Is it normal for a buffing wheel's hole to be off center?

Greenberg Woods

Greenberg Woods

Joined
Dec 27, 2013
Messages
2,696
Hey guys, so i ordered some buffing wheels from Mcmaster, and the holes are a bout an 1/8th of an inch off center and it makes buffing something difficult as part vibrates agains tthe wheel. Is this normal? Will the buff wear down to an even round or should i call mcmaster?
 
I wouldn't really say that's normal. It'll happen on occasion, but it shouldn't.
You can rake it to round, but if it's that bad I'd suggest trying to get a replacement
 
The last time I ordered a dozen, one was like that. I've not had much luck raking it completely true but it's close enough to use without much trouble now. Now rather than half the wheel not coloring up with compound, there's just a small spot. I imagine it will eventually true up the rest of the way.

Now if all dozen had been like that I would have wanted an exchange.
 
It is far different from an LP. (Larry, before you young whippersnappers started calling them "vinyl" we called them "wax". The older records in my collection are made from Bakelite, which was called "shellac".)
LP's are pressed in a mold that is machined to very tight tolerances. Every one will be identical.


The buff is made from sheets of cloth. These are stacked mechanically, stitched mechanically, and the center hub is drilled mechanically. There will be a variation of accuracy in the hole placement. Pieces of cloth may stick out a bit more than others, too. They wear round in use. A new buff rarely spins true. I take an old file and polish on it for a few minutes to "break in" a new buff.
 
What's the spindle? Is it a thread/bolt or a cone?
If it's a bolt it is common a bit of run out and every time you place it off/on your wheel it will run a bit off center. With the cone attachment you will only need to true (rake?) the first time you put the new wheel on
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top