Which Cutting Disc is the best for my tool?

There are so many choices when we got asked which cutting disc is the best? Cutting discs are in difference widths as well as a range of abrasive grain and bond options. Buddies is supplying several different thin cutting discs options as well as many thicker cutting discs for heavier cutting applications. Below is our guide to choosing the suitable cutting disc for your special applications.

If you’re using a low-power angle grinder and need extra torque, investing in a high-end cutting disc isn’t worthwhile—it won’t deliver the performance you need. As a general rule, thicker metals require more torque, meaning you’ll need a more powerful machine.

For stainless steel fabrication, where materials are typically 1.2mm or 2mm thick, we suggest using a grinder with at least 900 watts.

When working with heavier metals, a 1000-watt grinder is a better choice. To guarantee optimal results, we test our products on 1700-watt machines.

​​Does Disc Size Matter?​​

This comes down to simple calculations. Many users prefer 115mm discs because they used to be lighter, though this isn’t always the case with newer models. Often, the motor size is identical for both 115mm and 125mm grinders from the same brand. For instance, the Metabo WE 1500-125 RT has the same motor body as its 115mm counterpart. Comparing cutting depth:

A 115mm disc offers 16.5mm of usable cutting depth.

A 125mm disc provides 21.5mm of usable cutting depth.

That’s a 30% increase in cutting capacity with the larger disc.

​​Thin vs. Thick Cutting Discs: Which is Better?​​

Safety plays a major role here.

A 1mm thin disc will:

Cut faster than a 1.6mm disc, but there’s a downside.

Wear out quicker.

Bend during use. We’ve seen discs used for curved cuts, but this is risky—excessive side pressure can cause them to break. For metals thicker than 2mm, we do not suggest to use too thin discs.

Thicker discs, on the other hand, offer greater stability, allowing for higher-pressure cutting.

​​Are Metal and Stainless Steel Cutting Discs the Same?​​

Budget discs designed only for steel differ from stainless steel discs in two key ways:

​​Abrasive Quality​​ – Unless labeled as iron-free, standard discs shouldn’t be used on stainless steel, as they can cause rust. Stainless steel is harder to cut, so Buddies stainless steel cutting discs use superior abrasives.

​​Resin Bond​​ – Our Industrial Line discs use an AP9BF bond. The "P9" indicates the bond type—too hard, and the disc loses efficiency; too soft, and it wears out fast.

Thanks to the balance between abrasive quality and bond strength, Buddies discs perform equally well on both steel and stainless steel.

​​Are Premium Cutting Discs Worth It?​​

It depends. If your discs often get damaged before wearing out, premium options may not be cost-effective.

Buddies’s high-end discs use zirconia and ceramic abrasives for faster, cooler cuts. Advanced bonding technology extends their lifespan by reducing wear while maintaining cutting efficiency. Combined with specialized grinding aids, these discs outperform standard options.

If your grinder has strong torque and you can maximize disc usage, Buddies Top Line and Ultra discs will save you money in the long run.

​​Safe Cutting Disc Practices​​:

Cutting discs cause more injuries than any other abrasive product—usually due to misuse. Common accidents include finger injuries. Follow these guidelines:

​​Do:​​

Inspect discs for cracks or chips before use.

Unplug the grinder when changing discs.

Wear gloves and safety glasses.

Always use the safety guard.

​​Don’t:​​

Exceed the disc’s maximum speed rating.

​​

Quality Assurance​​:

For reliable cutting and grinding products, choose discs that meet international standards EN12413. All Buddies discs are strictly adhere to this standard.

​​Which Disc is Right for You?​​

​​General stainless steel/light steel cutting:​​ 1.2mm Industrial Line discs.

​​High-performance stainless cutting:​​ 1mm Top Line discs.

​​Thick steel/stainless steel:​​ Top Line 1.6mm or 2.5mm discs.

​​Titanium exhaust systems:​​ Action 125mm discs are unbeatable.