passgas Posted March 12, 2017 Posted March 12, 2017 After doing some reading and deciding on what size mill to build this week I did finish it. I have 1 jar made and a good 1/2 gallon of .60 lead balls. I know some in here will give me grief about my motor but when I mill bp it will be 800' from the house behind my pistol range railroad cross tie wall. I have a 2kw honda gen to run it. I plan on having a ground rod attached to gen and bar mill. But I feel good it will be safe. When I mill the charcoal it will be in a jar just for that purpose and it will be done under my carport. My other 2 ingredients are bought as a fine powder. Here are the numbers. The jar speed using Lloyd formula says to turn at about 72 rpm. The calculations from the motor to the final jar speed says 75 rpm and when I tested it with chucks of lead in jar briefly I got 70 rpm. I will time it on my first charcoal mill run but I feel I am good on the rpm. My hold back is my charcoal. I cut , split and debark my willow but it will be a few months before being dry. This week depending on rain I will try either cedar fencing or cedar shavings for charcoal making.
lloyd Posted March 12, 2017 Posted March 12, 2017 So long as you're properly barricaded, it doesn't matter much what motor you use. I would put some sort of shield between the motor and jar, just because those capacitor-free "capacitor start" motors' start switches arc significantly.There's no reason to lose your mill - or even a jar - due to an errant spark from that switch. But it'll be fine, either way, so long as your jars never leak, and are clean when you mount them on the mill. Lloyd
OldMarine Posted March 12, 2017 Posted March 12, 2017 It'll be easy enough to change over to a TEFC motor when you run across one with that nice layout.
passgas Posted March 12, 2017 Author Posted March 12, 2017 I will add a shield today. I plan on using either sand bags or rail road cross ties for my bunker. The generator will be used about 50 feet away. I have a 6' high by 9 foot long cross tie wall between the mill and generator. I saw your demo on a jar exploding. I am taking precautions. I am adding a ground rod for the gen and the plate of the ball mill. I have a thin plate over the plywood the mill sits on. It should all be the same potential to ground.
OldMarine Posted March 12, 2017 Posted March 12, 2017 My little generator I use runs right at 4:30 on a tank of gas so I set it and forget it unless I'm planning on multiple runs. My larger one will run both mills but sucks gas like a 67 Chrysler Town and Country wagon. I've got a railroad tie bunker that was formerly my mulch pit that I've rededicated and I keep my generator about 75' away under a little tractor shed.You'll be tickled once you have your first 3 run day!
lloyd Posted March 12, 2017 Posted March 12, 2017 Yeah, Gas... it looks like you have all the appropriate 'defenses' in place. Lloyd
passgas Posted March 13, 2017 Author Posted March 13, 2017 Today I was going to 1/2 way fill the jar. I thought I would have enough but I am just shy from where I want to be. So far I have 25 lbs, 9 ounces of 60 cal lead balls. I would like to see another layer or 2 in the jar. Going to cast some more tomorrow. 10 balls weigh 7.2 ounces.
lloyd Posted March 13, 2017 Posted March 13, 2017 Good on you, Gas. Get it right. The correct media fill will reward you in future. Lloyd
calebkessinger Posted March 13, 2017 Posted March 13, 2017 (edited) 10 balls weighs 7.2 oz? Those are big ! I'm sure it will make you happy and work well for you but smaller media would work more efficiently. Lots of folks here have been fooling with the 1/2in stuff then 3/8in. and even 5/16. Like I said.. you are gonna be so happy just to be able to mill a decent amount of comp it won't matter. Edited March 13, 2017 by calebkessinger
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