Which buffing wheel should I use on a bench grinder vs an angle grinder?

Bench grinders require thick, flat-arbor wheels like sisal or spiral sewn cotton operated at stable, lower speeds. Angle grinders require wheels specifically designed for high-speed operation, typically featuring integrated threaded center nuts. Most standard angle grinders run above 10,000 RPM, which will quickly destroy bench-grinding wheels rated for only 3,600 RPM.

What compound should I start with for aluminum vs stainless?

Start aluminum polishing with brown tripoli compound on a spiral sewn cotton wheel to cut through heavy oxidation. For stainless steel, start with black emery compound on a stiff sisal wheel to remove tough weld marks and surface scale. Matching the initial abrasive grit to your metal reduces working time. Browse our full range of color-coded formulas by viewing our selection of buffing compounds.

Can I use one wheel with multiple compounds?

No. Dedicate each buffing wheel to one specific compound. Mixing different compounds or grits on the same cloth wheel will contaminate the fibers and ruin your final finish. Even a single coarse grain left over from an early cutting step can deeply scratch a surface during your final mirror-coloring step.

How do I stop a wheel from glazing or losing cut?

Clean the wheel face with a metal wheel rake while the machine is running. Raking removes hardened, burnt binders and packed metal particles to expose fresh, clean cotton fibers. Applying too much compound at once causes rapid glazing, so apply light, intermittent pressure to the bar rather than heavy continuous force.

What arbor size do I need and can I use bushings or adapters?

Your wheel arbor must match your machine spindle, with common industrial sizes being 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, or 3/4 inch. Nested telescoping bushings can safely adapt a larger center hole to a smaller shaft size. The adapter must sit perfectly flat and be tightly clamped between the outer machine flanges to prevent high-speed vibration.

What is a spiral sewn buffing wheel used for?

A spiral sewn buffing wheel handles general-purpose cutting and coloring on metals like aluminum, brass, and steel. The tight spiral stitching stiffens the cotton plies, which lets you apply more downward pressure for scratch and scale removal. Benchmark Abrasives builds these with premium long-fiber cotton to confirm consistent wear and reliable durability in high-volume production shops.

Carbide Burrs for Die Grinders: Double Cut and Aluma Cut

Carbide Burr Bits for Die Grinders

Benchmark stocks 114 tungsten carbide cutting bits for die grinders and rotary tools. Each carbide burr is double cut for steel, stainless steel, and cast iron, or aluma cut for aluminum, non-ferrous metals, and plastics. Pick a 1/8" or 1/4" shank, a long shank for reach, or a master set for a full kit. Need a size we do not list? Call 1-877-841-1837 for custom orders.

Shop 1/4" double cut burrs for standard die grinders.

Which carbide burr shank and cut do you need?

Match the shank to your collet first. Use 1/8" for rotary tools and small die grinders, and 1/4" for standard die grinders. Then pick the cut for your material. These six collections cover everything we stock.

Sub-collection	What it is	Use it for
1/8" shank double cut burrs	1/8" shank, double cut, 1/8" and 1/4" heads, 18 products	Small rotary tools and compact die grinders on steel, stainless, and cast iron
1/4" shank double cut burrs	1/4" shank, double cut, 1/4" to 5/8" heads, 39 products	Standard die grinders on steel, stainless, and cast iron
1/8" shank aluma cut burrs	1/8" shank, aluma cut, 1/4" heads, 11 products	Small rotary tools on aluminum, non-ferrous metals, and plastics
1/4" aluma cut burrs	1/4" shank, aluma cut, 1/4" to 5/8" heads, 15 products	Standard die grinders on aluminum and other non-ferrous metals
Long shank burrs	1/4" shank, 6" shaft, double cut, 1/4" to 1/2" heads, 29 products	Die grinders reaching hard-to-reach spots
Burr master sets	Four sets of 11 to 35 pieces in double cut or aluma cut, plus a burr case, 5 products	A full kit in one case for mixed-shape work

Double Cut or Aluma Cut: which works on your metal?

Double cut burrs use a cross-cut tooth pattern for medium stock removal, deburring, and finishing with a smooth finish and good control. Aluma cut burrs, the aluminum burr bit in our range, have wide flutes that clear chips fast, so they resist loading up on aluminum, non-ferrous metals, and plastics. Our aluma cut product pages describe a solid carbide head silver-brazed to the shank.

We do not stock single cut burrs. Call 1-877-841-1837 for custom orders, or read the single cut vs double cut comparison for the full breakdown.

Which burr shape fits the job?

The letter code in a part number names the head shape. Use this chart to match the shape to the work.

