Felt for way wipes?

[wrmiller]

So I'm cleaning up my little 8x18 lathe and the felt way wipes are looking pretty sorry. I plan on making new holders for the felt, and was wondering what thickness felt would be a good size (it looks like ~1/8" felt is in there now)?

Also, should it be a hard, medium, or soft felt? A supplier recommendation or two would be nice as well.

TIA

 

[markba633csi]

Craft stores like Michaels often have felt. Some auto parts stores also carry rolls or sheets
Many sources online

 

[ChazzC]

So I'm cleaning up my little 8x18 lathe and the felt way wipes are looking pretty sorry. I plan on making new holders for the felt, and was wondering what thickness felt would be a good size (it looks like ~1/8" felt is in there now)?

Also, should it be a hard, medium, or soft felt? A supplier recommendation or two would be nice as well.

TIA

The felt in the Phenom Engineering Way Wipers for my 7x16 Mini-Lathe are 1/8" thick and are (to me) medium (measured as Shore "A" 40 – 45). I couldn't find a conversion for Shore A readings to Felt Grade, but Sutherland Felt has an Application Chart that lists F-5 for "Wipers.)

I have purchased felt from Duro-Felt several times in the past. They have a range of sizes at what seem to be good prices, and always have a bunch of stuff on sale/clearance. Also, shipping if free within the U.S. They have a bunch of different widths of 1/8" thick felt, which just happens to be F-5. Unfortunately, it comes in 25' rolls, so you'll have a lifetime supply. You can also email them and see if they have something else in smaller quantities.

 

[mksj]

I previously used 1/4" on my PM-1340 and have extra, if you need some me PM me the amount you need and address, and I can mail it to you.

 

[Winegrower]

When I redid the wipers on the Takisawa, I saw that the thickness is not critical because the metal cover plates are held on with screws that just accomodate and hold whatever thickness of felt there is. But 1/8" medium from McMaster Carr worked fine.

 

[pontiac428]

The wool felt from McMaster is durable and high quality stuff. Anything else is made for providing LRF support to protect your furniture (LRF= Little Rubber Feet). The stuff McM gets is for wicking oil in precision machinery, it feels like a tool in hand, not like craft materials.