Exploding KMG contact wheel

PIndelicato

PIndelicato

Joined
Sep 16, 2002
Messages
1,577
After a several year break, I've recently gotten back to messing around with knife making again. I've been using belts that have spent several summers in my garage, so have been expecting some of them to come apart during use.

That happened once yesterday, and again today. A few seconds before the one today, I heard a strange noise coming from the grinder. I stepped back, and another belt blew up...this time a contact wheel blew up with it.

Do wheels go bad over time, due to heat, use, and/or lack of use? Do exploding belts sometimes take out wheels with them? Can this be repaired, used as is, or have to be replaced?

 
How much clearance between the top of the platen and wheel?
 
Looks like the belt probably got between the platen and wheel just enough to blow the wheel.
 
If you have been having belts break on you it sounds like you are placing too much pressure into the belt. Perhaps you are or could be trying to over do the belt's reasonable life. I hope you didn't get slapped in the face.
Frank
 
i have had soem bad belts before (they age out at the splice joint ) but neve in the last 15 years have i had a wheel come apart
not saying it cant happen tho
 
Frank Niro said:
If you have been having belts break on you it sounds like you are placing too much pressure into the belt. Perhaps you are or could be trying to over do the belt's reasonable life. I hope you didn't get slapped in the face.
Frank
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He says in his post, they are several years old.
 
kuraki said:
How much clearance between the top of the platen and wheel?
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Seems like plenty...will post a pic.

Frank Niro said:
If you have been having belts break on you it sounds like you are placing too much pressure into the belt. Perhaps you are or could be trying to over do the belt's reasonable life. I hope you didn't get slapped in the face.
Frank
Click to expand...

The belts have been in my garage in AZ for at least 4 summers, which is brutal on most things. Surprised I haven't had more problems than I've had. No facials yet thankfully, but was rather loud and exciting when it happened.

Tin.Man said:
Beaumont or contact rubber the company should be able to re cover it for you
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Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Just replace the wheel. It is probably cheaper than replacing the rubber.
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Thanks, will look into the two options.

12345678910 said:
What speed was it running ?
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. Maybe 50%? Don't recall for sure.
 
yes the sulphur mix in the rubber breaks down over a period of years , just think of your car tyres , normally its from exposure to uv radiation from the sun , ozone and the like , but in your shed welding gases and heat will amplify it as well , best bet is to have them stored in an airtight container bag and stored in a dark cupboard.
 
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