Shape code and name	What it does	Use it for
SA, cylinder	Universal surface grinding	Contour finishing
SB, cylinder with end cut	Blind holes and inner contours	Finishing contours and right-angle corners
SC, cylinder with radius end	Contouring and bore holes	Machining contours and circular arcs
SD, ball	Contouring and bore holes	Rounded edges, end deburring, and pre-weld end preparation
SE, oval/egg	Molds and contouring	Rounded edge work
SF, tree with radius end	Molds and contouring	Rounded edges in small spaces
SG, pointed tree	Chamfering and bore holes	Small spaces and acute angles
SH, flame	Molds and contouring	Rounded edge work
SJ, 60 degree countersink	Chamfering, beveling, and countersinking	Chamfering bores with a 60 degree angle
SK, 90 degree countersink	Chamfering, beveling, and countersinking	Chamfering bores with a 90 degree angle
SL, taper with radius end	Contouring and hard-to-reach areas	Rounded edges and surfaces in small spaces
SM, pointed cone	Conical holes, grooves, and model building	Edges and surfaces in small spaces
SN, inverted cone	Inner edges and conical profiles	Rear-side chamfering

How to read a carbide burr part number

A part number packs the shape, head size, and suffix letters into one code. SA5 is a cylinder with a 1/2" head. SC3L is a cylinder with a radius end, a 3/8" head, and a long shank.

Size number: 41 and 42 are 1/8" heads, 51 and 1 are 1/4", 3 is 3/8", 5 is 1/2", and 6 is 5/8".
L: a long shank version.
NF: aluma cut, for non-ferrous materials.

Our guide explains how to choose a carbide burr for metal.

What RPM should you run a carbide burr at?

Larger heads run slower. This is Benchmark's own chart of recommended RPM ranges by material and head diameter. Max RPM varies by burr, so check the product page: the SA-5 cylinder lists 70,000 RPM and notes it is uncommon to need more than 35,000. Do not run burrs in electric power drills.

Material	1/8" head	1/4" head	3/8" head	1/2" head	5/8" head
Steel	60,000 to 90,000	45,000 to 60,000	30,000 to 40,000	22,500 to 30,000	18,000 to 24,000
Hardened Steel	60,000 to 90,000	30,000 to 45,000	19,000 to 30,000	15,000 to 22,500	12,000 to 18,000
Stainless Steel	60,000 to 90,000	30,000 to 45,000	19,000 to 30,000	15,000 to 22,500	12,000 to 18,000
Grey Castings	60,000 to 90,000	22,500 to 60,000	15,000 to 40,000	11,000 to 30,000	9,000 to 24,000
Titanium	45,000 to 90,000	30,000 to 45,000	15,000 to 30,000	15,000 to 22,500	12,000 to 18,000
Nickel	60,000 to 90,000	30,000 to 45,000	19,000 to 30,000	15,000 to 22,500	12,000 to 18,000
Copper	60,000 to 90,000	22,500 to 60,000	15,000 to 40,000	11,000 to 30,000	9,000 to 24,000
Aluminum	30,000 to 90,000	15,000 to 70,000	10,000 to 50,000	7,000 to 38,000	6,000 to 30,000
Plastics	30,000 to 90,000	15,000 to 70,000	10,000 to 50,000	7,000 to 38,000	6,000 to 30,000
Acrylics	30,000 to 90,000	15,000 to 70,000	10,000 to 50,000	7,000 to 38,000	6,000 to 30,000

Carbide Burr FAQ

Can I use a carbide burr in a drill?

Avoid electric power drills. Our product pages warn that their slower speeds can chip your workpiece. Run burrs in a die grinder or another high-speed tool rated for the burr's RPM.

What RPM should I run a 1/4" carbide burr on steel?

Benchmark recommends 45,000 to 60,000 RPM for a 1/4" head on steel. If the burr chips, you are likely running too fast. Start slower and increase speed as you go.

Which carbide burr works for aluminum?

Use an aluma cut burr, marked NF in the part number. Its wide flutes clear chips so the head does not load up. Browse 1/4" aluma cut burrs for standard die grinders, or the 1/8" shank range for small rotary tools.

Do carbide burrs work on stainless steel and hardened steel?

Yes. Use double cut burrs. Our chart lists 30,000 to 45,000 RPM for a 1/4" head on both stainless steel and hardened steel, with lower speeds for larger heads.

Do you sell single cut carbide burrs?

No. We stock double cut and aluma cut only. For single cut or custom sizes, call 1-877-841-1837.

Browse the 1/4" double cut collection to get started.

Carbide Burrs

SC-3 Cylinder Shape Radius End PremiumTungsten Carbide Burr

SF-3 Radius End Tree Double Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

SC-5 Radius End Cylinder Double Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

Carbide Burr Case

SA-3 Cylinder Double Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

SC-1 Radius End Cylinder Double Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

SB-3 End Cut Cylinder Double Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

SK-5 90° Countersink Double Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

SA-1 Cylinder Double Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

SF-5 Tree Shape - Radius Premium Tungsten Carbide Burr

SL-3 Taper Shape - Radius Premium Tungsten Carbide Burr

SB-1 End Cut Cylinder Double Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

SB-5 End Cut Cylinder Double Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

SD-5 Ball Double Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

SA-5 Cylinder Double Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

SD-3 Ball Double Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

Sc-3nf Radius End Cylinder Aluma Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

SL-4 Radius End Taper Double Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

SE-3 Oval/Egg Double Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

SG-1 Pointed Tree Double Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

SG-3 Pointed Tree Double Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

SD-1 Ball Double Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

SJ-5 60° Countersink Double Cut Carbide Burr — 1/4" Shank

SC-51 Cylinder Shape Radius End Double Cut Carbide Burr – 1/8" Shank