Q: What are recommended maximum speeds (rpm and m/s) for Cutting Discs?

Size of Disc Maximum RPMs 2”, 50mm 30,650rpm 2.5”, 60mm 30,650rpm 3”, 75mm 20,150rpm 4”, 100mm 15,200rpm 4.5”, 115mm 13,600rpm 5”, 125mm 12,250rpm 7”, 180mm 8,500rpm 9”, 230mm 6,500rpm 14”, 350mm 4,400rpm

Question 1

What is an Auger Drill Bit?

Accepted Answer

Auger drill bits are bits used to drill holes into wood and other softer materials. They are similar to twist bits, but they have a large single flute to remove chips and a screw tip to help get started, stay centred and prevent walking. These drill bits come with a spiral drill bit head which, when drilling, is designed to pull the bit into the wood so you do not have to apply excessive pressure. The sharp spurs on the edges of an auger bit's tip ensure that the hole is smooth and uniform all the way through. Auger bits do not require much downward pressure for them to bite into the workpiece and begin to cut. This is because the thread on the guide screw draws it through the wood. The wide, deep flighting of an auger bit allows for efficient evacuation of wood shavings and prevents the bore hole from becoming clogged as easily as it might with other drill bits. Auger bits are perfect for drilling deep holes because the large flute easily removes the waste material from the hole.

Question 2

What is the difference between an Auger Bit and a Brad Point Drill Bit?

Accepted Answer

The shallow spur of a brad point bit makes it much more suited to boring holes for dowels without breaking out of the back of a wooden workpiece. They can run at faster speeds in the drill press thanks to the angle of their cutting lips. However, brad point bits are much less useful if there is a need to drill a deep hole, or one with a large diameter, which is where auger bits excel.

Question 3

What are brad point woodworking bits?

Accepted Answer

With their centre points and sharp cutting spurs, brad point bits have been specifically designed to drill accurate, neat holes in wood. They have a centre point so the bot does not "walk". The relatively flat cutters and the wings give you an almost flat bottom, smooth hole with little tear out.

As brad points are smaller than the centre points of spade bits and the guide screws of auger bits and expansive bits, they can drill deeper into a workpiece without breaking the surface of the reverse side. This could be useful if you're making a partial hole for a dowel joint while building your own furniture.

Question 4

What is an Auger Drill Bit?

Accepted Answer

Auger drill bits are bits used to drill holes into wood and other softer materials. They are similar to twist bits, but they have a large single flute to remove chips and a screw tip to help get started, stay centred and prevent walking. These drill bits come with a spiral drill bit head which, when drilling, is designed to pull the bit into the wood so you do not have to apply excessive pressure. The sharp spurs on the edges of an auger bit's tip ensure that the hole is smooth and uniform all the way through. Auger bits do not require much downward pressure for them to bite into the workpiece and begin to cut. This is because the thread on the guide screw draws it through the wood. The wide, deep flighting of an auger bit allows for efficient evacuation of wood shavings and prevents the bore hole from becoming clogged as easily as it might with other drill bits. Auger bits are perfect for drilling deep holes because the large flute easily removes the waste material from the hole.

Question 5

What is the difference between an Auger Bit and a Brad Point Drill Bit?

Accepted Answer

The shallow spur of a brad point bit makes it much more suited to boring holes for dowels without breaking out of the back of a wooden workpiece. They can run at faster speeds in the drill press thanks to the angle of their cutting lips. However, brad point bits are much less useful if there is a need to drill a deep hole, or one with a large diameter, which is where auger bits excel.

Question 6

What are brad point woodworking bits?

Accepted Answer

With their centre points and sharp cutting spurs, brad point bits have been specifically designed to drill accurate, neat holes in wood. They have a centre point so the bot does not "walk". The relatively flat cutters and the wings give you an almost flat bottom, smooth hole with little tear out.

