Can A Steel Cutting Disc Be Used for Grinding?

When it comes to metalworking, construction, or fabrication, selecting the right steel cutting disc is crucial for performance and safety. When working with an angle grinder Or when buying steel cutting discs, one common question we hear is:

“Can a steel cutting disc be used for grinding?”

The short answer is no — and here’s why.

What Is Steel Cutting Disc?

A steel cutting disc (or cutting wheel) is a thin, abrasive disc designed specifically to cut through hard materials like steel, stainless steel, and metal tubing. These discs are commonly used with angle grinders and are available in different thicknesses. One of the most popular options is the 1mm cutting disc or 1.2mm cutting disc, known for its fast, clean cuts and minimal material loss.  Their structure allows them to cut through material cleanly but makes them fragile under side pressure.

Other common include:

• Steel cutting disc – Optimized for carbon steel, stainless steel, and Sheet metal.
• Grinder cutting disc – For precise cutting tasks use angle grinders.

These steel cutting discs are built for straight-line cuts, not side pressure.

What Is Grinding Disc?

Grinding discs are thicker（Thickness is usually 4-6mm） and more robust. They are designed for deburring, weld cleaning, and edge shaping. These grinding discs can withstand lateral pressure and are safe to use for grinding motions.

Commonly used for grinding the following materials

• Carbon steel
• Stainless steel
• Cast iron
• Metal plates

Why You Shouldn’t Grind With Steel Cutting Disc?

Grinding involves side pressure and surface abrasion, which steel cutting discs are not built to handle. Here’s why using a cutting disc for grinding is dangerous:

• Safety Hazard

 Thin cutting discs (like 1mm cutting wheels) are composed of two outer fiberglass reinforced mesh, which may wear out when subjected to side force. Excessive side pressure can cause the fiberglass to break, resulting in disc breakage. The most serious consequence of a broken steel cutting disc is the risk of fatal injury.

• Tool Damage

Misusing a cutting disc can lead to risks such as overheating, uneven wear, breakage, machine stoppage, etc. Damage to your angle grinder, shortening the lifespan of your equipment.

• Poor Results

A steel cutting disc simply won’t remove material effectively. The process will be slow and inefficient, leaving your workpiece with unsatisfactory finishes.

Instead, use a proper grinding disc for operations like weld cleaning, beveling, and deburring.

Grinding Disc vs Steel Cutting Disc: What’s the Difference?

Looking for metal Cutting Discs instead? Check out our abrasive cutting discs built for durability and efficiency performance. 

Choose the Right Steel cutting Disc for Your Business

Whether you’re cutting rebar or grinding weld seams, always use the right disc type.

• Material: Use metal cutting discs or steel cutting discs for harder materials.
• Thickness: Use a 1mm cutting disc for precision cuts; and thicker steel cutting discs for durability.
• Tool Compatibility: Ensure that the steel cutting disc size is compatible with the angle grinder model.

Industry Tips: Choose the Right Disc

If you’re unsure which abrasive tools to use, consider the following:

For professionals in metal fabrication, construction, or manufacturing, using the correct abrasives tools is not just a matter of efficiency — it’s a matter of workplace safety and product quality.

For cutting, our high-performance steel cutting discs provide:

• Fast, burr-free cutting
• Long service life
• Compatibility with most angle grinders
• OEM & Private Label Services
• Custom packaging & bulk orders
• Metal cutting disc customization by material, thickness, diameter

If you want to know more about customization, please see this article: Custom Cutting And Grinding Discs.

Conclusion

While it may be convenient to use a steel cutting disc for grinding in an emergency, it is highly unsafe and inefficient. Always make sure you use the right cutting disc for the task at hand.

✅Need help choosing the right products?

✅Looking for bulk steel cutting discs at factory price?

✅ Need custom sizes or OEM branding?

If you are looking for high-performance cutting and grinding solutions, explore our full range of cutting discs, grinding discs, and flap discs specially engineered for B2B applications in the Middle East and Europe. Including brands, bulk packaging, and product customization for B2B clients. Contact our team of experts for professional advice.