Choosing the Right Quick Change Disc
Quick change discs (aka twist lock or roll-on discs) are the perfect solution for grinding, sanding, and finishing in tight spaces where larger discs won't fit. Designed for use with die grinders, air grinders, and power drills, they allow for rapid, tool-free disc changes to maximize your productivity.
To find the perfect disc for your project, use our selection guide below or browse our detailed breakdown of each type.
Quick Change Disc Buying Guide - Step 1: Start with Your Task (Choose Your Disc Type)
Use this table for an easy comparison to find the best quick change disc type for your application.
| Primary Applications | Recommended Disc Type | Why You'd Choose It |
|---|---|---|
| General grinding, deburring, heavy stock removal | Coated Sanding Disc (Aluminum Oxide, Zirconia, Zirconia w/ Grinding Aid, Ceramic) | Fast, aggressive material removal |
| Blending, finishing, weld removal, deburring | Mini Flap Disc | Lasts longer and provides a smoother, more controlled finish than coated discs |
| Fillet weld grinding, edge chamfering, corner work | Curved Edge Flap Disc | Unique curved edge grinds corners and flat surfaces simultaneously |
| Cleaning, stripping paint/rust, surface preparation | Surface Prep Disc | Highly conformable, removes surface material without gouging workpiece |
| Heavy deburring, precision blending, edge breaking, finishing | Unitized Disc | Hard, durable edge for creating a consistent, uniform finish |
| Final polishing, buffing, creating a mirror finish | Felt Polishing Disc | Non-abrasive carrier for polishing compounds to achieve high luster |
| Aggressive cleaning, stripping paint/rust/coatings, autobody prep | Easy Strip & Clean Disc | Removes coatings fast without gouging, runs cool, and resists loading |
Quick Change Disc Buying Guide - Step 2: Match the Abrasive to Your Material (For Coated Abrasives)
For Coated Quick Change Discs, the abrasive grain you choose depends on the material you're working with. Choosing the right one means a faster, cleaner cut and a longer disc life.
| Abrasive Grain | Best For (Materials) | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Oxide | Carbon/Stainless Steel, Aluminum, other alloys | Economical all-rounder. The most common and cost-effective abrasive, perfect for general-purpose use on a wide variety of materials |
| Zirconia | Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel, Titanium, other hard metals | Self-sharpening. A tough, durable grain that fractures under pressure to expose new sharp edges, giving it a long life (twice as long as AO) for hard-to-grind metals |
| Zirconia w/ Grinding Aid | Cast Iron, Carbon/Stainless Steel, Titanium, Aluminum, Hardwoods | Cooler, cleaner cut: grinding aid dissipates heat and prevents loading, extending disc life and protecting stainless and other heat-sensitive alloys |
| Ceramic w/Grinding Aid | Stainless Steel, Inconel, Titanium, Alloys, Chrome, other metals | Top-tier performance: Fastest, longest-lasting cut from micro-fracturing ceramic, runs cooler with grinding aid, and contaminant-free to avoid after-rust |
Quick Change Disc Buying Guide - Step 3: Choose Your Grade/Grit for the Perfect Finish
The "grade" or "grit" determines how aggressive the disc is. A lower number means larger, sharper abrasive particles that remove material faster. A higher number means smaller particles for a smoother finish.
For Coated Discs & Flap Discs (Grit Number)
| Your Task | Best Grit | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy stock removal, beveling/chamfering, knocking down large welds | 36 / 40 (Coarse) | Aggressively grinds and shapes metal, removes large amounts of material quickly, and tackles heavy rust or scale. |
| Weld grinding with initial blend (use 36 only for very heavy welds/beads) | 40 (36 for very heavy welds) | Quickly grinds down and levels weld beads to be flush with the surrounding surface. |
| Deburring/deflashing, rust/scale/paint removal, general blending | 60 - 80 (Medium) | Smooths minor surface imperfections, removes burrs from cut edges, and blends scratches from coarser grits. |
| Cleaning & intermediate finishing before fine finish | 80 (Medium) | Cleans rust, paint, or coatings from a surface to prepare it for painting or finishing. |
| Fine finishing / cleaning to prep for non-woven or polish | 120 (Fine) | Provides a smooth, fine finish before polishing or as a final step for surfaces that don't require a mirror shine. |
For Surface Conditioning Discs (Grade)
These discs use a different grading system for finishing work.
| Grade | Application | Approx. Grit |
|---|---|---|
| Coarse (Tan) | Gasket removal, heavy oxidation/paint/rust removal, aggressive deburring | 60 - 80 Grit |
| Medium (Red) | Surface prep, blending minor imperfections and grinder marks, general cleaning without gouging | 100 - 150 Grit |
| Fine (Blue) | Light deburring, creating a satin finish | 280 - 360 Grit |
Quick Change Disc Buying Guide - Step 4: Don’t Forget the Backing Pad
All discs are Type R (male). You’ll need:
- 2″ Roll-On Disc Pad Holder, 1/4″ shank for all 2″ discs.
- 3″ Roll-On Disc Pad Holder, 1/4″ shank for all 3″ discs.
Quick Change Disc FAQ
Q: What are Quick Change Discs?
Quick-change abrasive discs are small grinding discs for tight spaces. They allow for tool-free installation and disc swaps with a roll-on Type-R disc pad holder. Depending on the type of quick change disc, you can accomplish any finishing task from general purpose grinding, stock removal and deburring to surface prep and final polishing.
Q: What Tools do Quick Change Disc Attach to?
Quick-change discs are compatible with die grinders, power drills, and air grinders. To attach the sanding discs to the tool, you will need a backing pad matching the size of the disc. The backing pad/holder connects the twist lock sanding discs to the tools using a rubber backed type 4 roll-on / roll-off fastening.
Q: What's the difference between Quick Change, Twist Lock, and Roloc™ discs?
They’re all talking about the same type of small, fast-swap discs. “Quick Change” is the category; “Twist Lock” usually means Type R (roll-on) threads; Roloc™ is 3M’s brand name for the TR thread style.
Q: How do I choose between a 2-inch and 3-inch disc?
The size of your disc determines the surface area you can cover and the spaces you can reach. We offer the two most common sizes for maximum versatility.
- 2-Inch Discs: Best for detailed work, tight corners, and intricate areas, offering maximum control and precision on smaller pieces.
- 3-Inch Discs: Ideal for blending and finishing larger flat or contoured surfaces, providing efficiency and wider coverage to get jobs done faster.
The size of your disc must match the size of your backing pad.
Q: Are these compatible with 3M Roloc™?
Yes, Empire’s quick-change discs are Type R (roll-on), equivalent to 3M’s TR threaded hub style used in Roloc systems. Use with a matching roll-on pad.