help with bench grinder

[cactiki]

Help I'm a dufus! I can't tighten the nuts that hold the grinding wheel on the shaft. When I turn the nut, how do I hold the shaft? I thought the nut on the other end would be opposite thread but it isn't...... what am I missing?

 

[e-tek]

Hold the (opposite) side wheel when you tighten the bolt. As well, they are threaded so they tighten when spinning.

 

[cactiki]

Well I thought that too, but it is not so. Tightening on one end loosens the opposite end.... neither end has reverse threads

 

[metalmagpie]

They are that way by design. You should only need finger tight!

 

[nehog]

I put a box wrench on the one I want tightened, and give a a light tap with a hammer. The mass of the armature is enough to allow it to properly tighten but not over tighten. Sometimes I just grab the other wheel (if it is tight already) with my other hand and that works too...

Same trick can be used to loosen the nuts, a light tap is all it should take.

 

[kruzin]

Wedge a strip of wood between the gringing wheel and gaurd.

 

[1grnlwn]

If it will not tighten make sure the new wheel is not too thin and that your washers (if any) are orientated properly.

 

[betterbillt]

I have a 6inch that I used a dremel and made a slot for a screw driver. The 10 inch cinncinatti is easy to hold the other wheel and turn.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Remember that the more you over-tighten it when you put the wheel on, the more infuriating it's going to be when it's time to get the wheel off.

 

[bad_idea]

Similiar thing can be said about a 4 1/2" grinder. Hand tighten the wheel and you can get it back off by hand. I don't own the special wrench for the 4 1/2" grinder because I don't need it.

Hand tighten the nut and then grab the grinding wheel and twist it to snug the nut just a little tighter. As you use the grinder it should spin in the direction to further tighten the nut.

 

[bluebolt]

I always use my cordless impact to take them on and off.

 

[Jim Johnstone]

I always use my cordless impact to take them on and off.

Me too, works like a charm.

 

[cactiki]

Thanks for all the ideas. I will have to try some of these... I was using the wire wheel yesterday and heard a jingly sound, turns out the grinding wheel was just spinning loose. It could have flown off!