Grinder drive wheel size

Justin Presson

Justin Presson

Well-Known Member
Got a question about drive wheels. I currently have a 5" drive wheel on my grinder, I'm wanting to know if I drop sizes how much will that slow my belt speed down? I have seen 4" not sure if they make a 3" but just wanting to slow my grinder down some until I can pony up for variable speed. I have no clue how to do the math on that stuff but not even looking for exact speed, just if it is 10%, 20% slower??
Thanks
JP
 
Justin,
To get from diameter and RPM to surface feet per minute is fairly simple. I usually hear this talked about as surface feet per minute. So,if you take the diameter of the wheel multiply by pi (3.14) multiply by RPM, that will get you to inches/minute. if you divide that by 12 (12 inches in a foot), you'll get surface feet per minute(SFPM).

So if you have a 4" wheel running at 3,500 rpms: 4 x 3.14 x 3,500= 43,960. 43960/12= 3,663 SFPM
With a 5" wheel running at 3,500 rpms: 5 x 3.14 x 3,500= 54,977. 54977/12= 4,581 SFPM
I rounded a couple numbers, but you get the idea.

Also, here's a calculator to do the work for you if you want:

http://www.abrasiveengineering.com/spedcal2.htm


-Aaron
 
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