Hey Brian, Thanks. This was one of the options that was discussed. It is certainly a good method. There may actually be just enough material on the bull wheel to allow for machining a step, or shoulder, to make locating the red hot ring correctly in the axial sense. The downside is having to get the tolerance for the interference spot on and the fact that all the teeth have to be cut from scratch. The ring material would be good in cast iron because cutting the teeth would be very smooth. Cast iron could be difficult or expensive to find although I think Durabar has a line of very thick wall tubing. They will sell directly if you approach them in the correct manner (and you're lucky-I happened to call on the day a big customer changed requirements and they were left with some surplus bars that I could use) and be prepared to pay a minimum. They might refer you to one of their distributors who will cut to size, you never know until you try. Cast iron is really messy-no wonder the 19th Century was.....
Cutting the teeth from steel would be more problematic depending on the grade of material and the machinery available. I think it's just a matter of weighing the options and matching available skills and machinery to the job. This is the kind of stuff that keeps things interesting.
Regards, Geoff Morgan
Cutting the teeth from steel would be more problematic depending on the grade of material and the machinery available. I think it's just a matter of weighing the options and matching available skills and machinery to the job. This is the kind of stuff that keeps things interesting.
Regards, Geoff Morgan