop.

07-18-2010, 09:26 AM	#19
skip Banned Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 408	Re: Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) "I love the 4" 3M Green Corps 1/32 wheels for cutting but they get more expensive every day it seems." You pay for what you get. Buy the best. I agree mis use these in the slightest and they will come apart and kill you. We used thousands of these when building a Palmer Johnson Yacht. Along with about 17,000 Milwaukee saw 'Z All blades per hull. skip. Last edited by skip; 07-18-2010 at 09:34 AM.

07-18-2010, 10:27 AM	#20
gearheadbill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Snohomish, WA Posts: 401	Re: Cutoff Wheels (3M is getting too expensive) You might try, as I did, to find them on Ebay. I recently bought 40 packs of 5 discs for less than $100. Not always available but I got lucky.