As brad points are smaller than the centre points of spade bits and the guide screws of auger bits and expansive bits, they can drill deeper into a workpiece without breaking the surface of the reverse side. This could be useful if you're making a partial hole for a dowel joint while building your own furniture.

Question 7

What does INOX mean ?

Accepted Answer

INOX is a French abbreviation meaning stainless steel. Inox cutting wheels are iron (Fe) free which means they can be used on stainless steel as well as most other metals including mild steel, brass, aluminium etc. All Smith & ARROW cutting wheels are INOX grade.

Question 8

What are recommended maximum speeds (rpm and m/s) for Cutting Discs?

Accepted Answer

Size of Disc	Maximum RPMs
2”, 50mm	30,650rpm
2.5”, 60mm	30,650rpm
3”, 75mm	20,150rpm
4”, 100mm	15,200rpm
4.5”, 115mm	13,600rpm
5”, 125mm	12,250rpm
7”, 180mm	8,500rpm
9”, 230mm	6,500rpm
14”, 350mm	4,400rpm

Question 9

What material can I use a Cutting Disc on?

Accepted Answer

Smith & ARROW Cutting Wheels are designed for use on most metals including stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium, brass etc.

Question 10

What quality certifications do Smith & ARROW Cutting Discs have?

Accepted Answer

1. AUSTRALIAN STANDARD AS1788.11987 by SAI Global - “5 Tick” Certified Product
2. INTERNATIONAL QUALITY ASSURANCE: ISO9001
3. EUROPEAN SAFETY STANDARDS FOR BONDED ABRASIVES: EN12413

Question 11

Do Smith & ARROW Cutting Discs have a shelf life?

Accepted Answer

All cutting wheels have a "best by" date. These best by dates are printed on the wheel to comply with the manufacturing regulation, EN12413:2007 A1. This date is generally printed on the centre ring and is usually set at a maximum three years from the manufacture of the disc. The reason that all bonded abrasives have an expiry date is because they are manufactured using an organic / natural resin. This resin can be impacted upon over time by natural and environmental conditions. Smith & ARROW rotate all of our bonded abrasive stock through a first-in first-out (FIFO) stock management system to ensure we are always selling the very best quality product we can to our customers.

Question 12

How should I store Cutting Wheels?

Accepted Answer

Smith & ARROW Cutting Discs should be stored on a level shelf in an area that is cool and dry to minimise the impact of environmental conditions, and to maximum the life of the wheels. Bonded abrasives should never be hung on pegs because they are made with a natural organic resin and over time their shape may change through the forces of gravity, causing them to be out of balance and subsequently dangerous to use.

Question 13

Can angle grinders be used without a guard?

Accepted Answer

An angle grinder must never be used without its safety guard under any circumstances. The guard is there to protect the user from fragments should a cutting or grinding wheel shatter or explode. There are many reasons why a cutting or grinding wheel, even if it is the correct size for that sized angle grinder may fail during use, and as such making sure the guard is never removed is critical to user safety. Accidents through the misuse of angle grinders injure and kill more people than any other power tool in Australia, and ensuring safety guards are kept in place while the tool is in use goes a long way towards preventing injury or death to Australian workers.

Question 14

Which side of the wheel or disc should face towards the machine? Is there a rotating direction?

Accepted Answer

For bonded wheels and discs, it is recommended to clamp type 41 cutting discs (type 41 is a normal flat cutting disc), always with the metal centre ring facing the machine flange. This ensures a flat contact surface and helps avoiding clamping failures. If there is no metal centre ring, then the side with the branding should face towards the machine flange.

Question 15

Can I use Smith & ARROW metal cutting discs on stone or concrete?

Accepted Answer

No, Smith & ARROW Cutting Discs are for cutting metal. If you need to cut concrete, stone or ceramics you need to purchase diamond cutting discs (super abrasives).

Question 16

Can I use the side of a cutting disc to grind away small burrs. Is it safe?

