I have posted in a few threads that I typically use a 'ScotchBrite' type deburring wheel in a grinder to round over depth gauges after filing or grinding them, and to remove burrs on drive links, caused by chains jumping out of guide bar grooves. Some guys have other ways of doing these things, but the deburring wheels are fast, and leave a very smooth finish. The wheels I used were 6 or 8 inches in diameter, about 1 inch thick, and the consistency of hard felt.
Problem was that the hard, sharp, chain links were 'eating' these fairly expensive (typically $40 - $60) wheels. While they would last 'forever' when cleaning rust off garage sale finds, etc., the chains made quick work of them. The other challenge was polishing these fairly small parts without hitting my newly sharpened cutter edges.
![3M ScotchBrite Deburring Wheel.jpg 3M ScotchBrite Deburring Wheel.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/arboristsite/data/attachments/126/126946-179b4b4ac6555f63211a96333cfd06f0.jpg)
(My 'old' style 'convolute' deburring wheel)
With the help of a 3M technical representative, I tried out several similar-but-different products for these tasks, starting with smaller diameter, thinner wheels, which will 'fit' better into these chain locations. These are mostly 3-inch diameter by 1/4-inch thick wheels, that fit onto 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch mandrels.
They are described as 'unitized wheels'; essentially a compressed ScotchBrite-like product that can be rotated in either direction - *not all can*. In addition to size and mounting type, they vary in:
- Density / Hardness: Designated by number (2 - 11), a softer wheel (lower number) will conform easier to a contoured surface than a harder wheel (higher number).
- Mineral / Abrasive type: 'A' aluminum oxide, 'S' silicon carbide, 'C' ceramic.
- Grade / Coarseness: Might be specified by grit size (like sandpaper), or in qualitative terms ('VF' very fine, 'F' fine, 'M' medium, 'C' coarse, 'XC' extra coarse, etc.).
This means LOTS of combinations and choices!
Philbert
Problem was that the hard, sharp, chain links were 'eating' these fairly expensive (typically $40 - $60) wheels. While they would last 'forever' when cleaning rust off garage sale finds, etc., the chains made quick work of them. The other challenge was polishing these fairly small parts without hitting my newly sharpened cutter edges.
![3M ScotchBrite Deburring Wheel.jpg 3M ScotchBrite Deburring Wheel.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/arboristsite/data/attachments/126/126946-179b4b4ac6555f63211a96333cfd06f0.jpg)
(My 'old' style 'convolute' deburring wheel)
With the help of a 3M technical representative, I tried out several similar-but-different products for these tasks, starting with smaller diameter, thinner wheels, which will 'fit' better into these chain locations. These are mostly 3-inch diameter by 1/4-inch thick wheels, that fit onto 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch mandrels.
They are described as 'unitized wheels'; essentially a compressed ScotchBrite-like product that can be rotated in either direction - *not all can*. In addition to size and mounting type, they vary in:
- Density / Hardness: Designated by number (2 - 11), a softer wheel (lower number) will conform easier to a contoured surface than a harder wheel (higher number).
- Mineral / Abrasive type: 'A' aluminum oxide, 'S' silicon carbide, 'C' ceramic.
- Grade / Coarseness: Might be specified by grit size (like sandpaper), or in qualitative terms ('VF' very fine, 'F' fine, 'M' medium, 'C' coarse, 'XC' extra coarse, etc.).
This means LOTS of combinations and choices!
Philbert