Tools to replace cutting wheel

[knowspicker2]

I have an Ilco mini-mite 008, which I picked up some time ago. The cutting wheel is starting to wear down, and I would like to replace it with a new one. From what I've gathered, replacing a cutting wheel is simply a matter of loosening 2 bolts with some thin wrenches. Can someone tell me where to get these wrenches?

[jeffmoss26]

According to the manual I found, there is a left hand set screw that holds the wheel in place. You would just need a hex key.

My Cole machine uses a hex nut, and there is enough room to just use an adjustable wrench.

[Squelchtone]

I have an Ilco mini-mite 008, which I picked up some time ago. The cutting wheel is starting to wear down, and I would like to replace it with a new one. From what I've gathered, replacing a cutting wheel is simply a matter of loosening 2 bolts with some thin wrenches. Can someone tell me where to get these wrenches?

I don't think you need any special wrenches, just an allen wrench for the screw holding the cutter, and a flat blade screw driver to insert into the drive shaft slot to hold it in place while you torque on the allen screw. And as jeffmoss already said, this Allen screw is Righty-Loosey, Lefty-Tighty.

Here's the manual:
http://www.mfsales.com/ilco/008a-manual.pdf

To replace the cutter:
1. Remove screw which holds hood in place and remove
hood.
2. To remove the cutter, loosen cutter shaft screw using
allen wrench supplied with machine. IMPORTANT:
This is a left hand screw. Remove by turning in a
clockwise direction. Screwdriver slot is provided on
the opposite end of the shaft to aid in removal.
3. Remove old cutter and replace with new one. Be
careful to replace washers properly. Diagram below
shows placement of washers with standard 23RF
cutter and optional slotter.

[billdeserthills]

The two allen screws are in the pully, so you won't even need them. Just a crescent wrench for the left-hand threaded nut holding the cutter and a big slotted screwdriver for the cutter shaft. Remember the cutter nut is left hand threaded so turn to the right to loosen it. Also that old cutter can be sharpened so it's just like new.

[Squelchtone]

The two allen screws are in the pully, so you won't even need them. Just a crescent wrench for the left-hand threaded nut holding the cutter and a big slotted screwdriver for the cutter shaft. Remember the cutter nut is left hand threaded so turn to the right to loosen it. Also that old cutter can be sharpened so it's just like new.

That's a good point, but do you think folks can do it at home, or is a service like GilRay recommended? http://gilraytools.com/

Thanks
Squelchtone

[billdeserthills]

The two allen screws are in the pully, so you won't even need them. Just a crescent wrench for the left-hand threaded nut holding the cutter and a big slotted screwdriver for the cutter shaft. Remember the cutter nut is left hand threaded so turn to the right to loosen it. Also that old cutter can be sharpened so it's just like new.

That's a good point, but do you think folks can do it at home, or is a service like GilRay recommended? http://gilraytools.com/

Thanks
Squelchtone

I use Gilray tools myself, but an old locksmith friend of mine told me you can sharpen your own cutter wheel by immersing it in muriatic acid until the edges begin to feel sharper to your touch.

I haven't found any cutting wheels laying around that I dislike enough to try this with yet

[knowspicker2]

Many thanks, people, for your great tips and advice. Thanks especially to Squelchtone for posting a link to the manual. It clarifies several things for me.

[GWiens2001]

The two allen screws are in the pully, so you won't even need them. Just a crescent wrench for the left-hand threaded nut holding the cutter and a big slotted screwdriver for the cutter shaft. Remember the cutter nut is left hand threaded so turn to the right to loosen it. Also that old cutter can be sharpened so it's just like new.

That's a good point, but do you think folks can do it at home, or is a service like GilRay recommended? http://gilraytools.com/

Thanks
Squelchtone

I use Gilray tools myself, but an old locksmith friend of mine told me you can sharpen your own cutter wheel by immersing it in muriatic acid until the edges begin to feel sharper to your touch.

I haven't found any cutting wheels laying around that I dislike enough to try this with yet

Can't see any acid eating large surface areas in greater amountsthan small surface areas, as would be required to sharpen it. Maybe he was pulling your leg?

Gordon

[billdeserthills]

You can't always tell with some old timers, he closed his locksmith business in the early 70's and sold the inventory in the late 90's. He used to charge $1 apiece for schlage A & D series latches and most of the B series were the old 1/2" throw deadbolt latches& other stuff I had never seen before. I met a lot of greedy other locksmiths and watched him kick each one out of his sales, until only I was left. I bought a couple of old, interesting machines from him and some NOS from the long ago. Felt like a real honor to know the guy. Most of the stuff I bought from him turned into gold as his prices were soo reasonable.

[1mrchristopher]

On acid sharpening, try a google search for acid sharpening files, seems that there is some truth to it. From what I've read thus far, it may decrease the life expectancy of the sharpened item, but if it's dull already and you aren't planning on sending it in, probably nothing to lose. I guess the process is also outlined in the book "The Complete Modern Blacksmith," by Alexander Weygers.

[GWiens2001]

Will do that. Thanks!

Gordon