Alternative flywheels

[GuyFawkes]

Has anyone thought about using railway rolling stock wheels as flywheels?

rim width 95mm up to 160 mm, out side diameters from 730 mm up to 1265mm weight trom 270 kgs up to 1000 kgs

sound ideal, and you KNOW they are quality.

[emerald]

I have seen some pulleys from old Hydro systems used. A little machining to get the weight more respectable and they worked fine. May not be the part for guys who bring engines to shows. But I am all for putting them to work rather than polish and fuss over em. Once they work reliably, all they get is fuel, oil, water, and the odd service.

Its hard to kill good old Lister metal

Emerald

[wldhoss]

Hay bailers would also be a good source.  They are plentyful and are the right size.  Not sure of their axel bore.

[DirtbikePilot]

You know Guy, that is just funny.  I was looking at some wheels on a rail road car just a few hours ago thinking the same thing. I'd trust those to hold up to higher speeds than the rods in our motors.

[oldnslow]

The old hay bailers that make small bales have nice looking flywheels. I think they have a tapered and keyed shaft, so boring and rekey is necessary. Punch press flywheels look promising also.

[Halfnuts]

Well, there's always this:

Item# 1-2338

Our Price $39.95


http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2006031609460239&item=1-2338&catname=




31-7/16" CAST IRON PULLEY
New, cast iron pulley. Machined outer circumference.

SPECIFICATIONS
Bore: 50 mm (1.97"), keyed
Keyway: 14 mm wide x 4 mm deep
Outside diameter: 31-7/16"
Hub width: 7-1/4"
 Belt groove: 52 mm wide x 55 mm deep
Outer edge of pulley width: 5-3/4"
Width of 2 flats to the outside of belt groove: 2-9/16" and 15/16"
Shpg. 280 lb.
 
But then there's shipping from Lincoln, NE . . .

[Tom]

With that large diameter rim speed might be a major issue.

[Andre Blanchard]

Halfnuts:

One problem is they only have 13 so first come.
Second problem is that grove is not for a V belt.

Not really polite to link to someone else's server, but since it is effectively free advertising and you did it first.


Another possible problem is those big flat webs/spokes are going to move a lot of air which could waste some power.

But if you live close enough to pick them up they are sure cheap enough to test.
_____________
Andre' B

[Halfnuts]

Point one, yes, but you need only two.
Point two, you don't want no stinkin' V-belt!  Flat belt is fine.
Point three, I wasn't aware of that causing anybody a problem.  As soon as these sell, the link will be invalid anyway.
Point four, is little different from the current 6-spoke variety.  Mebbe the webs could be covered with sheet metal with painted-on spokes to appease the sensibilities of the traditionalist.
Point 5, have someone else pick them up.  I'm not going to ruin my back.

Rim speed is a tad high at 650 rpm (5300 ft/min), however given the quality difference between this material and the spongy void-filled stuff that seems to be all we can get from India, I'd feel safer running this one at 650 rpm than the one that came on my 6/1.

Anyway, just meant to show another alternative from a site that is worth watching.  They always have interesting stuff for the DIYer.  I expect if you look around you can always find something similar.

Halfnuts