Mike Hurley | 11/08/2023 15:06:22 |
530 forum posts 89 photos | I have a lovely record double ended bench grinder that runs nice and smoothly. Today, I came to the point of changing one of the original wheels with a replacement i've had 'in stock ' for years. Each spindle end has a pair of machined flanges, one including the hub for the wheels bore. Tries to fit the new wheel, wouldn't fit. (bad language omitted at this point). After examining the labels on the wheels the original shows bore as 32mm new ones 31.75mm. This machine only dates back to 1995 and I'm surprised to find this difference. As 31.75 now seems standard - when did this change? It looks like I shall end up very carefully skimmimg the hub to the 'new standard ' size. Most of the usual mainstream tools suppliers don't seem to stock traditional 150mm wheels (or hold just a limited range ), anyone got experience of a reliable supplier of good wheels (I'm perhaps a bit dubious of buying unknown brands off ebay / amazon ) ? regards Mike
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john halfpenny | 11/08/2023 15:14:00 |
314 forum posts 28 photos | Yes, I've known a few (well, someone had to say it) |
Bo'sun | 11/08/2023 15:49:54 |
754 forum posts 2 photos | Coincidence maybe, but at the moment (literally) I'm also looking for good quality wheels for my 6" ELU grinder, so any suggestions would help me too. Thanks |
Mark Rand | 11/08/2023 16:48:26 |
1505 forum posts 56 photos | I tend to buy my wheels from Abtec. The 32mm/1.25" thing is a problem. I've been caught out by it before. My solution was to open the bore of the affected wheels with a 32mm Rotabroach cutter, by hand (Que gasps of horror and warnings of explosions by the ignoramuses in the audience). |
File Handle | 11/08/2023 18:36:18 |
250 forum posts | Posted by Mark Rand on 11/08/2023 16:48:26:
I tend to buy my wheels from Abtec. The 32mm/1.25" thing is a problem. I've been caught out by it before. My solution was to open the bore of the affected wheels with a 32mm Rotabroach cutter, by hand (Que gasps of horror and warnings of explosions by the ignoramuses in the audience). In my teenage years, I opened a green 4" wheel by the very crude method of drilling it out with an old drill bit. This was 50 odd years ago. It still gets occasional use. I am not in anyway recommending this method, but it worked. |
DMB | 11/08/2023 18:53:35 |
1585 forum posts 1 photos | New wheels should come with a set of plastic (these days) bushes of various sizes. There was a time when lead bushes had to be made to fit wheel and grinder shaft. It's possible that the bushes have to be purchased separately, can't remember, long time since last purchased a new wheel. I certainly wouldn't buy any old junk wheel from the second hand tool trade. Cannot afford to take the risk of a shatter. John |
duncan webster | 11/08/2023 19:58:47 |
5307 forum posts 83 photos | I got my last one from Axminster, mainly because they have a branch local, but it seems fine, stopped the grinder walking around the bench when it had its original wheels. Not sure I'd buy one by post, I've seen how they throw packages around, and you don't want to see the results of a wheel giving way at speed |
Oily Rag | 11/08/2023 20:53:06 |
![]() 550 forum posts 190 photos | Try Midland Abrasives Ltd, Hockley, Birmingham (0121 687 1135) - Very helpful people and will modify wheels to your requirements. I needed a new wheel for my toolpost grinder and they sent me one they had cut down from a metric size wheel as the original o/d was obsolete. This they did at no extra cost. They also recommend the grit and bond you require if you tell them what you are mainly interested in grinding. No connections other than a very satisfied customer. Martin
0 Edited By Oily Rag on 11/08/2023 20:53:25 Edited By Oily Rag on 11/08/2023 20:53:59 |
noel shelley | 11/08/2023 21:05:18 |
2308 forum posts 33 photos | I'm affraid my dealings with midland abrasives were not so good - Yes helpful But ! The first wheel was badly out of balance. The second was also badly out of balance, the third was sent free of charge but also badly out of balance ! Only when I bought a J&S dalancer did I find out how bad the balance was - it made the machine it was fitted to unusable ! Noel. |
not done it yet | 12/08/2023 07:19:53 |
7517 forum posts 20 photos | I would be considering reaming the parts to 32.00mm. Might not, of course, depending on the situation ‘in the flesh’. |
DMB | 12/08/2023 08:31:48 |
1585 forum posts 1 photos | Duncan, The last cup wheel that I purchased arrived by Royal mail in perfect condition, well wrapped in a cardboard box. Can't now remember where from but it wasn't a model engineering supplier, it was one of the general engineering businesses. Not out of balance, just needed a suitable conversion bush. I think that I had to purchase a set of plastic ones at additional cost but not certain as it was several years ago. John |
DMB | 12/08/2023 18:14:11 |
1585 forum posts 1 photos | Further to my previous post, it could have been Cromwell Tools John |
Mike Hurley | 13/08/2023 09:11:32 |
530 forum posts 89 photos | Appreciate you comments & suggestions chaps. Having looked at many suppiers info etc it seems that most wheels are commonly available with the 31.75 bore. 32 are around, but seems less choice overall, so I made the executive decision to adjust the hub rather than the stone. Knocked up a quick arbor, fitted the hub / flange casting and checked concentricity with the old DTI. Skimmed fine, fitted back on the grinder with the new green wheel & works fine. Will do the other end as & when I need to change the wheel next regards to all Mike
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Pete Rimmer | 13/08/2023 09:32:36 |
1486 forum posts 105 photos | Smart move I say. One thing you never want to do is fit a grinding wheel onto a spindle/arbor that it's a tight fit onto. I turned an arbor once for a wheel and it was a fairly snug, but not terribly tight fit. It (the wheel) broke whilst I was fitting it. A very scary lesson learned way back, I was shocked at the ease which the wheel shattered. |
Mike Poole | 13/08/2023 10:54:04 |
![]() 3676 forum posts 82 photos | Is 32mm a standard size? or a generous rounding up of 31.75mm which is 1 1/4” exactly I would rather machine a 32mm arbor down to 31.75mm and deal with the gap if 32mm wheels arrive. Mike |
Mike Hurley | 13/08/2023 11:55:34 |
530 forum posts 89 photos | My assumtion is that it is / has been a 'standard ' size. The labels on the original stones clearly state 32mm Looking at the ABTEC listings kindly recommended clearly show a few specifically stated as 32mm bore, with the majority of others being 31.75. I don't think its just an 'old ' standard thats gone out of use as I've seen quite a few of the modern diamond wheels also listed as 32mm bore. So the answer is, I don't know. Just another of life's little irritations? |
Mark Rand | 13/08/2023 12:00:20 |
1505 forum posts 56 photos | Both 1 1/4" and 32mm are standard sizes, unfortunately... |
bernard towers | 13/08/2023 13:07:44 |
1221 forum posts 161 photos | Mike, Take it out carefully with an adjustable reamer. |
Tony Pratt 1 | 13/08/2023 13:22:11 |
2319 forum posts 13 photos | Anyone got a 32mm adjustable reamer to hand? Tony |
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