Step anywhere near a construction site and there is a good chance you’ll hear cutting, grinding, or whirring. Those sounds are generated from different types to cut, grind, shape, and polish using all different kinds of grinder attachments.

The primary types of grinders and their attachments in construction will vary based on what needs to be done on a particular worksite. This article will cover the different types of grinders used in construction, their attachments, and how Empire Abrasives collaborates with construction professionals to ensure seamless operations.

Common Types of Grinders in Construction

Angle Grinders

Angle grinders are handheld power tools with a rotating disc that is mounted at a right angle which gives you greater maneuverability at different angles. The ergonomic design, power, and portability make them a favorite among construction workers.

Applications:

• Metal Fabrication: Cutting through metal pipes, rods, and sheets. They're also excellent for grinding down welds and preparing metal surfaces for welding or painting.
• Masonry Work: Cutting bricks, tiles, and concrete blocks; grinding mortar joints; removing excess mortar.
• Concrete Surface Preparation: Removing coatings, adhesives, and paint from concrete surfaces; roughening concrete for better adhesion of new materials.
• Demolition and Renovation: Cutting through rebar, bolts, and other fasteners; removing old fixtures and fittings.

Attachments:

• Grinding Wheels: Bonded abrasive discs for heavy-duty metal grinding and material removal.
• Cut-off Discs: Thin discs designed to cut through metal, rebar, and masonry.
• Wire Wheels and Brushes: Used for surface prep, rust and paint removal, and cleaning welds.
• Sanding Discs: For coarse sanding to finishing of wood, metal, and plastic surfaces.
• Flap Discs: These multipurpose discs merge the capabilities of grinding wheels and sanding discs to blend welds, remove rust, and provide a refined finish to metal surfaces.

Further Reading:

• Angle Grinder Uses
• Flap Discs Uses and Differences Guide for a Great Multi-Tool
• Flap Discs vs Grinding Wheels: A Side-by-Side Comparison for Better Tool Selection

Bench Grinders

Bench grinders are stationary grinding machines mounted on a bench or pedestal with two rotating wheels on either side. They have a stable platform that provides controlled grinding and shaping.

Applications:

• Tool Sharpening: Able to sharpen tools like drill bits, chisels, and masonry tools.
• Metal Shaping: Useful for grinding and shaping metal components, creating bevels, chamfers, and contours.
• Deburring: Removing burrs and sharp edges from metal parts.
• Rust and Paint Removal: Cleaning and preparing metal surfaces for painting or welding; removing rust, scale, and old paint.
• Finishing: Polishing and buffing metal surfaces to a desired finish.

Attachments:

• Grinding Wheels: Bonded abrasive discs that come in different grit sizes for coarse to fine grinding.
• Wire Wheels: Great for cleaning and polishing metal parts by removing rust and scale.
• Buffer Wheels: Used with polishing and buffing compounds to buff and polish surfaces to different levels of shine.

Die Grinders

Die grinders are compact, handheld tools that connect to many different types of attachments. They are available with pneumatic and electric options.

Applications:

• Precision Grinding: Used for shaping small metal parts and working on hard-to-reach areas.
• Deburring: Removing burrs and sharp edges from metal, plastic, and other materials.
• Engraving and Polishing: Creating decorative patterns on metal surfaces and achieving smooth finishes.

Attachments:

• Carbide Burrs: Excellent for shaping, deburring, and smoothing hard materials like steel and cast iron.
• Mounted Points: Small grinding stones for precision work.
• Cut-off Wheels: Small discs that can cut thin metal, plastic, and other materials.

Concrete Floor Grinders

Large, walk-behind machines designed for grinding and polishing concrete floors. They’re commonly used in construction and renovation projects to level uneven floors, remove coatings, and prepare surfaces for new installations.

Applications:

• Concrete Surface Preparation: Grinding and leveling uneven concrete floors to prepare them for new coatings or overlays.
• Coating Removal: Removing epoxy coatings, paint, and other materials from concrete floors.
• Polishing: Bringing concrete floors to a high-gloss finish for aesthetic appeal.
• Surface Profiling: Creating textured surfaces that improve slip resistance and prepare the surface for coatings.

Attachments:

• Diamond Grinding Plates: For aggressive grinding and leveling concrete surfaces.
• Polishing Pads: Used to bring concrete floors to a high-gloss finish.
• Carbide Scrapers: Effective for removing thick coatings and adhesives without damaging the concrete underneath.
• Scarifying Drums: Used to create textured surfaces on concrete to improve slip resistance or to prepare the surface for coatings.

Floor Sanders

Floor sanders are machines specifically designed to sand wooden floors. Unlike floor grinders, which work on hard surfaces like concrete, floor sanders are meant for softer materials like wood.

Applications:

• Wood Floor Refinishing: Remove old varnish, stains, and surface imperfections from wooden floors to prepare them for a new finish.
• Surface Smoothing: Create a smooth, even surface across wooden floors before applying a protective coat.

