Mounted points are small grinding tools used in various grinding and finishing applications. They consist of abrasive grains bonded to a small, usually metal, shank that can be mounted onto grinding machines, die grinders, or other handheld tools. These tools are essential for precision work, including deburring, cleaning, polishing, and finishing in hard-to-reach areas.
In this article we’ll explore the various types of mounted points, their advantages and disadvantages, applications, key considerations when choosing a grinding bit, and the top brands in the market.
- Types of Die Grinder Mounted Points.
- Things to Consider When Choosing A Mounted Point
- Top 3 Brands of Mounted Points
- Conclusion
Types of Die Grinder Mounted Points
Based on the abrasive materials, die grinder mounted points are typically classified into 4 groups, the tungsten carbide burr, diamond burr, silicon carbide burr, and aluminum oxide burr.
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Tungsten Carbide Burrs. These alloy grinding bits, crafted from ultra-durable tungsten carbide, are ideal for heavy-duty tasks such as deburring, chamfering, and carving hard materials like metal and stone. Their main advantages are exceptional durability and the ability to work effectively with tough materials. However, they come with a higher price tag. Additionally, due to their hard and brittle nature, they need to be handled carefully during use to prevent chipping or damage from impacts or improper force.
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Diamond Burrs. These diamond-coated burrs are ideal for fine grinding tasks that can leave surfaces polished and smooth, and have high hardness and excellent wear resistance. They are commonly used for detailed work on ceramics and glass, as well as for carving and shaping hard materials. While their advantages include achieving smooth and precise surface finishes, their drawbacks are the relatively high cost and their tendency to be brittle.
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Silicon Carbide Burrs. These burrs are made from a silicon carbide compound with a hardness close to that of diamonds, making them ideal for deburring, surface treatment, and finishing tasks on the hardest materials like ceramics, glass, and metals. Besides their high hardness, another notable feature of silicon carbide is its thermal stability. These burrs can withstand high temperatures, which is crucial for preventing tool degradation and ensuring consistent performance during extended use. Additionally, silicon carbide is chemically inert, meaning it doesn’t react with most materials, preventing contamination or unwanted chemical reactions during grinding. However, a drawback of silicon carbide grinding bits is their brittleness. The bits are prone to cracking or breaking under heavy loads or impact, requiring careful and proper handling to avoid damage.
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Aluminum Oxide Burrs. These burrs are made from the common abrasive material aluminum oxide. They are primarily used for general grinding, shaping, and surface finishing of materials like metal, wood, and plastic. Aluminum oxide is a tough material, which makes these burrs durable and long-lasting. Compared to tungsten carbide and diamond burrs, aluminum oxide burrs are generally less expensive but have a lower hardness. This lower hardness means they wear out more quickly when used on harder materials.
Mounted points for die grinders come in various shapes and sizes, each designed for specific applications to achieve different finishing effects. Here are seven common shapes of mounted points:
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Cylindrical Mounted Points: These have a straight, uniform shape, making them ideal for flat surface grinding. They are used for grinding flat surfaces, slots, and recessed areas and are also effective for deburring and finishing flat surfaces and edges. Common shank diameter sizes range from 1/8 inch to 1 inch.
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Conical Mounted Points. These points taper into a cone shape, making them ideal for grinding, deburring, and finishing in tight spaces and small, intricate areas. They are commonly used for internal hole processing, chamfering, sharpening, and other precision work. The conical mounted points are available in various sizes, typically ranging from 1/8 inch to 3/4 inch in diameter at the base, with different taper lengths.
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Ball Mounted Points. These points have a spherical shape, providing a rounded grinding surface. They are suitable for contouring, rounding edges, and working on curved surfaces, and are also used for polishing and finishing concave surfaces.
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Oval Mounted Points. These points have an elongated shape with rounded ends, suitable for grinding and finishing curved surfaces, deburring, and polishing intricate areas.
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Flame-shaped Mounted Point. These grinding points feature a tapered end that flares out, resembling a flame. It is ideal for grinding and finishing intricate shapes, deburring, and working in tight spaces.
Things to Consider When Choosing A Mounted Point
1. Material Compatibility. Ensure the grinding head's material is suitable for the material you are working on. For instance, use carbide burrs for metals and diamond burrs for glass and ceramics.
2. Grinder Shape. The shape of the point affects the type of work you can do. For example, ball-shaped points are great for hollowing and carving, while cylindrical points are ideal for flat surfaces.
3. Grit Size. The coarseness or fineness of the point's abrasive material determines the finish quality. Coarser grits are good for material removal, while finer grits are better for finishing.
4. Shank Size. Ensure the shank size matches your die grinder's collet size to ensure a secure fit and optimal performance.
The 1/4-inch (6.35 mm) shank size is the most common, ideal for general grinding and finishing tasks, offering a balance between strength and precision. The 1/8-inch (3.175 mm) shank size is standard for small die grinders, suitable for fine work and detail processing. The 3/32-inch (2.38 mm) shank size is less common and used for very fine and detailed work in tight spaces. The 3/16-inch (4.76 mm) shank size is also uncommon, intended for specific applications between 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch sizes.
5. RPM Rating. Ensure that the mounted point is compatible with the rotational speed (RPM) of your die grinder. Using a point at speeds higher than recommended can lead to damage or reduced performance.
The Top 5 Brands of Die Grinder Mounted Points
Here are five reputable brands known for producing high-quality die grinder mounted points.
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Norton Abrasives. Norton is a globally renowned brand in the abrasives industry, known for its high-quality products and innovative solutions for surface preparation, cutting, grinding, and finishing. Founded in 1885 and headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA, Norton has a long-standing reputation for excellence. Norton Company was purchased by Saint-Gobain of France in 1990.
Norton's mounted points are distinguished by their sharp cutting performance, high material removal rates, and wear resistance, providing reliable performance even in demanding environments. These mounted points come in a variety of shapes and sizes to handle a wide range of grinding tasks, from delicate and detailed work to larger, more demanding jobs.
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Dremel. Dremel is an American brand founded by Albert J. Dremel in 1932, known for its high-speed rotary tools and accessories. These tools are widely used for DIY, crafts, and professional purposes. In 1993, Dremel was acquired by Bosch Group.
Dremel's mounted points use high-quality abrasives like aluminum oxide and silicon carbide, which offer high hardness and excellent wear resistance, ensuring long-lasting use and stable grinding performance. The mounted points are precision-sized and uniformly shaped, providing a tight fit with tools for accurate grinding and machining.
While Dremel products may be relatively expensive, their quality and performance make them a reliable choice for professional users or industrial applications that require high precision and efficiency in processing.
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Weiler Abrasives. Weiler is a renowned manufacturer of high-performance abrasives and brushes, with a history dating back to 1879. Initially established as a brush manufacturer, Weiler has grown over the years to become a leader in the global abrasives market, offering a wide range of products for grinding, cutting, deburring, and surface finishing applications.Weiler Abrasives' mounted points are made from high-quality abrasive materials, designed for efficient and reliable use with high-speed tools and die grinders, meeting the needs of professional and industrial users.
Conclusion
Choosing the right mounted points for your die grinder is crucial for improving work efficiency and ensuring the quality of your work. When purchasing, it's important to fully consider your specific processing needs, material characteristics, and the quality and specifications of the points. This will help you make an informed decision. I hope the above information provides you with valuable guidance on the selection and application of die grinder mounted points.