Flap Wheel 2" x 1-1/2" Mounted Aluminum Oxide, Pack of 10
Flap Wheel 2" x 1-1/2" Mounted Aluminum Oxide, Pack of 10
Available in stock (50000)
A wide face is what you want when the job is a surface rather than an edge: graining a stainless panel, satin finishing the outside of tubing and railings, blending a run of welds on sheet, or sanding a flat or gently curved surface where a narrow wheel would leave stripes. At 2" diameter by 1-1/2" wide, this is the broadest wheel we mount on a 1/4" shank and the one that covers open surfaces fastest on a die grinder or drill.
Aluminum oxide cloth flaps, plain 1/4" steel shank, sold as a pack of 10 in one grit from 40 to 320. Railing and architectural metal shops, sheet metal fabricators, restoration and auto body shops, and woodworkers finishing panels and turnings are the people this size suits.
- 1-1/2" face covers flats, sheet and tube exteriors in fewer passes with no striping
- 2" diameter keeps flap tips soft and conforming for a consistent satin scratch
- Aluminum oxide cloth flaps expose fresh grain as they wear for uniform finish over the life of the wheel
- Plain 1/4" shank fits die grinders, drill chucks and flex shafts
- 40 to 320 grit: scale and paint removal through decorative satin finishing
- Pack of 10, converted in Anaheim, California; case pricing available
Which grit should you choose for surface finishing?
This size is offered on the plain shank only, a straight 1/4" steel shank for collets and chucks; if you need a 1/4-20 threaded shank, choose the 2" x 1" or 2" x 1/2" wheel instead. That leaves grit as the decision.
- 40 and 60 grit: stripping paint, rust and mill scale from sheet, angle and tube; knocking down weld spatter across a panel. They cut fast and leave a coarse scratch you will need to refine.
- 80 and 100 grit: blending welds into sheet, removing the coarse scratch, first pass on aluminum and brass. A good single grit under primer.
- 120 and 180 grit: the standard brushed finish on mild steel and the pre-finish for stainless. 180 is where many architectural satin finishes stop.
- 240 and 320 grit: fine satin on stainless, aluminum, brass and copper; pre-polish before a buff and compound; final sanding on hardwood panels and turnings.
For a directional satin finish on stainless sheet, run 120 then 180, or 180 then 240, always in one straight direction on the final grit.
Grit guide for satin finishing and surface blending
| Grit | Use it for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 40–60 | Paint, rust, mill scale, spatter | Coarse scratch; refine before finishing |
| 80–100 | Weld blending on sheet, primer prep | Common single-grit under paint |
| 120–180 | Brushed steel, architectural stainless satin | Straight, overlapping strokes |
| 240–320 | Fine satin, pre-polish, hardwood finish sanding | Light pressure; heat tints stainless |
What tools does a 2" x 1-1/2" mounted flap wheel fit?
- Straight die grinders with a 1/4" collet, air or electric, held so the wheel face lies flat on the work. Good for tube exteriors and rail work.
- Right-angle die grinders with a 1/4" collet, the most comfortable tool for graining flat sheet because the wheel sits parallel to the surface.
- Electric and cordless drills. The 2" diameter and wide face give the drill plenty to work with, and drill speeds keep the finish cool on stainless.
- Flex shaft handpieces with a 1/4" chuck or collet, for long finishing sessions on sculpture and furniture.
- Large bores and tube interiors above about 2-1/2" ID, where the wide face finishes the wall quickly.
A wide wheel puts more load on the tool than a narrow one; on a small air die grinder use light pressure and let it spin up between passes. Run within the RPM marked on the wheel or the tool's rating, whichever is lower.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the full face on the work. Lay the 1-1/2" face flat and move in long, straight, overlapping strokes. Tilting onto one edge of the wheel cuts a stripe and wears the wheel into a cone.
- Finish in one direction. For a satin or brushed look, make every stroke on the final grit in the same direction; cross-hatching shows.
- Light pressure. Long flaps only cut when they flex. Pressing hard heats stainless until it colors and tears flaps off the hub.
- Keep the flaps trailing. Move the tool so the flap tips drag across the surface. If it grabs or hops, reverse the direction of travel.
- Respect the speed rating. Stay within the RPM marked on the wheel or on the tool, whichever is lower. A wide 2" wheel run too fast throws flaps and glazes the grain.
