Small wheel question

Nick Riggi

Well-Known Member
I am looking at getting a small wheel attachment and I have 2 questions:
What is the most common size of the small wheels that gets used?
Can the holder be attached to the tooling arm that currently has a flat platen attached?
 
Boss recently told me the most commonly used sizes are 3/4" and 1" for small wheels. To answer the tooling arm question definitively the guys will more than likely need to know what grinder you are using. Based on my research in most cases the answer would be yes but when you look at the time and trouble to change tooling on the tooling arms you may just want to pop for the extra tooling arm. I did.
 
Thanks Chris. That's what I figured on the sizes. As for the tooling arm, I meant having the holder attached AT THE SAME TIME as the flat platen. I saw a video of someone that had his holder attached WHILE the platen was attached, just on the opposite side of the arm. Didn't look like it interfered in any way. But that's why I am asking if anyone has any thoughts.
 
A piece of thick wall square tube is more than enough to make a tooling arm for a small wheel attachment. You’re barely using any pressure whatsoever when using a small wheel.
 
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View attachment 68595View attachment 68596
That is kinda cool. Is the platen just rotating out of the way so you can use the small wheel then you raise the platen back up and skip the small wheel when you replace the belt?
 
I'd pass on that set up, it looks to me like some kind of accident waiting to happen.

My biggest concern would be the accesibility (or lack thereof) of the small wheel when profiling the inside curve of anything over 2" long.
The flat platen on the top side behind the small wheel looks pretty cool though, and I could see where it might be useful for sharpening and such.

Now as for the OP's question. I'd by a 3/4 or 1" rubber wheel, and then get a 1/4" steel wheel for the really small stuff. That should take care of most things, but if you find you need other sizes, you can get them as necessary.
 
I've also seen people mount the small wheel attachment on the opposite side from the flat platen, then simply pull out the tooling arm and rotate 180 degrees. Voila

But depending on your grinder and clearances, etc.. it may or may not work.

The only small wheel I use is 3/4"
 
With that setup you'll have to loosen and extend the tooling arm along with rotating the platen out of the way. Then you get very limited access to the radius of the small wheel.
A separate arm for every attachment is the way to go. That or multiple grinders ready to go.
 
I've also seen people mount the small wheel attachment on the opposite side from the flat platen, then simply pull out the tooling arm and rotate 180 degrees. Voila

But depending on your grinder and clearances, etc.. it may or may not work.

The only small wheel I use is 3/4"
Yes- this is what I was originally refering to and trying to articulate- both platen and small wheel are mounted pn opposite sides and the arm is rotated as needed.
 
Side note: Make sure you run your small wheels slower than you do a large wheel.

There's some math that can be done to show how a small wheel will run exponentially faster as the wheel gets smaller, but all you really need to know is that you'll burn the bearings out running them too fast.
 
I was thinking on the .5 inch small wheel. When I make a Gyuto or a Deba I still have to use my small drum on my Dremel tool in the finger well area and I think a .5 inch would get in there where my .75 will not.
 
Mounting on opposite side of tooling arm seems like it would work - called thinking outside of box. My choice would be to order a new aluminum tooling arm for less than $30 shipped and mount small wheel to that. https://www.ebay.com/itm/152668871146?
Finally got the small wheel attachment and small wheel set. Did end up mounting it on the same arm opposite of the tool rest. Then can juse flip when needed. Works great!68835
 
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