contact wheel help please

bartblade · Nov 16, 2005

ok im thinking about making a sander so i can start hollow grinding and saw on the net this flex face contact wheel for about $30.00. I am wondering is the flex ok to use for hollow grinding and if not what is it good for then. Also where can i find a cheap contact wheel for under $50.00? where would i get a drive wheel and tracking.

Richard338 · Nov 17, 2005

Which expanding wheel are you looking at? I bought one at Caswell and it is pretty shaky (very annoying). This was partly due to my crappy arbor. The arbors at Woodcraft are much better than the one I had. I understand (but haven't tried) that the wheels at Lortone are quite good.

I can see all of this crap adding up to the price of a Coote grinder before I have anything decent working. I wouldn't recommend going this route.

Unless I'm missing something you just can't get a good contact wheel for cheap.

bartblade · Nov 17, 2005

httphttp://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/expander.htm this 1 i found but hasnt any prices
://www.contactrubber.com/ here is 1 site i am loooking at for the flex wheel

Ripper · Nov 17, 2005

Grizzly sells a 10" wheel for $65 dollars. You could also call their customer service and inquire as to the cost of a 8" replacement wheel for the G1015 Knife Belt Sander / Buffer. They used to run about $15 to $20 less than the 10" wheel. The p/n is P1015073. The parts list is located here.

Some more info you might find useful: http://groups.msn.com/HomeorshopmadeGrinders

Regards,
Greg

Edit; Drive, tracking, and idler wheels

bartblade · Nov 17, 2005

i am still wondering though is the flex wheel ok for hollow grinding

Richard338 · Nov 17, 2005

I think it is OK, but you are looking at the one from Caswell that I bought. As I told you it is not really suitable.

bartblade · Nov 17, 2005

what is not suitable about these wheels

Richard338 · Nov 17, 2005

The Caswell wheel is stuck onto a plastic "reducer bearing" to fit onto the arbor. That isn't a great fit. When you run it, the wheel shakes side to side, and up and down. You will end up adjusting how the wheel is sitting on the bearing, and restarting the motor many times. It may or may not run smoothly for a while. Do you get the picture? you will be using many words that you can't print here.