Accepted Answer

By using the side of a cutting disc as a grinder, you are grinding away at fiberglass matting in the side of the wheel where the reinforcing is, which is not a safe thing to do as it could cause a catastrophic wheel failure. Smith & ARROW do offer grinding wheels and also a "3 in 1" cutting, grinding, blending wheel that you can use for both cutting and grinding. Find this multi-disc here.

Question 17

How do Smith & ARROW Cutting Discs compare to other brands of cutting discs?

Accepted Answer

Smith & ARROW do not offer comparisons of our products against other brands, however our user reviews on both our website and ebay reinforce the quality and reliability of our product not only in Australia, but around the world. Our absolute commitment to quality is backed up by Smith & ARROW being granted the use of the 5 TICK Quality Product Mark based on independent certification conducted by SAI Global against the Australian Standard for bonded abrasives AS 1788.1-1987 on all of our cutting and grinding wheels 100mm and larger.

Question 18

Do you have a video of the Smith & ARROW Cutting Disc?

Accepted Answer

Yes, see our image gallery, or visit this link

Question 19

Why is the maximum speeds (rpm or m/s) for cutting wheels so important?

Accepted Answer

Different sizes tools eg. angle grinders, run at different speeds. For example, a 125mm 5" angle grinder runs at almost twice the speed of a 230mm 9" angle grinder. All bonded abrasive wheels such as cutting and grinding wheels will explode through centrifugal force if they are run at a speed higher than what they are rated at. Accidents through the misuse of angle grinders injure and kill more people than any other power tool in Australia.

Question 20

What are P2 Masks? Are they the same as P1, P3 or N95?

Accepted Answer

Particulate respirators, like P2 Masks protect against airborne particles like dust, mist and fumes but don’t offer any form of protection against airborne contaminants like gases, chemicals and vapours. They do not protect against gases. Commonly known as P1, P2, P3 or N-95 filtering facepiece respirators or dust masks, they are designed for a very close facial fit and are often used widely in healthcare facilities, construction and metal fabrication industries. They work by purifying particles in the air as you breath. The difference in these particulate respirators are as follows:

Surgical Masks– designed to prevent exposure of patients to the wearer’s saliva and respiratory secretions. Do not protect against particle or chemical exposure.
P1 rated respirators– retain about 80% of particles smaller than 2 micrometres. Protects against low levels of dust.
P2 rated respirators– retain about 94% of particles smaller than 0.5 micrometre. Protect against mechanically generated particles, but also protect against mists, fumes and vapours arising from jobs such as welding, spraying, painting and garden dusting.
P3 rated respirators– retain about 99.95% of particles smaller than 0.5Protects against dusts containing: beryllium, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, nickel, radium, strychnine, radioactive particles.
N95 rated respirators– This mask is almost identical to the P2 rated masks, however the N95 classification means the mask complies with USA testing requirements

Question 21

Will a P2 mask provide total protection?

Accepted Answer

No. P2 masks don’t provide complete protection. They do not remove or protect against gases contained in the smoke such as carbon monoxide.

Question 22

Why are Safety Masks Valved?

Accepted Answer

The P2 disposable masks increase inhalation resistance. The longer they are used, the more difficult it is to breathe due to absorbed dusts. Furthermore, their effectiveness is reduced accordingly to the growth of carbon dioxide and water vapour between the half-mask bowl and face (so-called dead zone). The carbon dioxide concentration within the dead zone increases after every exhalation. Therefore, P2 disposable respirators with non-return exhalation valves, accelerating gas circulations, are recommended in order to improve the comfort of use and improve effectiveness of the mask. The valve allows carbon dioxide to escape, which makes the mask safer and more comfortable to wear.

Question 23

What are Activated Carbon Masks ?

Accepted Answer

P2 rated respirators are available with carbon activated filters for protection against nuisance-level organic vapours. Activated carbon, also called activate charcoal, is a form of carbon processed to have small, low-volume pores that increase the surface area available for adsorption or chemical reactions. Activated carbon can be coated to masks in order to improve the effectiveness in reducing the pollutants. The activated carbon layer in P2 Safety Masks absorbs offensive odours in applications involving thermally generated particles (particularly welding). It controls odours and fumes, but does not protect against gases or chemicals.

