Anybody ever use "Easy trim" flap discs?

Date 06-09-2010 02:32 Edited 06-09-2010 02:45

I noticed that i always had some grit still left near the center of my flap discs that i wasn't really able to use effectively and thought "i wonder if they make flap discs with a backing that can be cut down in order to use that last bit. Well i found that three big manufacturers make "easy trim" flap discs. Weiler has the "trimmable tiger" Pearl calls them "greenbacks" and Walter calls them "easy trim". I ordered a couple of the trimmable tiger flap discs online but they won't be here in time for me to evaluate them, i only have a week left of school. I saw that the local airgas had a couple of the Walter easytrims so i picked them up anyway to see if i can evaluate them this week. I was just wondering if anyone has used them and if you have, what is your opinion on their performance and efficiency? If you don't know what i'm talking about here are links to the digital catalog to see the flap discs.
Weiler Page 1 http://www.weilercorp.com/catalog_pdf/page94_100.pdf
Walter Page 38 http://www.walter.com/PortalBuilder/Sites/walter/Documents/USA/HTA121SM4.pdf
Pearl Page 14 http://www.pearlabrasive.com/pdf/Intro&Abrasives.pdf

By DaveBoyer (*****)

Date 06-09-2010 03:17

I used the Walter orange plastic backed flap discs some years ago. The plastic backing wears away as You go, You can use darn near all of the abrasive. The plastic does leave a little residue on the work, but it wasn't an issue with what I was doing.

Walter makes good stuff, but quality doesn't come cheap. They [Walter] say that the real cost in grinding is the man hours to get the job done, not so much the cost of the consumables. This is a point worth considering.

By smithcd2208 (**)

Date 06-09-2010 03:44

I really like Weiler's products, which are also expensive, but i've always understood that it's quality vs. quantity and you get what you pay for. I didn't check what grit the flap disc was when i picked it up but noticed at school that it is 80 grit, i would have liked 40 grit to really get that bevel face prepped fast, but oh well, i'm still in school so it doesn't much matter. Figure i would try new things/products now while i can before it is on someone else's dime. Thanks for your input, i appreciate it.