Friction wheel

[bandmiller2]

The Chase circular mill I'am rebuilding has a friction feed, that envolves a large flat pulley driven by a small flat pulley with a soft face.The small driving pulley is made up of many discs of material compressed and trued up on a lathe.If anyone has rebuilt the friction wheel what did you use?? It looks as though mine was made up of rubber belting about 20 1/4"pieces probibly could use leather,I've even heard of using discs of masonite.What would be the best material?? Thanks Frank C.

[jason.weir]

Frank,

Good timing, I'm rebuilding the friction feed on my Lane shingle mill right now. 

It had what I thought was a stack of leather discs but when I pulled it apart it was 1/2" plywood nailed together and I assume trued up on a lathe.

I would not have thought I could mistake plywood for leather but with the oil and wear it actually felt like old hard leather, I was very surprised to find plywood.

For some reason I doubt it was originally plywood, so I called Page Belting (local leather belt supplier) and they are punching out enough leather discs to make a 5" stack.

Mine specifically have a 4" OD, 1 3/8" ID with a 1/4" x 1/4" key.  They should be done this week, who knows how it will work.  I'll let you know how it works.

-Jason

[Ironwood]

Oliver used a stacked, beveled leather fiction set up on this sander. I have had two of these over the years, both the same leather. You can disengage by a lever on the side. Circa 1905 (original paint there also, 100 years old!!) Can you see the painted decal  below the one brass tag in the first picture? Neat time capsule. The first one is 24" disk, the second all the paint is missing and 30" disk.






ironwood

[bandmiller2]

Jason I don't think its all that critical as long as it's softer than what its running on.For years they used compressed paper for pulleys.I've got some old leather and rubber belting I think would do good service.The drive now has rubber but its falling apart.Frank C.

[jason.weir]

Frank,

It looks like these guys still make compressed paper friction feed discs, I wonder what they cost?

http://www.paperpulleys.com/pages/frictions.html

-J

[bandmiller2]

Thanks Jason,checked the site out,not as expensive as I thought but I'll make my own out of belting.Finally have everything I need for the mill project carrage is complete working on the husk mounting the feed.Had a load of sand and stone delivered for the foundation.Frank C.

[bandmiller2]

Final report on the friction wheel.I used rubber impregnated  belting cut 6" squares on the shear used a hole saw to cut center hole clamped and turned to size on a lathe,sharp tool at high speed.I can see no reason it won't work fine,could have also used leather.Frank C.

[whittler]

I used stacked quarter inch tempered masonite. It trued itself with use. Worked well!
Whittler

[bandmiller2]

Welcome Whittler,I've heard of using masonite,don't think its too critical as long as its softer than what its driving.Probibly rob the kids small pneumatic tire off a gocart would work.Tell us what your up to.Frank C.