CHOOSING A CUTTING WHEEL

Weiler Abrasives cutting wheels are ideal for cutting all types of metal. These wheels provide a quick and accurate way to cut through steel and other metallic materials, but the right selection matters to ensure the finished product matches expectations.

PREMIUM CUTTING WHEEL

We have two lines of high-quality cutting wheels available. Our Tiger^® metal cutting wheels deliver exceptional performance. These wheels are made from premium abrasive materials to maximize productivity. Tiger wheels all deliver accurate, clean cuts and have a smooth outer layer that reduces friction for an effortless cut and less kickback during operation. Our Wolverine^® wheels are our Value option for a fast cut rate and consistent performance at a good value.

WHERE TO START WHEN SELECTING A CUTTING WHEEL

Our cutting wheels are efficient and made from bonded adhesives. Bonded adhesives include a mix of resin and quality abrasive material. This mix is hardened into a solid cutting wheel to provide a stable, lasting cutting surface. We offer cutting wheels compatible with die grinders, angle grinders, chop saws, stationary saws and high-speed gas saws. The best wheel option fits the tool and does not exceed its maximum RPM safety rating.

Wheel type is another consideration when selecting a cutting wheel. Type 1 wheels have a flat profile that allows for deep cuts. These wheels are also often referred to as cut-off wheels or slicing wheels. Weiler offers Type 1 cutting wheels for die grinders, angle grinders, chop saws, stationary saws and high-speed gas saws. The second type is a Type 27 cutting wheel, which has a depressed center or raised hub that provides added clearance when working at a constrained angle. These depressed-center cutting wheels are available in a range of sizes for right angle grinders.

Metals vary in hardness and composition. In addition to tool compatibility and wheel type, the cutting wheel needs to fit the application and the metal material being cut. Wheel thickness is something else to consider — when cutting metal, less is sometimes more. In selecting a wheel, always choose the thinnest wheels that will perform the cut while maintaining the desired product life. Thinner wheels will remove less material and create fewer burrs during the cut.

SELECTING CUTTING WHEELS BASED ON MATERIAL

One factor in choosing a cut-off wheel for metal is to buy based on the material being cut. The premium Tiger line of cutting wheels offers options to cut through various metals, from steel, aluminum and stainless steel to hard-to-cut metals like titanium. Using leftover cutting wheels from a previous project involving a different metal can create obstacles in production that could ultimately outweigh any initial savings. Our Tiger and Wolverine cutting wheels provide the solutions that fit many materials.

CHOOSING A CUTTING WHEEL FOR ALUMINUM

Aluminum is a lightweight material, coming in at about one-third the weight of steel. It is also often just as strong or stronger when produced using the right techniques and correct alloys. In addition to a high strength-to-weight ratio, aluminum has a nice finish and natural resistance to corrosion. This metal offers significant advantages, but working with it presents unique challenges. Aluminum has a low melting point and will load on abrasives. If the application involves cutting through aluminum, we recommend:

• Tiger Aluminum: Tiger Aluminum cutting wheels are high-performance wheels specifically designed for working with this material. Our Tiger cutting wheels for aluminum are contaminant-free and leverage a mixed-grain composition consisting of silicon carbide and aluminum oxide. These wheels are made for use over extended periods and will resist loading or gumming up.

CHOOSING A CUTTING WHEEL FOR STAINLESS STEEL

Stainless steel contains chromium, which gives this metal a protective layer against corrosion. Stainless steel resists but is not totally impervious to rust, so steps need to be taken during the production and fabrication process. It is essential to choose a cutting wheel made from abrasives compatible with stainless steel to ensure the workpiece isn't contaminated. The right cut-off wheel for stainless steel will increase efficiency, reduce rework and eliminate cross-contamination. Our cut-off wheels for stainless steel include:

• Tiger Ceramic: Tiger Ceramic cutting wheels are our top-of-the-line abrasive products and feature contaminant-free ceramic alumina bonded abrasives. This cutting wheel for stainless steel cuts with less friction and less effort, reducing heat discoloration of the workpiece.
• Tiger INOX: Tiger INOX cut-off wheels for stainless steel are high-quality abrasives. Tiger INOX cutting wheels are also contaminant-free and manufactured with white aluminum oxide grain made for cutting through stainless steel.

CHOOSING A CUTTING WHEEL FOR HARD-TO-CUT METALS

When it comes to cutting the toughest metals, like tool steel, Inconel^®, high-nickel alloy, titanium and armored steel, users need a cutting wheel that will deliver a superior combination of life and cut rate for maximum productivity. With Tiger Ceramic, there’s no more compromise. These wheels have ceramic grains that use a crystalline structure. This structure has millions of self-sharpening fracture points that sharpen at a higher rate than other kinds of grains. The result is faster cutting speeds, reduced friction at less pressure, higher material removal rate and cooler grinding, which reduces operator fatigue.

CHOOSING A CUTTING WHEEL FOR STEEL

Compared to metals like aluminum and stainless steel, sheet metal is much easier to cut through. With sheet metal, the primary thing to consider is the wheel thickness. Thin (.045 inch) and ultra-thin (1 millimeter) wheels are best. These wheels remove less material at once to provide a faster and cleaner cut that creates less friction and generates less heat, reducing the chances for surface discoloration. When looking for a cut-off wheel for sheet metal, preference is the driving force. Choose from:

• Tiger Zirc: Tiger Zirc cut-off wheels offer high performance when cutting carbon steel and structural steel. This cutting wheel features self-sharpening zirconia alumina grain to provide a consistent cut throughout wheel life.
• Tiger AO: Tiger AO wheels lead our Performance line. Weiler Abrasives Tiger AO cutting wheels feature an aluminum oxide grain held together with a strong bond to deliver long cutting wheel life on steel and other metals.
• Wolverine: Wolverine cutting wheels are made for value to get the job done fast while keeping initial costs to a minimum. These wheels also feature an aluminum oxide grain perfectly suited for cutting steel and general-purpose metal use.

CHOOSING A CUTTING WHEEL FOR SHEET METAL AND THIN CUTS

With sheet metal, the primary thing to consider is the wheel thickness. When cutting thin materials like sheet metal, profiles or small diameter rods, an ultra-thin (1 millimeter) cutting wheel will typically deliver the best results. These wheels remove less material at once to provide a faster and cleaner cut that creates less friction and generates less heat, reducing the chances for surface discoloration. When looking for a cut-off wheel for sheet metal, Weiler offers two options with a 1-millimeter thickness:

• Tiger Zirc UltraCut: These 1-millimeter Type 1 cutting wheels offer excellent cutting performance when cutting steel and other thin metal material. These wheels utilize SOLID CORE technology for a higher wheel density, resulting in superior stability, longer life and reduced friction. Operators will notice right away that cuts are smooth, lightning fast and exceptionally controlled for precise and clean cuts with a right angle grinder.
• Tiger INOX UltraCut: INOX 1-millimeter wheels deliver fast, burr-free cuts and are also contaminant-free, resulting in a worry-free solution for stainless steel applications.

GET EXPERT HELP CHOOSING A CUTTING WHEEL

Weiler Abrasives is a premier supplier of cutting wheels capable of cutting through any metal. Our experts are happy to help you choose a cutting wheel based on your needs and show you how to use our products to improve your bottom line. Fill out our contact form to learn more about our innovative bonded abrasives. You can also use our product locator to find a cutting wheel for metal or steel that meets all your requirements.