Contact Wheels,,, Smooth or Serrated???

[L6steel]

Well, I finally got my new contact wheels from Bader. The one I got with my Wilton, is serrated, so I thought I would try smooth ones to see if they were better. I don't know what the rest of you makers think, but in my shop, the smooth wheels win hands down!! I had a little drop point ready to hollow grind, so I gave the 10" smoothie a try. It worked fantastic!! With the serrated wheel, I was getting all kinds of vibration, but with the smooth wheel, none at all. From now on, all I'm using my serrated wheel for is rough grinding jobs. Just thought I should say something incase a new maker is fixing to order a grinder. Take care! Michael

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"

 

[Art B]

L6steel,
I'm thinking of getting a new 8 inch smooth contact wheel for my single speed Square Wheel. Is your Wilton variable speed and what durometer hardness did you get for your smooth wheel? I've been struggling with replacement smooth tires for the Square Wheel hub(from Chicago Rubber)and have had nothing but trouble due to excessive runnout(.030 TIR) which causes bumping and 60 durometer hardness which gives me the dreaded "2 inch smile". I've tried rounding the tire edges but I don't like the resulting lack of control when doing the plunge grind, it looks sloppy.
Did Bader mount the 3/4 shaft with a shoulder on it so it fits the grinder like the standard Square Wheel serrated wheel? Sorry for all the questions. Looks like I need help! Thanks.

 

[Art B]

L6steel,
I'm thinking of getting a new 8 inch smooth contact wheel for my single speed Square Wheel. Is your Wilton variable speed and what durometer hardness did you get for your smooth wheel? I've been struggling with replacement smooth tires for the Square Wheel hub(from Chicago Rubber)and have had nothing but trouble due to excessive runnout(.030 TIR) which causes bumping and 60 durometer hardness which gives me the dreaded "2 inch smile". I've tried rounding the tire edges but I don't like the resulting lack of control when doing the plunge grind, it looks sloppy.
Did Bader mount the 3/4 shaft with a shoulder on it so it fits the grinder like the standard Square Wheel serrated wheel? Sorry for all the questions. Looks like I need help! Thanks.

 

[L6steel]

, Art, you're welcome to ask all the questions you want or need to ask.
My wilton is single speed like your's, but after grinding that drop point with this new wheel, I think I'm gonna do my best to go variable speed. Probably either have to build another grinder, or make some smaller drive wheels for my Wilton. The crispness of the smooth wheel gives you so much more control. I needed to bump the ricasso on one side a tad, which is a very touchy job. As you know, when that grinder is going full bore, you can mess up in a hurry.I needed to slow it down some so I turned the grinder on, let it get to full speed and turned it off. As it slowed up a bit, I touched up the blade. Thats hard on the motor, and slow too. I'll let everyone know if using smaller drive wheels works and is reasonable as far as change time and convenience.
I'm not aware of what hardness of the rubber is. I ordered the wheels through Jantz Supply in Davis, Ok., and they ordered them through Bader.Heres Bader's number if you want to call them and ask about the wheels, (518-753-4456). The 8" wheel with hub assembly was $228, and then 10" was $265. If I could only have one of these two sizes, I would take ten.
I got new hub assemblies too, so I could have the luxury of swapping wheels out whenever I wanted to. They were only $70 or so extra.
Hope this helps you Art!! If you need to know anything else, just post the question here, or email me anytime! Take care! Michael

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"

 

[magnum .44]

l-6 serrated wheels were made for rough grinding, and titanium grinding, smoothies are for final grinding, making your lines even and so forth. have fun with the new toys.