Roller Mill question

G

grawulf

Joined
Feb 16, 2005
Messages
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Does anybody know where I could find one of these "McDonald" style or "Blu Crusher" mills, new or used? I'm thinking this might be the answer for my needs right now. I'll be using it pretty much entirely for damascus so I don't need a lot of the extra functions you get with a press. I just want the ability to speed up my production and do it QUIETLY!!! Thanks,
Jeramy
 
Thanks for the link. I didn't think anybody was making these things anymore. I'm a little bummed about the price though, I had thought it would be a lot cheaper than a hydraulic press. Looks like I'm going to have to find a copy of the plans and make my own. I really didn't want to get into that because I'm afraid I won't be able to find all the parts, and I don't have access to any fabrication or lathe equipment.
 
Rolling mills that are heavy enough to do damascus and mokume' are not cheap.I gave one to David Catoe to make mokume' on and am getting ready to ship one to Chris Marks.Those were ones I bought from an old silversmith who retired.You may be better off to make one by having the rollers made at a machine shop.The gears could be found at an industrial surplus center.The frame will have to be HEAVY DUTY.Go for it.
 
I would agree with bladsmth about the rollers being made at a local machine shop if you dont have access to a lathe. All of the other parts you wouldnt need anything special besides a welder, a drill press would be nice but not needed. The parts should be easy to find. All you need is some channel iron, angle iron, pillow block bearings, hydrolic cylinder, gear box, motor, shaft coupler and some round stock. You could probably buy all the parts, a welder and even pay a local machine shop to make the rollers for less than what they charge. This roller mill is simple. You can do it. ;)
 
There are plans available from a couple of places called "Herb McDonalds Rolling Mill Plans. There's a guy in California, this used to be his address( larbooks@impulse.net)
that sells these plans, you might email him. His name is Ed Larson I believe.
I built one, but not by these plans.
 
I've built one from Hugh Macdonald's plans. They are really quiet and quite a useful tool for damascus and forging in general. These plans aren't hard to follow, but you'll have to get used to converting some things from metric.

The parts that are best machined, are the top roller, bottom roller, bottom cam and cam supports.

The rest of the pieces are pretty standard. Unless you can get a gear box/reducer rated for over 2000 pounds torque, go with the pulleys and gears. I tried one that way it is was underpowered for what it could be. I rebuilt it with the pulleys and it's much better now.

I'd check around for some estimates for making the machined parts. Prices will vary.

Jamie
 
For those of you who have made these, what kind of steel did you use for rollers?
 
I've made them with mild steel rollers and one with stainless. No real reason for the stainless except that it started out the right size. I've heard of people using 4140 as well.

Jamie
 
I bought hard 4140 for my rollers with integral shafts. The machining cost was more than the cost of the steel. I think 15-5 SS would be the best but it is very expensive...Take Care...Ed
 
I appreciate it, I'm working on a mill, I guess my S-7 rollers are overkill then :)

Tony
 
I emailed about a set of plans but haven't heard back yet. I was wondering how much pressure you need on one of these? I've seen some that have a hydraulic jack of some sort, others look like they're just pressure created by hand (or weight). Any suggestions on that aspect?
Thanks,
Jeramy
 
The bottle jack always seemed to me to be the slow way to do it. If you build it according to the plans, the foot pedal pushes the rollers together. Then the hand lever is used for instant adjustment before pushing the pedal again.

Jamie
 
Ed Schempp built a rolling mill that works great. I would listen to anything he has to say on the subject.

The motors, hydraulic pumps, reservoir and controls are on a separate card with wheels. You can position the controls anywhere you want.

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Wow. That's a serious piece of machinery! I think I might start with something a bit simpler and work my way up ;-)
 
Hugh macdonald has recently been working on putting his plans and photos on a disc.

If you would like I will contact him with your email adress. I have had the use of a mill for a couple of years now. they work well. I originally had trouble but worked out it was me not the machine. On a previous thread I came up with mods that I thought may be an option but they are definatly not needed just an option.

There are many variation around. The one above looks like the delux model. Hugh Macdonald's model is buildable by most people with only a few parts required to be made at a machine shop. I don't make a lot of damascus anymore too lasy/busy but I have made enough to well and trully cover the cost of the machine. The best part is I did not have to buy it I have it on loan.

Good luck with what ever you decide on.

my email adress is reg_ellery@optusnet.com I don't come to the forum much anymore so best you email me if you want me to put you in touch with hugh.
 
grawulf Hugh Macdonald has been trying to contact you but your email is bouncing back.

I have sent you a mail message as a reply to one you sent me. Check your mail system if any problems send me another mail and I will resend Hugh's reply with his address.
 
New to me....It looks like it would be excellent for damascus in that it will squish out the flux as it rolls, instead of having to "step press" it on a press. Is this a big benefit for you users? And it looks like you can gradually shorten the distance between the rollers between each roll. I like it!
 
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