Grinder contact wheel

[banjobend]

Hey all, I just bought a behemoth grinder and I'm looking for parts. The contact wheel uses an axle that has tapered ends. When disassembled the wheel bore is 1-1/2" in diameter, and the axle inside the hub measures .466". Every wheel I can find on the Internet just takes a 1/2" or 5/8" bolt for an axle, and the bearings are pressed directly into the wheel.

Does anybody recognize this setup, or should I go ahead and convert to a straight 1/2" axle?

https://imgur.com/V793sZb

https://imgur.com/7MCLZZs

https://imgur.com/tnXMWj2

https://imgur.com/7GMVmD6

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

It appears that the tapered ends are to keep the wheel centered in the forks, as it is only retained by belt tension. If you switched to a 1/2" bolt type axle and used washers, spacers, and a nut, the wheel would stay centered. You could then file the tapers out of the forks, so the bolt sits smoothly.

If the 1/2" bolt won't fit the bearings in the center of the hub, you might try taking it all to a machine shop and having them turn the hub shaft to take standard bearings and 1/2"axle.

Use a Grade 8 or Grade 10 bolt.

 

[banjobend]

That is my plan if I can't find wheels that work with what I have. It came with three wheels so I'd like to keep it so I can use them.