E-wheel dimensions ??

[bbear122]

I am ready to build my first wheel. I have read almost all of this forum and have came up with the list of features that I wish to include. You guys have provided me with lots of good information. The one thing I can not find is frame dimension ratios. Specifically, is there a standard throat to height ratio? and is there a standard ratio for distance below contact point to bottom of frame, compared to distance above?
I am looking at making a wheel with an 18 to 20 inch throat. Does 24 inches tall (i.d.) seem about right with 8 inches above contact point of wheels and 16 inches below seem reasonable?
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Kerry Pinkerton]

That sounds reasonable to me.

[Boogiemanz1]

bbear, welcome to Metalmeet. What type of work do you intend to do with your wheel? is there a certain project you are working on? pictures?.

Thanks for posting, come again soon........john

[bbear122]

I have no specific projects, for that matter, I have never even seen someone run a wheel before. I am not sure how I will ever use it. I want to build it, just to build it. (I hear the women love them ! :roll: ) I have plenty of metal, and plenty of time. Thought it would be a fun project.
Is there any disadvantage to having the contact point halfway between top and bottom, instead of 1/3 from the top?
BTW, if this goes well, might have to build a helve hammer next.

Thanks.

[Kerry Pinkerton]

1/3 from the top might be more effective. Any extra frame length just adds to deflection. You want your machine to be as big as you need but no bigger :shock: :lol:

[kenb]

Kerry wrote:
1/3 from the top might be more effective. Any extra frame length just adds to deflection. You want your machine to be as big as you need but no bigger

Hi again Kerry,
I've been mulling over the dimensions for my benchtop wheel, and I'm thinking about 12" of throat with roughly 18" of height, which is pretty close to the ratio mentioned in the previous post. I'll be running a 6" x 2" upper wheel and 2" x 2" lower anvils, as this benchtop unit will be intended for small modelling work only.
I was just wondering what you thought of those numbers, as I haven't seen many dimensions to go with the smaller wheels I've seen.

Cheers,
kenb