5 Best Angle Grinder Wheels for Cutting Metal: Reviews of Top Products
Contents
- The Best Angle Grinder Wheels for Cutting Metal Are:
- 1. Dewalt DW8062 – Overall Best Angle Grinder Wheel For Cutting Metal
- 2. Lenox Angle Grinder Diamond Edge Wheel – Most Durable Cutting Wheel
- 3. Diablo Thin Kerf Metal Cut Off Wheel – Fastest Angle Grinder Wheel For Metal
- 4. Makita D-20105 Cut Off Wheel – Fast Angle Grinder Cutting Wheel
- 5. Warrior Metal Cut Off Wheel – Best Budget Buy
- How To Choose the Best Angle Grinder Wheel for Cutting Metal
- Size
- Material Loss
- Thickness
- Safety
- Final Thoughts
- Sources
In search of an angle grinder wheel that can cut metal parts and surfaces?
A metal cutoff wheel, also known as cutting wheel or cutting disc is the right tool for the job.
Using the wrong type of disc, or a damaged or under-rated one, can cause a wheel to shatter. A quality cutoff wheel is safer and cuts faster.
Here are five good metal cutting wheels, plus what to look for when you buy one.
OUR TOP PICK
The Dewalt DW8062 is one of the most sought after metal cutoff discs on the market. It’s affordable, 0.045” thick, and made with an aluminum oxide abrasive blend. It balances cutting speed with a reasonable wheel life.
The Best Angle Grinder Wheels for Cutting Metal Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Dewalt DW8062 | 1. Dewalt DW8062 Our Top Pick | Check Current Price | |
| 2. Lenox Angle Grinder Diamond Edge Wheel | 2. Lenox Angle Grinder Diamond Edge Wheel | Check Current Price | |
| 3. Diablo Thin Kerf Metal Cut Off Wheel | 3. Diablo Thin Kerf Metal Cut Off Wheel | Check Current Price | |
| 4. Makita D-20105 Cut Off Wheel | 4. Makita D-20105 Cut Off Wheel | Check Current Price | |
| 5. Warrior Metal Cut Off Wheel | 5. Warrior Metal Cut Off Wheel | Check Current Price |
1. Dewalt DW8062 – Overall Best Angle Grinder Wheel For Cutting Metal
The Dewalt DW8062 is a popular thin cutoff wheel. It is made with aluminum oxide grain and reinforced with fiberglass.
Specs
- 0.045” thickness
- Proprietary aluminum oxide grain mix
- Fiberglass reinforced
- Max RPM: 13,300 (4-1/2-inch size)
What I Like About This Product
The DW8062 is known for good wheel life for an abrasive cutoff wheel.
It cuts at a reasonable speed, though thinner 0.040” wheels like the Diablo cut faster.
What I Don’t Like About This Product
Some buyers report uneven wear between discs in the same pack, so check each wheel before you mount it.
Pros
- Good wheel life for an abrasive wheel
- Reasonable cutting speed
- Good value
Cons
- Slower than the thinnest wheels
- Wear can vary within a pack
Sum Up
Overall, it’s the top choice for anyone looking to get a good bang for their buck while maintaining safety and durability.
Overall Rating – 4.7/5
2. Lenox Angle Grinder Diamond Edge Wheel – Most Durable Cutting Wheel
The Lenox MetalMax wheel has a steel body with a diamond edge, so it lasts far longer than abrasive discs and barely shrinks as it wears.
Specs
- Steel core with diamond edge
- Check the label for thickness and max RPM
What I Like About This Product
Its steel body won’t shatter the way an abrasive wheel can, though it can still bind and kick back, so keep the guard on and use two hands.
It lasts much longer than an abrasive wheel, so the higher price can work out cheaper per cut if you cut a lot of metal.
What I Don’t Like About This Product
Many users find it slower than a fresh thin abrasive wheel, and slow cuts heat the metal more.
Pros
- Exceptionally long life
- Diameter barely shrinks with use
- Steel body won’t shatter like an abrasive wheel
Cons
- Cuts slowly
- Expensive
- Label wear fast
Sum Up
Overall, it’s a long-lasting disc that holds its size and won’t shatter like an abrasive wheel, but it cuts more slowly. If you’ll be cutting mostly small-sized steel, and need a disc that lasts, the Lenox MetalMax is your top choice.
Overall Rating – 4.3/5
3. Diablo Thin Kerf Metal Cut Off Wheel – Fastest Angle Grinder Wheel For Metal
Diablo’s 0.040” metal cutoff wheels are among the thinnest common wheels, so they cut quickly. They use an aluminum oxide blend.
