Tools & Abrasives buying guideLast updated October 2026

Cup and Grinding Wheels

Fast stock removal for shaping, flattening and cleaning.

Price level: Budget
Best to buy: Feb–Apr, Sep–Nov
Top sources

Overview

What it is

Diamond cup wheels (on angle grinders) and grinding wheels (on edge machines) remove material fast: shaping edges, flattening lippage, removing adhesive and coatings, and roughing profiles before polishing.

Segment layouts trade speed for finish: turbo and double-row wheels cut quickly, while single-row and arrow segments give more control.

Diameters: 100 to 180 mm on angle grinders
Segments: Single row, double row, turbo, arrow
Bond: Metal (fast), resin (finishing)
Mount: M14, 5/8"-11 or 22.23 mm arbor

Applications

Best used for

Shaping edgesBefore pads or edge machines.
Lippage removalFlattening proud tiles.
Coating removalAdhesive and old sealers.
Monuments and masonryShaping and dressing.

Origins

Which countries to source from

The producing countries that matter for cup and grinding wheels, what each is known for, and a direct link to vendors there.

China Leading source
Volume production
- Fujian makers
Vendors in China
South Korea
Premium wheels
- Leading Korean toolmakers
Vendors in South Korea
Italy
Specialist wheels
- Stone-district toolmakers
Vendors in Italy

Timing

Best time of year to buy

Consumables are bought all year, so timing is about stock: order ahead of the Lunar New Year shutdown in China and the August break in Italy, and buy trial quantities at the spring and autumn fairs.

Jan: slower or pricier
Feb: best time to buy
Mar: best time to buy
Apr: best time to buy
May: normal
Jun: normal
Jul: normal
Aug: slower or pricier
Sep: best time to buy
Oct: best time to buy
Nov: best time to buy
Dec: normal

Best time to buy Normal Slower or pricier

Chinese toolmakers close for Lunar New Year; place large orders by early December.
Italian and Spanish makers slow in August.
Hold four to eight weeks of stock of your fastest-moving tools to ride out shipping delays.

Import costs

Tariffs and import duties

Base duties for the main import markets, the extra US surcharge by origin, and the trade remedies to check before you quote a landed price.

HS codes

6804.21Of agglomerated diamond

Base import duty (MFN)

United StatesFree
European Union1.7%
United Kingdom0%

Importing into the US? Add the 2026 origin surcharge

Section 301 rates in force since 24 July 2026, stacked on the MFN rate above.

China+12.5% & 30112.5% Section 301 (2026) plus the legacy China Section 301 duty (25% on most stone and machinery lines), on top of MFN.
South Korea12.5% min.Section 301 (2026) tops the duty up to at least 12.5% in total; no surcharge if MFN is already higher.
Italy10% min.Section 301 (2026) tops the duty up to at least 10% in total; no surcharge if MFN is already higher.

China-origin tools carry the legacy US Section 301 duty plus the 2026 surcharge; Korean tools pay at least 12.5% in total.

Rates checked October 2026. Indicative rates for planning, not a customs ruling. Duties depend on the exact tariff line, origin, trade agreements and the rules in force on the day of entry. Confirm with a licensed customs broker before you price an order.

Before you order

Buying checklist

1Use a guard and a dust shroud connected to extraction.
2Match the bond to the stone.
3Check the wheel's maximum rpm against your grinder.

Price level: Inexpensive; the dust shroud matters as much as the wheel.

Vendor Network

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Compare verified suppliers, or post an RFQ and let them come to you with quotes.

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Keep reading

Cup and Grinding Wheels

What it is

Best used for

Which countries to source from

Best time of year to buy

Tariffs and import duties

Buying checklist

Ready to source cup and grinding wheels?

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