doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Carding

Has anyone used a brass wire wheel to card barrels during the rust blue process? I happen to have one laying around. Any problem using this wheel?
Derrick

Yes do not use brass to card, the brass will rub off on to the blued metal.

Noooo, toss it before usingit on steel. Go to Brownells and order a decent fine stainless wire wheel from them. Ken

So stainless steel is the only material to use then?
Derrick

Use the SS wheel (when available) from Brownells or card by hand using degreased 4-0 steel wool. The wheels have not been available so I have been carding by hand. Use the wheel at a slow (about 500 RPM) speed--that means gearing down a 110 v motor (like a 1/3 horse cooler motor) or using a 12 V system. Unless someone has a better idea...

Thanks...

I have a better idea if you can afford it. Since I work for an electric motor mfg I have access to old equipment.
I reccomend using a motor and a drive (VFD- Variable Frequencey Drive). With a drive and motor package you can vary the speed of the motor. You have the capability to take a 1800 rpm motor and turn it down lower than the 500 rpm (for carding) and you can up the speed (past 1800 rpm) for buffing. If you use a 1 hp motor or smaller you can purchase a drive that accepts 110v single phase and puts out 230v three pase to the motor. Three phase motors costs alot less than a compariable single phase.
Derrick

Oh yeah ---- be sure to clean oil from steel wool before using. Ken

You (and your barrels) will be much better off if you don't use a buffing wheel, regardless of speed.

From my wonderful world of conveyor, we use 480V, 3-phase motors and VFD's all the time. Unless you get those parts for free like you do, you don't want to spend money for a solution like that! $$$$$ (I coulda bought a nice used double for that kind setup!)

However, that would be one of the coolest rigs to tinker with, I'll give you that!

Mike Doerner