Will a 16" contact wheel work on a KMG? What happens to the tracking?

Nathan the Machinist

Nathan the Machinist

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The wheel would need to be spaced up a little, and the geometry between the top of the contact wheel, the tracking wheel and the drive wheel would be almost straight. So I'm wondering what will happen to the tracking? Has anyone here ever used a 16" wheel on their KMG? I'm contemplating making one.
 
i think rob maxed out at 14 inch and i think it woudl be a better plan to put the 16 under the tool arm and space the setup away from the frame so the belt would not hit the base (tho i guess you could jsut cut out the part of the base that belt would need gone

ahhah or mount the grinder vertical then you all the space in the world for a big wheel
 
Nathan, if you find that the tracking wheel will not be effective with the 16" wheel you could build a triangular riser for the spring. This will raise the arm while keeping the spring at the correct angle to the tracking arm.
 
Mr. Phil,

I'm wanting some more grinders, so I may end up doing that. But for the time being, it would probably be faster to adapt a KMG. Yeah, I'll make the wheel.


Mike, that's a good idea. I'll look into moving the tracking wheel. If I can find a spot where it works well for both the large wheel and the other tools that would be ideal.


I'm still wondering though, anybody here ever run a 16 on a KMG?
 
I have the 14", its fine does a nice hollow. No tracking issues.

BTW, that radius platen you made for me is really nice, only have done one knife on it so, far, but I like it.

Frank
 
Thanks y'all, I appreciate the feedback. :thumbup:
 
Nathan, The only issues I have seen with a 14-16" contact wheel is the clearance of the wheel to the frame.
The belt may need to be switched out for a longer belt to allow for a longer tooling arm.
If you make the arm for the 16" wheel longer, and make the tracking wheel able to swing up and back ( and lock into place ) , you should be able to run a 2X72 belt for regular wheels, and a 2X132 for the big wheels.

The swinging tracking wheel should be a simple build, but if you want I can sketch it for you. I think you can design it far better than me, though.
 
These are all good points. So, the way I see it, I'll be able to get it to work one way or another, so I'll move forward with my project. Though, if anyone here has actually done this, I'd love to hear about it.

Thanks y'all...
 
Nathan, have you ever seen a Bader Spacesaver? I think the easiest route might be to find one and then make whatever wheel size you want for it. I know that's not what you asked... but I've seen some of those Baders go for cheap at auctions, and I think it would be easier than fanangling a KMG to handle a REALLY large wheel. :)
 
NickWheeler said:
Nathan, have you ever seen a Bader Spacesaver? I think the easiest route might be to find one and then make whatever wheel size you want for it. I know that's not what you asked... but I've seen some of those Baders go for cheap at auctions, and I think it would be easier than fanangling a KMG to handle a REALLY large wheel. :)
Click to expand...


for sure the better plan if he can find one balt. knife and sword loves all there space savers and they run 3 inch wide (they keep tring to talk me into one ) i doo love my KMG tho
 
I saw that thread a while back. Now that's a big a contact wheel. Very cool project.

My desire for a 16 is not one of my random machinery wants (like, I want an EDM, but whatinthehell for?), I actually have a particular project in mind that for a couple of reasons works out best with a 16". Though the 16 would be cool to have around for other projects too.

I looked up that space saver and there are a couple used on fleabay for about a K each. I think if plan A doesn't work, something like that will be plan B.
 
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