Dizzygirl Posted January 13 Report Share Posted January 13 I have an old Clay Boss wheel, not sure how old, maybe 15 years or so. It has not had a lot of use and has sat for a few years. My daughter was using it recently and said she felt it was off center, but not sure. It was definitely making a scraping noise. I have not tried to center clay on it yet but I did take the guard off the bottom to check the belt. The belt seems fine. But the noise is constant. It’s like it’s hitting something at the same spot during all the rotations. I have sent a note to speedball to see if they have any recommendations, but thought I’d ask here. I don’t think there any way to just lift the wheel head off without unbolting it, but I’m wondering if something needs cleaning. I did take a video and when looking underneath it I did wonder if it was not super even when it was turning. Any advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Fallon Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 I have a similar wheel with a similar noise. I'd be interested how Speedball answers your question. I will be watching this thread. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzygirl Posted January 17 Author Report Share Posted January 17 (edited) I sent them a video and they said it sounds like clay under the wheel head and gave me instructions for taking it apart. It will take a couple of people to do it, so I probably won’t be able to get to it for at least a few days. I’ll let you know if it helps. The sounds I’m getting is like something is scraping or brushing at the same spot each time the wheel goes around. They did tell me to run it for 30 Min just to be sure the belt didn’t need to warm up after sitting for a good while. I did even though my daughter had been using it a good bit recently. It didn’t change anything. Edited January 17 by Dizzygirl Added information. Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Fallon Posted January 17 Report Share Posted January 17 Thank you for the reply. That does sound like a logical answer to the question. I will look at my wheel and see if this is what is making the noise. I will let you know what I find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzygirl Posted February 28 Author Report Share Posted February 28 So no luck so far because my older model of this wheel has set screws holding the wheel head on and they are stuck! I’m trying to drill them out. Hoping to not have to replace the entire wheel head at some point. Siiiiiggggghhhh. This has become a big project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted February 29 Report Share Posted February 29 (edited) Hope you can get the set screws loosened/removed without damaging the threaded holes. A drop of LiquidWrench might help - it dissolves rust/oxidation. We've used heat to loosen threaded fasteners*; warming the surrounding metal causes it to expand. Tap-tap, some light percussion - a hammer*** - can help loosen the oxidation/rust. Repeat the heat, the taps, the time while the LiquidWrench soak in thar... Stubborn/broken threaded bits sometimes respond well to screw extractor type tools. I've had better luck with the straight tapers, e.g. over the spiral type. Be careful to drill the stuck part without damaging the threads in the surrounding material(s)! Added: if the threads are damaged, "chasing" the hole with a tap might save it, else, if there's room to drill it out and cut new threads to the next largest size - that could save it. *One must be very careful when using heat! Not burning oneself, others, the shop, its furnishings and tools, check. Add: beware generating fumes; beware changing the surrounding metal's temper; beware cooking any seal, bearing, grease, paint, etc. ***Tap-tap! Careful there, so easy to allow frustration to boil over and over-hit, heh. Edited March 1 by Hulk Added, italics, more italics Bill Kielb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Fallon Posted February 29 Report Share Posted February 29 Hi. I have found this stuff to work well on rusted screws. It may take a few applications (spray...wait several hours or day...spray) Now I need to check the screw heads on my Clay Boss. Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted February 29 Report Share Posted February 29 3 hours ago, Hulk said: *Tap-tap! Careful there, so easy to allow frustration to boil over and over-hit, heh. Never ever lost my patience …………… er sort of - I have also had luck when drilling to get a left hand drill bit for extra special frustrating occasion to stack the odds in my favor. Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted February 29 Report Share Posted February 29 Drilling is the very very last resort-the PB blaster soaking for days then varouis mechanical tools would be my go to. Never had that fail ,heat before drilling for sure as well drilling will screw up the threads so that means retaping to the next larger size. patience is whats needed here and I have little myselg except when it comes to the se situations . The easy outs are the ticket as Hulk posted above -. Drill only the center-then soak it for a day or two then use the easy our-You tube this to see how if you do not have experience with tham Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyK Posted March 1 Report Share Posted March 1 Is the wheel head metal (usually aluminum) or a composite? My old CI wheel has a composite head and there is no way I would take a heat gun or torch to it. Bill Kielb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted March 1 Report Share Posted March 1 Composite? John whats your guess on that material ? I have only seen aluminum heads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted March 1 Report Share Posted March 1 Ceramic Shop lists this part: SBCBWHA From Clay Planet website: "14” wheel head with sturdy steel structure and long lasting polypropolene[sic] composite surface " Bill Kielb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted March 1 Report Share Posted March 1 CI made the larger wheels like the MP and HP main structure from plastic, and coated the wheel heads. The Clay Boss has more metal, but the head is still coated. I wouldn't use heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzygirl Posted March 21 Author Report Share Posted March 21 I’ve tried everything to get these set screws out. I tried some extractors but may try a different type. If I get it all off I will be thrilled. Heat is definitely risky because there are some plastic or composite parts. So frustrating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted March 21 Report Share Posted March 21 1 hour ago, Dizzygirl said: ’ve tried everything to get these set screws out. Do they extend out of the hole or are they fully embedded? Maybe post a picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted March 22 Report Share Posted March 22 Photo would really help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted March 22 Report Share Posted March 22 (edited) On 3/21/2024 at 3:58 PM, Dizzygirl said: I’ve tried everything to get these set screws out. One thing comes to mind as possible and non destructive (so to speak) for extremely difficult bolts, etc we used to use an impact driver. Back in the day this was a very manual thing you pound with a hammer. Today cordless drill and driver sets are very common. If a hex key still fits, you could get an impact driver hex key and likely remove it with that. Amazon, harbor freight have some real cheap impact hex keys that fit todays drill / driver and you only need it to last for a couple removals. So if you have an impact driver or can borrow a friends and the hex key still fits, this may be a very good option. If the hex key no longer fits, they make impact driver extractors as well. If you drill this thing then only drill the center to fit your extractor and not to over-drill and damage the threads. Drilling this completely out probably creates the most work to restoring with a larger set screw and newly threaded hole. Last piece, lots of study about penetrating oil, many favorites, rarely do they work on their own though. Most still require significant mechanical energy to get the thing moving so don’t get too discouraged. The impact driver just might give you enough mechanical advantage to free this up relatively easily. Edited March 24 by Bill Kielb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted March 22 Report Share Posted March 22 (edited) As Bill Noted drilling is last resort ,Try many options before that one and if it comes to that a cobalt bit made for tough metals is key Edited March 22 by Mark C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzygirl Posted Tuesday at 12:56 AM Author Report Share Posted Tuesday at 12:56 AM I’ll grab a photo tomorrow. Dragged my husband into it tonight. We have decided I can replace the pulley head pretty cheaply. Not caring if that gets damaged. Trying to not damage the wheel shaft, though at this point I’d be happy just to get this off and replace that too. I’m going to look up those other extractors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzygirl Posted Tuesday at 09:19 PM Author Report Share Posted Tuesday at 09:19 PM There are two of these set screws. This one is still in decent shape. I’ve been working on drilling out the other one. The second pic is the new wheel pulley you can buy. Looks easier to work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyK Posted Tuesday at 11:39 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 11:39 PM I was able to remove the set screws from my CI wheelhead, but no matter what I tried, I could not get the head off the shaft, and I'm no stranger to tools...It looks like your old head is a composite just like mine. Where did you find the replacement? If it is a direct replacement, I'll saw my old head off and replace it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted yesterday at 01:10 AM Report Share Posted yesterday at 01:10 AM (edited) Having seen this now, my inkling is extractor in a decent drill impact for the setscrew. The wheel head screams pickle fork (ball joint separator) and appropriate number of C washers to hopefully pop the head with minimal damage and hopefully no damage to the shaft. Gotta have a replacement head ready though. It’s an idea!……… Edited yesterday at 01:12 AM by Bill Kielb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzygirl Posted yesterday at 02:42 PM Author Report Share Posted yesterday at 02:42 PM The Ceramic Shop online sells some parts. You can get the wheel pulley, part 13, as well as a new wheel head which comes with the bearings, which I was told are parts 1 and 2. Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzygirl Posted 18 hours ago Author Report Share Posted 18 hours ago (edited) These screws seem to be made of the hardest substance ever. Cobalt bits aren’t getting me anywhere very fast. They have drilled it out some. It’s just getting smoother. My husband found a different set of extractors which I will likely try tomorrow. If that doesn’t work I may call our contractor and ask if he feels like giving this a go. It’s ridiculous. Edited 17 hours ago by Dizzygirl Spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyK Posted 4 hours ago Report Share Posted 4 hours ago On 4/30/2024 at 6:10 PM, Bill Kielb said: Having seen this now, my inkling is extractor in a decent drill impact for the setscrew. The wheel head screams pickle fork (ball joint separator) and appropriate number of C washers to hopefully pop the head with minimal damage and hopefully no damage to the shaft. Gotta have a replacement head ready though. It’s an idea!……… While the pickle fork is a great idea, Bill, I think the slot is too narrow for the shaft. I have a pickle fork, so I'll check it to see if it will fit. Thanks for the suggestion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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