Peripheral wheels are specialized grinding or polishing tools used in the building and restoration of instruments. They are also used in other industries requiring fine craftsmanship including precision scientific tools, watchmaking, and grinding of optical grade finishes on glass and crystal.
Shaping: Peripheral wheels are used to grind and shape metal components. The edge (or periphery) of the wheel is used rather than the flat face, allowing for precision control when shaping small mechanism parts (key tails, arms, cups, and touch pieces).
Polishing: After initial shaping, peripheral wheels with a softer or finer grit are used to polish parts to a high luster. Often an instrument’s mechanism is made from castings or machined parts, and the peripheral wheels are used to “clean up” the raw part and make it cosmetically and mechanically ideal.
String Instruments: On wooden instruments, peripheral wheels can shape, adjust, and finish inlays, binding edges, scrollwork, and wooden components such as tuning pegs, fingerboards, and tailpieces.
Using the Periphery (the edge) allows for better visibility, access to tight or curved areas, and greater control over fine detailing—perfect for the delicate nature of instrument components.