Thread: Finishing a rubber surface

Hi,

I know this is a metal working forum but I know some people here also have experience working with various materials.

I am making a roller for my old planer as I cannot find an original one for sale (old machine).

Being told that it would be very expensive to have the roller re-manufactured, I decided to experiment.

I found some black rubber boat trailer rollers very cheap and machined one down to size on the lathe, after rough cutting on a band saw.

The roller is smooth after sanding but there are very minor voids and imperfections.

I guess this should be expected when machining vulcanised rubber?

Is there any sort of liquid rubber, glue or cement which can be used to smooth the surface?

I know it may not last a long time but it is surely better than having no roller at all.

Shoe Goo?

It sticks well to rubber, and leaves a nice tacky surface that would seem to be good for your application.

Graham.

Hi Guys,

Probably a bit late now but I would have sanded the old roller surface to roughen it, and then used a piece of silicon rubber sheet glued on to re surface it. Being a planer, the diameter wouldn't be too critical.

put a small amount of rubber in a glass jar left over from the chopped up original add some toluene and allow it to break it down using small amounts of each you will come up with a rubber glue to fill the holes when finished adding the glue wrap it in aluminum foil and bake at say 140 deg c for an hour regrind to finish size

(how its done in the trade)

Good luck with it