Question 24

Will these masks protect against chemicals?

Accepted Answer

P2 dust masks are primarily used for particle protection and WILL NOT protect against chemicals or toxic vapours such as: organic vapours from paint fumes, thinners or glue; acid fumes; or gases such as carbon monoxide from petrol engines.

Question 25

How long can I wear a P2 Mask for?

Accepted Answer

For hygiene reasons, use disposable masks and replace them when they get moist. Masks can only be worn for a maximum of eight hours in one stretch of time and it is best to change them regularly so they can remain effective.

Question 26

How do Poly Strip Discs Work?

Accepted Answer

Poly Strip Discs are manufactured from polyfibre and impregnated with coarse grain silicon carbide. After that, they are strengthened with synthetic resin. This combination results in an abrasive material with an open structure. It is sharp and flexible and doesn’t clog with shavings, so that you can continue sanding without any problems. This makes the Clean & Strip Disc the ideal abrasive material for effectively cleaning a surface. Because of its unique open structure, the Clean & Strip only removes the upper layer of the object, without grinding or cutting into the surface. This open structure enables cool grinding.

Question 27

Do these Strip Discs really not damage the surface underneath the rust/paint?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with Clean & Strip Discs you can thoroughly remove paint and rust without damaging the original surface. Because of its unique open structure, the Clean & Strip only removes the upper layer of the object, without grinding or cutting into the surface. The discs are used for cleaning surfaces, removing layers of paint and epoxy, preparing surfaces which need to be painted or coated in hard-to-reach places.

Question 28

What do I use a Poly Strip Disc for?

Accepted Answer

The most common applications for Smith & ARROW Poly Strip Discs are:

Rust Removal
Paint Removal
Glue, Sealant and other Adhesives Removal
Cleaning Weld Lines and Weld Splatter
Removal of Scaling and Oxidation
Surface Prep in Auto Body Shops
Removal of Surface Slag from Hot Rolled Steel

Question 29

What grit should I choose when purchasing Strip Discs?

Accepted Answer

This depends on what your application is:

Black is medium grit which is softer and more flexible. Choose this grit for lighter work where the job is delicate and there are not many layers that you need to remove.
Purple is coarse grit and this is stronger and more rigid for faster removal of material. Choose this grit for jobs where the surface covering is tougher or heavier.

Question 30

Which grit should I choose on hook and loop discs?

Accepted Answer

The grit chosen depends on the job you need the orbital pad for. The grit of a piece of sandpaper refers to the quantity of abrasive units per square inch on the sanding disc. The low number of 60 indicates that there are not very many abrasive grains compared to the high number of 3,000. If there are a high number of units on the disc, the result will be very refined. However, more does not mean that the result will be better. It just depends on the project and the stage of completion.

Grit	Description
60 to 80	Extremely coarse sandpaper that is good for grinding rust from metals.
120 to 150	These disks have a strong impact and remove surface debris quickly.
220 to 320	The medium-grade sanding disks remove surface debris at a moderate pace.
1,200 to 2,000	These extremely fine surfaces are excellent for finishing work.

Question 31

Why are there holes in the orbital sandpaper?

Accepted Answer

The holes in the orbital pads allow the sander to suck away the sawdust and throw it in the dust collection bag or chamber. If this does not occur, then dust gets trapped under the sander disk and keeps it from sanding efficiently. The hole configurations of the discs are standardised to suit the hole configuration on most mainstream orbital sanders ie a 125mm 5" disc sander will usually have an 8 hole configuration. The presence or absence of any holes on the disk must be compatible with the sanding machine that you are using.

Question 32

How do hook and loop orbital pads work?

