Olympic Square Wheel Question

[Ooten]

First, I would like to say "Howdy" to everyone ... long time lerker, first time poster.

Second, I just had the best Christmas since I was a kid. My brother-in-law gave me an old Olympic square wheel grinder that was included in a woodworking shop he bought out years ago.
yeah ... gave
Guess who my favorite brother-in-law is now?

While breaking down the grinder to clean and inspect I have come across an issue I can't seem to solve. The idler wheel doesn't seem to come off?!
The shaft doesn't appear to be held in by any type of retaining ring and the shaft isn't threaded.

On to my question;

Does anyone know how to remove this idler wheel?

 

[Salem Straub]

Hmm, I have an old Olympic too. Your idler is a little different than mine, though. I bet that the little block with the tapped holes, that the idler shaft is mounted on, has internal threads that the idler shaft screws into. You'd have to grind that cheesed over metal off before seeing if it will turn out. Or, perhaps it's a press fit- either way, that mushroomed end has to come off. Might take a little heat and Kroil etc. by the time you're done.

Congrats on the grinder, they are ancient and built like tanks, and a lot of good work can be done on them!

Look into installing a slow-down wheel some time, or running it with a VFD. That 10" drive wheel gives you a very high SFPM otherwise.

 

[12345678910]

Can you tilt and turn and fiddle to get the block through the slot ?

After you have it out, it's easier to clean it and see.

I believe that the wheel is press fit to the shaft