Using Craftsman 2X42 WHEELS

J

jawilder

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Jun 27, 2006
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I'm in the process of building my EERF Grinder and have almost everything except the wheels. I'm saving to get some from Tracy, but have a thought...

I am upgrading from a 2x42 Craftsman that is still in good working order. I want to keep it around, but I was looking at the wheels. They are both 2". The top tracking wheel is roughly 2.75" and the bottom drive wheel is around 5" (I think). Is there any reason these couldn't be used for my grinder build?
100_3114-1.jpg


To sweeten the pot, Sears sells them HERE

The small idler/tracking wheel sells for $24.49 and the larger drive wheel sells for $14.49

Has anyone thought about this, and what complications could I run into?
Thanks,
Jason
 
They are made from aluminum

I went home at lunch and saw the shaft is 1/2. I had planned to use a 5/8 shaft so I got 5/8 flange bearings. But since I don't have the shaft yet, I could get a 1/2" shaft and a 1/2 to 5/8 reducer bushing so the shaft will fit the two bearings and the step pulley.

OR

I could use a "shaft extender" to go from 5/8 to 1/2... but that might put the wheel out too far

OR

Of course I could replace my 5/8 bearings/step pulley with 1/2 bearings/step pulley and go 1/2 all the way around, but I think that would be penny wise pound foolish
 
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Could I put 1/2" threaded rod with a 1/2" to 5/8" bushing into these flange bearings and just use threaded rod as the shaft?
 
I would see if you can get the end of your shaft turned down on a lathe to 1/2", neater job. Is that craftsman wheel using a keyway or just a setscrew hitting onto a flat on the shaft?

OTOH, I used an adapter to make mine fit, BUT the adapter I got (not from caswell) was supposed to be 1/2 threaded, and the wheel did not fit snug. I had to use some thin sheet as a shim to get it tight, then the set screw held it all tight. I'm not sure if it was mislabelled or if 1/2 threaded can end up being undersize?
 
ernestrome said:
I would see if you can get the end of your shaft turned down on a lathe to 1/2", neater job. Is that craftsman wheel using a keyway or just a setscrew hitting onto a flat on the shaft?

OTOH, I used an adapter to make mine fit, BUT the adapter I got (not from caswell) was supposed to be 1/2 threaded, and the wheel did not fit snug. I had to use some thin sheet as a shim to get it tight, then the set screw held it all tight. I'm not sure if it was mislabelled or if 1/2 threaded can end up being undersize?
Click to expand...

It looks to me that the wheel is held on with a wheel flange and a nut, similar to the way a grinding wheel or buffing wheel attaches to a threaded motor arbor
 
does anyone have a ballpark figure of what a machine shop will charge to turn the last 3" of a 5/8" shaft (doesn't have to be keyed) down to 1/2" and thread?
 
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