How to choose a metal brush for an angle grinder to remove rust

NovoTools ring brush, corrugated brass, 125x22.2 mm. Photo by EWeld

Users of universal grinders (so-called grinders) encounter brushes if the device begins to spark strongly or when choosing a tool to process the surface of a part. In the first case, we are talking about the brushes of a commutator electric motor, which, due to its technical characteristics, is generally most suitable for the design of angle grinders. In the second case, brushes (another name is cord brushes or wire brushes) act as a working tool for processing workpieces . Next, we consider the second type of brushes.

What is it used for?

Various devices are used to remove rust or old paint from a metal surface. You can get the job done quickly and efficiently using a grinder and a special brush attachment.

The design is a round base with wire or nylon bristles. The working elements are located evenly around the entire circumference of the cup. The length of the bristles is uniform.

Disc brush for angle grinders, nylon wire with abrasive coating BISON “PROFESSIONAL”

If the wheel is unevenly covered with wire bristles, involuntary vibration of the attachment is observed during grinding. Because of this, the quality of cleaning decreases.

Equipment is selected for an angle grinder taking into account technical indicators. One of the main ones is the number of revolutions per minute. It is unacceptable to use a metal brush with a low speed on an angle grinder with a high rotation speed. The effect of such processing will be minimal. The equipment will quickly fail.

For what purposes are cord brushes used:

• stripping the old protective coating (LCM);
• grinding of metal blanks;
• deburring;
• brushing, roughening of wood blanks;
• cleaning parts before welding;
• removing unnecessary part of the deposited metal from the seams;
• grinding off sharp corners, etc.

Sometimes metal brushes are used as substitutes for abrasive wheels.

Design features

Cups for concrete are made of hardened steel with fused small fractions of diamonds. The nozzle is a product consisting of the following elements:

• Round concave base with elements for installation on high-speed electric tools.
• A grinding wheel for concrete, on which segments with diamond fractions are fused.

The bowl-shaped base has holes for cooling during operation. Diamond cutters are located in a circle on the working circumference of the disk, separated by certain intervals (slots). The slots also help cool the cup with air and, in the case of wet processing, with water.

The diamond cup for grinding concrete is attached to the spindle of the grinder using a nut; for this purpose, there is a special hole in the center of the base. Some models have a thread, and the tool can simply be screwed onto the shaft.

Main characteristics of brushes

The base of the brush is a circle with a hole in the center (diameter 22.2 mm). Outwardly, it resembles a cutting disc. The equipment is installed on the angle grinder in the same way. To do this, the attachment is put on the spindle of the angle grinder, and then tightened with a lock nut.

Brushes are produced in different diameters (from 115 to 200 mm). The degree of stiffness of the bristles depends on the thickness of the wire. The nozzle option is selected taking into account these parameters so as not to damage the appearance of the working surface.

Tooling with fine wire is suitable for processing workpieces of complex shapes or soft structures. It is advisable to use thick bristles for cleaning weld seams or burrs.

The stiffness of the brush head also depends on the type of material used to make the brush and the shape of the bristles. Each variety is designed to perform specific jobs.

When choosing a nozzle you need to consider:

• cup diameter;
• spindle rotation speed;
• number of rows of bristles on the base;
• pile material.

Rules for replacing a wheel on an angle grinder

There are no eternal consumables. Over time, they all wear out and require replacement with new ones. It's quite easy to do. You need to perform the following manipulations in turn:

1. De-energize the instrument.
2. Lock the spindle using the locking button located on the body.
3. Insert key.
4. One hand holds the latch, the other turns the nut.
5. The circle is removed.
6. A new disk is being installed.
7. Fastening operations are carried out in reverse order.

Please note that the disk must be installed correctly. The side with the markings should be on the outside.

Criterias of choice

You can choose the most suitable brush based on the following criteria.

Manufacturer

The quality of the nozzle is identified with the manufacturer. Products made by well-known brands inspire confidence. These include brands:

• STAYER;
• Bosch;
• GROSSSMEISTER;
• Lessmann;
• SKRAB;
• Matrix;
• Anchor;
• Bison

What are there

Metal brushes for angle grinders come in different types.

Cord brush

The equipment is characterized by high rigidity and hardness. Therefore, it is not used for processing wood and soft metal alloys. The main purpose is brushing. This is where the tool got its name – a cord brush.

For wood and soft metals, a hard attachment is not suitable due to damage to the structure of the processed materials and loss of aesthetic qualities of the surface.

Petal disc

The nozzle is available in different diameters. The range is 15-500 mm. Grit values ​​are also available to choose from - 40-2500. For the manufacture of equipment, zirconium and electrocorundum are used.

This type is used for processing flat and curved surfaces with a complex structure.

Abrasive cup

The nozzle got its name because of its similarity to a tableware. Its shape is cylindrical. The abrasive is produced in diameters of 100-180 mm. One of the popular models is the 125 mm cup.

Grinding abrasive disc

The design consists of a metal base onto which circles of different grain sizes are fixed. They can be replaced quickly. Circles are consumables. The base of the nozzle does not wear out.

