A hand wheel is a manually operated circular metal or plastic wheel with a pre-drilled hub in the centre. This enables the hand wheel to be mounted onto a shaft or spindle. Hand wheels can be solid or spoked and are also available with a fixed, revolving or foldaway handle for ease of use.

What are hand wheels used for?

Handwheels are typically used to position and adjust machines and valves in factories, mills and workshops. They can also be used to control access to compartments. Handwheels are ideal for quick adjustments to heavy duty industrial machinery, especially where heavy torque is required. This makes them perfect for industrial use in a range of applications, allowing for safe operation of machinery by hand.

Types of hand wheel

Machine handwheels come in a range of different styles to suit every application. Handwheels are used for both heavy-duty and light-duty applications. They include:

• Spoked handwheels
• Solid handwheels
• Dished handwheels

Types of handle

Handwheels are available with or without a handle. Handles can be stationary (fixed), revolving or fold-down. Handles give the user a better grip and provide more control when operating the device.

Hand wheel materials

Handwheels are made from a range of different metals and plastics. The material of the handwheel would depend on the application or environment it is to be used in. They include:

• Aluminium handwheel and Die-Cast aluminium handwheels
• Steel and Stainless Steel handwheels
• Plastic handwheels which include polymers, nylon and thermoplastics

Hand wheel applications

Handwheels are utilised in a wide range of applications, some of the most common environments are:

• Valve adjustment
• Lathes - Wood and metalworking
• Sewing machines - Adjustment and control of threads
• Printing - Adjustment and regulation of paper feeds
• Marine - Compartment doors and cupboards