Accepted Answer

Hook-and-loop sandpaper is similar to Velcro™ with the rough side called hook, and the softer side called loop. The "Loop" is on the backing of the sandpaper, whether that backing is paper, film, cloth or mesh. The "Hook" is on the back-up pad of an orbital or random orbital sander or the faceplate of a disc sander. These hooks and loops are used to attach the sandpaper to a machine such as a random orbital sander or disc sander. This makes it very simple to change the sandpaper. The Velcro keeps them secure and once positioned, they don’t move easily.

Question 33

What are P2 Masks? Are they the same as P1, P3 or N95?

Accepted Answer

Particulate respirators, like P2 Masks protect against airborne particles like dust, mist and fumes but don’t offer any form of protection against airborne contaminants like gases, chemicals and vapours. They do not protect against gases. Commonly known as P1, P2, P3 or N-95 filtering facepiece respirators or dust masks, they are designed for a very close facial fit and are often used widely in healthcare facilities, construction and metal fabrication industries. They work by purifying particles in the air as you breath. The difference in these particulate respirators are as follows:

Surgical Masks– designed to prevent exposure of patients to the wearer’s saliva and respiratory secretions. Do not protect against particle or chemical exposure.
P1 rated respirators– retain about 80% of particles smaller than 2 micrometres. Protects against low levels of dust.
P2 rated respirators– retain about 94% of particles smaller than 0.5 micrometre. Protect against mechanically generated particles, but also protect against mists, fumes and vapours arising from jobs such as welding, spraying, painting and garden dusting.
P3 rated respirators– retain about 99.95% of particles smaller than 0.5Protects against dusts containing: beryllium, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, nickel, radium, strychnine, radioactive particles.
N95 rated respirators– This mask is almost identical to the P2 rated masks, however the N95 classification means the mask complies with USA testing requirements

Question 34

Will a P2 mask provide total protection?

Accepted Answer

No. P2 masks don’t provide complete protection. They do not remove or protect against gases contained in the smoke such as carbon monoxide.

Question 35

Why are Safety Masks Valved?

Accepted Answer

The P2 disposable masks increase inhalation resistance. The longer they are used, the more difficult it is to breathe due to absorbed dusts. Furthermore, their effectiveness is reduced accordingly to the growth of carbon dioxide and water vapour between the half-mask bowl and face (so-called dead zone). The carbon dioxide concentration within the dead zone increases after every exhalation. Therefore, P2 disposable respirators with non-return exhalation valves, accelerating gas circulations, are recommended in order to improve the comfort of use and improve effectiveness of the mask. The valve allows carbon dioxide to escape, which makes the mask safer and more comfortable to wear.

Question 36

What are Activated Carbon Masks ?

Accepted Answer

P2 rated respirators are available with carbon activated filters for protection against nuisance-level organic vapours. Activated carbon, also called activate charcoal, is a form of carbon processed to have small, low-volume pores that increase the surface area available for adsorption or chemical reactions. Activated carbon can be coated to masks in order to improve the effectiveness in reducing the pollutants. The activated carbon layer in P2 Safety Masks absorbs offensive odours in applications involving thermally generated particles (particularly welding). It controls odours and fumes, but does not protect against gases or chemicals.

Question 37

Will these masks protect against chemicals?

Accepted Answer

P2 dust masks are primarily used for particle protection and WILL NOT protect against chemicals or toxic vapours such as: organic vapours from paint fumes, thinners or glue; acid fumes; or gases such as carbon monoxide from petrol engines.

Question 38

How long can I wear a P2 Mask for?

Accepted Answer

For hygiene reasons, use disposable masks and replace them when they get moist. Masks can only be worn for a maximum of eight hours in one stretch of time and it is best to change them regularly so they can remain effective.

Question 39

How do Poly Strip Discs Work?

