Machinery General Discussions

Hello, all. I have recently purchased a Beaudry #11 from a gentleman, and now have to figure out how to get it hereunder in my shop. Biggest thing, though, is that I have to get a phase converter for the beast. I'm looking at a 15hp rotary, but haven't any idea what brands to avoid, look into. Never messed with one, but know enough to know that I'm dangerous. Any suggestions? Thanks, everyone!

Has any one made one of these Hugh McDonald Steel Rolling Mill It looks like it would be the ticket.

I work in a manufacturing company where we still rely primarily on traditional maintenance practices, meaning that equipment is usually serviced only after a failure occurs. However, unplanned production downtime is becoming increasingly expensive, and we are more frequently considering the introduction of systems for monitoring machine conditions and predicting potential failures before they happen. This made me wonder whether any of you have already implemented predictive maintenance using sensors, data analytics, or the Industrial Internet of Things How much were production downtime and maintenance costs reduced after introducing such a system, and did the investment …

Hey everyone, I’ve been using a few power tools regularly and recently started thinking more about maintenance. I realized I wasn’t really paying attention to small things like cleaning or proper storage, and it probably affects tool life more than we think. Power tools are getting more common now, even in small workshops. I was reading some industry info recently and saw that the market was around $42 billion in 2024 and still growing steadily. It kind of shows how widely these tools are being used today. While going through that, I found some useful info that explained the growth and also touched on why proper handling and maintenance matter more now. Mad…

So if you got to choose between a treadle hammer and a fly press which one would you pick and why. For a back story I’ve come into enough money to purchase one or the other. thanks in advance.

I recommend a support bench for a cutting machine for cutting iron with a support stand for segmenting bars. https://youtu.be/ZCfKWOW07O4 Hi, I've been thinking about it for a while. I'd like to buy a disc-operated miter saw to cut steel bars and pipes and create a corner cut. Any suggestions? I'd also like to build a bench to rest my drill press on? Any suggestions that are easy and inexpensive to make? Thanks. Chop saw stand

When I was doing autobody repairs on my 2000 Tundra, I realized that humid Florida summers were going to cause a problem with moisture in my air supply lines. Borrowing inspiration from a random youtube video, I set out to build a dryer system using automotive A/C condensers and water traps (defunct air compressors). My big compressor that I bought used off craigslist wasn't really 6 hp. It was only 3 hp. It didn't have the CFMs to run my automotive spray gun. I still had my old 1.8 hp compressor, and I rigged them together to achieve the CFM required. The way the system works, the very hot and very humid compressed air goes from the compressor straight to an A…

Does anyone here know if someone out there is still making an M.A. Ford unicam fixture for sharpening single flute countersinks. If so can i get a link or contact info on it? Mine seems to have grown legs and walked off.

Hi not sure if this is the right place to ask but my big brother is really into forging and he has a big birthday coming up. I know he really wants a hot roller mill to lengthen and thin steel but I'm having a hard time finding one. We've watched some knife making and blacksmithing shows so I know he likes the mills without the foot pedal that does the actual squishing. More the machines we've seen that can be set to a thickness you gradually change to thin it out. Sorry I know my lingo is all wrong and I might be searching for all the wrong things. Can someone help me make my brother have an awesome birthday? TLDR: Looking for a lead on a hot rol…

Does anyone know of a source for the Macdonald rolling mill plans? Anvil fire store does not work and Macdonalds etsy store says out of stock.

I just ordered a 10"x20" magnetic chuck for layout and tack welding small pieces, as well as holding pieces for grinding. I have seen these used in some knife making videos for surface grinding forged knife blanks. One night recently I was up at my welding table grumbling about pieces jumping out of place when I went to tack them and this popped into my head. I didn't know what they were called so after a lot of trial on names I finally found them. I debated long and hard on a size to buy vs. Cost, but eventually decided to buy once and cry once. No doubt in my mind that its usefulness will negate the cost in no time. I'm sure most machinists know about th…

I was just quoted $750 for a new flat belt pulley that runs my Bradley. Does anyone have leads on places to buy these that aren't so pricey? They seem harder to come by than I expected. Unfortunately mcmaster doesn't have them big enough.

OK, we dragged these two objects out of the scrap but we don't know what they are. We put them near our railway siding and people have been asking what they are. I need to put a signboard on them. Nearest we can figure is that they are presses or filters of some kind. Highly likely they have a connection to the mining industry. Any idea what they are?

