Interesting post. I agree with your comment about the melamine. Ply is far better but I had ran out of it at the time. However the Melamine has not distorted so far after 3 years of use.
I'm impressed how you achieved the results using a handheld drill for the bulk of the work plus the B&D workmate....true endeavour! Must get round to changing the iron nails on my drum for stainless steel screws!! (No taint though)
Been using old washing machine motors but finally got decent one from old pool pump: No more stalling!
Shape of drum is more important than motor size. Don't like malamine: not damp proof. Change for marine ply & lots of varnish...Much better .
If you add apples to an empty hopper with the drum spinning the apples tend to bounce around. (I also put a piece of plastic over the top to prevent apple juice and bits flying up and out).
Brilliant reply, many thanks for the input. Last year we used a bucket and log, its not something I want to do again. I was already planning a lid and I might make the hopper a little taller. Hopefully I will video the whole process. :o)
At first partially shredded apples got stuck between the drum and the hopper wall causing the drill to stall. I then adjusted all the screws on the drum until they just cleared the hopper wall as I rotated it. The scratter then ripped through the apples with no noticable load on the drill.
It works better with the apples pre loaded - the weight of the ones at the top press the lower ones onto the rotating drum.
The rod was about 10mm diameter. I chose a drill from my set that was slightly smaller - I think it was about 0.5mm smaller. It wasnt hard to hammer - As I hammered the rod in it shaved a small amount of wood away from the hole as it went in making a tight fit.
Great work, I'll be copying you on a lot of this but I have a few questions:
What size hole did you drill? What size was the rod? If there is 1mm difference it must have been very hard to hammer it through.
I really love the idea of a makeshift lathe but did your drill survive the whole scatting process, it looks like a lot of strain on the motor. Did you get it up to speed before adding apples? Cheers, Bren
Interesting post. I agree with your comment about the melamine. Ply is far better but I had ran out of it at the time. However the Melamine has not distorted so far after 3 years of use.
nickmitch6 5 months ago
I'm impressed how you achieved the results using a handheld drill for the bulk of the work plus the B&D workmate....true endeavour! Must get round to changing the iron nails on my drum for stainless steel screws!! (No taint though)
Been using old washing machine motors but finally got decent one from old pool pump: No more stalling!
Shape of drum is more important than motor size. Don't like malamine: not damp proof. Change for marine ply & lots of varnish...Much better .
Cheers! Steve.
patagualian 5 months ago
Bren - reply part 3
If you add apples to an empty hopper with the drum spinning the apples tend to bounce around. (I also put a piece of plastic over the top to prevent apple juice and bits flying up and out).
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Nick
nickmitch6 7 months ago
@nickmitch6
Brilliant reply, many thanks for the input. Last year we used a bucket and log, its not something I want to do again. I was already planning a lid and I might make the hopper a little taller. Hopefully I will video the whole process. :o)
brenhden 7 months ago
Bren - reply part 2
At first partially shredded apples got stuck between the drum and the hopper wall causing the drill to stall. I then adjusted all the screws on the drum until they just cleared the hopper wall as I rotated it. The scratter then ripped through the apples with no noticable load on the drill.
It works better with the apples pre loaded - the weight of the ones at the top press the lower ones onto the rotating drum.
nickmitch6 7 months ago
Bren - reply part 1
The rod was about 10mm diameter. I chose a drill from my set that was slightly smaller - I think it was about 0.5mm smaller. It wasnt hard to hammer - As I hammered the rod in it shaved a small amount of wood away from the hole as it went in making a tight fit.
Surprisingly there is little strain on the drill.
nickmitch6 7 months ago
Hi There,
Great work, I'll be copying you on a lot of this but I have a few questions:
What size hole did you drill? What size was the rod? If there is 1mm difference it must have been very hard to hammer it through.
I really love the idea of a makeshift lathe but did your drill survive the whole scatting process, it looks like a lot of strain on the motor. Did you get it up to speed before adding apples? Cheers, Bren
brenhden 7 months ago