Sunray Wheels

Fross

Fross

Joined
Jan 28, 2008
Messages
133
Im building a welded NWG and am getting my materials list together, has anyone used sunray's contact wheels? Im thinkin about going this route if I can get some input on usage, wear and what hardness I need to order the poly coating. I will get the drive wheel from Tracey but I am trying to cut the costs down a bit on the rest of the grinder. Also Im going to try my hand at the 3 in 1 rotating tool arm... we will see.
 
There's a thread on this somewhere on the site. Upshot from someone who'd been there is that they can supply good wheels you have to be very specific about requirements. They don't assume things like balance because their normal customers are using the wheels to run conveyor belts, etc.
 
USA Knife Maker . com sells Poly contact wheels.....pretty reasonable I think.

8"x2" Poly for $98.44 - might be just as easy to get them there. They have many different sizes.
 
I'm in the process of getting my wheels made by Sunray. Call Keith Arrowood. He's been very helpful and they are aware of the requirements for the grinder wheels. You do have to be very specific. Nice thing is they will send you drawings of your wheels before they start so you can check them out ahead of time and make sure you're getting what you need. The 70A duromoter seems to be what most are going with for contact wheels. They can also do all aluminum drive and idler wheels with no problem.

I'm pretty sure that USA Knifemakers gets their poly wheels from Sunray. The ones from USA Knifemakers are not much more than what I'm paying direct so if you don't want to mess with ordering them yourself, just get them from Tracy.

I'll post my experience once I have them in had.

Charlie
 
I've had a lot of experience with Sunray and their wheels. I'm probably the one that Dan was referring to who made the comments about being very specific when you order. Sunray's main business is small run, short notice military contracts, making urethane rollers for military hardware such as tanks. They do not keep any type of contact wheels in stock...everything is made to order. With that in mind be prepared to wait for 3-6 weeks for your order, and has been mentioned, do not take anything for granted when ordering. You will only get what you specify. That's just a by-product of them being government contractors....with government contracts, meet the exact specifications laid out in the order, nothing more or nothing less, so they are certainly not trying to cheat or short anyone...just being precise.

For example, I purchase contact wheels for the KMG platens I offer, and have been very happy with the products. In fact I have found that I prefer the urethane wheels over rubber contact wheels....they hold up better and last longer. Not long ago I had them produce a 10" serrated contact wheel for me, and the cost was nearly $100 less than what I could find commercially for the same wheel in rubber. I've found them easy to work with, very cost effective, and very capable of producing just about any size/type of contact wheel.
 
I've bought two wheels from SunRay, an 8" and a 10" and think they are a fine outfit. As stated above, be precise and detailed about your requirements. If you need a set screw, tell them. If it is going on a 3/4-inch or whatever shaft, tell them so they can give you just the right oversize for the fit. These guys know what they are doing and their advice is solid.
 
CShepherd said:
I'm in the process of getting my wheels made by Sunray. Call Keith Arrowood. He's been very helpful and they are aware of the requirements for the grinder wheels. You do have to be very specific. Nice thing is they will send you drawings of your wheels before they start so you can check them out ahead of time and make sure you're getting what you need. The 70A duromoter seems to be what most are going with for contact wheels. They can also do all aluminum drive and idler wheels with no problem.

I'm pretty sure that USA Knifemakers gets their poly wheels from Sunray. The ones from USA Knifemakers are not much more than what I'm paying direct so if you don't want to mess with ordering them yourself, just get them from Tracy.

I'll post my experience once I have them in had.

Charlie
Click to expand...

When you say specific I assume it is more when you have them custom make a wheel right?

I was looking at their website and it looks like you can order 4" - 8" wheels with almost any specs you would need for a grinders drive and contact wheels. I know I saw on the custom order quote sheet the option for a "crown" that I think would be for the tracking/tension wheel and you would have to get them to make a custom 2 inch contact wheel.

It looks promising, the prices seem to be a little better that anywhere else I have found.
 
Sunray is not too far from me,but I ordered on the phone,very nice folks.I got a 8 inch,be aware the wheel is a solid billet and heavier then some wheels and they will balance the wheel for a good bit more..The wheel I got runs very smooth and is durable,but like has been said USA sells the same-looks like it for about the same price---Regards Butch
 
Thanks guys, Ill prob just get them from Tracey at USA, didnt notice he had them. I feel better getting them from him knowing he got all the hard stuff out of the way, plus I know my money is going to help out a fellow blade smith. I will be getting the 2" and 8" poly wheels and making my own rotating tool arm(I just ordered my NWG plans). I will make a new thread when I am done, thanks for the help!
 
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