Small Contact Wheels

L6steel

L6steel

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
5,855
It really peterbs me how expensive a set of small diameter contact wheels are and even more that you can only wun them for 5 minute stretches.I have an idea that would atleast cut back on the cost. I would have to experiment to see what the run time would be. I'm thinking about simply taking some 3/4" round stock, which is the spindle size on my Wilton, and turning part of it down to what ever diameter I need.Then having it heat treated. The belt would slide over it instead of turning it. Anyone ever tried this before?? Take care! Michael

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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!"
 
It would be basically a round platen. Could work, but I'd cover it in graphite or teflon or something like that to cut down on friction a bit, otherwise it will burn the belts up pretty quick.

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Oz

"When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt."
- Henry J. Kaiser
 
I'll let everyone know how it works out, one way or the other. Take care! Michael
 
L6,
I have lost sleep over the same problem!!
I recently finished a horizontal belt grinder. I made it to finish all the "inside" curves and radii like finger notches and other areas inaccessable to the regular size contact wheels. I made the small contact wheel the drive wheel! I use 5/8"dia. delrin and urethane sleeves over a 1/2"dia. steel spindle. The spindle runs through a bearing block with two 1"dia bearings then to a V belt pully. It's powered by a 1HP motor and uses 2X72 belts with a idler/tracking/tension mechanism off a BurrKing grinder. I used an 8"X12" piece of Blanchard ground stainless for the work table that the contact wheel sticks up through!!! I had it working over the weekend and tore it all down to bring to work for painting. When I reassemble it, I'll take a few pictures! This thing should save me lots of elbow grease and lost sleep!!
Neil

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been there done that....it works..but not that well....a turning wheel with rubber on it is MUCH easier to grind on....with a variable speed set up you can run a small wheel all day long....what kind of machine do yo have and what kind of wheel does it take.....i have a LOT of small wheels...maybe i could help you out....all you really need is some bearings on a axel with maybe some pvc pipe and some rubber glued on...shouldnt be that hard to come up with something.....write....dr lathe...he makes his own wheels...bet he could whip you up something real quick.....good luck

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reread ur post...wilton...you need a small wheel attachment...easy to make.....check out getting some bearings in the size of wheel you want....and see what size hole they have in them......then go to work...duck soup....
 
Thanks Dr.Lathe and Tom!!!!! Sure would love to see your horizontal grinder Dr., I'm fixin to make one myself.
 
L6,
It is very easy to convert one of the inexpensive Sears or Grizzly belt grinders to a horizontal one. You can make the frame and modifications with your new welder!!! It needs to be turned on its side and modified to run a 72" belt. The most important part is making your contact wheel-bearing support properly. Like Tom said, PVC over a steel axel would work fine. You can make the PVC part small in diameter and run a larger shaft, like I did, through 1"dia. bearings.
I made mine a lot heavier because I am using my "industrial" size 108" belts and using other parts of a heavy duty Burr King grinder.
Neil

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