The DIY industry in America continues to grow. Experts estimate that it is now valued at $ 74 billion. No matter whether you are an amateur or professional building project, you always need the right tools. If you work with metal, a valve disc is an essential part of your kit.
Read on as we explain how to use a valve disc.
What is a valve disc?
A disc is a circular attachment for an angle grinder. It is used for a number of functions in metalwork, including surface finishing, mixing and removing material. They do some of the same tasks as grinding wheels that you may be more familiar with. However, there are some important differences. A flap disc is lighter than a grinding disc. It is better for delicate tasks like finishing and mixing.
You can also use flap discs to remove metal, but they are not as efficient as grinding discs in this role. Valve disks wear out faster during such work. Flap disks also vibrate less than grinding disks, resulting in less user fatigue.
How to choose the correct valve disc
There are different types of valve discs. The decision to choose should depend on the type of project you are undertaking. Your main considerations are grit type and grit size.
There are three different grit types:
- Ceramic alumina
- Zirconia alumina
- Alumina
Ceramic alumina is the premium option and is used in most professional projects. Alumina is the cheapest of the three. Zirconia-alumina is a mixture of the other two. The grits range from 24 to 120. Your selection here depends on the type of work you want to do with the disc. The trickier the job, the higher your grit should be. Grits from 24 to 60 are used for grinding and removing heavy material, while 80 to 120 are used for work such as mixing and finishing.
Save options
Valve disks are delicate, so be careful when storing them. First, make sure you keep them on a flat surface. If possible, keep your valve disc in the original container. You need to make sure that your valve disc stays dry. Always keep them away from containers with water or other liquids. Also keep it in a room that is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The room should not have excessive humidity.
Make the most of your valve disc
Like everything else in life, there is a right and a wrong way to use a valve disc. Using the tips above when using your will give better results and your valve discs will last longer. Did you find this article helpful? If so, be sure to read the other articles on our website. We regularly publish content on everything that has to do with DIY and home improvement.
