I am looking to purchase a new 8" or 10" contact wheel for my belt grinder. I have been looking at a lot of wheels from several companies. As far as reviews go, Beaumont metalworks seems to be the best... but it also comes with a high price.
I have been reading a bit about "Poly" wheels, the cheaper alternative. The reviews of the poly wheels don't seem to give a clear answer as to how good they are. Some say they are great wheels with hundreds of hours of grinding, and others say that they can melt under prolonged grinding because of the 185 degree ceiling of the polyurethane. Is anyone using poly wheels? And if so, what to you thinks of them? Would you recommend them?
While searching for contact wheels, I found tons of Do-it-yourself wheels. Of the ones I saw, there were two I thought were interesting as a curiosity: Both start out a bearinged wheel, one is covered with 6-8oz leather and the other is covered with 1/4" felt, creating a soft wheel. Has anyone seen either of these?
Any thoughts whould be much appreciated,
Ryan
Ryan;
I know nothing about the do it your self wheels. But; a little about rotating machinery. The things that are more important than the coverage I think is concentricity and balance. If it's out of round and or balance it won't work long before a bearing goes out. It won't grind well either.
Of coarse; this opinion may be worth less than you paid for it!
M
Mike Williams
Master Smith
Ryan,
I am using a flat platten, with skateboard wheels...and my drive wheel is for a cart of some kind. My drive wheel is a red plastic coating a cast steel. I don't know if it is the kind of plastic you are talking about. I built/modified only slightly from the plans on Don Fogg's website. I have a pully system for belt speed (hardly a 2hp variable speed) but it hasn't melted the wheels. For what it's worth.
I've been using "poly" wheels for the last several years. Personally, I like them better then rubber. They've proven to outlast rubber contact wheels, and if you get the "right" durometer (I like the 70 durometer) they are far more durable then similar duormeter rubber.
I've been buying the wheels for my platens, as well as larger wheels from SunRay Corp. I deal with a gentlman named Shane. The one thing you must understand about SunRay, IF you order a specific wheel (have it custom made)....they are primarily a military contractor, which means you can't take anything for granted....you need to give the ALL the specifications you want.....but once you understand that they are great to deal with. I've purchased a number of 1 1/2", and 3" contact wheel with bearings for my "Caffrey Platens", and I've also purchased a 10" serrated contact wheel for less then $300!
Ed Caffrey, ABS MS
"The Montana Bladesmith"
www.CaffreyKnives.net
Thank you very much for your imput, gentlemen. I will put it all to good use.
