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Guides and instructions

From disc selection to professional techniques, everything you need to know about abrasives

Abrasive wheels are not just consumables. The quality of the cut, the safety of the operator and the total cost of the work depend on the right choice. But how to choose among hundreds of articles, diameters, thicknesses and grain types? How to understand what the marking A 30 S BF according to EN 12413 means? Why is one wheel for 40 UAH more profitable than another for 20 UAH?

We have compiled the answers to these questions in training guides - from basic principles for beginners to professional techniques for experienced welders and metalworkers. Each guide is written by NovoAbrasive's technical department, based on 12+ years of abrasive tool manufacturing experience and feedback from thousands of customers in 35+ countries.

Start with the guide " How to choose a cutting wheel for a grinder " - a step-by-step algorithm for choosing by material, diameter, thickness and grain type. For those who work with stainless steel, we recommend a separate guide on cutting and grinding INOX. And if you manage purchases at the enterprise - pay attention to the optimization of abrasive costs, where we show why the cost of cutting is more important than the price of the disc.

All guides contain comparison tables, checklists and recommendations that you can immediately put into practice. The materials are regularly updated in accordance with the latest FEPA and EN 12413 standards.

Grinding discs on the workbench For beginners
Disc selection

How to choose a grinding disc

Flap, fibre, cup - what's the difference and when to use which?

8 min
Abrasive disc marking EN 12413 Average
Standards

Marking of abrasive discs

Deciphering the markings on the disc: A, C, grain size, hardness, bond

12 min
Metal cutting technique with a grinder Video
Work technique

Metal cutting technique with a grinder

Video tutorial: correct angle, feed rate, cooling

15 min
Cutting concrete and stone For beginners
Disc selection

Cutting concrete and stone

Choosing a disc for stone materials, diamond discs vs abrasive discs

10 min
Cutting stainless steel INOX Pros
Work technique

Working with stainless steel

Features of cutting and grinding stainless steel without contamination

15 min
Choosing the thickness of the cutting disc Average
Disc selection

Choosing the thickness of the cutting disc

1.0, 1.6, 2.5 mm — how thickness affects cutting quality and speed

6 min
Storage of abrasive discs For beginners
Standards

Storage of abrasive discs

How to store discs so they don't lose their properties

4 min
Grinding of welds Video
Work technique

Grinding of welds

Video tutorial: surface preparation, disc selection, technique

20 min
Optimization of abrasive costs Pros
Standards

Optimization of abrasive costs

How to reduce cost per lap without losing productivity

12 min
Table of recommended RPM for abrasive wheels Average
Security

Recommended RPM

Complete table of revolutions by diameter and speed V s. Formula, examples, safety rules

8 min
Diamond blades for grinders: segmented, solid, turbo For beginners
Disc selection

How to choose a diamond blade

Segmented, solid or turbo - which type for concrete, tile and stone

10 min
Flap wheels for grinder: conical and flat For beginners
Disc selection

How to choose a flap disc

Flat or conical, zirconium or corundum - for welds and finishing

12 min
Fiber discs for angle grinder with backing plate Average
Disc selection

How to choose a fiber wheel

Corundum, zirconium or ceramic - backing plate, grit, working technique

12 min
Safety when working with a grinder - PPE and rules Pros
Security

Safety when working with a grinder

PPE, kickback, disc destruction, fire safety. Pre-work checklist

15 min
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most popular questions about choosing and using abrasive discs

How do I choose the right abrasive disc for my job?

The choice of abrasive disc depends on several key factors:

  • Processing material: For steel, use aluminum oxide discs (marked A), for stainless steel - zirconium or ceramic discs with the INOX marking, for stone and concrete - silicon carbide discs (marked C).
  • Type of operation: For cutting, choose thin discs (0.8-3.0 mm), for grinding, choose thicker grinding discs (4-8 mm) or flap discs.
  • Work intensity: For professional use, we recommend the EXTREME or PROFI series with ceramic or zirconium grain.
What is the difference between alumina, zirconia, and ceramic?

Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) is a versatile and most common abrasive. Suitable for general use on steel and non-ferrous metals. Optimal price-performance ratio.

Zirconium (ZrO2)— has higher strength and self-sharpening properties. Ideal for stainless steel and heavy-duty work. Lasts 2-3 times longer than aluminum oxide.

Ceramic grain (SG) is the most technologically advanced and durable abrasive. Provides cool cutting, minimal workpiece heating and maximum productivity. Recommended for heavy metals and professional use.

What grit should I choose for cutting metal?

Grit affects cutting speed and edge quality:

  • Coarse grit (24-36): Fast cutting of thick metal (from 10 mm). Higher speed, but coarser edge.
  • Medium grit (46-60): Universal option for 3-10 mm metal. Balance of speed and quality.
  • Fine grit (80-120): For thin sheet metal and finishing. Clean edge, less burrs.

For most jobs, we recommend grit 46-60 as the optimal compromise.

What is a bond and how does it affect disk operation?

The bond is the material that holds the abrasive grain in the structure of the disc. The bond determines how quickly the disc wears and how efficiently it works:

  • Soft bond: Grain falls out faster, disc is self-sharpening. Cuts better, but wears out faster. Suitable for hard metals.
  • Hard bond: Grain holds stronger, disc lasts longer. May overheat when working with hard metals. Suitable for soft metals.

Rule: The harder the metal, the softer the bond, and vice versa.

What is the difference between a cutting disc and a grinding disc?

Cutting discs:

  • Thickness: 0.8-3.0 mm
  • Working angle: 90° (perpendicular to the surface)
  • Purpose: cutting metal, pipes, profiles
  • Reinforcement: usually double mesh

Grinding (deburring) discs:

  • Thickness: 4-8 mm
  • Working angle: 15-30° to the surface
  • Purpose: metal removal, seam grinding, scale removal
  • Reinforcement: reinforced structure for lateral loading

Important: Never use a cutting disc for grinding - this may lead to destruction of the disc!

How to choose the diameter of the disc for a grinder?

The diameter of the disc must match the power of your grinder:

  • 115 mm: For light work, small grinders up to 800 W. Cutting depth up to 25 mm.
  • 125 mm: The most popular universal size. Angle grinders 800-1200 W. Cutting depth up to 35 mm.
  • 180 mm: For powerful machines 1500-2000 W. Cutting depth up to 55 mm.
  • 230 mm: For professional work and large volumes. Angle grinders from 2000 W. Cutting depth up to 70 mm.

Safety: Never remove the protective cover and never use a disc with a larger diameter than the tool allows!

What discs should I use for cutting stainless steel?

For stainless steel, use special discs marked INOX (or AS 46 INOX BF):

  • Composition: Iron and sulfur free, which prevents corrosion of the cut
  • Grain: Zirconia or ceramic for cold cutting
  • Thickness: We recommend 1.0-1.6 mm for minimal heating
  • Technique: Avoid prolonged contact, work in short passes

Using conventional discs for stainless steel leads to the appearance of rust in the cutting area and the loss of the metal's anti-corrosion properties.

How to store abrasive discs?

Proper storage ensures the safety and efficiency of the discs:

  • Temperature: 15-25°C, avoid sudden changes
  • Humidity: No more than 65%, store in a dry place
  • Position: Horizontally on a flat surface, do not place on an edge
  • Light: Avoid direct sunlight
  • Shelf life: Typically 3 years from date of manufacture (listed on label)

Important: Before use, inspect the disc for cracks, chips or deformations. Damaged discs must not be used!

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