how to center sisel wheels?

Bart student · May 15, 2000

hello folks,

I've bought a sisel wheel, as an addition to my set of polishing wheels, so I don't have to hand-rub it to 1200 grit before polishing.
I hope it works, it could make knife making much less time-consuming.
But now the home-made axle got of center.
I ruined my both centering-rings

, and I can't get them anywere. Any idea's on how to center it without costs?

thanks in advance.

tom mayo · May 15, 2000

those buffing wheels dont come round.....you dont have to worry about the center...just the outside....turn it on and stick something like a big fork in it and crank on it until it gets fairly round (it never will get truly round-dont know why but thats the nature of round things- I AM NOT KIDDING!!) thats why they are making lathes that stand vertically now....gravity and centrifical force and a bunch of other stuff....including the planet going round and round at something like 1200 mph all affect this stuff....good thing im not a phsicist or i would be dizzy all the time!!

Redbeard · May 15, 2000

Here is another tip about buffers and buffing
wheels - All new buffing wheels will take on a "Balance" with use. Take your sharpy and put a witness mark on the shaft and another on the wheels. This way if you have to take them off, you can line them back up and not lose the "balance" of the wheel.

Take care,
Bob

Jonesy · May 15, 2000

Tape the shaft til the buff just fits over it and squash the piss out of it with the big nut then do like Mayo said. Ask your supplier for a buff rake and bolt it to a 2x4 and hang on.
They are about 3 or 4 bucks. If you have some 60 grit cloth, back it up with a board this will work too. Either way spread your feet and wear a cup and apron.
I am not a big sisal wheel fan for knives but good luck
My 2cents

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Scott Jones
Heck yea I invented it ...What is it???
I only do what the voices in my wifes head tell me to do.
It's kinda like hangin, you never get used to it.

L6steel · May 15, 2000

centering-rings , if you mean bushings, Jantz sells em for $1

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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!http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!

[This message has been edited by L6STEEL (edited 05-15-2000).]

george tichbourne · May 15, 2000

If the center hole is too large ie 3" diameter and the shaft is 1/2" make up a disc from plywood 3" diameter with a 1/2" center hole then make up two larger discs about 6" diameter with the same 1/2" hole.
line up the center holes on the small disc and one of the large discs and glue the two together. Slide this one on the shaft first, put the sisal buff on the center disc, then put the second large disc on and then the nut. The smaller disc must be slightly thinner than the buff to work well.

Metal or micarta could be substituted for the wood.

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george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com

TJ Smith · May 15, 2000

Turn up the RPM to about 3 million and hold a rasp file to the wheels. That will get rid of the high spots.
Seriously I just turned the rpm downto about 1100 and use them that way.
Take Care
TJ Smith

Bart student · May 17, 2000

Thanks folks,

The rasp file thing really works. I didn't center it at all, just bolted it stuck on a big screw and clammed the whole thing in a drill. Let it rotate (shakes like hell) and use the rasp file to get rid of the high parts. Really works.