Alternative Drive Wheel Recommendations

crocogator106

crocogator106

Joined
Nov 16, 2012
Messages
994
I am finishing up a DIY 72" grinder and need some advice on a drive wheel. I know that I should probably just order one from Beaumont Metals but I am running out of money and need a cheap alternative. Anyone have any suggestions? I am using a 5/8 shaft (Which I ordered from Beaumont :D) which already has a 3/16 keyway. Thanks for any help.
 
In that case, I figure the drive wheels and the wheels in general are something you way want to bite the bullet and get quality. As nice as it would be to save a buck, they seem like some of the most crucial parts and also some of the hardest to do right without buying them premade. Just my opinion though.
 
Your probably right! I just thought that the drive wheels only purpose was to pull the belt along and was really not needed for tracking purposes, but I could be wrong. I guess I will just have to save my pennies and buy the drive wheel. I was reading the thread about someone using skateboard wheels for the contact wheels on the platen and tracking wheel. I did buy aluminum wheels for these but just thought I could skimp on the drive wheel. Thanks for your comments!!
 
A drive wheel needs to be balanced, or the grinder will shake itself apart. An aluminum wheel turned on a lathe will be the best choice. I know that $100 is a lot, but it is probably one of the two main precision items on a grinder ( the contact wheel being the other). USA Knifemakers has a good alternate for $95.
 
I am using a 1750rpm motor. I have a 5" pulley which will be on the other end of the shaft as the drive wheel. I am using a 2" pulley on my motor....what size drive wheel do you guys think I need to use?
 
I'm not good at figuring speeds...it sounds to me like it might run a little slow with a 4" wheel, but after having a variable speed unit for a while I don't find myself running at higher speeds much, so that might not be a bad thing. I currently have a 1750 rpm direct-drive motor with a 6" drive and variable speed, I rarely run much over 50% on the speed pot.

At any rate, you might find that it's cheaper to swap out one of your v-belt pullies to increase speed than to buy a 6" drive wheel.
 
Up on the drive wheel or the motor pulley, and/or down on the shaft pulley to increase speed. if your configuration allows you could just swap the v-belt pullies but with 2" and 5" that will be a big jump.
 
crocogator106 said:
I am using a 1750rpm motor. I have a 5" pulley which will be on the other end of the shaft as the drive wheel. I am using a 2" pulley on my motor....what size drive wheel do you guys think I need to use?
Click to expand...

For now, If you are trying to save money, you can get by perfectly well with the two pulleys you already have. If you want a higher speed, just putter the 5" pulley on the motor, and the 2" pulley on the grinder drive shaft. I might be annoying switching them but you could do it for a short while and buy a proper drive wheel (which you need If you are using a shaft with keyways in order to keep the wheel drive wheel on the shaft and to keep it from spinning loose on it) and then buy two 3 or 4 step pulleys when you get more money. That my $0.02

-Paul

My YouTube Channel- www.youtube.com/Lsubslimed

(woops, I didn't see that Justin already posted that idea, sorry :D )
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top