Grinding Weld Beads - Recommendations, please

[240260280]

Canucks!

On sale now: https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/air-belt-sander/A-p8572208e

Edited August 7, 2019 by 240260280

[grannyknot]

26 minutes ago, 240260280 said:

Canucks!

On same now: https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/air-belt-sander/A-p8572208e

A must for port and polish, I'm going to stop by on the way home tomorrow. Thanks

[wheee!]

I’ve had one for a while. Work great but hard to get a good selection of the sanding belts. They don’t last long when you catch an edge.

[Namerow]

Lots of useful info.  Thanks very much.

Now to the next question:

What processes and/or chemicals do you recommend to prepare the welded area for primer and paint?

[240260280]

I like to paint phosphoric acid on metal then wipe with acetone when dry.

[Mark Maras]

 After grinding and sanding, I normally I use a wire brush, lacquer thinner, and Zinc rich primer.

[SledZ]

I use the 3M  Corps weld grinding wheel with a small die grinder. You can really knock off the high spots with precision then I use the angle grinder with the sandpaper to finish it off. 

[Namerow]

@SledZ  Can you be a little more specific about the '3M weld grinding wheel' that you use?  They have dozens of products that fall into the weld-grinding category.  Do you have the 3M product number or name?

[Namerow]

@240dkw  That wire sounds intriguing.  Unfortunately, it looks like the manufacturer only offers it in 11-lb spools (Cdn $130 plus tax & shipping from KTS Tools).  That's good for commercial shops, I'm sure, but it represents a lot more welding than I need to do (or at least a lot more than I'm hoping I need to do ).  Other members with more ambitious build programs may want to try it out, though, so thanks for the tip.

[240dkw]

That is what I bought. I have some left over of course, would you like me to put some on a smaller spool and send it to you? Price sure has gone up, l think I paid around 80 cdn  about 5 years ago. 

Edited August 25, 2019 by 240dkw

[SledZ]

Yep its here on Amazon. I used only one wheel for dozens of long welds. It's a really good grinding wheel.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-1991-Reinforced-Grinding-Wheels/dp/B0002SRLF2

 

[Namerow]

45 minutes ago, SledZ said:

Yep its here on Amazon. I used only one wheel for dozens of long welds. It's a really good grinding wheel.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-1991-Reinforced-Grinding-Wheels/dp/B0002SRLF2

 

Interesting.  It's promoted by 3M as a cut-off wheel, although they say in the spec sheet that it's suitable for cutting and grinding.  There are 4 sizes (diameters) offered, each with its own centre hole size.  The 3" disc you're apparently using has a 3/8" centre hole.  Does your die grinder have a 3/8" chuck, or do you use a step-down mandrel to adapt to a 1/4" chuck?