I didn't expect this to become a difficult problem. And truthfully I'm about at the hang it up stage, but it may be interesting to talk about.
This may be a short lived thread.:shrug:
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I didn't expect this to become a difficult problem. And truthfully I'm about at the hang it up stage, but it may be interesting to talk about.
This may be a short lived thread.:shrug:
Attachment 329475
I think that Tim is correct that the bigger wheel dominates the tracking. I also think that the short free belt gives the tracking wheel less leverage and influence. I moved the tracking wheel to three different locations in the space available. That had some effect, but not success.
One of the pictures of a big contact wheel grinders that I saw was a two wheel affair, but if I couldn't do it on my present frame I decided that it would not be worth the expense and shop space for me. Plus I wanted the mounting of the wheel to be comparable in time to switching any other wheel.
Bugger! stupid tracking. It is such a neat idea.
I'm looking at different pictures of the Claryx 500mm wheels, and they have the tracking wheel up around 1 o'clock on the contact wheel.
I can't do that on my present frame, because the tool arm will not retract far enough to get the center distance that short but I'm going to think on it a while.
Edit; I think I'm seeing a way.:hmmm: I may be able to put a second tool arm receiver under my present frame. At least I can just cut it off again if it doesn't work. I need to get out in the shop to look at it in person
OK mounting the second toolbar receiver under the frame does not look workable, but letting a second receiver into the frame looks like it can work. I think I'm going to try mounting the wheel temporarily on the frame with a fixed mounting hole to see if I can get it to track before I start modifying my frame.
IT TRACKS!;)
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Dat's a BIG wheel, Vic! :dropjaw:
Now, you can turn it down in size until you find Nirvana!
Victor, this is a very interesting project. As you know from last years TX meet I know next to nothing about this art and am very thankful for your help with me being able to make an actual straight razor instead of a RSO.
I hope it all works out for you.
Well, it's really mostly a curiosity project. I got the permanent mount welded in this morning.:D
Looking at the first picture the tracking wheel looked too low to the contact wheel, looks like you got it figured out. What is your plan for this giant wheel?
I mostly built it to see how I might use it.:hmmm: Academically It makes sense to me and I wanted to try it to see if that translates in actual use. 19" may actually be too small and not enough bigger than my 14" to see much difference, but it is as large as I could go with my lathe and also close to the limit with 72" belts.
Some mild hollows like on yanagiba would actually use the radius, but I see the advantages of the large radius being effectively flat without actually being flat. Some makers use large radius platens the same way. When grinding a flat surface on a flat platen there is a tendency to end up with a slight convex surface.
It will probably be mostly used for thinning kitchen knives.
