Thread: Scotchbrite Wheel Grades

You are correct, you cannot relate these wheels to conventional grinding wheels.
I worked at 3M co for 12 years as Tech Service, in the abrasive division & had a lot to do in development & field work with these wheels.
Then applied them to industry, from my own mfg & distribution business.
They were known at that time as "Light Deburring Wheels."
Hardness ranged from 4 (soft) to 8 (hard)
The softer wheels are less aggressive & used for internal radii blending as in the radii of say, Jet Engine Blades.
The harder wheels are best for light deburring, say for removing the small burr from a component after parting off in the lathe, for one example.
Coarser grades leave a rougher finish, but wheel hardness is the main criteria for longevity.
I use a 6S 6"dia by 1" wide in my own workshop, for many light deburring & sometimes polishing jobs.
Very handy wheels.
regards
Bruce
PS A high wheel speed of around 5500 to 6000 feet per minute seems to be favourable, for best life & performance, with this product.

Thanks for that Bruce, I'll think of you whenever I use them from now on.

I find as you use those wheels it will quickly take on the shape of the part you are working on, I deburr the brass saw backs with that wheel, and after the first few you get a nice groove in the wheel that polishes all the way around the part with one quick touch.

Here is the link for anyone wanting to try them http://www.toolking.com.au/products/...HEEL-8%22.html

Also the scotch-brite angle grinder pads are handy. http://www.toolking.com.au/polishing...pack-9-pieces/

Ray

Thanks for the good info.

You say you use a 6S I wonder how that compares to the P rating.

I used these in the aeronautics industry primarily for the deburring of alloy sheet pruducts, just great I have a few that I put in the wood lathe for polishing chisels etc.

I acquired one of these wheels when I was given my A&A grinder and it sat in my cupboard until I made an arbor adapter for it. It was only when I started using it that I found out how useful it is. It's a 3M 5A metal finishing wheel and I have used it extensively on ally, and also on brass and stainless. It also removes rust on smooth flat surfaces more gently than a wire wheel or a sander.

It's interesting to read on the 3M website about how speed affects outcome and performance on these wheels
Here is an extract from their catalog
http://solutions.3m.com.au/wps/porta...1C7IdFQFdzhIe/
(Halving the SFPM will give RPM for an 8" wheel)
6.500 SFPM6,000-8,000 S