Introducing the 3M™ 566A, this flap wheel provides a versatile one disc system that features self-sharpening alumina-zirconia. This abrasive is able to provide better longevity and increased cutting power over aluminium oxide. The strong polyester-cotton backing offers great flexibility and supports a fast cut on medium to high pressure grinding and finishing applications.

Run straight onto a right angle grinder, are a one-step system for grinding and blending. The 566A is a great disc when durability is required for medium-weight grinding, small weld removal, finishing and surface preparations. There are various grades of grain available;

• 153-498 is a flat 3M 566A flap wheel with a P40 grain
• 153-599 is a flat 3M 566A flap wheel with a P80 grain
• 153-583 is a flat 3M 566A flap wheel with a P120 grain
• 153-511 is a rounded 3M 566A flap wheel with a P40 grain
• 153-527 is a rounded 3M 566A flap wheel with a P60 grain
• 153-606 is a rounded 3M 566A flap wheel with a P80 grain
• 153-612 is a rounded 3M 566A flap wheel with a P120 grain
• 153-628 is a rounded 3M 566A flap wheel with a P40 grain
• 153-555 is a rounded 3M 566A flap wheel with a P60 grain
• 153-533 is a rounded 3M 566A flap wheel with a P80 grain
• 153-549 is a rounded 3M 566A flap wheel with a P120 grain

• Run-on a right angle grinder 566A discs are a one-step system for grinding and blending
• Alumina zirconia self-sharpens and provides extended life and more cutting power than aluminium oxide
• Strong, Y-weight polyester-cotton backing offers flexibility and supports fast cut on medium to high pressure grinding and finishing applications
• Quick change disc simplifies disc changes and does not require hand tools

Flap discs are a type of power tool accessory that can be used in conjunction with angle grinders to grind, blend and remove excess material, depending on what the task is that they are being used for. Flap discs are available in different grit sizes and each grit size will be more or less suitable for removing excess material from welds or removing rust, descaling, preparation of surfaces for painting or polishing and other surface finishing applications. They are most commonly used in:

• Building and construction industries
• Automotive engineering and manufacturing
• Ship and boat manufacturing
• Metal fabrication
• Home DIY

While both discs can be used for wood and metal surfaces, flap discs are better suited for use with metal. Abrasive discs are better at removing material from a surface, but for grinding metal surfaces, flap disc presents a more durable and long-lasting solution. They even have some advantages over grinding wheels in that, while they may not remove metal as aggressively, they are slightly safer to use and produce less sparks.

Flap discs are designed to be used with hand-held equipment such as angle-grinders, to be moved over a surface or medium that needs to be sanded or polished. Flap wheels were originally designed to be used with a static machine such as a fixed buffing machine, where the medium is used against the belt. However, flap wheels can also be used on handheld rotary tools such as electric drills. A flap wheel strikes a surface in a less regular way that a flap disc, meaning there are less uniform scratches, which is desirable particularly for metal buffing and polishing. They also last longer than conventional discs as the flaps wear from the outside in, rather than consistently across a disc surface. Conventional flap discs, however, may present a more cost-effective solution for less specialized applications.

In order to keep them in ideal condition, flap discs should be stored flat, avoiding damp and frost or wide temperature variations.

• P40 Grit – Useful when you need to remove heavy stock from a surface.
• P60 Grit – For when you need to remove stock from a surface, but will need to refine the finish.
• P80 Grit – This is for light stock removal and sharping only.

3M is a leading innovator of abrasive technologies, constantly evolving to provide ideal solutions to industrial and commercial applications. With 3M you can be assured of a wide selection of quality products.

This 3M abrasive flap disc makes an effective grinding and blending solution suitable for industrial or DIY projects. Use it to remove old paint, small welds or dried adhesives, for example. It features a tough, self-sharpening zirconia-aluminium coating that delivers powerful cutting action and a longer lifetime. A special polyester-cotton backing provides flexibility and supports fast cuts. For the most reliable performance, this disc should be stored flat in a dry, thermally stable location.

• P60 grit size makes this a perfect choice for medium sanding and grinding applications, such as removing varnish or sanding wood• Maximum safe speed of 13,000 RPM (revolutions per minute) provides ample force• Disc designed for quick and tool-free changes on your grinder• Disc diameter of 115mm provides a wide area for sanding and grinding

• Construction industry• Metal fabrication• Shipbuilding• Automobile manufacturing• Residential repairs

Both flap discs and standard abrasive discs can be used for sanding and grinding wood and metal surfaces, but flap discs are best suited to metal applications, as they have greater durability and performance. They may be chosen over grinding wheels, as they produce fewer sparks.