Accepted Answer

Poly Strip Discs are manufactured from polyfibre and impregnated with coarse grain silicon carbide. After that, they are strengthened with synthetic resin. This combination results in an abrasive material with an open structure. It is sharp and flexible and doesn’t clog with shavings, so that you can continue sanding without any problems. This makes the Clean & Strip Disc the ideal abrasive material for effectively cleaning a surface. Because of its unique open structure, the Clean & Strip only removes the upper layer of the object, without grinding or cutting into the surface. This open structure enables cool grinding.

Question 40

Do these Strip Discs really not damage the surface underneath the rust/paint?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with Clean & Strip Discs you can thoroughly remove paint and rust without damaging the original surface. Because of its unique open structure, the Clean & Strip only removes the upper layer of the object, without grinding or cutting into the surface. The discs are used for cleaning surfaces, removing layers of paint and epoxy, preparing surfaces which need to be painted or coated in hard-to-reach places.

Question 41

What do I use a Poly Strip Disc for?

Accepted Answer

The most common applications for Smith & ARROW Poly Strip Discs are:

Rust Removal
Paint Removal
Glue, Sealant and other Adhesives Removal
Cleaning Weld Lines and Weld Splatter
Removal of Scaling and Oxidation
Surface Prep in Auto Body Shops
Removal of Surface Slag from Hot Rolled Steel

Question 42

What grit should I choose when purchasing Strip Discs?

Accepted Answer

This depends on what your application is:

Black is medium grit which is softer and more flexible. Choose this grit for lighter work where the job is delicate and there are not many layers that you need to remove.
Purple is coarse grit and this is stronger and more rigid for faster removal of material. Choose this grit for jobs where the surface covering is tougher or heavier.

Question 43

Which grit should I choose on hook and loop discs?

Accepted Answer

The grit chosen depends on the job you need the orbital pad for. The grit of a piece of sandpaper refers to the quantity of abrasive units per square inch on the sanding disc. The low number of 60 indicates that there are not very many abrasive grains compared to the high number of 3,000. If there are a high number of units on the disc, the result will be very refined. However, more does not mean that the result will be better. It just depends on the project and the stage of completion.

Grit	Description
60 to 80	Extremely coarse sandpaper that is good for grinding rust from metals.
120 to 150	These disks have a strong impact and remove surface debris quickly.
220 to 320	The medium-grade sanding disks remove surface debris at a moderate pace.
1,200 to 2,000	These extremely fine surfaces are excellent for finishing work.

Question 44

Why are there holes in the orbital sandpaper?

Accepted Answer

The holes in the orbital pads allow the sander to suck away the sawdust and throw it in the dust collection bag or chamber. If this does not occur, then dust gets trapped under the sander disk and keeps it from sanding efficiently. The hole configurations of the discs are standardised to suit the hole configuration on most mainstream orbital sanders ie a 125mm 5" disc sander will usually have an 8 hole configuration. The presence or absence of any holes on the disk must be compatible with the sanding machine that you are using.

Question 45

How do hook and loop orbital pads work?

Accepted Answer

Hook-and-loop sandpaper is similar to Velcro™ with the rough side called hook, and the softer side called loop. The "Loop" is on the backing of the sandpaper, whether that backing is paper, film, cloth or mesh. The "Hook" is on the back-up pad of an orbital or random orbital sander or the faceplate of a disc sander. These hooks and loops are used to attach the sandpaper to a machine such as a random orbital sander or disc sander. This makes it very simple to change the sandpaper. The Velcro keeps them secure and once positioned, they don’t move easily.

Question 46

Which grit should I choose on hook and loop discs?

Accepted Answer

The grit chosen depends on the job you need the orbital pad for. The grit of a piece of sandpaper refers to the quantity of abrasive units per square inch on the sanding disc. The low number of 60 indicates that there are not very many abrasive grains compared to the high number of 3,000. If there are a high number of units on the disc, the result will be very refined. However, more does not mean that the result will be better. It just depends on the project and the stage of completion.

