The Power Of Porcelain-Corrosion

[Mark C.]

Well after 34 years my Brent model CXC wheel head  started squeaking and had some movement in the bearings.

I ordered a new wheel head and assembly. I put it in a few days ago.I did a few upgrades like silicone the flange too deck to keep water out and coat the pulley shaft and the keystone key with never seize .Upgraded the pan with stainless bolts and nuts.

The flange which is aluminum was corroded very badly in several spots. The corners are gone. This flange holds the splash pan and also the shaft bearings.

I took some photos . I should add that I stopped about 20 years ago cleaning my wheel every day as it took water and time and at best Im may have gotten another 10 years out of this flange if I had cleaned it. I do empty the slash pan and use a wide putty knife to scrap clay off deck.

A few notes for those wondering how the head and bearings work on Brent wheels. They hydraulic press the wheel head on shaft and drill a hole 1/2 way thru wheel head into the steel 3/4 steel shaft and pound in a steel roll pin. The only way to remove this would be drill it out and use a large 3 jaw wheel puller. Its the same tool I used to get drive pulley off shaft under the deck to do this replacement.

The bearings look to be to enclosed in the aluminum housing. They are not made to come out the bottom -so the head must be removed to get to them.There appear to be two one on top and bottom.

The new wheel head is amazing compared to my 34 year old one.

I made a wood stand for old head and now have a banding wheel for spraying or banding.

 

On a side note this is the same thing that happens to the aluminum barrel in my petter lugger with porcelain use. Low fire white clay also can do this.

[GiselleNo5]

My dad bought a pugger with stainless steel interior specifically because he wants to use porcelain and white stoneware in it. Funny the little details that you have to think about! Such a complex art.