Hi guys. I'm considering making contact wheels in my wee machine shop in Calgary. I was fortunate to have supervised the machine shop at Western Polymers here for 9 years. They do urethane and compression rubber. Thinking of making them with soft urethane cast on the surface, and would deeply appreciate any and all input. Thanks in advance.
I would support a Canadian supplier. My grinder is kind of a off brand I have not been able to locate the manufacturer but wheel shafts are a mix of 5/8" and 7/8" for the drive wheel. Would pick up a 10 or 12" wheel with soft surface so I can try out hollow grinding. Will double check the shaft size for the drive wheel axle this morning.
Those sizes of aluminum are outrageously expensive John. I'm trying to think of a way less costly alternative. Maybe just 90 D urethane, with a mold designed to minimize the quantity of polymer. It's at the hmmmm stage. Have you thought of inexpensive materials that would make very good contact wheels?
There is a plastic at that hardness 80 to 90 and used for bushings on steel pins. Available in rods of assorted sizes, let me see if I can find it. was trying to find Laird Plastic but came across this site as well http://www.fabcoplastics.com/product/50/
That is one of the catches, I was working on a project with plastic bushing under high loads and some heat unfortunately I forget which one it is. http://www.lairdplastics.ca/product/materials/acetal there are plastic rods and castable plastics on this site in an assorted durometer readings.
Nylon? I work with Johnston Industrial Plastics a fair bit. http://www.johnstonplastics.com/ They are Canadian and they guys there are really helpful. I know they keep some rod stock up to 12" diameter. You'd have to call and ask. I've seen a few vids where the makers are recycling aluminum from old cylinder heads and beer cans to cast their own wheels. Of course the magic happens on the lathe. Best of luck!
I may be interested in a contact wheel. Are you by chance looking at making drive, centering and platter wheels as well?
After checking costs there's no way at present to be competitive David. If I can survive this recession in Alberta, which is now first priority, maybe I'll be able to revisit this dream of being a Canadian manufacturer of all things knifemaking in a year or two.
I can understand that. I'm in Alberta as well. The got. has done a poor job at managing our once great province.
I am taking time off work due to shortage of projects, first time in 25 years. Going to call it a vacation
I'm drooling at the idea of finally getting a grinder going. Hoping to order all my wheels in the next month or two. I've got my over sized motor. Got the design I want. It's not letting me post a picture of the one I hope to build.
Hi David, this site doesn't host images. You need to upload it to an image hosting site and then copy the URL of your image. Then paste the link into the pop up window here. I just use Facebook for my images to display here.
I'd be interested in supporting a Canadian Supplier of quality product. Right now, all our contact wheels - tracking - drive - platen pulleys etc all come from the US.