Attachments:

• Floor Sanding Belts and Discs: These attachments come in different grits and are used to achieve a desired level of finish, from rough removal to fine polishing.
• Edging Attachments: Smaller attachments are used for sanding along edges and hard-to-reach areas that larger floor sanders cannot easily access.

Belt Grinders

Belt grinders come in stationary and handheld models to sand and finish surfaces with abrasive belts. These types of grinders are especially useful for applications that require shaping, smoothing, and finishing on different types of materials.

Applications:

• Metal Shaping and Finishing: Shaping and finishing metal components like brackets and frames.
• Deburring: Removing burrs and sharp edges from metal and plastic parts.
• Woodworking: Sanding and shaping wood surfaces as well as preparing wooden beams and surfaces in construction projects.
• Tool Sharpening: Sharpening blades and other cutting tools.

Attachments:

• Abrasive Sanding/Grinding Belts: Available in a wide range of grit sizes, from coarse belts for material removal to fine belts for polishing and finishing metal, wood, and plastic surfaces.

We carry all standard-sized sanding belts and many hard-to-find sizes. If there is an uncommon belt size that you can’t find, our team can work with you to have custom sized sanding belts made that match your exact specifications.

Common Grinder Attachments and Their Specific Uses

Grinder attachments are what make these tools useful so many different types of construction tasks. We mentioned some of the grinder attachments above already. Here is a recap of some of the most used grinder attachments for construction jobs and their applications.

• Grinding Wheels: Ideal for heavy-duty metal grinding and material removal, perfect for shaping metal components and removing welds.
• Cut-off Discs/Wheels: Thin, reinforced discs designed specifically for cutting metal, rebar, and masonry—key for demolition tasks and precise cutting.
• Diamond Blades/Cup Wheels: Embedded with diamond grits for powerful cutting and grinding of hard materials like concrete, stone, and tile. Best for applications requiring precision in masonry and concrete work.
• Wire Wheels and Brushes: Excellent for removing rust, paint, and cleaning metal surfaces without damaging the underlying material.
• Sanding Discs: Used for sanding wood, metal, and plastic surfaces. They can be attached to portable tools like an angle grinder or stationary tools like bench grinders.
• Sanding Belts: Ideal for aggressive material removal and fine finishing on wood, metal, and plastic surfaces. Sizes vary to fit small handheld belt sanders, stationary sanders, and floor sanders.
• Buffing Wheels: Used to get a high-gloss finish on metal and concrete surfaces.
• Flap Discs: Combine grinding and finishing capabilities in one tool, making them efficient for blending welds and surface finishing. and finishing capabilities in one tool, making them efficient for blending welds and surface finishing.

How Empire Abrasives Partners with Construction Professionals

At Empire Abrasives, we take pride in our strong relationships with construction professionals, offering more than just products. We are dedicated to working with you to make sure your projects run smoothly and efficiently.

Expert Consultation and Product Selection

Our team provides personalized guidance to help you choose the right abrasives for your projects, considering factors such as project scale and timeline, material types and quantities, safety requirements, and budget constraints. We recommend the best grinder attachments to ensure efficient job completion, compatibility with your materials, adherence to safety standards, and cost-effectiveness to keep your project within budget.

Reliable Supply and Fast Shipping

We understand that delays can be costly, so we maintain fully stocked warehouses with products ready for immediate shipment to help you meet your deadlines. Our inventory management and logistics are designed to provide fast, reliable supply. We offer multiple shipping options, including overnight shipping so we can get your team the tools they need ASAP.

High-Quality, Reliable Products

High quality abrasives are a must have for maintaining productivity on a construction site. Empire Abrasives provides premium products designed for reliable and consistent performance that meet the demands of tough construction environments.

Competitive Pricing and Cost Savings

Managing costs is critical in construction projects. Here are some of the ways we help:

• Bulk Purchase Discounts: Ideal for procurement managers seeking to save on large orders.
• Cost-Effective Solutions: Our high-quality products are built to last, reducing the frequency of replacements and lowering your long-term costs.
• Flexible Payment Options: We offer flexible payment plans to help qualified customers manage their cash flow and keep large projects on budget.

Long-Term Partnerships

Empire Abrasives is committed to building lasting relationships with our customers, offering consistent product quality, custom solutions, and ongoing support. We go beyond abrasives supply—our goal is to help you succeed today and in future projects.

Partner with Empire Abrasives for Your Next Construction Project

Experience the difference of working with an abrasives supplier that understands your industry. We are dedicated to providing you the tools, expertise, and support you need to complete your projects.

Take the Next Step

• Get a Personalized Quote: Contact us for a quote tailored to your project.
• Schedule a Free Consultation: Let our experts help you choose the best abrasives for your needs.
• Explore Our Products: Visit our website to browse our selection of professional-grade abrasives and equipment.

Contact Us Today

• Call: (800) 816-3824
• Email: sales@empireabrasives.com
• Website: www.empireabrasives.com (Live chat available)

Partner with Empire Abrasives for your next construction project and experience the difference that our expertise, quality products, and dedicated support can make.