The real problem with using wheels is that if you don't have the ability to run them in both directions they fray and bend out of shape rapidly. That and it's very helpful to have the ability to run them at various speeds. I've gone to mounting them on a VSR drill. I also dress the wheels with a file card. They last much longer that way.

I prefer wood to plastic, leather to nylon, waxed cotton to Gore-Tex, and split bamboo to graphite.