Thread: Which Multitool Linisher Attachment?

Sad to see what was once a good machine, now made offshore.
The original was developed, patented, & made by Price Ackling (PA Products) of Barry ave Mortdale NSW.
They were a quality unit.
When I had my business up & running we made tens of thousands of abrasive belts for this machine, over some years.
I was visiting Aust Defence Industries, ADI in Lithgow NSW a few years back & the indications were that they were going to be manufacturing the machine.
Like a lot of Aus equipment, the quality has obviously gone, with the greed of making overseas, where quality is not considered important.
regards
Bruce

Originally Posted by RayG

I don't own a multi-tool linisher, but I can suggest an alternative, why not buy a dedicated linisher, ( a small one anyway ) by the time you buy an 8" bench grinder and then the multi-tool attachment you are up around the cost of a dedicated linisher anyway.

Or better yet, keep an eye on the auctions for something like a Parken Linisher, if you are patient you can pick one up for less than the cost of a multi-tool.



I see that Parken are still around, but I don't know much about their current offerings.

This one is their current 50x1520 image from http://www.parken.com.au


Even the one from H&F is less than the cost of the multi-tool by the time you add in the bench grinder. see L1185 | BS-48 Belt Linisher Sander | machineryhouse.com.au





Regards
Ray

PS.. EDIT: Here's a google image search of past Gray's auction results for linisher
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=l...ih=983#imgrc=_

I notice a lot of multi-tool sales with grinder, that might be a good way to get one of the earlier units.

Hi Ray,
that the one I bought from H&F, run nice and acurate and also quiet.
I picked it because they have a full list of belts that size, and you can also run the 50mm scotch bright belts on them no problems.

Dave

Originally Posted by variant22

I can also confirm they are now made in China even though the box states "Made in Australia". I spoke with them and they confirmed this fact.

If that's true they are breaking the law.

Ray,
I already have the grinder and unfortunatelty I don't have the room for a dedicated linisher.

Chris

I put my linisher on wheels so I can take it outside.

Dave

I have played with 3 multitools.The first one I have had for 10 or so years,I put it on my grinder and it worked fine and still does.The second one is a Millers Falls clone(looks identical) which I got on ebay a couple of years ago.It had a wobbly drive wheel and flanges. New flanges, bushed centre and true up the circumference.It also had an out of round contact wheel,replaced with a genuine one.And the contact wheel bracket needed bending to be parallel with the motor shaft. No photoes but it works well now.Third one was bought at H&F november sale last year with a A&A 8" grinder.Put it together today.
Grinder ran ok out of the box.
Vibrated less with one wheel removed.
Used original inner flange (machined not pressed/punched),had to put the other flange on inside out.
Ran ok with no belt.
Had to shim as pictured to get tracking better.
Supplied flimsy belt vibrated and wobbled .
Good belt fixed it but still a little vibration.
Took of other end wheel and it now runs very nicely

John

The auto wrecking yards are full of cars with high quality timing belt idlers. I have three or four of them here for reasons lost in the mists of time. They are good diameters, bearing supported and low runout. I think mine are all about 60mm wide.

Gred

Thanks for the write-up John. I notice it doesn't actually say 'Made in Australia' on the box or the linisher, so I can't accuse PA of false advertising. H&F need to amend their website though.

Originally Posted by Greg Q

The auto wrecking yards are full of cars with high quality timing belt idlers. I have three or four of them here for reasons lost in the mists of time. ... I think mine are all about 60mm wide.

Gred

That wouldn't be to make up a Roots style super charger and then 'modify' the lawnmower would it? (One day...)

Michael

Wasted the morning working on the A&A grinder and linisher.

Findings so far are

grinder has next to no vibration running bare,
A&A grey grinding wheels have side runout (wobble) and cause vibration,
A new Norton green wheel runs true with no vibration,
the backs of the pressed flanges have been ground possibly with a belt grinder.
the flange centre holes visibily not concentric with the outer edge,
the multitool pressed steel flange as pressed with the rear far from parallel with the face,
the contact wheel arm is also not square to the grinder shaft,

I have dressed the ends of the 2 grinder shaft spacers in the lathe and found them to be quite accurate,
the grinder flanges have had the backs surface ground parallel to the faces,
the multitool flange has had the back surface ground parallel. ( didn't measure it but was about .010" out)

Results are :_

grinder has negligable runout with very minor vibration with the Norton green wheel
A&A grey wheels both still wobble and have vibration
multitool drive pulley still wobbles badly and has 0.040" runout at the back of the flange

Yep certainly wasted half a day.

No consumer should have to go through this to try and make new equipment suitable for use. At least the grinder body and green wheel are up to scratch.

Ken

So Ken, you seem to be saying the multitool is rubbish? Do you still consider it worth buying one and making it work?
Chris

Ken, for what it's worth it took me two days to get a replacement and smaller model not working well. It was a massive hassle having to contact the company and wait for replacement parts which were just as bad. I could not recommend them despite the companies honesty on the phone. It is a massive frustration and I know exactly how Ken feels. I had read nothing but positive reviews when I purchased mine. I was seriously disappointed.

I just got an email from H&F claiming that the Multitools ARE made in Australia. Where do we get a definitive answer on this?
Chris

Originally Posted by jack620

I just got an email from H&F claiming that the Multitools ARE made in Australia. Where do we get a definitive answer on this?
Chris

Call P.A Products on: (02) 6337 1142 and ask to speak with Alan (the owner).

Chris,

In todays litigation happy society I will try and use some tact. Will it suffice to say this if I was to buy another linisher of this size; I would check out and if OK ; pay the extra $40 and go for the Linishall.

In H&F's 2013 catalogue there is no mention of made in Aus.

V22,
I bought the multitool because the size suited me and because of its past good reputation. I have made no contact with the manufacturer as I purchased it when I had the funds and it was some time later that I bought the grinder. After setting it up it was possibly out of warranty anyway and I now have no idea where the receipt is. After finding the problems I stuck it in the corner in disgust, threatened to kick the dog and went back to more important things. The only reason that I have had another go at it was that my classic car parts order has not arrived after 3 weeks; so I was looking to fill some time in. And no; I haven't had anybody trying to break into my shed!!!! If they do I hope they pinch the Multitool so I can buy an opposition made machine with the insurance.

Ken

Originally Posted by Toggy

I have dressed the ends of the 2 grinder shaft spacers in the lathe and found them to be quite accurate,
the grinder flanges have had the backs surface ground parallel to the faces,
the multitool flange has had the back surface ground parallel. ( didn't measure it but was about .010" out)

Toggy,
I have been down this road with the top of the line(sic) Peerless grinder.I ended up machining new grinder flanges.

Do you think theres enough meat there to re bush and true the running surfaces of your Multitool flange up on the lathe .
I be happy to have a go at it, for but have never done one before.It sounds like, now our industry is buggered, some Asian manufacturers think they can push the second rate stuff on us. I am sure the Taiwanese could have made this flange properly our even the Koreans.

I was looking at Richmond Castors site last night and saw a flanged rail wheel in steel. Maybe too heavy for a multitool flange but again could be skimmed to lighten it.

Grahame