Quick Change Discs

What is the Difference Between Roloc & Socatt Quick Change Sanding Discs?

The history of quick change discs goes back quite a long way.  The Socatt quick change system was developed over 40 years ago by Standard Abrasives in California.  The Socatt system was the only quick change disc system for quite a number of years before 3M decided to develop a competitor system called Roloc.

Socatt discs have a metal to metal fixing on the back of the abrasive disc locking into a metal holder on the back up pad.  It creates a stronger fixing than the Roloc but it is a little less flexible.  Each Socatt button is unique to the particular diameter.

Roloc quick change discs use a plastic button on the back of the abrasive disc which screws into a female thread on the back up pad.

The Roloc button is the same size regardless of the disc diameter which allows more flexibility to change between disc diameters.  For example, a 75mm Roloc disc can be used on a 50mm back up pad.  Thus increasing the options for how Roloc discs can be used.

Why Choose Quick Change Sanding Discs?

1. All the time spent on changing abrasive discs is time lost.  Time that could be spent on sanding and finishing the job.  This is of benefit both to the operator and to the reduction in overall processing costs.
2. Working with 50 or 75mm discs is easy and comfortable for the operator to be able to see the workpiece thus reducing the risk of damage or costly re-work.
3. Quick change discs offer a complete system.  From very high stock removal to mirror polishing.  All on one tool.

Cibo Roloc and Socatt coated abrasive discs are normally manufactured with a 2-ply backing structure to increase the strength and performance of the abrasive discs.

What Abrasives Are available on the Cibo Roloc and Socatt Discs?

Cibo have recently launched their new premium range of quick change discs.  All manufactured by Cibo in Belgium.

There are 5 families of coated abrasive Quick Change

1. Industrial Line – Aluminium oxide
   • Roloc / Lockit  – QLAO
   • Socatt Range – QSAO
   • Industrial line quick change discs are best for non-ferrous metals and for light sanding on all ferrous metals
2. Performance Line – Zirconia / Ceramic blend with grinding aids
   • Roloc / Lockit  – QLZC (replacing QLPZ)
   • Socatt Range – QSZC (replacing QSPZ)
   • Designed for aggressive sanding of steel, stainless steel and aluminium.  The grinding aids reduce the heat and extend the abrasive life
3. Ultimate Line – Cibo Ceramics with grinding aids
   • Roloc / Lockit  – QLPP
   • Socatt Range – QSPP
   • The no 1 recommendation for hard steels and exotic steel alloys.
4. Super Grind
   • Roloc / Lockit  – QLXC
   • Socatt Range – QSXC
   • With high performance cooling agents the XC products are very good when grinding stainless steel, titanium alloys etc..
5. Miniflap – Zirconium Oxide
   • Roloc / Lockit – MLZV
   • Socatt – MSZV
   • For increased abrasive disc life the zirconia quick change flap discs are a great choice.

And a Wide Range of Cibo Quick Change Finishing Discs

1. RCD – Quick Change
   • Roloc / Lockit – MLRC
   • Socatt – MSRC
   • 10 years ago Cibo revolutionised stainless steel finishing with the RCD flap discs.  Now they are available on quick change
2. Tex – Buff & Blend Quick Change
   • Roloc / Lockit – QLBB
   • Socatt – QSBB
   • For refining surface imperfections and blending casting marks
3. Surface Conditioning Quick Change
   • Roloc / Lockit – QLVT
   • Socatt – QLVT
   • For satin finishing blending milling lines, removing paint and coatings.
4. Unitised Quick Change
   • Roloc / Lockit – QLSA, QLMA
   • Socatt – QSSA, QSMA
   • Removing scratch marks, pre-polishing, deburring
5. Felt Quick Change
   • Roloc / Lockit – QLFD
   • Socatt – QSFD

Which Backing Pad Should I use with Quick Change Discs?

We would recommend you go to our backing pad page for more details:  Quick Change Backing Pads

Cibo supply 3 different colour coded hardnesses of Roloc and Socatt back up pads.

• Hard = red collar
• Medium = Blue
• Soft = grey

To adapt a back up ad with a spindle to fit onto an angle grinder simply use the MHD8 adapter.