Solid Brass Wire Wheels for Bench Grinder

[JASTECH]

I have four bench grinders at this time.

Black & Decker 8"

Black & Decker 5"

Little box grinder 3"

An old belt driven some place.

I would like an assortment for each. I need to clean old hammer heads, pliers ect. w/o harming old tools. GJ members say use fine brass wire wheel, so need to get an assortment. Thank you guys/gals for any help.

Thanks, JASTECH & SON

 

[JASTECH]

Still looking, once these tools are clean then the Mfg. will be known I hope.

 

[Gort the giant robot]

I bought some at our local Bi-Mart membership store. Package said brass wire wheel. Checked with a magnet. Brass coating on steel wheel and was made in USA by Vermont American. When you go shopping for your brass wire wheel, take a magnet with you. Don't pay brass price for steel.

Gort.

 

[SwampCat]

I bought some at our local Bi-Mart membership store. Package said brass wire wheel. Checked with a magnet. Brass coating on steel wheel and was made in USA by Vermont American. When you go shopping for your brass wire wheel, take a magnet with you. Don't pay brass price for steel.

Gort.

WOW, thanks for the tip. Never thought of that one.

 

[BD1]

You can get the steel ones in SOFT. I have used them and works great. As far as purchasing, here's ebay and tool site. I bought mine at Sears years ago.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=wheel+grinder

http://www.goldenvalleytoolsandtarps.com/products/wire-wheels-and-soft-buffing-wheels

 

[Outlawmws]

We often call them brass, but most are bronze.

I wouldn't sweat trying for one for every grinder; a 4" should suffice:



http://www.buy.com/prod/vermont-american-16798-4-fine-wire-wheel/204615407.html

This one is VA so make sure per Gort's warning.

Also if you can't find it locally, try for a non abrasive nylon "wire" wheel. I've not used that type, so go slow at first...

 

[Outlawmws]

A better selection:

http://www.weilercorp.com/wc670_catalog/page57_58.pdf

I'd stay away from the twisted/braided wheels.

 

[JASTECH]

Gort, I keep a magnet in each front pocket all the time, this also helps keep my pointer in the middle.

Outlaw, Looked at assortment of nylon abrasive wire wheels at Menards and wondered about them but forgot to ask you or GJ. I will go get one or order it and be the penney gig.

 

[JASTECH]

I found a few brass coated wire wheels at about $6.00 each on Ebay so will get them. I think that 3" mini grinder will just keep it's stones on. Think I will give it to 5yr son for his work bench when it's built. I have an old 3" vice that will go on his little bench too, lol

Thanks guys, no solid 8" brass found. Think maybe get rid of B&D 5" bench grinder, too hard for wheels, then get me a 6" or 8" to replace it, better finding wheels for.

 

[fflintstone]

I don’t think solid brass or bronze wire wheels exist. My guess if you found them they would be $50+ each. I am also looking to outfit several grinders with various cleaning wheels. PM me if you ever find any.






EDIT: well they exist but with shipping it is over $50

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002GKNB4Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mickeyone]

Lee valley tools is where I got mine.good for cleaning threads and old tools.

 

[7th Kahuna]

Gort, I'm really glad you mentioned that. I picked up a brass wheel for an angle grinder the other day. Just tested with a magnet and sure enough it's plated. Only paid $1 so I guess I can't be too disappointed. Of course now I have to ask why. All I can come up with is that it would minimize rust. Certainly wouldn't offer any scratch protection.

 

[JASTECH]

fflinstone, ok will do.

 

[Davefr]

I wouldn't use solid brass in an attempt to clean up old tools. Solid brass would be way too gentle and best used for plated or blued surfaces. I have a solid brass wheel and almost never use it.

I'd recommend starting with .008 crimped stainless steel and switch to .014 crimped steel if you need more aggressive cleaning.

 

[John Sawyer]

Old thread, but new to me. True brass wire wheels that are easy to find seem to be mostly limited to smaller, Dremel-type handheld rotary tools. If the job you're working on isn't too big, one of these might do. They wear down fast though, but you can buy multiples cheaply. I used one to clean up parts of a Ford ****** aluminum intake manifold, and it did an OK job, though in some areas as the brass wore away from the wire wheel, it laid down a thin layer on the surface of the aluminum, turning it a slight brass color, which I was able to remove with a green Scotchbrite pad and polishes like Brasso, MAAS, and Simichrome.