What you should know about speed controls (1) The first rule for speed control, is do not attempt to adjust speed while a tool is engaged; move it away from the work surface first. (2) It is a popular marketing ploy to include inbuilt speed control circuits on compact equipment, such as rotary tools; avoid their use like the plague. If you end up with a variable speed tool, just leave its inbuilt controls on high (in effect, not engaged), and employ a separate router or fan speed controller (for brushed motors), or a brushless speed controller (for motors without carbon brushes). Plug the right type of speed controller onto your tool’s power cord; it will…

Dear members! I would like to buy a vacuum cleaner for my workshop. I would be happy to know what kind of vacuum cleaners you use. What filter and dust class is suitable for a blacksmith workshop? Apart from the 'regular dust', I would of course like to use it to clean metal dust from grinding and ash from the forge. Thank you in advance for your answers!

I have in mind an idea to make a machine similar to a steel rolling mill but instead of smooth rolls, using gears to impress a uniform pattern on hot steel. Spur, helical, herringbone, etc... Kind of like the Hugh Mcdonald machine, only narrower.... I suppose it would take a long forge to heat bar stock, say 2' or more, but I'm sure I can build that. Has this been done? I don't want to re-invent the wheel. I must say this is just an idea at this point and a long term project, but I have machine tools, material and a lot of time. I would aim for starting on 1/2" square mild steel. Any input most appreciated.

I have 240V single phase input source and a 240V 3 phase VFD. I want to know if the DPS phase shifter will work to convert the single phase power input from the wall to 3 phase power input for the VFD (which will then be used to control the 3 phase motor)?

Hey guys, what are your opinions about buying good sized (50+ gallon) used air compressors? I'm worried about the hazard of not knowing how well they were taken care of. Is there an age cutoff you do or what else do you look out for? I know they can last for decades but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Hi All, I’m in desperate help to get a tumbler going as soon as possible. I am trying to keep up with fire poker orders, but need a much more efficient way at cleaning them before applying a clear coat. Currently, I soak them overnight in vinegar, then hit them on the wire wheel. But I hate the wire wheel, crouched over it for hours each night, it’s dangerous, and too slow. I picked up a treadmill for free, and tried making a simple tumbler out of that with an old 15 gallon drum. The treadmill rolls the drum fine empty, but once I add sand or gravel to the barrel as media, the belt just slips. I’ll add a picture to show what I’m talking about later on. But basicall…

My shop is in a two-car garage that I share with my wife's car. This means that when I'm not forging, everything has to be packed into as small a space as possible, and that means that a whole lot of my gear (gas forge, welding table, torch cutting table, oxypropane rig, hydraulic press, horizontal bandsaw, 2x90 grinder, tool chest, hardy rack, hammer rack, etc) is on casters. I recently acquired a smallish fly press, which presented a challenge: I need it to be mobile so I can pack it away, but I also need it to be as solid on the floor as possible without actually getting bolted down. The solution is removable casters. This, however, presents an additional challenge: ho…

Has anyone built a motorized twisting machine? I'm considering building one, but I'm not well versed in what motor kr motor/gearbox combo I would need. I'd like it to be able to twist up to 2 inch square.

Greetings! I'm not sure if this is the appropriate place to post this, but my name is Dominic and I am the grandson of Hugh McDonald, the inventor of the McDonald Rolling Mill. I have seen several posts on the forums about this awesome piece of equipment and I just wanted to share that Hugh (who is now 90!) and I have put together an store for everyone to purchase their own copy of the plans. The link is removed. We'd also love to see any photos or videos if anyone has made one in the past! Thanks

After playing around with the idea of getting a power hammer or press, I've decided that a far more sensible idea would be to make a rolling mill, as it would be quieter and smaller than the alternatives, and would actually do what I need it to better. I'll mainly be drawing out and tapering knives and swords which this should be most useful in doing. I've only just started working out how I'll achieve this, so I drew my idea of the top roller today. Drawing something properly makes it easier to understand how you'll do something practically. I was having problems with many parts of the top roller design, but doing this has cleared much of it up. I'll be using half shaf…

Since it has been nearly a year since this Very Fine Discussion is Verifiably Finished, Defunct, may I throw in another acronym? DPS -in this context, a digital phase shifter (although I shudder to think what the IFI crew will make of THIS one.) Myung Youn sells these through Amazon. I don't know if this is just a (oxymoron alert) NON variable VFD, or a different way of getting where a rotary will get you. I bought one for my surface grinder. The surface grinder may benefit from a VFD once I convert to belts, but until I understand what else is in there (it has a 120 v outlet on the back) I figure a simple phase converter would be best. Unlike VFD's, you can just l…