13 replies to this topic

[Creepin_pyro]

Just narrowly saved one of these from the skip



As you can see, it's not far removed from a ball mill - the jar has one giant lifter arm like this: used for testing the toughness of pills, I think.



I think the rpm is about 50, and it runs sooo quiet, and has a timer function. Any thoughts on turning this thing into a mill? Would I be crazy to consider using the supplied jar? If so, I will start to think about attaching a larger jar directly to the motor - shouldn't be too hard

[Jerronimo]

Just narrowly saved one of these from the skip



As you can see, it's not far removed from a ball mill - the jar has one giant lifter arm like this:  used for testing the toughness of pills, I think.



I think the rpm is about 50, and it runs sooo quiet, and has a timer function.  Any thoughts on turning this thing into a mill?  Would I be crazy to consider using the supplied jar?  If so, I will start to think about attaching a larger jar directly to the motor - shouldn't be too hard

I don't know if the motor will have the capacity to turn a jar loaded with heavy lead media and powder, It's as you say normally used for pills.

[Creepin_pyro]

I had thought that, too. I think it will be able to handle it - it starts reliably with me holding on to the jar, and can take me grabbing the thing when it's in motion. It starts to humm a little, but comfortably resists me trying to stop the rotation - I don't think there should be a problem with power.

[Patrick]

I had thought that, too.  I think it will be able to handle it - it starts reliably with me holding on to the jar, and can take me grabbing the thing when it's in motion. It starts to humm a little, but comfortably resists me trying to stop the rotation - I don't think there should be a problem with power.

If there is enough power, you'd just might have to worry about it tipping if you get too much weight on the jar side, if you add a wider jar.

Depending on how the parts are connected, I'd thing you'd be able to make a jar out of some pvc pipe .. maybe wooden end to secure it to the pill spinner. It'll just have to be narrow, but I think it'd work.

As far as the the supplied jar .. I think I'd try that first to make sure the motor can handle it. Then try a larger one, as the smaller won't hold much for media. Was there a lid for it?

Patrick

[Creepin_pyro]

I had assumed I would need to rest the jar on some dowel to take the strain off the jar/motor join, by placing the machine in a box. I will see how the thing looks with some media in the supplied jar. God knows how the milling would go with that massive lifter arm . The jar lid is held on tightly by that black screw you see on the left of the picture - no thread on it, just held on.

[Richard H]

Why not just use it to test the friability of round stars?

[Patrick]

Why not just use it to test the friability of round stars?

That's some creative thinking May be useful too .. I would suppose a completely dry star would be able to take more punishment than one that is still moist in the middle.

That could be a new pyro must have tool!!

[Creepin_pyro]

Why not just use it to test the friability of round stars?

All in good time It shall be a mill first.

[Patrick]

Did you ever get this to work as a ball mill??

[Creepin_pyro]

Did you ever get this to work as a ball mill??

I gave up on the idea. Main reason being I found a rather large ball mill in the same skip, which I managed to rescue

Just a little wiring to do, and I should have it running

[Creepin_pyro]

Woo! All wired up, and running smooth

I have got the jars supplied with the mill, which are HEAVY porcelain. What would these jars be suitable for milling? Obviously, I don't want a porcelain BP milling jar, but would they be allright for oxidisers, etc?

[Patrick]

Woo!  All wired up, and running smooth

I have got the jars supplied with the mill, which are HEAVY porcelain.  What would these jars be suitable for milling?    Obviously, I don't want a porcelain BP milling jar, but would they be allright for oxidisers, etc?

Does everyone just use a round type jar or do you add some type of a lift bars?

[Jerronimo]

Does everyone just use a round type jar or do you add some type of a lift bars?

That depends on the diameter of the container.
If you have a 4'' DM container you can probably do without them.
But if U use a container of let's say 8'' DM, lift bars will probably make the milling more efficient.

I myself use a 8'' DM millingjar without lift bars(still haven't has time to install them)and it works perfectly without them.
Good fast mealpowder in 4? hours.
Look on rec.pyrotechnics alot of ballmill info is available there.

[pritch]

Where is this magic skip?