The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Concrete Grinding Tools: Cup Wheels & Redi Lock Segments

Let’s face it—grinding concrete isn’t exactly glamorous, but choosing the wrong tool? That’s where the real headache begins (and not just from the noise). Whether you're smoothing out rough concrete, stripping off ancient floor glue, or prepping for a polished finish, picking between diamond cup wheels and Redi Lock segments can feel like decoding ancient construction hieroglyphs. Don’t worry—we’ve got your back (and your grinder). In this guide, we break down the differences so you can spend less time scratching your head and more time smoothing your slabs.

1. First Things First: What Are You Grinding, and Why?

Not all concrete is created equal. Some slabs are as soft as butter (well, kind of), others are harder than your mate’s overcooked barbecue steak. Before you pick your tool, ask yourself:

• Are you grinding hard concrete? You’ll want a soft bond tool with aggressive segments—hello, arrow or Redi Lock bars.

• Is the concrete soft or dusty? A hard bond will last longer and not chew itself to death in 10 minutes.

• Medium bond segments strike a balance, perfect for surfaces that aren’t too hard or soft, offering an all-around good performance.

• Do you have glue, paint, or epoxy to remove? You’ll want wide, spaced-out segments—they don’t clog, and they mean business.

2. Cup Wheels: The Hand-Held Hero

Cup wheels are essential tools for concrete grinding, offering versatility and portability for smaller jobs or tricky spots.​

• Arrow segments: These provide an aggressive grinding action, perfect for quickly removing large amounts of material.

• Zig-Zag segments: Ideal for achieving a smoother finish with controlled grinding. They strike a balance between power and precision.

• Double Row segments: Feature two rows of segments for increased surface contact, enhancing grinding efficiency and lifespan.

• L-Shape segments: Provide improved dust management and are well-balanced for Medium concrete grinding on rough surfaces.​ 

  
  

  Cup wheels are perfect for use with 5 and 7-inch angle grinders, especially for working on edges, corners, or when you want to avoid pulling out larger equipment for smaller tasks.​

3. Redi Lock Segments: The Floor Slayer

When you're dealing with large surface areas, rough concrete, or serious coating removal, Redi Lock segments are your go-to. Built for use with planetary floor grinders, these segments are all about speed, strength, and convenience.

• Quick-change system: The Redi Lock system allows fast tool swaps without screws or bolts—just slide in, lock, and grind. It's a dream for professionals working under time pressure.

• Segment variety: Choose from arrow, single bar, double round, or even PCD segments for epoxy and glue removal. There’s a shape for every type of grind.

• Custom bonds and grits: Available in soft, medium, and hard bonds to match any concrete type, plus grit levels from coarse (16) to fine (100), depending on your finish goals.

• Consistent wear: Designed to wear evenly for longer life and predictable performance, because no one likes surprises on a job site.

Whether you're prepping floors for polishing, removing thick coatings, or just smoothing things out, Redi Lock segments offer the durability and efficiency serious contractors rely on.

🔗 Explore Redi Lock Segments

4. Grit, Bond & Segment Shape – The Not-So-Boring Details

Alright, we get it—talking about grit and bond levels might not be the most thrilling topic, but trust us, this stuff matters. Choosing the wrong setup can make your job 10 times harder (and your segments 10 times more worn out). Here's what you need to know to grind smarter, not harder:

• Grit Levels:

  • 16–30 grit: Think demolition mode—perfect for aggressive grinding and coating removal.

  • 60–80 grit: The sweet spot for blending and smoothing surfaces before polishing or sealing.

  • 100–120 grit: Great for final passes and light polishing prep. These are your detail-finishers.

• Bond Hardness:

  • Soft bond: Ideal for hard concrete—it wears quicker to expose fresh diamonds and keep cutting.

  • Hard bond: Best for soft, abrasive concrete—resists wear so your diamonds don’t fly off too fast.

  • Medium bond: The all-rounder. If you're not sure what you’re working with (or switching between different slabs), medium bond is your safe bet.

• Segment Shapes:

  • Single Arrow: These segments concentrate pressure on a small area, making them excellent for aggressive grinding and quick material removal. They're particularly effective for removing glue and coatings.

  • Double Arrow: Offering similar benefits to the single arrow but with increased surface contact, double arrow segments provide faster grinding while maintaining control. They're ideal for larger surface areas.

  • Single Rectangle: A versatile choice for general-purpose grinding. These segments offer a balance between aggressive material removal and surface finish, suitable for various concrete surfaces. ​

  • Double Rectangle: With two rectangular segments, these tools increase grinding efficiency and are great for levelling and surface preparation tasks. ​

  • Double Round: Designed to minimise deep scratches and gouging, double round segments are perfect for achieving a finer finish during the polishing process. ​

  • PCD (Polycrystalline Diamond): These are the heavy hitters for removing thick coatings, adhesives, and epoxy. PCD segments are highly aggressive and should be followed by finer grinding steps to smooth the surface. ​

Choosing the right combination of grit, bond, and segment shape isn't just technical—it's the difference between a frustrating day and a flawless grind.

5. Final Thoughts – Choosing the Right Tool

At the end of the (grinding) day, picking the right concrete grinding tool isn’t just about grabbing whatever looks toughest on the shelf. It’s about matching the right segment shape, bond type, and grit level to the job in front of you. Whether you're smoothing out a warehouse floor, prepping for a polish, or removing stubborn epoxy, the proper setup saves time, money, and your sanity.

If you're working on small areas and need maneuverability, go with a quality cup wheel—arrow or zig-zag segments, depending on your surface. If you're tackling large-scale commercial or industrial jobs, Redi Lock segments are your best mate—quick to swap, built to last, and versatile across a range of concrete hardness levels.

And hey, if you're ever in doubt, give us a shout at Paddle Wholesale Australia. We know concrete like tradies know coffee—and we’re always here to help you choose the gear that grinds like a pro.

🔗 Looking for quality grinding tools? Shop Cup Wheels or Redi Lock Segments at Paddle Wholesale Australia.