Grinder improvements (wire wheel bushing/hub)

**craig9** · Feb 29, 2020, 10:19 PM

I'd been having trouble with some horrendous runout and vibration on my grinder - which has a wire wheel fitted to it.

In this video, I make up a hub/bushing from some 6061 aluminium - the design aims for maximal shaft contact, to hold the wire wheel as perpendicular as possible. Then I balance out the wire wheel using some small sheet metal screws. Not a perfect result, but miles better.

During the balancing operation the bearings of the grinder started failing

I do not get that fixed in this video, but it might be the subject of a future one.

Cheers,
Craig

**DIYer** · Mar 1, 2020, 07:21 PM

Thanks craig9! We've added your Bench Grinder Hub to our Cleaning category,
as well as to your builder page: craig9's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Bench Grinder Hub by craig9

tags: bench grinder

**Saltfever** · Mar 2, 2020, 07:03 PM

Not enough weight? Drill the hub you made and add lead into the hole(s). There would be many ways to capture (or secure) the lead.

**Tuomas** · Mar 2, 2020, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by Saltfever

Not enough weight? Drill the hub you made and add lead into the hole(s). There would be many ways to capture (or secure) the lead.

But then it would be out of balance when it comes time to change the wheel.

**Okapi** · Mar 3, 2020, 01:20 AM

A good idea to show us how you solve this problem, just to precise than you do never use flanges flat than yours with a grinding wheel, as a newcomer can have the idea to make such parts for mounting a grinding wheel.
On your brush, the necessary recess is on the brush and you don't need a recess on the flanges as on others wheels.

**Saltfever** · Mar 3, 2020, 02:42 AM

Originally Posted by Tuomas

But then it would be out of balance when it comes time to change the wheel.

Assume you plan to balance the wheel every time. Just drill out some lead if needed. Or maybe more weight will have to be added. You could even change the shape of the flange to be thicker at outer edge to facilitate drilling for adding or removing weight. BTW . . . nice idea.

**mbshop** · Mar 4, 2020, 03:15 AM

I solved a vibration on a small sanding disc for glue on sandpaper. Used a propeller balancing jig and the found the light side and drilled a hole for smal screws. Then just screwed in small screws until i got it basically vibration free. You could just drill a bunch of evenly spaced holes and then add or subtract to get it balanced.

**craig9** · Mar 9, 2020, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by Saltfever

Not enough weight? Drill the hub you made and add lead into the hole(s). There would be many ways to capture (or secure) the lead.

Thanks Saltfever - good idea.

**craig9** · Mar 9, 2020, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by Okapi

A good idea to show us how you solve this problem, just to precise than you do never use flanges flat than yours with a grinding wheel, as a newcomer can have the idea to make such parts for mounting a grinding wheel.
On your brush, the necessary recess is on the brush and you don't need a recess on the flanges as on others wheels.

That's right - this is designed for and fitted to that particular wire wheel. These are not replacements for standard grinder wheel flanges. If I ever want to put a simple grinding wheel back on that end, I would need to either retain the original flanges, or make up some beefier ones which are relieved and which fit the shaft better.

Thanks, Craig

**craig9** · Mar 9, 2020, 02:07 PM

I like the idea of pre-drilling a lot of holes ahead of time (not least because it also lightens the heavy side). Then using the holes to add screws/weight back is a great idea!