Hi Mel, I guess it depends on how you define synthetics. There are makers using resin wheels and makers using composite materials (MDF), so there are at least two materials I would call synthetics, but I suspect some would consider MDF an engineered wood product rather than a synthetic (I guess it would depend on what the binders in MDF are, which I don't know). But even within resins there are literally hundreds of varieties with different strengths, brittleness ratings, flexibilities etc. My guess is that for a HG wheel you couldn't use the softer resins (since they wouldn't scrape as well) and that you'd have to use the harder resins, which is what would make them somewhat brittle. If I were building an instrument now, I think I'd look at MDF. At least one maker I know likes MDF so well he uses it exclusively: there's no worry about tear-out while fabricating the wheel and it's dimensionally stable while still retaining a good crush resistance and isn't brittle at all. It's also inexpensive and generally easy to work with. He doesn't even band it as there is no need to do so: it holds a good surface without any need for banding.
-Arle On Mar 30, 2010, at 12:48 PM, Melvin Dorries wrote: > > Really interested in this brittleness aspect and am wondering what material > is a good synthetic wheel made of? Does it get brittle over time as it ages? > Do all builders use the same material or what? > Thanks > Mel -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "hurdygurdy" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/hurdygurdy The rules of posting, courtesy, and other list information may be found at http://hurdygurdy.com/mailinglist/index.htm. To reduce spam, posts from new subscribers are held pending approval by the webmaster. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to hurdygurdy+unsubscribegooglegroups.com or reply to this email with the words "REMOVE ME" as the subject.
