RFM metric spindle pulley

[jcliburn]

I need a cast iron spindle pulley for a Homier Farm Pro FM5 5-foot RFM. The pulley specs are:

OD - 4 25/32" (122mm, or right about 4 3/4")
Type B V-belt
Tapered bore: top - 20mm, bottom 23mm
Key slot - 5mm

I have tried and tried to get a new pulley from Homier, but that's an entirely different, sad saga that has not borne fruit since I began my quest on June 11. They told me the pulley is included with a new spindle assembly and not sold separately, so I purchased a new spindle assembly. I received the spindle, but alas, no pulley. Efforts to remedy this have failed; the parts department absolutely will not contact me, even after five increasingly desperate emails from me. Every time, the customer service department, who intercepts all email, simply replies, "I'll send this to the parts department and someone will contact you." I've received nary a call. My calls to Homier automatically divert to a voice mail box after about 10 minutes of hold time.

I will never, EVER purchase a Homier product again. Ever. Live and learn.

But back to the pulley...

I've attached a couple of pics of the damaged pulley, and I'm now seriously considering just dulling the sharp edges with a file and using the dang thing. I need the collective expert opinion of TBN as to the wisdom of my less-than-desirable inclination. Despite a diligent search, I cannot find the missing pieces, otherwise I'd attempt to weld them back into place (yes, I know cast iron welding is special). A close inspection of the pulley reveals no additional cracks or fractures.

I've googled my eyes out, but cannot hit on a supplier of a pulley like this.

Any ideas or a pointer to a supplier would be monumentally appreciated.

Jay

 

[mostly_gas]

Have you talked with a welder?
Is it possible to buy the same size pulley and have the center remachined or sleeve adapter made?

 

[jcliburn]

Have you talked with a welder?

Not yet, but that's a good idea.

Is it possible to buy the same size pulley and have the center remachined or sleeve adapter made?

The guy who runs the local you-can-get-everything-here-that-you-can't-get-anywhere-else mom and pop supply store suggested this too, but I don't know of a machine shop around here in south central Mississippi who would/could do a one-off job like this. Is it a fairly common thing for a machine shop to be capable of boring a tapered hole like this, and to be willing to do it for an average joe walking in off the street?

Thanks for the ideas.

Jay

 

[kencunningham]

Hopefully you used a credit card to buy that spindle. If you did, call the card company and get them to hammer on the company about it.

 

[mostly_gas]

Is it a fairly common thing for a machine shop to be capable of boring a tapered hole like this, and to be willing to do it for an average joe walking in off the street?

Jay

Except for the keyways the answer is yes. We don't have any broaching equipment which is how you would recut the keyway. Could fake it with a wire EDM but the cost would be HIGH. Best work around would be a custom key to match what is on spindle and pulley.

 

[jcliburn]

Just to close the loop on this issue, out of the blue and without any notification from Homier, the pulley was delivered by UPS day before yesterday. I was delighted to get it, but it would've been nicer if they had just answered my email pleas and told me the thing was backordered or whatever.

The problem is resolved, and I thank Homier for sending the item I had given up hope they would ever deliver.

Jay