The Armour Archive

Hi all,

I'm looking for an expander wheel. No one sells them in Australia, and the ones I find online start at about $50.

Is there anywhere that'd sell me one cheaper than that? I'm after one with about 2" wide face and 5/8" bore.

Cheers!

Dave

I only know of a few companies that sell them in the US.

One is Eastwood Automotive. http://www.eastwood.com/expander-wheel- ... -grit.html which is $60 including 5 belts. I think it is 1.5" wide but fits multiple arbors. Downsides: It is a 6" wheel so it uses 18 7/8" belts which pretty much means you have to go to Eastwood for replacements (They do have a nice selection). Also you will NEVER EVER EVER get off their monthly mailing list.

The second is MSC: http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PM ... O=79567774 which is 2" wide but DAMN expensive at $255. MSC is a much bigger company and may have a site in Australia.

The third is McMaster-Carr: http://www.mcmaster.com/#sanding-belts/=5rdprl which has 4 and the size you want is $142.

Generally if you can find then for $50 is Oz you seem to be doing better then us. I know $50 may seem expensive but the time savings from the right equipment is invaluable. I have mine mounted to one half of a Shopfox belt-driven buffer from Grizzley Tool: http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/2010/Main/190 and driven by a used 1.5HP motor and a V-belt and pulley from McMaster-Carr. Motor, Belt, pulley, buffer and expanding wheel plus wood was probably a $300+ investment... And it makes the metal SO PRETTY!

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t239 ... 010547.jpg If I were to re-build this I would mount the buffer 4' high (or higher) rather then 32" high as I get a stiff neck from extending sanding and buffing.

Good Luck!
Sean

Good info Sean.

Yes, I got my wheel from Eastwood and the McMaster Carr belts are a little loose.

What can you tell us about the inflatable sanding wheels?
Something us metal pounders can live with out?

I like the variety of belts available for the expanding wheel.
I find the 400 grit and the polishing belt very useful for knife making.
My expanding wheel is mounted on my Grizzly sander auxiliary shaft.

Hal

I'm looking for an expander wheel. No one sells them in Australia, and the ones I find online start at about $50.

Dave
Check out Gemcuts Lapidary Supplies, Ballina NSW
Expander drums are at
http://www.gemcuts.com.au/category46_1.htm
I mounted two on an arbor for glasswork, but find them handy with the water spray for polishing dishing hammers.
Des