DeWalt Masonry Grinding Wheel Type 27

First impressions

Out of the box, the DeWalt masonry wheel feels like a straightforward, jobsite-focused accessory: Type 27 profile, 4 inches in diameter, and purpose-built for concrete, block, and similar abrasive materials. I ran a pack of these across a range of tasks—cleaning up spalled edges on a slab, knocking down high spots on a paver patio, light chamfering on concrete steps, and a few controlled cuts in block and cast iron fittings. The combination of a coarse C24R grit and virgin silicon carbide abrasive gives it an assertive bite that’s immediately noticeable, especially on mortar and standard concrete mixes.

Build and specs that matter in use

• Abrasive: 100% virgin silicon carbide (C24R)
• Wheel type: Type 27 (depressed center)
• Diameter: 4 in
• Thickness: 1/4 in for grinding; 1/8 in for cutting-design wheels
• Arbor: 5/8 in
• Reinforcement: 3 fiberglass sheets (1/4 in wheels), 2 sheets (1/8 in)
• Intended materials: Concrete, masonry, cast iron, ductile iron

The “virgin” silicon carbide callout isn’t just marketing; consistent grain fracture under load helps the wheel stay sharp rather than glaze. The fiberglass reinforcement also shows up in the feel—less flex and fewer jitters at the edge of a cut or when you catch an aggregate bump.

Setup and compatibility

The wheel mounts cleanly on a 5/8-inch arbor with standard flanges. On my compact grinder, the 4-inch size keeps the profile nimble for tight spaces and vertical work, though it also means less circumference to wear through, so you’ll consume wheels faster than with larger diameters. Type 27 makes sense here: it’s versatile for grinding at an angle while still allowing shallow plunge cuts and scoring.

As always, keep a Type 27-compatible guard in place. Masonry grinding throws dust and chips—pair a shroud and vac if you can.

Grinding performance on masonry

This is where the wheel shines. On concrete and mortar, it cuts quickly with a predictable, controllable feed. The C24R grit is coarse enough to chew off high spots without polishing the surface, which is ideal for prep. I used the 1/4-inch wheel at a 15–30° angle, and the wheel stayed planted with a stable bite even when transitioning across aggregates.

• Mortar cleanup: Excellent. It tracks well along joints and resists skipping over harder inclusions.
• Edge dressing and beveling: Good control. You can feather the pressure and get a neat chamfer on pavers without chipping their faces.
• Spall repair prep: Very effective. It removes weak material quickly and leaves a toothy surface that accepts patch compounds.

Compared with bargain wheels, this one maintains its aggressiveness longer before the scratch pattern starts to soften. You still need to keep pressure appropriate—too light and any wheel can skate; too heavy and you’ll burn through material and the wheel unnecessarily—but the usable window feels wider and more forgiving.

Cutting and scoring

For cutting tasks, I swapped to the 1/8-inch variant. It’s not a dedicated Type 1 cut-off wheel, but for scoring block, trimming a kerf to break a paver, or opening up a shallow chase in mortar, it performed well. Kerfs are clean enough for utility cuts, and the wheel tracks straight if you let it do the work rather than forcing it.

On ductile iron fittings and cast iron, the silicon carbide grain bites effectively. It’s not the fastest option for sustained metal cutting, and I wouldn’t choose it for steel, but for occasional cast iron trims in a plumbing or irrigation context, it’s workable and predictable. Keep cuts straight and avoid side-loading to preserve wheel integrity.

Durability and wear

Service life is always contextual—mix design, aggregate hardness, technique, and grinder power all play a role. In practical terms, I got through several small repair tasks on a single 1/4-inch wheel and still had enough diameter left for touch-ups. Wear was even, with no dishing or chunking. The fiberglass reinforcement keeps the wheel feeling solid down to a smaller diameter, which helps squeeze more value out of each disc.

It won’t outlast a diamond cup wheel on heavy concrete removal—and it’s not intended to—but for the scope of grinding and cutting that standard silicon carbide wheels are meant to handle, longevity is respectable. The pack quantity (25) also matters: consistency from wheel to wheel was good, which isn’t always the case in budget multi-packs.

Handling, vibration, and safety

The wheel runs true with minimal initial dressing needed. I noticed low chatter even when riding over aggregate. Heat buildup stayed manageable as long as I kept a steady, moderate feed. For grinding, a slight oscillation pattern helps clear dust and keep the grain sharp. For cutting, avoid twisting in the kerf and let the wheel clear chips; this minimizes binding and preserves the bond.

The fiberglass layers are a meaningful safety feature. They don’t replace good practices—guard on, PPE, correct angle and pressure—but they add confidence, especially when you’re into tougher aggregate or changing angles frequently.

Dust management

These wheels generate a lot of fines, as expected. With an attached shroud and a mid-range extractor, visibility was adequate and cleanup manageable. Without dust control, you’ll be cleaning for a while and you’ll accelerate tool wear. If you don’t have a shroud, at least work outdoors with a helper misting lightly to keep dust down—being mindful of slurry and splash.

Tips for best results

• Use the right thickness: 1/4 in for grinding; 1/8 in for scoring and light cuts.
• Maintain angle: 15–30° for grinding; keep square for straight cuts.
• Moderate pressure: Let the silicon carbide fracture and refresh; don’t lean in.
• Score first: For pavers and block, a shallow score on both faces reduces chipping before snapping or finishing the cut.
• Keep it on-task: Great for masonry and cast iron; not the right choice for steel.

Where it fits against alternatives

If you’re removing large volumes of concrete or need precision cuts in hard materials, a diamond cup wheel or a dedicated diamond cut-off wheel is the right tool. They’re faster and last longer, albeit at a higher cost per piece. The DeWalt masonry wheel, by contrast, is a versatile, inexpensive consumable that handles small-to-mid jobs efficiently—surface prep, edge dressing, joint work, and occasional utility cuts—without the upfront cost of diamond abrasives. For many shops and maintenance crews, having a box of these on hand covers 80% of day-to-day masonry grinding needs.

Limitations

• Diameter: At 4 inches, you’ll consume wheels faster than with 4-1/2 or 5-inch options, and your cut depth is limited.
• Not a steel wheel: It will underperform and wear quickly on mild or stainless steel.
• Not a substitute for diamond: For heavy removal on hard, cured concrete, it’s serviceable but not the fastest path.

Value

The combination of consistent performance, fiberglass reinforcement, and a practical pack quantity makes the per-wheel value compelling. More importantly, I didn’t see the variability from wheel to wheel that sometimes plagues bulk packs. If you run compact grinders and do frequent masonry touch-ups or light cutting, the cost-to-output ratio is easy to justify.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt masonry wheel for tradespeople and DIYers who need a reliable, aggressively cutting Type 27 option for masonry grinding and light cutting. It delivers steady performance on concrete and mortar, holds up well thanks to its fiberglass reinforcement and virgin silicon carbide grain, and comes in a pack size that makes sense for regular use. Reach for diamond when the job demands it, but keep a box of these in the kit—you’ll use them often, and they’ll do the work without fuss.