ST1DinOH Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 i've seen a few tutorials out there, one was dan williams site, the other i believe was on skylighter, just wondering if there is a manufactured option. being able to buy a 2-in-1 machine like that would save me time and money. does anyone make one, or would i need to make my own? here's the links on dan williams site (kick ass site BTW) main site: http://www.pyrotechs.org/dwilliams/top.html mill: http://www.pyrotechs.org/dwilliams/mill/mill.htmljars: http://www.pyrotechs.org/dwilliams/milljar/milljar.htmladaptation: http://www.pyrotechs.org/dwilliams/starrol...starroller.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hst45 Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I made a home-made roller from an empty 1 gallon paint can that works on my regular ball mill roller frame. I ground off the tabs that hold the handle. NOTE: they are tacked on, so if you grind too far the backer plate of the tab drops into the can and you have to weld it back on, as I found out . I then wrapped two bands of electrical tape around the top and bottom of the can to act as bearings on which the can turns. Once stars get to be about 3/8" they tended to jump out of the open end of the can, so I cut a circle in the lid just a bit smaller than the rim of the lid and put it back on the can to keep the stars from falling out. Works fine, and cost exactly zero dollars, except for a bit of electrical tape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonny Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 I've been considering something similar, but maybe even turning a small lawn tractor tire instead, almost like a mini version of the Nascar roller from Passfire. My ball mill is homemade and I can simply move the idle roller over to accomodate a larger wheel. I've also been considering building a corning drum to run in the mill much the same way. More of those things that are "on my list". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Cooperman (http://www.freewebs.com/cooperman435/equipmentsprojectshidden.htm#132927158 in the UK posts a design for his small mill driven by a motor off an electric wheelchair that has a 1250ml bottle for a mill jar OR a fair sized cooking bowl (stainless) for a star roller The motors are said to rotate at 90rpm when run on 12volts. So he can leave it running in a remote shed if he wants to mill long sessions, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draco_Americanus Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 I think when i get my act togeather I am going to make a star machine, I have DC motors that cost more then what my jeep is worth(not saying much for my jeep lol) I have some low rpm 24volt jobs and have a motor controller i built should work, no vibration to it though. a wheel chair motor is total over kill in terms of raw power but having a star rollor that can bust arms may turn a few heads. one word of warning, most wheel chair/dc motors have brushes that will generate sparks, it would be imparitive to seal the motor as best as posible not only from dust but fumes from solvents Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 24v motor driven off a 12 v battery in use here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marks265 Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 I've been considering something similar, but maybe even turning a small lawn tractor tire instead, almost like a mini version of the Nascar roller from Passfire. My ball mill is homemade and I can simply move the idle roller over to accomodate a larger wheel. I've also been considering building a corning drum to run in the mill much the same way. More of those things that are "on my list". Actually I am working on this project right now. It is the "NASCAR roller" with a twist. It might be able to roll stars, turn a ball mill or two, or even turn a small corning drum. I picked up all of the materials and have made the cabinet. I stained it this morning and will clear coat it this week maybe have it assembled by the weekend. My idea is to use longer shafts that stick out the side and set them up with heater hose for a mill or corning drum. Slide a second idler shaft in or out would mean turning a mill or corning drum when in and out would give you the original idler for the tire. When it is assembled I will post some pics. I guess the same thing can be accomplished inside the cabinet but for corning I figured it would be best outside the box. If you look at the layout in Passfire for cutting the plywood you will see 2 plus inches of waste along the side end boards. I used it to make the cabinet wider. I also assembled it differently to make it wider and used 3/4" plywood. This will make it heavier and more stable being wider. I also bought some wheels so that the cabinet is more easily mobile. My tire is a 50 series so it is wider but about an inch less in diameter. I think it is a P245/50R15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSidewinder Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Now THAT'S something I want to see pictures of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marks265 Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Not yet though I just put a coat Polyurethane on. I will use this thread and hopefully post Sunday. I have more ideas swimming on this project yet - while the "paint dries"! Keep your eye balls peeled M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSidewinder Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 A weekend project, eh? Ok, I'll wait. Sounds like you're doing it right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marks265 Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Well, this is more than a week end project. But I did get far enough to give it a test run. On the to do list are; Add casters to guide tire in cabinet. Support mill shafts including end roller for jar or drum. Add freq. drive with single phase line side and 220v 3 phase load side. Aquire 220v 3phase motor TEFC (totally enclosed fan cooled). Check amp draw on 1/4 hp when loaded to determine hp needed . Wire cabinet and controller with remote speed adjustment. Add handles and front legs to cabinet. Move tensioner further from wall. Enclose moving parts. Make a mill jar or 2 or 3 maybe 4 Make a corning drum and hopper. The goal was to use one device for multiple needs. In this case a star roller, ball mill, and corning. As it is right now all material used was bought from my local Fleet Farm store (a second goal was to use locally bought material). I spent a little money on this project so that I don't have a lot of equipment sitting around. Also it is robust because I tend to build things on the heavy duty side. So it should last. Lastly is - I get what I want! I will be adding a frequency drive from Wolf Automation and the maker is "AC TECH" so I can adjust the speed to what I need without have to keep several pulleys on hand. 3 phase will keep power consumption down and allow smooth operation when speed is adjusted. This is way cooler than my $30 rock tumbler! I can add a bill of materials if someone is interested. But it ain't happenin' today! I still would like to thank the original inventor of the NASCAR star roller and Passfire! The biggest things I have changed are the addition of another shaft (which can be moved to what ever center line works for your favorite jar or drum and drive mechanism for it. It is also wider than the original cabinet and the shafts are allowed to come out of the cabinet. I think it is clear that it is still work in progress. Any pics or video that follows show the tire with the center shaft still in and is not how it is intended for use but maybe could be if the tire were smaller or the cabinet an inch wider. So without further ado! Hope it is useful to you. pics are at http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg146/m...65/DSC00047.jpghttp://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg146/m...65/DSC00048.jpghttp://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg146/m...65/DSC00049.jpghttp://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg146/m...65/DSC00050.jpghttp://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg146/m...65/DSC00051.jpghttp://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg146/m...65/DSC00052.jpg video is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2njRR_qLns Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSidewinder Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Very nice job! And yeah, I see that was more than a weekend project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marks265 Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Thanks M, I hope this will give others ideas. I'm gonna nip at some Courvoiseir XO and watch the vid a few more times. I think once I tidy things up it should run fairly quite. I bought a feed scoop for the stars when I was shopping it is about 5" wide and fits right in the tire with no hassels or modifications! That is wide tire! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ST1DinOH Posted March 3, 2008 Author Share Posted March 3, 2008 Thanks M, I hope this will give others ideas. I'm gonna nip at some Courvoiseir XO and watch the vid a few more times. I think once I tidy things up it should run fairly quite. I bought a feed scoop for the stars when I was shopping it is about 5" wide and fits right in the tire with no hassels or modifications! That is wide tire! ok help me out here... are you rolling the stars inside the tire? however it works it looks damn good, and it looks like you spent quite a bit of time on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marks265 Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Yes, the stars would be rolled inside the tire. If you subscribe to Passfire there will be a really good explaination on this and other projects-many other projects. If you don't like the shafts hanging out cut them off and adjust the center roller to fit your application and mill inside the cabinet with tire removed. Or do corning inside the cabinet instead of outside. Many options are available with 3rd roller placement! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marks265 Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 I would like to introduce to you the new ultimate pyro machine. This is a combo machine for sure! I have not built the corning drum yet. I added the new motor and speed controls, cleaned up the idler drive tensioner, adjusted external shafts and shortened to hold an 18" wide corning drum, and added the last of the wheels and casters. In hind sight I wish I would have made the cabinet a few inches longer then I would not have to remove the center shaft (which was the original concept). The cast aluminum pulleys suck. I may end up grinding them for a shell or fountain one day. It is still a 2:1 reduction if I buy good sheaves I will probably gear it a little faster. I want to use it and get the feel for what it needs to be first. The external shafts have held a drum load of 32 pounds and the machine was still stable. So yes, a combo machine does now exist! pics;http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg146/m...65/DSC00053.jpghttp://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg146/m...65/DSC00055.jpghttp://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg146/m...65/DSC00059.jpghttp://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg146/m...65/DSC00060.jpghttp://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg146/m...65/DSC00062.jpghttp://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg146/m...65/DSC00063.jpghttp://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg146/m...65/DSC00065.jpghttp://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg146/m...65/DSC00066.jpghttp://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg146/m...65/DSC00068.jpghttp://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg146/m...65/DSC00069.jpghttp://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg146/m...65/DSC00070.jpg The clear jug is for demo purposes only and is 6" in diameter. It is half full of 3/4" lead balls. video;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekakb6IfADQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumbles Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Now that is one hell of a pyro machine. The only question I have is where you live so I can come and borrow it for 10-20 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSidewinder Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Wow! You weren't kidding when you told me you were going all out with this. You HAVE to bring that to one of the WPAG shoots this year! M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marks265 Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Thanks for the comments. Now to go put some comp in and see how it rolls. I can bring it up and after several beers and demonstrations you may have to keep the matches from me though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ST1DinOH Posted March 11, 2008 Author Share Posted March 11, 2008 that is one bad ass machine you got there dude. never thought you could roll stars in a tire but hell why not? do you have to coat the inside of the tire with something to seal it? like is there any worry about contamination or are we just to assume rubber is inert and thats why it's used for stoppers in the lab? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumbles Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Might want to wash any grime off with warm soapy water, but in general it is pretty safe to use as far as chemical inertness. Anything that would react unfavorably with rubber you won't find in a rolled star comp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marks265 Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Thanks ST1DinOH Mumbles and all, I washed the tire out with a wet rag. Went out to the garage and cut a big cup full of bird seed. Screened it with an 8 mesh screen twice to retreive the millet I believe it is. Damped that on some newspaper. Primed millet with 24 hour cheap ass ball mill powder. Then started rolling POP Glitter. Used a quart spray bottle with a half inch of alcohol in bottom then filled with water. POPS WHEN WET with a micro butane torch! I sat on my butt and watched the thingys go round and round added some wet stuff and then some dry stuff every once in a while. If I did not like the speed any little bit I turned the little black knobby thingy to get that N'th of an adjustment!!! NICE!!!! God I'm gonna hate going to work tomorrow. I think this is gonna get carried away. May have to order 6 inch shells or bigger because this is fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneEyeCharlie Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Charlie no longer likes Mark. Charlie is very envious and jealous of Mark. Charlie's jealousy is causing him to refer to himself in the 3rd person. Damn man! That is one sweet setup. You should take it for a boat ride onto Lake Michigan. I'm sure no pirates would even dream of swooping down with cannons loaded to rob and plunder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSidewinder Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 TheSidewinder agrees with Charlie. Seriously though, announce it at a meet a month ahead of time, and I bet quite a few people will be interested. Especially is you use the phrase "after several beers" somewhere in there. M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumbles Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 Actually, now that you bring this up. Jim Biersach has been looking for a variety of star rollers for use at the first or second club shoot. He doesn't drink, but I'm sure he'd let you drool at his garage full of New England Paper Tube rocket tubes while he drolls at your machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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