Grit	Description
60 to 80	Extremely coarse sandpaper that is good for grinding rust from metals.
120 to 150	These disks have a strong impact and remove surface debris quickly.
220 to 320	The medium-grade sanding disks remove surface debris at a moderate pace.
1,200 to 2,000	These extremely fine surfaces are excellent for finishing work.

Question 47

Why are there holes in the orbital sandpaper?

Accepted Answer

The holes in the orbital pads allow the sander to suck away the sawdust and throw it in the dust collection bag or chamber. If this does not occur, then dust gets trapped under the sander disk and keeps it from sanding efficiently. The hole configurations of the discs are standardised to suit the hole configuration on most mainstream orbital sanders ie a 125mm 5" disc sander will usually have an 8 hole configuration. The presence or absence of any holes on the disk must be compatible with the sanding machine that you are using.

Question 48

How do hook and loop orbital pads work?

Accepted Answer

Hook-and-loop sandpaper is similar to Velcro™ with the rough side called hook, and the softer side called loop. The "Loop" is on the backing of the sandpaper, whether that backing is paper, film, cloth or mesh. The "Hook" is on the back-up pad of an orbital or random orbital sander or the faceplate of a disc sander. These hooks and loops are used to attach the sandpaper to a machine such as a random orbital sander or disc sander. This makes it very simple to change the sandpaper. The Velcro keeps them secure and once positioned, they don’t move easily.

Question 49

How do Poly Strip Discs Work?

Accepted Answer

Poly Strip Discs are manufactured from polyfibre and impregnated with coarse grain silicon carbide. After that, they are strengthened with synthetic resin. This combination results in an abrasive material with an open structure. It is sharp and flexible and doesn’t clog with shavings, so that you can continue sanding without any problems. This makes the Clean & Strip Disc the ideal abrasive material for effectively cleaning a surface. Because of its unique open structure, the Clean & Strip only removes the upper layer of the object, without grinding or cutting into the surface. This open structure enables cool grinding.

Question 50

Do these Strip Discs really not damage the surface underneath the rust/paint?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with Clean & Strip Discs you can thoroughly remove paint and rust without damaging the original surface. Because of its unique open structure, the Clean & Strip only removes the upper layer of the object, without grinding or cutting into the surface. The discs are used for cleaning surfaces, removing layers of paint and epoxy, preparing surfaces which need to be painted or coated in hard-to-reach places.

Question 51

What do I use a Poly Strip Disc for?

Accepted Answer

The most common applications for Smith & ARROW Poly Strip Discs are:

Rust Removal
Paint Removal
Glue, Sealant and other Adhesives Removal
Cleaning Weld Lines and Weld Splatter
Removal of Scaling and Oxidation
Surface Prep in Auto Body Shops
Removal of Surface Slag from Hot Rolled Steel

Question 52

What grit should I choose when purchasing Strip Discs?

Accepted Answer

This depends on what your application is:

Black is medium grit which is softer and more flexible. Choose this grit for lighter work where the job is delicate and there are not many layers that you need to remove.
Purple is coarse grit and this is stronger and more rigid for faster removal of material. Choose this grit for jobs where the surface covering is tougher or heavier.

Question 53

What does INOX mean ?

Accepted Answer

INOX is a French abbreviation meaning stainless steel. Inox cutting wheels are iron (Fe) free which means they can be used on stainless steel as well as most other metals including mild steel, brass, aluminium etc. All Smith & ARROW cutting wheels are INOX grade.

Question 54

What are recommended maximum speeds (rpm and m/s) for Cutting Discs?

Accepted Answer

Size of Disc	Maximum RPMs
2”, 50mm	30,650rpm
2.5”, 60mm	30,650rpm
3”, 75mm	20,150rpm
4”, 100mm	15,200rpm
4.5”, 115mm	13,600rpm
5”, 125mm	12,250rpm
7”, 180mm	8,500rpm
9”, 230mm	6,500rpm
14”, 350mm	4,400rpm

Question 55

What material can I use a Cutting Disc on?

