B III Wheel Question

ddavelarsen

ddavelarsen

Joined
Dec 7, 2000
Messages
5,179
What's the biggest wheel you can put on a B III?

And what's your preferred source for it?

Thanks,
Dave
 
I believe 14" is the biggest, Dave. I bought my BIII from Texas Knifemaker's Supply. I think they want something like $325 for the 14" wheel. Yikes!
 
HI Dave,
14" is correct. And be careful to avoid hitting the casting with it. It really "fills" the Bader. A few folks who needed a "larger wheel" made something similar to the Bader flat platen, only with a curved platen to the radius that they needed. One guy did a 24" curved platen. He greased his belts to minimize heat. As often as I use my 14" I probably could have gotten by doing that myself.
Enjoy the snow...Ken
 
You can call CRC, and it will cost you about $300.00, or you can call Tru Grit and order it from them, and they will get it from CRC, and it will cost you about $275.00.:confused: ;) freight included.

Tru Grit is a distributor, and you get a price break going that way. I got a 14" through them, made by CRC and it is a great wheel, no vibration, true etc.
http://www.contactrubber.com/


http://www.trugrit.com/

Tru Grit seems to be having website problems at the moment, so call,
1-800-532-3336
 
Try
Bertie,From South America,I bought a 10 inch wheel off him with the bearings and it cost 160 and that included shipping,
 
hmmm...

Thanks everybody, for your great info. Frankly this is about what I expected. Not what I was hoping to hear however! :D I want a big wheel and Ken's idea of building a convex platen is sounding better. I'm really looking for a big hollow grind like on some of the old bowies - so maybe I really want a 50" wheel?

So how about that? Has anyone here ever built a curved platen? What did you use for the face? What for the "basis"? I wonder if building a curved face for my current platen would work? If so, what to build it out of? And what to face it with? And how best to connect it?

Hep me some more! You can plainly see I need it! :D
 
Hi,
A 50" radius platen would most certainly bolt up in place of your current flat platen. Get a piece of angle 2" x 3" (I think that is the size of the bader angle iron platen) that is 18" or so. Less if you are good at the next step. Heat to red as you bend around the rim of large steel drum, old truck rim, etc. Then cut off the ends to remove tool marks from clamps or hammer. I have gotten away with using 2 large c-clamps for bowing long lengths. Then slot the 3" side of angle for the bolts to put it in your platen frame. Somewhere in there smooth the belt surface.
I have bent several pieces this way. Large truck rims are nice. Just never put a finished one on a Bader.
Enjoy, Ken
 
The curved platen idea is really intriguing me! I do believe I will make one now. I already know exactly what material I'll be using to line the platen with: Turcite. Awesome stuff!

I'll try to post some pics when I get it done.
 
Originally posted by ddavelarsen
hmmm...

I want a big wheel and Ken's idea of building a convex platen is sounding better. I'm really looking for a big hollow grind like on some of the old bowies - so maybe I really want a 50" wheel?
Click to expand...


Dave, contrary to popular opinion, not all the old bowies were ground on 50"+ wheels, in fact most were not. They have a noticable hollow grind. I've got old photo's(in magazines) around here somewhere that show workers in one of the Sheffield company's sitting, and grinding blades at banks of wheels that range in size from 5" or so, to 2-3'. Most were in the range of 8-10"to 2'.:eek: :D
 
Hey that's cool Mike, thanks. I have to confess the old Bowies are not my only reason - I am really intrigued by the idea of a big hollow grind.

Ken I like your idea and I may just give it a try. I was thinking about rigging a 2.5' arm to mount a chunk of Micarta on and rotate it in front of my 10" wheel to make the radius.

But now mr jhiggins is talking about Turcite - what's that? And how are you gonna radius it?

This is good stuff! I dig this forum!
 
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