DIY Thread - Let's see your "Inventions".

[vehve]

Oz, thought of another idea. If the tilt is giving you trouble, you could think of building it a bit like a huge composting tumbler, with the lid being on the side. That would need pretty heavy duty latches though, but you could probably fill it a bit more than one that looks like a cement mixer. This way you could make the axis sturdier too, since it wouldn't need to be movable.

 

[ozexpat]

Of course I could get a stepper motor from china

 

[ozexpat]

The drum I have has a perfect twist on/off opening and could be filled from shoulder height. then poured into bags when tilted.

If I did a big compost drum it would require a ladder and somebody climbing the ladder with 50kg sacks of feed.

 

[vehve]

Of course I could get a stepper motor from china

How about this:

 

[perchie.girl]

OK all you engineer and mechanical types.

I am going to build a mixer for feed.

I have to gear down a motor to a few rpm as I am using a 250g plastic water tank.

My question is - what do you call a "thingee" that has a spindle through it that you can put a v belt pulley on either side. It has holes to bolt it down?

I cannot remember for the life of me

you found it its a pillow block. They come in different types. Look in McMaster carr for them to get an idea of the application and use. Mc Master Carr will also give you speeds and weights for them. As well as the Foot print for bolting them down.

often times the motor will have a bolt pattern too then you run a drive shaft from the moter to the Pillow block. This will balance out the load. Then you can put a Sheave on the shaft. If you can get a square shaft so the sheave will press on without having to use a key to lock it to the shaft or a set screw.

because the barrel is going to be heavy... It might be better to use a chain dive with sprockets. then you can do some gearing for speed adjustement.

Another way to spin your barrel is tip it on an angle and rest it into drive wheels. Um er rollers to balance the weight out and oNe single drive wheel. You could use jsut about any kind of rubber wheel for this.

deb

 

[perchie.girl]

here is an example of a home made cement mixer this is using a drive motor fastened to a right angle gear reducer which is fastened to the bottom of the barrel. The barrel is resting on wheels to support its weight. I suspect they tip it out by tipping the whole mechanism.

Since you are going to be mixing in a dry area. You can simply take one of those wheels make it wider and flatter for more surface contact and put the motor to it. Dry feed is going to be lighter than cement. this way you can use just about any barrel handy without "fitting" it to any mechanism.

 

[perchie.girl]

Here is another way to mix and transport feed without mechanisms.... Just a leaf blower

Put the feed in in the proportions you need and just stirr it a bit. Then turn on the leaf blower and it vortexes out and as far as you need for depositing in a hopper or another feed barrel. You only need a leaf blower some pvc and something to make the cone inside the barrel.

The video shows it in operation.
deb

 

[vehve]

Here is another way to mix and transport feed without mechanisms.... Just a leaf blower

Put the feed in in the proportions you need and just stirr it a bit. Then turn on the leaf blower and it vortexes out and as far as you need for depositing in a hopper or another feed barrel. You only need a leaf blower some pvc and something to make the cone inside the barrel.

The video shows it in operation.
deb

Deb, is this your's in action, or are you just going to borrow the idea?

 

[bruceha2000]

How about this:

I just spent an hour lost in the internet following video after video after I watched that one! No more posting of addictive videos Felix!!!!

 

[vehve]

I just spent an hour lost in the internet following video after video after I watched that one! No more posting of addictive videos Felix!!!!

I apologize Bruce. Top gear is one of my favorite TV shows. The British version though, not the Ozzy or Merkan clones that they've come up with. If you're not familiar with it, I suggest checking it out. That smoothie didn't look too appetizing though.