[crownver]

Has anyone had any experience with either of these products? Looking to get reasonably priced cutting wheels. Tired of paying top dollar (up to $3.75) each, and there aren't many suppliers around here that carry the 1/32 size that I like. The Keen wheels at 200 pieces is a bit much, but if they are OK it's a long time supply for 35 cents each. The others a little over a buck landed here, but it they're better quality that's still better than what I pay around here. Or does anyone know a better source?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[Irelands child]

Not had any experience - but country of manufacture to me is important and from Ebay - shipping. I really dislike Chinese made products, especially at over 10,000 rpm. Neither of these say where made that I could see with a quick look. Then - shipping!! The first, Keen, is free for Canada, the second $13USD which seems way too much.

Dave W

[Old Fool]

We use thousands of cut off wheels at work.
We use the 4 1/2" in right angle grinders.
Pferd wheels last about 1/4 as long as Walter-Zip cut off wheels.
The initial cost of the Pferd is less but the true cost is far more based on consumption.
The only time we use a wheel other than Zip is when the vendors stock is depleted.
I guess you get what you pay for.

[gow589]

I have tried a variety of cut off wheels for the 4 1/2 grinder. So far the one that works by far the best for me are the cheap ones from HF. They break down a little faster then the more expensive ones but they cut better. Breaking down faster probably keeps them clean.

I have also gotten to where I prefer them over grinding wheels in general. They are lethal though!

It is however imperative to use mask and face protection. They create a lot of dust and debris.

[crownver]

I found that with the 1/32" wheels there is a lot less heat generated and they cut faster than the 1/16" wheels. Wear faster, but for thin metal I like them. The ones I liked the most were the Samona cheapies but I can't get them at the moment. I think I'll try the Keen wheels. Not the end of the world if they aren't the greatest.

The high shipping is kind of standard from the States to Canada. We always seem to get hosed on freight. If shipping is USPS at least you don't usually have to pay brokerage (UPS) which I think is $20-$30 minimum charge although that may have changed.

[OneMoreTime]

Have you tried the local welding supply house? I get mine by the box full and the price seems to be reasonable..

Sam

[crownver]

Well, my son works for a large welding supply company in my town. I was talking to him the other day about ordering these and he didn't say anything. I'll ask him about it. He does get me gas for virtually free!

[DanielC]

I get mine at the welding shop. The ones I there last a lot longer than the ones I got at Harbor Freight.
I have found that if you let the grinder spin faster, by not loading it as much, the wheels will last a lot longer. You may not be cutting as fast, but when you are changing the wheel, you are not cutting at all.

[Cape Cod Bob]

I had never used cutoff wheels. Always used a sawzall. Then my boss got me a Matabo with a 6-1/2 " wheel. Very hi speed. When you trigger it it actually jumps . Love it . Took some getting used to. Thin wheels. Wheels about a buck apiece. If you let the wheel do the cutting they last longer then forcing it. It has found its way to my garage when I retired.

[S10 Racer]

Originally Posted by Cape Cod Bob

I had never used cutoff wheels. Always used a sawzall. Then my boss got me a Matabo with a 6-1/2 " wheel. Very hi speed. When you trigger it it actually jumps . Love it . Took some getting used to. Thin wheels. Wheels about a buck apiece. If you let the wheel do the cutting they last longer then forcing it. It has found its way to my garage when I retired.

The Metabo is my perferred cutting system. The grinder is made for the cut off wheels but can also be used as a 4" grinder. The Metabo cut off wheels are top notch too, very durable and last a long time (if you're cutting sheet metal). Whatever grinder you chose to use, you absolutely need the correct nuts for the wheels. Metabo makes them to where if the wheel gets "hung up" in a piece that your cutting, the nuts allow slippage instead of a violent kickback. Many people have been seriously injured using cut off wheels. You have to be cautious of the position of the wheel and expect the unexpected. Just operate with care.

[matt167]

Originally Posted by Irelands child

Not had any experience - but country of manufacture to me is important and from Ebay - shipping. I really dislike Chinese made products, especially at over 10,000 rpm. Neither of these say where made that I could see with a quick look. Then - shipping!! The first, Keen, is free for Canada, the second $13USD which seems way too much.



Dave W

I went to Keen's website and they export 3,600 tons of abrasives yearly. and they seem to be entirely canadian based tho I can't find an address. so there probably canadian made

[NOBLNG]

I would go for the Keens. The Smith-Arrow ones are made in China (you can read it at the bottom of the wheel)

[timothale]

I use my milwaukee porta band as much as possible, and cutting fluid, or wax, the blades last a lot longer with lubrication , cutting wheel as the last resort. I guess I don't like sparks. Or some one else sending sparks my direction. We have a home made torchmate flame cutter for when the band saw won't fit and a plasma.

[chas350]

The Dewalt brand are actually pretty good, you can get them at Home Depot and maybe Tractor Supply, but they do cost more......

Or here for good quality at an awesome price:
http://www.lehighvalleyabrasives.com/servlet/StoreFront

[crownver]

I checked at the Home Depot in our town, but they don't stock anything in the size I want. Thanks for that site but I don't see the 1/32" in 3" I'm looking for.