Thomas Dean Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 I may be able to get an old Ridged threading machine that we have replaced. Am wondering what the max would be for twisting steel. It has the automatic jaws which quick holding pipe so it was replaced with a new machine with the manual clamp jaws. I'm thinking I can make an adapter to hold different size sq. stock and then possible make the twists cold, depending on the size of course. Any ideas as to what size I will be able to twist cold? Am I CRAZY or is this a workable idea? Thanks for your thoughts and ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefthand forge Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 I've actually worked with a couple of twisters made from pipe threaders. one was just a standard threader, I believe it would twist up to about 3/4 solid square if I remember correctly.The otherone had an additional gear reducer mated to it and would twist a bit heavier material, and was easier to control as it was really slow. Both were mounted to one end ofa fairly heavy I beam with a sliding plate on the other end to adjust the length of the twist. Sort of like a tailstock on a lathe. Hope this helps John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the other dave Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 One of the LAMA members has a twister made from a portable pipe threader power head going into a big gear reducer. He routinely twists 1 inch square cold up to 20 foot long. I have some pics if you want to see it in action or need some ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted August 10, 2006 Author Share Posted August 10, 2006 Yes!, the other dave, pictures would be nice. I sent you a note via "privite message" with my email addy. But if you wanted or can post them here there maybe someone else needing to see this setup. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Jim Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 That LAMA twister guy has a web site set up about his twister... I remember browsing across it a few weeks back... I looked for a few minutes tonight, but couldn't find it... I thought it was Dave Mudge, but I found his site and don't see the twister bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Salvati Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 OH YEAH, please make with those pictures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the other dave Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 You're right, dave mudge also has a homebuilt twister as well. His twisting machine is shown at Twisting Machine . Note that he uses a transmission from a lawn mowing tractor. I'll try to upload some pictures, tonight, of another LAMA member's twister showing his setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Jim Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 Yeah, that was the web page I had seen about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the other dave Posted August 15, 2006 Share Posted August 15, 2006 sorry for the delay, but here are three pictures of another twister like I promised. Note that there is a pipe used as the stationary member. Originally an I-beam was used but due to the large amount of torque used when cold twisting 1 inch square, the the I-beam itself would start twisting and lifting as the end of the twisting happened. So now a pipe is used and a piece of half-inch square is used as a guide and key. The pictures show three 1/4 inch by 5 feet being cold twisted into a wire rope. I've seen ten foot 1 inch square also twisted and it can twist up too twnety foot lengths. The wire rope is useful for edging around flat objects, making the edge of wire baskets and has even been coiled into a "lariet" for a fireplace set stand. The drive is from a portable pipe threader and the gear reducer is about 60 to 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the other dave Posted August 15, 2006 Share Posted August 15, 2006 found two more pictures showing three twenty foot half-inch rounds being twisted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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