- Clear the flaps. Paint, powder coat and soft metals pack the face; blow it out with air and reduce pressure.
- Move one grit at a time and keep a fresh wheel for the final satin pass so the last scratch is even across the whole panel.
Use it for / don't use it for
Use it for
- Satin and brushed finishes on stainless and aluminum sheet, panels, counters and enclosures
- Finishing the outside of handrails, tubing, posts and bar stock
- Blending runs of welds and grinder marks on sheet metal and body panels
- Stripping paint, rust and scale from flat and gently curved steel
- Finish sanding hardwood panels, table tops, bowls and large turnings
- Finishing the inside of large tubing, tanks and housings above about 2-1/2" ID
Don't use it for
- Inside corners, grooves and fillets; use a 1/2" wide wheel there
- Grinding welds flush or heavy stock removal
- Cutting or notching
- Tubing or bores under about 2-1/2", where the wide face cannot lie flat
- Threaded 1/4-20 mandrels; this size is plain shank only
- Speeds above the RPM marked on the wheel
Specifications
| Size | 2" diameter x 1-1/2" face width |
|---|---|
| Abrasive grain | Aluminum oxide on cloth flaps |
| Construction | Radially arranged cloth flaps on a hub, mounted on a steel shank |
| Shank | Plain 1/4" shank (this size is not offered threaded) |
| Grits offered | 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 180, 240, 320 |
| Pack quantity | 10 wheels of one grit |
| Wet or dry | Dry |
| Speed | Within the RPM marked on the wheel or the tool's rating |
| Also available | 2" x 1" and 2" x 1/2" (plain or 1/4-20 threaded); 3" mounted; 6"–12" unmounted |
| Converted in | Anaheim, California |
Frequently asked questions
Why is the 2" x 1-1/2" flap wheel only available with a plain shank?
This wide-face size is stocked on the plain 1/4" steel shank only, which fits any die grinder collet, drill chuck or flex shaft handpiece. If your setup needs a 1/4-20 threaded stud for a mandrel or extension arbor, order the 2" x 1" or 2" x 1/2" mounted wheels, which are offered in both shank styles.
Which grit gives a brushed satin finish on stainless sheet?
Most architectural satin finishes on stainless are produced at 180 grit, sometimes refined to 240. Start at 120 if there are welds or scratches to remove, then 180, then 240 if a finer grain is wanted. Make every stroke on the final grit straight and in one direction, with light pressure so the sheet does not heat-tint.
Is a 1-1/2" wide wheel too much for an air die grinder?
Not if you use it correctly. A wide face loads the tool more than a narrow one, so keep pressure light, let the grinder recover speed between passes and stay within the RPM marked on the wheel. On a small die grinder a fine grit and light touch work well; a drill or larger electric die grinder handles coarse work more easily.
Can I finish the outside of handrail tubing with it?
Yes. Run the wheel along the length of the tube with the face wrapped around the curve, overlapping each pass. Use 120 or 180 grit for a standard satin on stainless rail and 240 or 320 for a finer finish. Take care at welded joints to blend rather than dwell, and keep the flaps trailing so the wheel does not climb the tube.
Will it work on wood panels and bowls?
Yes. Aluminum oxide is the standard grain for wood, and the wide flexible face follows the curve of a bowl or the flat of a panel without digging. Use 80 or 120 to remove tool marks and 180 to 320 for finish sanding. Keep the wheel moving and pressure light so you do not burn or dish the surface.
Does the face wear evenly?
It does if you keep the whole 1-1/2" face on the work. Aluminum oxide cloth flaps wear back gradually and expose fresh grain, so the finish stays consistent to the end of the wheel. Working on one edge of the face wears that edge first and turns the wheel into a cone; keep it flat and rotate your approach.
How are the 10-packs sold and shipped?
Each pack contains 10 wheels of one grit on the plain 1/4" shank. Orders over $200 ship free, unused wheels in original packaging can be returned within 30 days, and case pricing for finishing shops is available by calling 714-646-3299 or emailing sales@maverickabrasives.com.
Related products and guides
- All flap wheels, mounted and unmounted
- 2" x 1" Mounted Aluminum Oxide Flap Wheels, pack of 10 (plain or threaded shank)
- 3" x 1" Mounted Aluminum Oxide Flap Wheels, pack of 10 (larger diameter)
- 6" x 1" Unmounted Flap Wheels for bench grinders and lathes
- Custom sanding belts made to order in about 3 days
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