Wire brushes are metal abrasive brushes that consist of tempered wire designed to clean or remove various surface contaminants from metal. Abrasive wire brushes come in a variety of wire types.
Knot Wire Brushes - This type of wire brush holds the wire so that it is less flexible and provides a harder impact on the surface material. Knot abrasive wire brushes are used for heavy duty applications.
Crimped Wire Brushes - The crimped wire abrasive brush is considered to be a more general purpose brush variety. The wire is more flexible which also makes it better for cleaning the surface of the material. They often have a wider surface area than the less flexible knot wire brushes and are commony used for rust and paint removal.
Wire brushes are commonly used during the finish of a project. The thickness of the wire in the brush will have a direct impact on the finish. Thicker wire is used when a more aggresive finish is needed such as when cleaning welds but can slow production time. While fine wire boasts a better finish and a longer brush life. Regardless of the finish, each gauge of wire used in wire brushes has been designed for a purpose. Metal workers tend to have many varieties available to best fulfill their needs.
Wire Brush Fill Materials
Carbon Steel - Is an excellent material for wire brushes. It is extremely durable and high strength making it a great option for general purpose cleaning. From light to heavy duty applications.
Stainless Steel - Commonly used on aluminum and stainless steel. Also used where corrosion resistant and non-contaminant brushing is required.
Uses of Wire Brushes
Wire brushes are used to remove the following:
Various other imperfections
The various types of cutting and grinding wheels can be quite dangerous and wire brushes are no different. Below are some safety tips to keep in mind when using wire brushes.
Read any included warning labels
Check RPM Ratings to ensure the brush does not exceed the Maximum Safe Speed
The tool shaft should match the arbor hole of the brush