Having read two posts today about people getting hurt with wire wheels, I might offer than AIW in San Antonio (and probably many other distributors) carries a very dense and soft wheel which is not 100% snag-proof but much safer than most of the ones I've used over the years. It also has a smaller diameter wire in the wheel. The worst wheels for snagging seem to be the ones with the lowest number of wires per inch, so it's easier to get a piece caught if turned wrong. Conversely, the wide thick wheels offer more resistance to the operator pushing on a work piece.

I also wear light leather gloves when using wire wheels in case something does catch and yank. I've had that happen more than once and it's very disconcerting.

Thanks for the tip on the wire wheel.
In my case, I believe that if I had a pair of gloves on it would have pulled my hand into the grinder possibly causing more damage...but will never know that for sure! Thankfully, it was only meat and not tendons that was damaged. I could still make a closed fist...it's a little swollen today to make a tight fist or straighten the finger out.

I wear those light leather work gloves with the fabric backs (Schmitt brand) and they will normally bounce off a wheel rather than grabbing.

I've got my wire wheel outside on a motor spindle, no guard. The bottom of the wheel is moving away from me like my scotch brite and buff, which are on another motor. So I'm working bare handed near and at the wheel bottom.

I use a variable speed sander / polisher to run my wire wheels. This way I can run it at a lower RPM for more control.

thanks for the safety tip
i'm having trouble finding a wire wheel that actually lasts... they seem to lose their wires too quickly ... so far i don't have any luck finding it

Definitely a case where better more expensive wheels last a lot longer than cheap imports!

I have an old sample preparation double arbor system which has two speeds: slow and slower. Takes a bit longer but is much much safer!

Hey HW you got a part no. or mfg on those wheels. I need new ones and would like to tryem. thanks

http://www.ohiobrush.com/Pages/crimpedwheel.html

These guys have top quality brushes.

John,

Look at a Weiler 6070. That's a 6" brush with 1" face and .012 dia bristles. The 6040 is the same with .006 wire.

They are expensive but last forever.

Hollis

Thanks Hollis, Bruce much appreciated