grinder wheel for alum: clog and clean?

[e9999]

curious, will a handheld grinder wheel clog up fast if you grind aluminum with it? If so, can you then clean it up easily enough with a wire brush or something like that? (I'd rather know before I try... )

if it clogs up, can you keep on using it with aluminium or is that the end of it?



(searched a bit here already)

 

[yycranger4x4]

I've been told by a few guys that weld/fabricate for a living, that if a ferrous cut-off wheel is used with non-ferrous metals, that they can build up, and cause some bad vibrations and even cause the wheel to fail. I'm not sure if the same holds true for grinding wheels, but for the $8-12 I think that the wheels designed for non-ferrous metals would probably be the better bet...

 

[e9999]

I've been told by a few guys that weld/fabricate for a living, that if a ferrous cut-off wheel is used with non-ferrous metals, that they can build up, and cause some bad vibrations and even cause the wheel to fail. I'm not sure if the same holds true for grinding wheels, but for the $8-12 I think that the wheels designed for non-ferrous metals would probably be the better bet...

well, can't say that I have seen grinding wheels that say something about non-ferrous metals specifically, but I'll look. What's the difference?

 

[3DAMAN!]

The grinding wheels in question look like their made of paper. They desintagrate as you use them. DO NOT use a regular grinding wheel for more than a moment on any aluminum type material. They will load up and it is possible they can explode!

 

[e9999]

had a look at McMaster. Not that instructive. Saw a mention in a couple of places of disks suitable for aluminum but it was more like use a coarser grit and in one case use a see-through disk. Didn't look like there was a variety of aluminum-specific disks by any means. At least that I saw.



seems to me like it would take a lot of material stuck on the wheel to make it "explode" though, even at 10,000 rpm. Should be easy to see, no? No cleaning possible?

 

[LukeZero]

I know it's against the recommendation of most wheel manufacturers- but I've always used a regular bench grinding wheel, then dressed it with one of those carbide serrated wheel thingeys to remove the clogged outer layer.


Or a flap disk.

 

[n2hcky]

There are definitely specific wheels for aluminum it you are going to doing much grinding. Sanding is a bit different since they wear away anyway.
Seems like IIRC most of the alum. wheel I used were an odd color....like a green or pink tint to them.

I know not much help but I do know there are purpose built wheel for AL.

 

[e9999]

There are definitely specific wheels for aluminum it you are going to doing much grinding. Sanding is a bit different since they wear away anyway.
Seems like IIRC most of the alum. wheel I used were an odd color....like a green or pink tint to them.

I know not much help but I do know there are purpose built wheel for AL.

so you could just keep on grinding and they would never clog up? or just shed? or wear away fast?

 

[n2hcky]

so you could just keep on grinding and they would never clog up? or just shed? or wear away fast?

YES......on the wheels made specifically for aluminum they would cut great and never clog.
It has been about 15 years since I have done much aluminum work so I couldn't tell you what brands or anything.
Maybe check a local industrial supply house.

 

[e9999]

did a bit of reading.
Definitely a specialized area.
Read some weird stuff. Seems to be that there is some sort of vague consensus suggesting silicon carbide wheels with a lube. Some folks use Crisco apparently... .
Some mention of explosive dust and even thermite formation on wheels and in floor dust...

 

[cody c]

Im an electrician, but when ever we had to cut/modify aluminum cable tray we would mark that cut and often vise grip a guide in place, then spray some WD40 or cutting oil on the cut line, and use a skill saw.

The skill saw would take and throw big enough pieces of metal and the blade wouldnt clog up. Though you would have to take a very firm grip cutting the sidewalls ( I beam about 1/8 thick alloy, 2" wide and 6" long) as the blade would grab easier and kickback much harder than cutting wood.

There was a few times when I had to take down a bit of material that I would hold the guard open and use the blade sweeping left to right. This worked very well at removing material.

Having said this, this definately isnt the safest way to use a tool, and I would only reccomend it to the most experienced. I did have it kick once or twice and you definately hold on tight after this happens.

But it did work really well.

Im not necessarily suggesting using this method, but that maybe something like a wood blade and a bit of lubricant may work much better depending on what your doing.

 

[Dirtsquirt]

I use

Flap discs and a Belt sander for working aluminum
Zirconia belts and flaps work the best and last the longest.

In my opinion you should never grind nonferrous metal.
it makes a mess of your stone and your work.

 

[weak-link]

with a cutting wheel, I will hit it with a some wax first...just find an old candle and run the disk into it first, then hit the aluminium. the wax will keep it from clogging, it'll only last a few seconds before it melts, so just keep the wax close and it'll work.