jimbob Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 Has any one made one of these Hugh McDonald Steel Rolling Mill It looks like it would be the ticket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Salvati Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Polar Bear Forge is a user on here(who isn't!??!?), and he can answer your questions i bet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgmoyer Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt walker Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbob Posted October 26, 2007 Author Share Posted October 26, 2007 how thick of a piece can you start with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polarbearforge Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbob Posted October 26, 2007 Author Share Posted October 26, 2007 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polarbearforge Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbob Posted October 26, 2007 Author Share Posted October 26, 2007 Thats what I want to get into ..thanks for the info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westerwald Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 I am in need of some plans or dimensions for the rolling mill. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbob Posted June 21, 2009 Author Share Posted June 21, 2009 to purchase the plans Hugh McDonald 150 Williams Rd. Gooseberry Hill 6076 Western Australia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DIDTAS Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Facinating! Could you show a few more pics. You put a name to it. Does that mean that plans are available? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 You can read a review of the roller mill and plans at: Norman A. Larson Norm Larson Books larbooks@impulse.net 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 That's a pretty neat machine. Looks like it could have lots of applications around the shop. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbob Posted July 15, 2009 Author Share Posted July 15, 2009 have you used it yet ...looks like it would be good for knife making. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnptc Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 see also ROLLER MILL BUILD STARTING - Bladesmith's Forum Board Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DIDTAS Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Tirehammer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westerwald Posted August 1, 2009 Share Posted August 1, 2009 (edited) 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, 2009 by mod07 Illegal request deleted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweany Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 do a seach over on Don Foggs forum. there are others besides this post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westerwald Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Völund Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 Hi Thinking of building a rolling mill? Read somewhere that there was a size difference between the upper and lower "roller"! Why? // :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 On mine they are the same size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thingmaker3 Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 The upper roller is longer so that the lower one can clear the pillow blocks. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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