Specs
- Quality aluminum oxide blend construction
- 0.040” thickness
- Max RPM: 13,300 (4-1/2-inch size)
What I Like About This Product
The thin profile is the main draw: less material to remove means faster cuts and less heat in the workpiece.
For a thin wheel, it holds up reasonably well.
What I Don’t Like About This Product
Its thin body flexes more, so keep the cut straight and never twist the wheel or use it on its side.
Pros
- Thin design cuts fast
- Less heat in the workpiece
- Sold in multi-packs
Cons
- Wears faster than thicker wheels
- Less forgiving of twisting
Sum Up
If you want to cut metal as fast as possible, a thin wheel like this Diablo is a good choice, and it is reasonably priced.
Overall Rating – 4.1/5
4. Makita D-20105 Cut Off Wheel – Fast Angle Grinder Cutting Wheel
The Makita D-20105 is a premium thin cutoff wheel with a matching price.
Specs
- White Aluminium oxide with phenol resin
- 0.045” thickness
- Check the label for max RPM
What I Like About This Product
The thin D-20105 cuts metal cleanly and quickly, and it holds up well for a thin wheel.
It uses white aluminum oxide in a resin bond. For shaping and finishing steel rather than cutting it, a belt grinder for knife making is the better tool.
What I Don’t Like About This Product
It costs more than most competitors.
Pros
- Clean, fast cuts
- Good life for a thin wheel
Cons
- Expensive
Sum Up
If you want a premium thin cutoff wheel and don’t mind the price, this is a good choice.
Overall Rating – 4.6/5
5. Warrior Metal Cut Off Wheel – Best Budget Buy
Warrior is a Harbor Freight store brand, known for low prices. The Warrior cutoff disc cuts metal decently.
Specs
- 060” thickness
- 7/8” arbor size
- Max RPM: 13,300
What I Like About This Product
It cuts well for the price, though at 0.060” it is thicker and slower than the thin wheels above. It is a good match for a budget angel grinder.
What I Don’t Like About This Product
Its low price comes at the expense of wheel life; it wears down faster than the premium wheels.
Pros
- Low price
- Thicker body is more forgiving for beginners
Cons
- Wears down faster
- Slower than thin wheels
Sum Up
If you don’t fancy pricy products for some reason, this is an affordable yet effective metal cutting wheel. It cuts through metal fast but wears down pretty fast.
Overall Rating – 4.4/5
How To Choose the Best Angle Grinder Wheel for Cutting Metal
On the surface, it may look like there isn’t any difference between most cutting wheels. That’s somewhat true, but there are subtle factors that set them apart, and I’ll reveal them now to help you make an informed purchase.
Size
The most common size of metal cutoff wheel for an angle grinder is 4 1/2” in diameter with a 7/8” arbor hole. Larger grinders take 5”, 6”, 7”, or 9” wheels.
Match the wheel diameter to your grinder and its guard. Never fit a larger wheel than the grinder is designed for, and check that the wheel’s maximum RPM is at least the grinder’s no-load speed.
Material Loss
In most cases, thinner metal cutoff wheels cut faster than thicker wheels, but also wear down faster. Also, the material of the abrasive used in these wheels plays some part in their longevity.
Balance cutting speed against how often you want to change discs. If you hate changing discs, give up a little speed for a longer-lasting wheel.
Thickness
For the most part, the thinner a cutting wheel is, the faster it cuts metal. The 0.040” to 0.045” wheels usually cut fastest. Thin wheels flex more, though, and can break if twisted or pushed sideways. For sharpening tools rather than cutting metal, a good bench grinder is the better and safer tool.
If you are new to angle grinders, or working in an awkward position, a thicker wheel such as 0.060” or 1/16” is more forgiving.
Safety
These rules apply to every cutoff wheel:
- Check that the wheel’s maximum RPM is at least the grinder’s speed. OSHA’s abrasive wheel standard requires that the spindle speed not exceed the speed marked on the wheel.
- Inspect each wheel for cracks before mounting, and replace any damaged wheel.
- Use the cut-off guard your grinder’s manual specifies. Makita’s grinder manual says to use only the special guard designed for cut-off wheels and to never use a cut-off wheel for side grinding.
- Don’t jam the wheel or force a deep cut, which can make it bind, kick back, or break.
- Wear safety glasses with a face shield, hearing protection, and gloves.
Final Thoughts
To cut metal with an angle grinder, use a cutoff wheel rated for your grinder, with the right guard. I hope you find one that suits you in this guide.
If you are still indecisive, my top pick is the Dewalt DW8062. It’s a fairly priced disc that cuts at a good pace and lasts well for an abrasive wheel.
Always keep the guard on and wear eye and face protection during every cutting session.
