Contact Wheel Set Up

[LongRifle]

I'm in the process of setting up a set of contact wheels for handle sculpting and I'm having some trouble figuring out how to attach the wheel to the KMG arm. I talked to Rob Frink about installing the wheel to the machine, he recommended using a 1/2"x3.5" bolt with a hex nut for a spacer.

I was wondering how everyone else sets their machine up. My main concern is using a threaded bolt as an axle, it seems like the roller would be destroyed by the threads.

This is the reason I buy everything pre fab, I can't build a damn thing myself .

Thanks for the help guys.

Matt

 

[huntersedge]

Matt,
I have a KMG and use a 2" and 4" wheel exactly as Rob explained. You really don't have to worry about the bearing because the ID of the bearing is hardened to a degree much greater than that of a standard 1/2" threaded rod or bolt. Unless you are using grade 8 threaded rod this won't be a concern. The other thing is the ID actually doesn't turn around the threaded rod because you tighten the nuts down on that portion of the bearing anyway.

Good luck and it is a simple as it seems.

Pete

 

[rfrink]

Matt, Here is a link to the KMG-CWS. This is the spindle assembly for mounting wheels to the tooling arm.

http://beaumontmetalworks.com/kmg-cws.html

I suggested the bolt since it was readily avialable from the local hardware store and should get you by so you can work over the weekend.

Not to worry about the threads damaging the wheel. The wheel doesn't actually turn on the threads...the fastener simply clamps the inner race of the bearings together so the outers can rotate around. I use the exact bearing arrangement for all of the free spinning wheels on the KMG including the platen wheels and the tracking tension wheel.

-Rob

 

[LongRifle]

Thanks for the help guys. Rob, I didn't realize the bearings don't run on the thread. That makes me feel better . I was picturing the wheel seizing on the thread and then having a rounded platen .

 

[David Schott]

Ive been meaning to ask this.....can I put a 2" serrated contact wheel on the top idler of my platen? I'm eventually going to do some bad things if i keep using the aluminum one as a contact wheel on my handles, haha! Nothing yet but I dont want to tempt fate.

At some point I need to update my platen to the newer model. I have the old style with the solid left side that makes things a bit trickier on some tasks...and then theres the old size drive shaft that I am still convinced has a tiny tiny bend to it but I am too lazy/cheap to figure out how to replace/upgrade, haha! No belt wobble, though....so it stays!

 

[rfrink]

I was picturing the wheel seizing on the thread and then having a rounded platen .

(hee hee) yeah Matt....those rounded platens tend get hot with all that friction!!

can I put a 2" serrated contact wheel on the top idler of my platen?

Yes, use a BCW-2.0 for smooth and BCW2.0-X for serrated. These are a direct replacement for the aluminum wheels. They can also be used on the end of the tooling arm by themselves.

-Rob