Gundog48 Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 I've almost finished building the frame for my belt grinder using the NWG plans, it's coming along very well. Right now, the only attachment I really need is the flat platen. However, I can see where using a contact wheel would be very beneficial. I've been doing a lot of research with little results, I'm struggling to find out exactly what makes a contact wheel different (and so much more expensive) than a normal bearing roller. The surface is always coated with a material, is this to add grip to the wheel? I'm trying to find less expensive and easier to source parts, but I can't come up with a viable replacement as I don't know the specific characteristics that a contact wheel requires compared to a normal roller. The thing is, I'm fortunate enough to be able to source free roller bearings with a standard smooth surface with a 90mm diameter and 60mm wide (About 3.1/2" and 2.3/8"), so as you can imagine, I want to make use of them where I can. I'm using them as platen rollers and the tracking roller, but I imagine the contact wheel requires something special. On a related note, does anyone know a good source of 3-step pulleys that could be reused or a good supplier in the UK? Thanks, Jake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
switchjv Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 i just purchased a contact wheel from Grizzly tools. Its 10" in dia. and 2" wide with a 3/8" rubber face. Ive priced several others and found this one to be the most affordable ($80 U.S.). I am in the process of building my belt grinder as well and ive just about sourced everything. I figure, when im finished with it, i will have spent about $300 including 2"X72"belts that i purchased on Ebay for 12$ a pair. As a reference, if you look on the website, CNCcookbook.com there are several designs and blue prints for some really great DIY belt grinders. A basic search on ebay yielded pulleys sold individually or by the pair, ranging from 17$-50$. Good luck with your belt grinder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 For the three step pulleys try Machine Mart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unforgivun Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 BUMP for this post. I've started aquiring parts and the 10" Grizzly wheel seems to be a reasonable entry level wheel. I was wondering if anyone has any idea what the bore size is (shaft size) on the Grizzly. It is not on their website. If it is a large enough bore I'd love to slap some bearings (with spacer) in it and convert it to a rolling wheel instead of a drive wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan C Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 I emailed the company w/ the same question, it's a 3/4" inner diameter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unforgivun Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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