contact wheel size???

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knifemaking01

Joined
May 4, 2012
Messages
139
hello guys, just a quick question, im putting a design through cad for a simple sander to use 2x48" belts but im just curious as to what contact wheel size, when you have the free option of designing to use, would a 10" contact wheel be better or an 8"???

as to why im using 2x48" belts instead of building it to take the 72" belts, well it just comes down to cost, cost more to build, plus i need to source all my belts from america and although the belts may last longer working it out even if they last 50% longer it will still cost me about $10-$15 every belt more to use them as i need to factor in shipping also plus again the overall cost of building the larger sander including more wheels, more steel ect.

As for the motor, will 1 1/2 hp be sufficient enough or is 2-3hp recommended?
 
10" is always better than 8".
However if you're going to the trouble of making a grinder than you might as well make it 2x72.
you can get 2x72 inch belts in Oz, you just cant get them from bunnings and mitre 10. Even then, if its working out that much more expensive to buy belts overseas then you're not shopping at the right place.
 
Grinding against a contact wheel doesn't require as much HP as grinding against a platen. 1 1/2 will probably be fine.

I feel like an 8" wheel is smaller than ideal for most stuff.
 
1.5HP will be enough.

I would really re-consider the use of 2X72 belts. I am sure they are available world wide. A 10" wheel is nice, but if cost is a big factor like you say, 8" is sort of standard. I think you would have some spacing problems with a 10" wheel and 48" belts.

As to cost, the cost for 72" vs 48" is identical. Shipping, belt life, initial cost ,etc. is all a factor of the total amount you use. A 72" belt will have 50% more abrasive, last 50% longer, weigh 50% more, cost 50% more, and take up 50% more space in a box. None of this will cost more than 50% more 48" belts.

As to not being able to get them in Australia???? I believe 3M has its AU headquarters and several locations in NSW,
http://solutions.3m.com.au/wps/portal/3M/en_AU/WW2/Country/Corp/Contact3M/

I would suggest doing some AU based google searches for contact wheels, bearings, industrial supplies, etc. Australia and New Zealand are a pretty big place, I am sure every part and piece needed to run the factories, mining operations, and machine shops isn't shipped in from Europe and North America daily. Industrial suppliers ,like MacMaster-Carr and MSC in the USA, are a great source for most supplies and parts. Australia has them, too.
Try searching things like:
Knife making supplies Australia - which might get you this - http://www.knivesaustralia.com.au/supplies.html
Industrial supplies Australia
abrasive suppliers Australia
3M in Australia
Norton Abrasivs in Australia
manufacturing supplies Australia
etc
 
bladsmth thats the second time you have linked me to the 3M site and the first time i did not even bother looking through or into it correctly, so mate i am sorry about that, the wheel size is not an issue for me, i have access to a lathe and milling machine so i was going to machine my own 10" contact wheel. and the 1 1/2hp motor i already have so im glad that is more then enough

Clearly i didnt look into the 2x72" belt issue much, yes i sadly admit i only hounded 3 local stores ie bunnings, mitre 10 and a local hardware store who all told me they dont have no ever have and didnt even know existed, so thats why i thought it was only able to be brought in from aus but at the time could get 2x48" belts for between $5-$10 but i ignored going any further from there!

apologies guys for not doing more research before actually posting thanks for the feedback, 2x72 it is
 
Bladsmth is right as usual .

If you decide not to use AKC for belts ( they are fantastic to deal with though ) , your local abrasives / saw blade sharpening place will get them made in what ever size you want . We get one of our odd-ball grinders done that way at work.

Use AKC though , and go long on your belts . You'll notice the difference between a cheap 48 inch $5 ziconia belt from trade tools and good 3M / norton belt in a decent length . They ride better and last way longer than the little cheap ones
 
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