Best life flap discs

[dustywill]

What have you guys found to have the best life in the 120 grit flap discs? I have tried some Nortons and lately have been using Norton Neons, but not entirely happy with life of them.

[pertneer]

I have always used Dewalt's flap discs myself so i can't offer any comparison, but I used to work in a fab shop years ago when they first come on the market and I am still impressed with their life.

[buckable]

I have found everything Lehigh Valley Abrasives sells to be excellent. Was surprised to see the life I get out of my discs, and you have a choice between aluminum, zirconia, and ceramic discs, with choices within those categories. My only regret is not finding them years ago - I could have saved a bundle!

http://www.lehighvalleyabrasives.com/

[Redneck]

I use Camel flap discs that I get from Enco. I think they are made in USA and are about $3 each if you buy a box of 10 or more.

[1fine79]

I grind a lot of Stainless and that will eat up a flap disc in quick fast hurry! I've gone thru many different brands and most are comparable in both price and quality. Lately I've been using discs from Benchmark Abrasives ( you can find them on ebay) and They have what they call "jumbo" discs. they are not any bigger, they just have about twice the number of layered flaps. I buy them in quantity and pay less than 2.00 each. they also have many grits to choose. they last a good long time, even compared to some of the 5-7 dollar discs I have used. look them up, you won't be disappointed...I know I haven't been.

[Capstone]

Yet another useful thread of info for the new users of this great forum. Thanks

[tnbndr]

( you can find them on ebay)

Who is the seller on ebay? Search for Benchmark Abrasives results in nothing.

Thanks

[1fine79]

Dennis, here's a link to the ebay page. I did a search and went straight to it. make sure you are searching in business and industrial category I guess.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-4-5-x7-8-Pre ... 41507a67bf

this one is 10 discs for under 20.00. search out the "jumbo discs" also.

[BorstMetalWorks]

Try Walters on the small 4.5 to 6 in grinders. Not the cheapest but cut great and seem to last forever. My time is worth more than the cost of a flap wheel so even if something works faster but wears out quicker its worth it. I think they are called Norton speed strip on the 8in grinder. Real fast and remove minimal parent material. In the end its just whatever you like best.

[solarbarack]

Another vote for camel. Do a search for camel grinding wheels. I'm in mass. But we get ours from a drill rig supply Co in Punxsutawney, pa. It's called ofs. Onsite field supply. Best price I've found.

[Shane Warnick]

I use the 7" x 5/8"-11 zirconia flap discs from Lehigh Valley Abrasives, as well as the smaller 4 1/2" and mini roloc from them also in zirconia. 40-120 grit, and they all work great. I think I pay around $5 for the large ones, a lot less for the mini roloc. They also carry carbide burrs, sandpaper, belts for my belt grinder, stones / wheels for grinders etc. I have yet to have any issues with anything they sell, and have always had great customer service.

My 2 cents worth.

Shane

[steelfx]

... In the end its just whatever you like best.

I agree with BorstMetalWorks...whatever brand, style, type & grit you find works best for you is the one to have!

I might add one thing I've noticed: The dual layer, (2X as many snippets), Type 27-Flat Works best & lasts the longest for me.
T27 (Type 27=Flat) vs. T29 (Type 29=Tapered)

I have not had good luck, both with finish & durability with the T29's. Have also noticed almost no difference in Zirconia vs. Alum. Oxide Grit when working on mild steel.

The (relatively) new "Trimmable Discs" seems to be a good concept, but, they're very expensive (about $8.00 ea. where I'm at) & I've had no luck trimming them down without grenading them. I should look for a video on the proper way to re-size or trim the disc!

I think it's more of a gimmick than practical, as the smaller diameter and circumference will increase RPM's beyond Red-Line and wear down the exposed grit even faster than normal.

The single best thing I have EVER found for Flap-Disc Longevity is a Variable Speed Angle Grinder.

Full speed (on a single speed angle-grinder) is "balls out" and not really necessary for flap-discing. Mine is a Metabo®, but I'm sure there are other less expensive ones out there. The Makita Grinders I use are lighter, better balanced & more user-friendly than the Metabo, IMHO.

I'm using my ROLOC® discs and Angled Die-Grinder a lot more lately, too. Mostly with 320-Grit (3") for some fine detail work. Gotta have an angled die-grinder though...it would be nearly impossible to use the ROLOC backing pad & abrasives on a straight die-grinder. Mine is a 45-degree angled head. Requires a pretty good-sized compressor though. They're Air Hungry.

Just My 2 Cents...

Thanks!

Bill

[MIFab]

Best ever Metabo but i have an older one with speed control! I use these http://www.bullardabrasives.com/product ... flap-discs

[michmetalman]

I use Lehigh Valley abrasives disks and am very happy. They are cheap and seem to last quite a while.

[Thor]

Try some of these Walter Enduro Flex. Been using them for years. They are made to shave the plastic wheel down a couple times to extend the life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxVGsaHr-mc

[abmetal]

Where does the Walter Enduro Flex discs run price wise in comparison to other discs?

Allen

[Thor]

15-17 ea
http://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn/?sea ... drsrh=true

[sr guy]

I second the Lehigh valley abrasives good quality and great pricing. I wish they would start selling Hypertherm consumables.

[little blue choo]

I have been using the Bench Mark brand flap disc that Wayne posted the Ebay link to. Under $2 each and work great. I think they work just as well as the Dewalt that I had been using and less than half the price.
Rick

[timberfab]

check out my flappers

http://twkcustom.com/4-5-zirconia-flap-discs/

[gary42095]

i too have been using lehigh valley for a couple years. just recently switched to roarksupply.com. they have a bunch of made in america lines (camel-cgw) as well as some good german stuff. prices are on par or better than lehigh. and quite honestly, last time i bought from lehigh i had to wait 3-5 weeks for the ship to come in. not sure about everyone else , i keep a dozen or so of 40 ,60,80,120 grit flap wheels, dozen or so grinding wheels and a few dozen cut off wheels. also a bunch of roloc scotchbrite disks and sandpaper disks, and sand paper cones too...... so i order a ton of crap at once. hate waiting for stuff on the slow boat from china, and personally would rather buy american if budget allows

[gary42095]

just ordered some 300and 600 grit flap disks made by cgw cant wait to try them out and see how they finish the artsy stuff

[War Hammer]

We use Walter Enduro-flex. They are a little on the pricey side but we have tried several others and they seem to last the longest.

[destroyer000]

ive been using empire abrasives, black hawk flap wheels. work great! like benchmark they are cheap as well and work well for what you pay. ive used them on stainless and steel and iam very pleased with the results.

[jshan82]

CGW seems to work good for me.