Any good, safer replacement for a wire wheel on a bench grinder?

[bcp]

I use mine mostly for cleaning bolt threads and rust removal. I do have the shield on the grinder and I use eye protection, but I am getting tired of flung wires.

I've seen abrasive rubber bristles

abrasive bristle disc - Google Search

and gritty mesh wheels.



These would work for the rust, but will any clean rust and dirt from bolt threads without removing the crest of the thread?

Bruce

 

[aarolar]

I use mine mostly for cleaning bolt threads and rust removal. I do have the shield on the grinder and I use eye protection, but I am getting tired of flung wires.

I've seen abrasive rubber bristles

abrasive bristle disc - Google Search

and gritty mesh wheels.

View attachment 492824

These would work for the rust, but will any clean rust and dirt from bolt threads without removing the crest of the thread?

Bruce

No but a triangle file will clean threads real well a lot safer than a wire wheel on a grinder. Worst case a hand brush I don't like using power brushes and I work with steel for a living.

 

[Gary Fowler]

There are different types of brushes that don't sling the bristles out as bad but none that I ever came across that were bristle throwing free. Perhaps you would be better off with a rust dissolving liquid soaking solution containing phosphoric acid.

 

[RNeumann]

I've never found a better product to the wire wheel. However, I replace them regularly and only use a quality product. Check with Lawson or your local welding supply- skip the hardware store or big box stores. As you stated one flying wire is all it takes to make a bad day.
The angle grinder wire wheels seem to be a bit safer as they send product away from your body instead of toward your body and down.

 

[thepumpguysc]

RN is correct, there is a BIG diff in the quality and grades of wire wheels.. I worked in manufacturing for many years..
We used to get our wheels from CAT until they quit.. we get them from Kimball Midwest now, still not as good as previous vendor but it will stand up to daily use.

 

[Gary Fowler]

There are different types of brushes that don't sling the bristles out as bad but none that I ever came across that were bristle throwing free. Perhaps you would be better off with a rust dissolving liquid soaking solution containing phosphoric acid.

I couldn't remember the name of the commercial grade rust remover we used to remove carbon steel contamination from stainless steel till I Googled it. The best and fastest thing we ever found was a product called WEEDAC. I know it sounds like a herbicide, but it is a strong phosphoric acid.

 

[newbury]

Is this a case of "they don't make them like they used to"?

I've one bench grinder my Grandfather built from a salvaged 1920?s era refrigerator motor (so I was told). I probably only use it for brushing 5 to 10 times a year, but it's been in my possession since 1978 and I don't think it's thrown hardly any bristles.

On the other hand I frequently use HF wire wheels with my drills and they last a very short time.

 

[k0ua]

This is not a fix for the wire wheel thrown bristles, BUT I often wear my leather welding apron to help keep them out of my beer gut. Otherwise they get stuck in my fat belly, and I gotta pick them out. Of course I wear eye protection, but the leather is a big help.

 

[JRobyn]

I either use an angle grinder with a brush designed for its high RPM, or a lesser, "regular" brush chucked in an arbor in the drill press on its slowest speed. The angle grinder throws a few, but as noted, usually away from sensitive areas. The drill press also sometimes throws a few, but at a low enough velocity to not be too dangerous. I always use a full-face shield.

 

[oosik]

I only have one good eye. So when there is talk of using wire wheels - I'm ULTRA careful. Safety glasses and full face shield. I've moved my wire wheel from the bench grinder to my drill press. A lot lower speeds and the speed is variable. I just hate picking wire bristles out of my flannel shirts(I use a big horseshoe magnet). At least, with the drill press anything that is thrown is with a lot less force.