I just completed my rolling mill about 2 weeks ago. It has 8 1/4" diameter rollers and turns at about 35 to 45 rpm. It does a fantastic job of rolling damascus. I completed my MS test knife using 52100 and 15N20. The only thing that I see is that if you want a pattern, you have to put it in. My next project is to make some pattern rolls in raindrop, ladder, and something else. But the first two will be done by this fall.
I have a 250 CID Chevelet engine with standard transmission that is hooked to some shafts on pillar block bearings with sprockets and chains. I built it to roll out 52100 round bar into flat for people that would like to use 52100 but don't forge. The damascus part was a bonus. It also makes a very clean weld as I cut and stack and clean by grinding each piece. To weld and draw out takes less that 10 minutes, its the grinding and welding back that takes the time. It doesn't do a cut and fold very well as the end will turn up too quick. It also doesn't do an edge crush very well unless you start off with a billet thicker than it is wide and turn it to the edge as soon as it is forged and square. I have spent a year and a half getting this one to where it is now.
I don't know about the Kayne and Son's Blu Crusher. I have seen them advertised and I am sure that they will work. I had talked to Darryl Meir last year at the Blade Show and he was the one that told me what size rollers and about how fast to turn them. That made a world of difference. The 3" rollers that I had tried to use would not grab the bar and when it did, it didn't squeeze it enought to hardly see any compression. That was the first six months.
The MS knife will be heat treated sometime this week and then I will do some testing on it. If everything goes good, I will use it in the cutting contest at Washington, Ark. in October and then take my MS performance test (if it makes it through the cutting contest).
If there is anything I can help you with, let me know and I will try to answer your questions.
