grinder tracking mechanism question?

R

Ratking20

Joined
May 2, 2017
Messages
36
im looking to build my first grinder. 2x72. ive been doing a lot of research. i see mainly 2 types of tracking mechanisms. one where a bar pivots on kind of like a seesaw. and the other is more like a spring pushing a pillar straight up. which of the 2 is the better design? are there any more problems with one over the other?

also does the tracking wheel have to tilt? can it just move horizontally in and out? thanks in advance for any help
 
Both designs have the tracking wheel tilting. Just wondering if it has to tilt or can just move side to side to track correctly

My other question was which design was better. The pillar or the seesaw?
 
There's a reason most work on a tilt. The reason is that pillared tracking wheels on a 3/4 wheel grinder are too coarse in adjustment. They work ok on a 2x42 2 wheel grinder with two crowned wheels, but tilt is superior for fine belt control.

And as far as tilt versus linear movement, it's easier to produce a hinge than a linear motion device. I suspect a linear movement would do little to affect tracking. Tilting a crowned wheel is what pulls it one direction or the other around the crown.
 
If you have a separate mechanism for tensioning the belt, then a hinged plate with an adjustment screw are all you need for the tracking wheel. You can use a fine thread for finer adjustment but it is really not needed. Grinders like the Wilton Square wheel tension the belt with the same wheel that adjusts the tracking, so they use a more complicated pivoting mechanism. Works well but harder to duplicate if you are making your own grinder.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top