DeWalt Masonry Fast Grinding Wheels Type 27

Why I reached for this wheel

On small-to-midsize concrete and block jobs, I don’t always want to fire up a diamond cup. Sometimes I need quick stock removal, a clean bevel on a CMU edge, or to knock down trowel ridges without over-committing on cost. That’s where the DeWalt masonry wheel has earned a spot in my grinder bag. It’s a simple Type 27 silicon carbide wheel with a softer bond, built to grind—not cut—concrete and masonry. After several weeks using multiple sizes, it’s proven to be a fast, predictable option for everyday surface work.

Setup and fitment

I ran the 4-1/2-inch wheel on a midrange 11-amp grinder with a standard guard and dust shroud, and the 7-inch version on a larger grinder for slab work. Fitment wasn’t an issue—between the 7/8-inch and 5/8-11 options, it covered my common grinders. The Type 27 depressed center sits naturally at a 15–30 degree approach angle, which helps keep the wheel planted and reduces edge-catching. At 1/4-inch thick, it’s unmistakably a grinding wheel: stable under side load, not a thin cut-off disc, and definitely not something I’d use for kerfs.

If you’re matching inventory to a fleet of grinders, the available diameters (4, 4-1/2, and 7 inches) and arbors (5/8, 7/8, 5/8-11) make life easy. The wheels are boxed in 25s, which is convenient for crews who go through abrasives quickly.

Performance on concrete and block

The core promise here is a softer formulation that keeps cutting on harder materials. In practice, that’s exactly what I felt. On a cured garage slab, the wheel stayed aggressive instead of glazing. I could feather a high spot down in controlled passes without the grabby chatter you sometimes get from harder-bond wheels. On split-face block, the wheel removed material quickly enough to true an edge, but I still had enough control to avoid overgrinding into the face. For cleaning up mortar squeeze-out, the coarse silicon carbide (think around a C24R range) is well suited: it doesn’t smear, it abrades.

Compared with diamond cups, this wheel is less brutally fast, but it’s also less likely to dig a trench the moment you get careless. For light-to-moderate removal, especially on edges and corners, that control is a plus. I also noticed fewer vibrations than with many segmented diamond cups. If you’re smoothing a small area or chamfering block edges, the feel and feedback are excellent.

Wheel life and the softer bond trade-off

A softer bond is a trade: faster stock removal and less glazing on hard concrete, but quicker wear. I found that to be true here. On a 4-1/2-inch wheel, I got a couple of meaningful small tasks per wheel—flattening a few square feet of high spots, cleaning the perimeter of a pier, and easing several block edges—before the diameter dropped enough to swap. The 7-inch version, predictably, lasted longer and held a broader, more stable grinding face on slab work.

Nothing in my use suggested premature failure or chunking. The wear pattern was even, and the wheel kept cutting consistently until it simply got too small to be efficient. If your priority is maximum life per wheel, a harder bond or a diamond cup will outlast this. If your priority is consistent bite on harder materials without glazing, this wheel does what it claims.

Safety and feel

Three full sheets of fiberglass reinforcement might sound like spec-sheet fluff, but the wheel does feel solid under lateral load. I pushed it hard on a stubborn high ridge and never felt the kind of flex or audible protest that makes you back off. That said, it’s still a bonded abrasive; I don’t run these without a guard, face shield, gloves, and hearing protection, and I keep the approach angle modest.

One more safety note: keep it to masonry. Silicon carbide wheels intended for concrete will chew through metal in a pinch, but they’ll also load up and wear unpredictably. If you hit rebar, stop and switch to a wheel rated for steel or a diamond solution.

Dust control and technique

Grinding concrete creates fine crystalline silica dust. The wheel throws plenty of it, and the softer bond doesn’t change that. A shroud with a decent extractor makes a big difference; with a corded grinder, I found it easy to maintain capture and still get steady material removal.

Technique-wise, the wheel rewards a consistent 15–20 degree angle with moderate pressure. Lean it too flat and you’ll skate and heat up the face; too steep and you’ll groove. I used slow, overlapping passes, then lifted for a brief cool-down between sections. The wheel didn’t glaze, but that rhythm kept temperatures in check and produced a more uniform finish.

Where it fits relative to diamond cups

• Use this wheel when:

  • You want controlled grinding on concrete, mortar, or block without the aggression of a turbo cup.
  • You’re doing edge work or small patches.
  • Budget matters more than maximum life, and you value a predictable, even grind.

• Grab a diamond cup when:

  • You’re removing a lot of material over a larger area.
  • You want the longest possible life and can justify the higher cost.
  • You need to profile very hard, dense concrete quickly.

I appreciate having both options. For me, this wheel is the everyday answer, with the diamond cup reserved for heavy lifts.

Compatibility and sizes

The lineup hits the common needs:
- Diameters: 4, 4-1/2, and 7 inches
- Arbors: 5/8, 7/8, and 5/8-11
- Typical thickness: 1/4 inch
- Abrasive: silicon carbide
- Configuration: Type 27, depressed center

Most grinders will match one of those arbors without adapters. Check the printed max RPM on the wheel against your grinder—especially on the 7-inch size—and use the proper Type 27 guard.

Pros and cons

Pros:
- Fast, consistent cut on hard concrete and masonry due to the softer bond
- Stable, confidence-inspiring feel with three-sheet fiberglass reinforcement
- Good control for edges, corners, and small areas
- Common sizes and arbors; easy fitment on typical grinders
- Predictable, even wear without glazing in my use

Cons:
- Wears faster than harder-bond masonry wheels and much faster than diamond cups
- Generates a lot of fine dust (as any masonry grinding does); dust control is essential
- Not suitable for cutting kerfs or for metal contact
- Coarse finish; you may need to follow with a finer abrasive if appearance matters

Value

Without getting into pricing, I’ll say this: per task, the wheel’s speed and control can outweigh its shorter life. If you work in concrete or block regularly and appreciate having a “grab-and-go” grinding option that doesn’t glaze on harder slabs, it’s a solid value—especially if you buy in box quantities for a crew. For larger surface prep jobs, I still default to diamond cups for life-cycle cost and speed. But for daily punch-list items, the DeWalt masonry wheel makes sense.

Final recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt masonry wheel for tradespeople and serious DIYers who need reliable, controlled grinding on concrete and masonry. It cuts fast on hard material, doesn’t glaze, and feels secure under load thanks to its reinforced build. Accept the trade-off in wheel life, use proper dust collection, and you’ll get a versatile, straightforward abrasive that handles the majority of small-to-medium grinding tasks without drama. If you’re tackling large-area removal or need maximum longevity, pair it with a diamond cup—but keep this wheel in your kit for everything else.