To treat the surface, a type of grinding agent is also used - a grinding brush wheel. It comes in different diameters, grits and heights. Selected taking into account the type of work and type of material.

Type

When choosing a brush for processing a part, you need to consider the type of surface. Is it smooth, or has grooves, corners, internal edges, or hard-to-reach recesses? Based on the characteristics of the workpiece, a suitable nozzle shape is selected.

Brush material

The wire acts as an abrasive. To give the nozzle different rigidity, different materials are used:

• brass;
• nylon;
• stainless steel.

The first and third options are suitable for processing metal, concrete, brick, etc. Nylon is chosen for sanding wooden and plastic blanks and applying patterns to wood.

Using wire

The bristles differ not only in the type of material, but also in the shape.

1. Harness - is a twisted bundle of metal fibers. This attachment is used primarily for rough work.
2. Corrugated - reduces vibration of the angle grinder due to its springy properties.
3. Twisted is another type of twist that provides high rigidity.
4. Smooth is a standard product for processing wood, metal, and steel.

Using equipment as intended extends the service life of consumables.

Purpose

Angle grinder attachments can be used for processing workpieces and products made from the following materials:

• metal;
• tree;
• concrete;
• tile;
• brick.

Diameter

The indicator is measured in millimeters. In stores there are models with a diameter of 115-200 mm. To perform non-standard work, equipment from 5 to 900 mm is used.

The smaller the diameter, the lower the load on the power tool motor.

Landing diameter

This parameter determines the size of the hole in the nozzle. It corresponds to the diameter of the grinder spindle on which the equipment is installed. Options for metal brush diameters:

• 22 mm;
• 22.2 mm;
• M

Disc thickness

The unit of measurement for the indicator is millimeters. Discs are available in thicknesses of 1.7-55 mm.

Diamond layer thickness

The diamond layer is applied to a nozzle with a thickness of 2.4-6 mm.

Grain

Abrasive consumables have varying degrees of hardness. On the nozzle, the grain size indicator is indicated by the symbol P. For metal brushes, the following values ​​are used: 40; 60;80. These are coarse grain options. The lower the number, the smaller the grain.

Amount in a package

The nozzles are sold in packaging. The quantity varies from 1 to 230 pcs.

How to use it correctly

The attachment is not difficult to use. It installs quickly. The main thing is to check the degree of fixation of the locknut and the integrity of the equipment. If there is a concave pile, it is leveled. After work, it is necessary to clean the bristles from dirt and rust.

Test of grinding attachments for angle grinders (stripping/flap/end twisted wire). PART 1

The quality of work performed by a metal brush depends on how correctly the number of revolutions is set.

It is easier to cope with the processing of metal and other surfaces if you take into account the recommendations for choosing a brush.

How to choose a working mode

When setting up the tool, you need to choose the right operating mode. After a test run of the equipment on the working surface, the following actions are performed.

If the hangnails fall off, it is recommended:

• set high speed;
• replace the brush with another model with shorter or wider bristles;
• use a nozzle with a larger diameter bristle.

The pressure force is adjusted as follows:

• increase in speed;
• installation of equipment with a pile of larger diameter.

If the effect is insufficient, you should adjust the speed higher and/or use a nozzle with a short wire. You can also try a brush with larger bristles. If the effect is excessive, the speed is reduced, and nozzles are used with thin long wire.

Purpose of an angle grinder

A grinder, or officially an angle grinder, is an almost universal tool that allows you to perform many operations:

• surface grinding;
• cutting materials;
• cleaning;
• polishing

The main distinctive feature of the angle grinder is the method of installing the spindle, which is installed at an angle to the body. This design allows you to effectively use hand tools as real professional equipment. A variety of materials can be processed with a grinder: wood, stone, brick and concrete.

Safety precautions when working

Using accessories for an angle grinder requires compliance with safety measures.

1. It is prohibited to use accessories for angle grinders with inappropriate technical parameters.
2. When processing any surface, small solid particles fly off. They can damage the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. At high speeds, the brush itself may fly apart. To avoid a traumatic situation, it is recommended to wear personal protective equipment before connecting the power tool. These are: glasses, a respirator, gloves, workwear made of thick fabric.
3. Contact of the brush with metal at high speed is accompanied by a loud sound. Construction headphones or earplugs will help to avoid irritability and strain on the hearing organs.
4. Before installing the attachment on the grinder, you need to inspect it for damage and defects. If they are present, they must be replaced.

The importance of safety lies in taking care not only of your health, but also of those around you.

Popular brands

Companies involved in the manufacture of power tools are considered to be the highest quality manufacturers of attachments. It is noteworthy that such a tool works perfectly not only with related equipment, but also with other angle grinders. The most common brands are:

• Intertool;
• Dremel
• Lessmann;
• Mastertool;
• Novotools;
• S&R;
• Sigma;
• Spitce;
• Sturm;
• Dexx;
• Matrix;
• Wortex;
• Verto;
• "Bison";
• Sibrtech.

Traditionally, Chinese manufacturers occupy the budget niche of the market. European companies are distinguished by their high cost and excellent quality. Russian companies offer products in the mid-price category and of appropriate quality. It should be remembered that the production facilities of some domestic manufacturers are located in China.