Investing in great equipment for your next flooring project is a huge decision. We all want reliable and cost-effective machines. But choosing the right product is no easy task!
Working on any concrete grinding projects lately? Then you might be in the market for the best concrete grinding wheel.
If you find yourself standing over the grill, dreaming of the perfect concrete grinding tools, then look no further.
Before you burn another burger, take a gander through this article. We'll cover everything you need to know about how to select a diamond concrete grinding wheel, how to use one, and where to get it.
Diamond Concrete Grinding Cup Wheels 101
In diamond tooling plates, segments of diamond are bonded to backing plates or removable block inserts. By mounting a diamond grinding cup wheel to a concrete grinder, you can chip away at concrete, granite, and marble.
Fun fact: diamonds rank 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. That makes a diamond the hardest substance we know of! Not just a pretty face, huh?
But diamonds are also very brittle. They can shatter during a sharp impact. Because of this, it's important to select a diamond grinding cup wheel that has the right segment bond.
Let's review this and a few other important aspects of your cup wheel:
Picking the Right Surface Area
First, you want to make sure you have the right size cup wheel for your project. If you're grinding concrete, then you might want a bigger wheel than you'd need for a small paint removal job.
Wheels with a smaller surface area tend to be more aggressive. In other words, these wheels leave more scratching behind on the surface you're grinding.
Bigger wheels with more segments tend to give you the smoothest finish. Make sure you're clear on your resurfacing plan before you select the size of your concrete grinding wheel.
What's in a Bond?
Since the diamond is a brittle gem, the bond matters. A good segment bond will protect the diamonds and keep them in place.
A bond wears out over time to reveal more of the diamond. If you're grinding a hard surface, you want a cup wheel with a softer bond. This bond will wear out quickly so the sharp diamond pieces can get to work.
If you're working on a soft and/or gritty surface, you want to go with a harder bond. This helps keep the diamond from wearing out too fast.
Looking Into Segment Shape
The three central parts on the cup wheel are called 'segments.' These diamond pieces are attached to the cup in several different ways.
Bigger segments work better on tough surfaces like stone or concrete.
If you're working on a smaller job, you would go with smaller segments. These are great for removing paint or epoxies.
What About Grit?
The last factor you need to consider is grit, which tells you how coarse or fine your diamond is. If you're using a concrete floor grinder on a coarse surface, you want a diamond with a coarser grit (30 to 40 should do the trick).
If you want to polish your surface, you'll need a tool with higher grit. Anything above a 40 grit will give you a smoother surface.
Keep in mind that higher grit grinding cup wheels take longer to use. You want to balance your end result and your productivity when you are looking into grit levels.
Categorizing Concrete Grinding Wheels
There are several main categories of diamond grinding cup wheels out there. One of the first things to look out for is whether your grinding wheel is a 'double row' or a 'single row.'
The term 'row' refers to the diamonds placed around the rim of your cup wheel. A single row grinding wheel works well with most concrete repair projects. Its diamonds are concentrated and give you more control.
A grinding wheel with two rows of diamonds around the rim has twice the grinding power of the single row option. It's perfect for smoothing rough surfaces in a quick fashion.
Another popular form of the wheels is called the 'turbo row'. The diamonds set around the rim resemble the look of a turbine engine. These wheels are easy to handle and don't produce as much dust as other options.
If you are looking to work on a surface like marble, you might consider a wheel with a continuous rim. These rims are entirely covered in diamonds. They are known for their power to smooth fine surfaces.
The last category of grinding wheels is a bit of a catch-all. Any cup wheel with a different segment pattern falls into this category. These can work well with unique surfaces on a case-by-case basis.
Finding Your Dream Concrete Grinding Tool
Whether you're planning a simple concrete grinding job or an elaborate piece of stamped concrete art, we are here to help.
Once you've landed your next concrete job, take a moment to revisit this article. Make sure you've selected a concrete grinding wheel that has the right size, shape, bond, and grit level.
Take a look at the different wheel categories available, and find one that suits your needs.
Here at Onfloor Technologies, we are committed to innovation in our product line. We also pride ourselves on making the process of floor restoration as easy as possible for our customers.
Drop Us a Line
We know that selecting floor restoration tools can be a challenging process. That's why we are passionate about getting you the best tools with the longest lifespan.
We look forward to helping you meet your equipment needs, so you can continue to deliver high-quality work to your clients.
If you'd like to learn more about your next concrete grinding wheel or speak to a floor restoration specialist, then get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you!