Does anyone know of a source for the wooden rollers on the back of a reel mower? Mine are 2.5" diameter, 4 5/16" long, and have a 5/8" hole in the center. I need 10 of them.
If not, does anyone know how they are made? Are they made in two parts, one fitting inside the other but with the grain turned 90 degrees?
Most of the wooden rollers for reel mowers were made from ash or hard-maple. ...However, any dried hardwood should be suitable, as you will probably never wear them out in the next 20 years!
Rollers were turned from one piece of wood - not made in two parts. .....If you decide to make your own, never use the center (pith) of a log or branch, as that is where splits usually occur as the wood dries. .....If two thinner pieces of wood are glued together (grain running same direction) to get the required thickness, a waterproof glue would need to be used to keep the pieces from falling apart. ....One piece of wood is definitely a better choice.
Any woodworking shop in your area, or a hobbyist woodturner could make them for you. ....Ask at any local tool stores selling woodworking tools if they know of anyone who can make them. ....Some of the bigger woodworking tool sellers have demo shops in their stores, so maybe someone there would be willing to make them. ....Any woodworking clubs in your area?