Accepted Answer

Smith & ARROW Cutting Wheels are designed for use on most metals including stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium, brass etc.

Question 56

What quality certifications do Smith & ARROW Cutting Discs have?

Accepted Answer

1. AUSTRALIAN STANDARD AS1788.11987 by SAI Global - “5 Tick” Certified Product
2. INTERNATIONAL QUALITY ASSURANCE: ISO9001
3. EUROPEAN SAFETY STANDARDS FOR BONDED ABRASIVES: EN12413

Question 57

Do Smith & ARROW Cutting Discs have a shelf life?

Accepted Answer

All cutting wheels have a "best by" date. These best by dates are printed on the wheel to comply with the manufacturing regulation, EN12413:2007 A1. This date is generally printed on the centre ring and is usually set at a maximum three years from the manufacture of the disc. The reason that all bonded abrasives have an expiry date is because they are manufactured using an organic / natural resin. This resin can be impacted upon over time by natural and environmental conditions. Smith & ARROW rotate all of our bonded abrasive stock through a first-in first-out (FIFO) stock management system to ensure we are always selling the very best quality product we can to our customers.

Question 58

How should I store Cutting Wheels?

Accepted Answer

Smith & ARROW Cutting Discs should be stored on a level shelf in an area that is cool and dry to minimise the impact of environmental conditions, and to maximum the life of the wheels. Bonded abrasives should never be hung on pegs because they are made with a natural organic resin and over time their shape may change through the forces of gravity, causing them to be out of balance and subsequently dangerous to use.

Question 59

Can angle grinders be used without a guard?

Accepted Answer

An angle grinder must never be used without its safety guard under any circumstances. The guard is there to protect the user from fragments should a cutting or grinding wheel shatter or explode. There are many reasons why a cutting or grinding wheel, even if it is the correct size for that sized angle grinder may fail during use, and as such making sure the guard is never removed is critical to user safety. Accidents through the misuse of angle grinders injure and kill more people than any other power tool in Australia, and ensuring safety guards are kept in place while the tool is in use goes a long way towards preventing injury or death to Australian workers.

Question 60

Which side of the wheel or disc should face towards the machine? Is there a rotating direction?

Accepted Answer

For bonded wheels and discs, it is recommended to clamp type 41 cutting discs (type 41 is a normal flat cutting disc), always with the metal centre ring facing the machine flange. This ensures a flat contact surface and helps avoiding clamping failures. If there is no metal centre ring, then the side with the branding should face towards the machine flange.

Question 61

Can I use Smith & ARROW metal cutting discs on stone or concrete?

Accepted Answer

No, Smith & ARROW Cutting Discs are for cutting metal. If you need to cut concrete, stone or ceramics you need to purchase diamond cutting discs (super abrasives).

Question 62

Can I use the side of a cutting disc to grind away small burrs. Is it safe?

Accepted Answer

By using the side of a cutting disc as a grinder, you are grinding away at fiberglass matting in the side of the wheel where the reinforcing is, which is not a safe thing to do as it could cause a catastrophic wheel failure. Smith & ARROW do offer grinding wheels and also a "3 in 1" cutting, grinding, blending wheel that you can use for both cutting and grinding. Find this multi-disc here.

Question 63

How do Smith & ARROW Cutting Discs compare to other brands of cutting discs?

Accepted Answer

Smith & ARROW do not offer comparisons of our products against other brands, however our user reviews on both our website and ebay reinforce the quality and reliability of our product not only in Australia, but around the world. Our absolute commitment to quality is backed up by Smith & ARROW being granted the use of the 5 TICK Quality Product Mark based on independent certification conducted by SAI Global against the Australian Standard for bonded abrasives AS 1788.1-1987 on all of our cutting and grinding wheels 100mm and larger.

Question 64

Do you have a video of the Smith & ARROW Cutting Disc?

Accepted Answer

Yes, see our image gallery, or visit this link

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