October 24, 200718 yr Has any one made one of these Hugh McDonald Steel Rolling Mill It looks like it would be the ticket.
October 25, 200718 yr Polar Bear Forge is a user on here(who isn't!??!?), and he can answer your questions i bet.
October 25, 200718 yr I recently completed my build. Though I have a few minor tuning tweaks to do, it works as advertised. Quite useful for small spaces and residental areas where a power hammer is not practical. It is not a substitute for a power hammer but useful nevertheless. When I can get to my home computer, I'll post some pictures.
October 25, 200718 yr Jimbob, depends on what you expect from it. I would hate to be without mine now that I have it but it isn't a replacement for a PH or a press for me. I have found it to be very good at working to final thickness on damascus bars. Under 1/4" it is more efficient than my press and more accurate than the press or hammer. That's great for me when I am making steel for others ordered to specific dimension. It's nice when I am making 1/8" material for stock removal knifemakers. I have even made some 1/16" material. In my application it is a real handy precision finish tool. Photos in galley here and on my site. Matt
October 26, 200718 yr Yep, I'm on here. It's a wonderful tool, but just like every tool, it has it's strengths and weaknesses. The first one I built, had a maximum thickness of about 2 inches. It doesn't move steel real fast at that thickness. I usually work in the 1.25 and down area. What other questions do you have? Jamie
October 26, 200718 yr Author Yep, I'm on here. It's a wonderful tool, but just like every tool, it has it's strengths and weaknesses. The first one I built, had a maximum thickness of about 2 inches. It doesn't move steel real fast at that thickness. I usually work in the 1.25 and down area. What other questions do you have? Jamie not sure I just ordered the DVD from Norm Larson. I've been reading about the rolling mill for a whille and kinda have and itch to build one. it looks like for making pattern welded blades it would work really well
October 26, 200718 yr I use it all the time for pattern welding. There is one big advantage (or drawback, depending on your point of view), random pattern is nearly impossible. I have to really work at it and try to get random pattern. Completely straight is a piece of cake. Ladder patterns are wonderful. It takes a slightly different train of thought to manipulate the patterns, but it's worth it. Jamie
June 21, 200916 yr Author to purchase the plans Hugh McDonald 150 Williams Rd. Gooseberry Hill 6076 Western Australia
July 15, 200916 yr HI ALL. never posted before ,i am setting up a hobby shop to try a bit of blacksmithing mainy knives.just finished the rolling mill .may be of some interest. guards not fitted yet. Daniel DIDTAS.
July 15, 200916 yr Facinating! Could you show a few more pics. You put a name to it. Does that mean that plans are available?
July 15, 200916 yr You can read a review of the roller mill and plans at: Norman A. Larson Norm Larson Books [email protected] 5426 E. Hwy 246 Lompoc, CA 93436 1-805-735-2095 Hugh McDonald 150 Williams Rd. Gooseberry Hill 6076 Western Australia Price: 25.00$ US $ 2.50 S&H
July 15, 200916 yr That's a pretty neat machine. Looks like it could have lots of applications around the shop. :cool:
July 16, 200916 yr THANKS FOR THE COMENTS. plans are available as indicated,have trialed the machine on some quarter inch thick bar and rollled it down under 1/16 .it rolls the bar nice and even thickness. now got to start the power hammer.not sure which type i should build. any suggestions thankks again. DANIEL DIDTAS.
August 1, 200916 yr I tried ordering the plans 3-4 weeks ago from Norm and they are not available. I need some asap.Does anyone have a set I can buy ******? Please do not reply telling me where to order. I have tried that option and now cannot wait. I have several projects due very soon. Thanks for any help. Edited August 2, 200916 yr by mod07 Illegal request deleted
August 6, 200916 yr Thanks. I have a set on order from Norm but have been waiting for a month. He does not have any in stock. I have ordered other items from Norm with great success and as soon as the plans get in his possession he will send me a set. I have had no intention on "cheating "anyone. Regardless if someone helped me out or not he still has a paid order from me. I have already placed an order and paid Norm. I just can't wait to start building it to much longer this year. Time is the biggest issue here for me. I wanted to make clear what my intentions and situation is.
September 28, 201114 yr Hi Thinking of building a rolling mill? Read somewhere that there was a size difference between the upper and lower "roller"! Why? // :rolleyes:
September 29, 201114 yr The upper roller is longer so that the lower one can clear the pillow blocks. :)
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