Shopsmith Forums

I need a wire brush wheel for cleaning up the many oxidized parts on a Mark V. I'm thinking a 6" or 8" fine. Will brass coated steel do OK? Or do I need a pure brass wheel. If pure brass, any recommendations on where to find one? They seem rare and expensive.

Do most of you folks use these on a bench grinder..or mount on your headstock for variable speed.

Thanks!!

Fred

I have been using two 8" wheels on the SS. They came with the 10E. They are medium and fine.

A smaller brass wheel also arrived with the two larger wheels. I used it initially, but have not felt a need recently. The fine steel wheel will put a decent shine on things including aluminum.

The brass wheel tended to gold colorize things.

Having the ability to vary speed does have its advantages as varying the speed affects the outcome. Slower for grunge removal, faster to 'polish'.

Thanks, JPG

I certainly don't want "colorized". I'll try an 8" steel. Good info!


Fred

fgrule wrote:Thanks, JPG

I certainly don't want "colorized". I'll try an 8" steel. Good info!


Fred

Don't forget to wear your safety glasses when using one of these as they throw small steel darts at you as you use it.

tdubnik wrote:Don't forget to wear your safety glasses when using one of these as they throw small steel darts at you as you use it.

For sure! Or a shield.

I seem to remember another thread on here talking about how to clean up the oxidation on the aluminum tables. It was also mentioned to only use solid brass wheels to prevent gauging the aluminum.

Unfortunately, I was unable to find solid brass wheels locally. But, what I did come cross was some of those blue composite type polishing wheels. I have found that they work very well at polishing and removing the oxidation on the aluminum tables without gauging.

dforeman wrote:I seem to remember another thread on here talking about how to clean up the oxidation on the aluminum tables. It was also mentioned to only use solid brass wheels to prevent gauging the aluminum.

Unfortunately, I was unable to find solid brass wheels locally. But, what I did come cross was some of those blue composite type polishing wheels. I have found that they work very well at polishing and removing the oxidation on the aluminum tables without gauging.

Which ones? I've seen several non-metal wheels/flaps/etc.

Thanks, Fred

The blue nylon abrasive wheels. Like this one (now to see if I can get this picture to past).
[ATTACH]19068[/ATTACH]

I picked up a couple of these at Sears one day. But, I did a little search and I believe Harbor Freight also has some of these. They come in both a blue and a redish color (different grits). I know the blue ones are listed as 150 grit. I was also looking to see if somebody made one for bench grinders but so far the largest ones I've been able to find are the 4" wheels.

Got it.. I have a red one somewhere. I'll give it a try.

Thanks for the image.

Hi,
Been cleaning some of the parts with a steel wheel. Everything is comming out fine, all parts shinning an looking good. Light pressure is even doing a good job on the aluminum parts.
When I get all the rust and film off now , the wire wheel is leaving a dark color on the metal. Not heat related, still cool to the touch. It comes off fairly easy with steel wool by hand. I believe wheel is just dirty. It did not do this on the first few parts.

My question is is there a way to clean the wire wheel or will I have to replace it?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for reading
Doug