FAQ - FALCON GLOBAL / TOOLS & SAFETY

Cutting discs are thin and designed for clean, precise cuts through metal. Grinding wheels are thicker and used for surface finishing and smoothing. Never use a grinding wheel for cutting or vice versa.

Not recommended. Each disc is formulated for specific materials. Using a steel disc on aluminum can cause clogging, while using a general-purpose disc on stainless steel may cause burn marks or rapid wear.

No. Stone and masonry require carbide or diamond cutting discs. Metal cutting discs are not durable enough for stone and will wear out or break quickly.

Reduced cutting performance, excessive edge wear, visible cracks, chips, or unusual vibration during operation are all signs it’s time to replace the disc.

Always check your angle grinder’s maximum RPM and match it to the disc’s rated speed. If the disc is not rated for your grinder’s speed, it could shatter during operation. The RPM rating is printed on every disc.

It depends on what you’re cutting and how you use it – a 2.5mm cutting disc on rebar might last 200 cuts, while a 1.0mm cutting disc on stainless might only do 50; thicker discs last longer, but the real answer is watch the wear line – when it reaches the flange, replace it, and never force a worn disc because that’s when they break.

Yes, but aluminum is soft and gummy – it clogs regular cutting discs instantly; you need a cutting disc with a special lubricant additive to prevent loading, use coarse grit and keep the speed moderate; never use the same cutting disc for steel and aluminum because steel particles embed in the disc and cause contamination.

T42 is the European standard type designation for depressed center cutting discs – also known as raised hub discs – where the center is recessed to allow the disc to reach into corners and tight spaces; the recess also gives you a better cutting angle and makes the disc less likely to bind in deep cuts, common in pipeline and structural steel work.

Store them flat, not on edge, in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture – humidity and UV light can degrade the resin bond over time; keep them off concrete floors because moisture wicks up, and never stack heavy objects on top of them – that causes hidden cracks that can shatter when spinning.

The maximum safe RPM is printed on every cutting disc – never exceed it; for 115mm cutting discs, that’s usually 13,300 RPM; for 230mm cutting discs, it’s typically 6,600 RPM; for 355mm large cutting discs, it’s around 4,400 – always check your grinder’s speed and make sure it’s lower than the disc’s rating.

Lifespan depends on the material being cut, frequency of use, and proper handling. A well-maintained resin cutting disc can last several hours of continuous cutting. Heavy-duty applications like cutting thick steel beams will wear discs faster.

Standard metal cutting discs are not ideal for aluminum—the soft metal tends to clog the abrasive grains. Use specialized non-ferrous metal discs with different bonding systems to prevent clogging and overheating.

Yes. The expiry date is printed on the metal ring of the disc. The resin bond can deteriorate over time, creating safety hazards if used beyond the expiration date.

Thin discs (1.0–1.6 mm) cut faster, generate less heat, and produce cleaner edges—ideal for sheet metal and stainless steel. Thick discs (2.0 mm and above) last longer and handle heavy-duty jobs like rebar and structural steel.

Resin cutting discs are made by bonding abrasive grains—typically aluminum oxide or silicon carbide—with a synthetic resin binder, reinforced with fiberglass mesh for strength and safety. This combination provides both flexibility and durability for high-speed metal cutting.

Yes, but you need a stainless steel specific disc with zirconia alumina abrasive and a softer resin bond – standard carbon steel discs will burn the material, turn edges blue-black, and wear out fast; use 1.0mm or 1.2mm thickness, keep the RPM high, and let the disc do the work without pushing hard.

T41 is the European standard type designation for flat cutting discs with no recess – the most common cutting disc shape used on angle grinders for general metal cutting; it means the cutting disc is flat across its entire surface, mounts directly between two flanges, and is designed for straight cutting, not grinding or side loading.

Grit numbers tell you how coarse or fine the abrasive is – 24# to 36# is coarse, cuts fast and rough, for thick material and heavy work; 46# to 60# is fine, gives smooth clean edges, for thin sheets and precision; for general purpose, 30# to 46# is the sweet spot – fast enough and smooth enough for most jobs.

Yes – resin bonded cutting discs have a shelf life of about three years from the date of manufacture if stored properly; after that, the resin can degrade, especially in heat or humidity, reducing bond strength and increasing the risk of breakage; always check the manufacturing date on the label and avoid using old or damaged cutting discs.

No- never use a grinding wheel for cutting; grinding wheels are thicker and designed for side loads, while cutting discs are thin and made for edge cutting only – using a grinding wheel for cutting forces side pressure where it’s not designed, creating dangerous stress and high risk of breakage; use the right tool for the job.