Flap discs

Our flap discs are the perfect abrasive choice for aggressive, long-lasting grinding in your operation. We manufacture them to our customers’ specifications, with the abrasive and the number of flaps or flaps that the operation requires.

Flap discs have become very popular in recent years and are the most competitive option on the market. They are now replacing solid or stone grinding discs as they are lighter than solid or stone grinding discs. In addition, their light weight has also made them the most comfortable choice for an operator, as the vibration generated by their use is much less than that caused by other tools. This same vibration generates less discolouration on the metals worked by the flap disc.

Flap discs are easier to control and generate less noise than other discs, which allows your operator to work longer and avoid fatigue. In addition, they are very safe for their users, as they are flexible and do not have a tendency to break.

How to choose a flap disc?

Although initially there was only one type of flap disc, today we have a wide variety of models. Each one has unique properties that provide different benefits. Flap discs for grinders, grinders, radial grinders and polishers come in a variety of different types. Choosing the type of flap disc we need will depend on the use we want to make of it.

Flap discs are made of different minerals such as aluminium oxide, zirconia, silicon carbide or enhanced ceramic. Different types of flap discs can have different types of backings. Fibreglass backings are the most common because of their affordability, non-contaminating and very safe. Plastic backings can be trimmed to make better use of the sandpaper.

Lamellar discs are used for weld removal, rust removal, surface preparation, light cleaning, chamfering and edge grinding. They are available in different grit sizes such as 24, 36, 40, 60, 80 and 120, which are the most common. These flap discs are designed for use on a 7 inch polisher.

The ideal flap disc models for finishing are made of two types of backing: fibreglass and plastic, in 4 ½ and 7 inch sizes, which are the most common in the industry. The 4 ½ flap discs will need to be used on a mini polisher.

Each flap disc has a different grit type. Below we share with you the recommended grit type according to the operation you are going to perform:

What materials can I work with a flap disc?

Flap discs are mainly used on metal or wood surfaces, but there are also other materials that can be treated with a flap disc such as steel, paint, lacquer, glass, marble or corian, among others.

Especially on wood, a flap disc can save the work of other more expensive or specific tools such as a sander or planer. And on metal it is an ideal tool for removing burrs and can even replace a grinding disc in certain cases, as long as the surface to be worked on is small. On metal, a flap disc works very well for sanding or removing rough edges.

Wood flap discs and metal flap discs are usually made of aluminium dioxide. These types of discs also work on soft metals, low carbon steels, paint or lacquer, among others.

The flap discs made of silicon carbide are ideal for working marble, glass or corian. And flap discs made of granite and stone help us to work marble and corian.

Flat and concave flap discs

Sometimes we need to achieve a finish on a flat surface and sometimes at an angle that is difficult to reach. For these cases we have two types of flap disc, one that is completely flat, type 27, and the other, model 29, is conical and with a small angle that will be in contact with the material to be sanded. A flat flap disc will have direct contact with a large area and a concave one only with a small part of a surface. However, on inclined surfaces, the contact area that a conical flap disc would cover will be larger than that which a flat disc could reach. The latter would be the case, for example, if we wanted to sand the edge of a table at a 90 degree angle.

Why using flap discs is a great option?

The price of a flap disc is usually much cheaper in the long run than other tools, as it is much more comfortable and safer for its operators. By consulting an expert for the best flap disc for the job at hand, we can achieve better results with less effort.