Treatment for contact wheel

[Aranger]

Just got burr king 2x72. What can I use to treat rubber contact wheel to help preserve it? Silicon spray?

 

[J. Hoffman]

Nothing, it will last for years. Mine is from 1989 and still in good shape.

 

[Tom Lewis]

I have a Burr king 10" wheel that is over 30 years old. It is still in fine shape. Like J. Hoffman said, you don't need to do anything.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Same here. My contact wheels are close to 30 years old and are fine. The only damage to one was caused by me catching an edge and slicing the belt and wheel.
Any oil or grease applied to a rubber wheel will shorten its life, as it will degrade the rubber.

 

[Aranger]

You all are great for the responses. Thank you. Now if someone can just figure out how to repair broken belts. I have read so much on this subject and nothing seems to duplicate the frozen proprietary glue and high pressure during manufacture. I always coat seam with varnish to prevent humidity separation but fail in all repairs.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

The best way to prevent broken belts is to buy quality belts from a supplier who has a fast turn-over rate. A belt splice is only good for so long, so buy what you will use in 6 months. After a year it is a crap shoot as to when the bet will pop apart. I have had some fail at 9 months and some last 5 years.

There is no reliable method of repairing a belt.

 

[12345678910]

Release belt tension when you are done.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

I have never released belt tension and have used the same belt for a year or more without problems.